Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-01-06

tickets in the presidential election was
portentous. but does not necessarily
mean that the country is menaced by
Il political upheaval which shall sLAxe
the foundations Of society. Social
ideals are advancing, but the masses
have yet to stand up and vote as So
riaist spokesIurn talk In strictly class
councils. A reasonable doubt that they
ever will vote as Socialists follows nat
urally upon the perusal Of most able
review OF the field by Mr.. ]. Keir Har-
die the British Socialist leader, In the
Nineteenth Century and After. Mr..
Hardie is very frank In tracing the
radical Socialist doctrine and methods,
making clear and vital distinction be-
tween revolutionary and evolutionary
Socialism. Evolution has the future Of
the cause In its grasp, and the tenden
cy Is toward Socialistic cooperation at
the polls with the existing powerful
party which most strongly champions
the cause OF the common people-the
'proletariut" Of Socialistic definition. In
this word proletariat lies the gist Of
the argument for and against radical
Socialist tactics. Mr.. Hardie shows that
at the international Socialist congress
of 1904, held at Amsterdam, the ground
was again fought over as to whether
there exists in modern society 'an ex-
plotted and oppressed claSs-the pro
letariat" which must work out its
emancipation alone and not counte-
nance any form Of bourgeois or mid
die class government. In other words,
has the working class special griev-
ance which may not be effectively
merged with the general movement for
the betterment Of civilization!
The Affirmative OF this idea, which 10
known as the MARKHAM theory. after
Karl Marx, the German radical Social
ist Of 1S47 and following, dominates
the Socialist ranks the world over
when in council, but 10, with ever in
creasing tendency, thrown to the winds
in practical Socialist politics. Mr.. Har-
die writes himself down as a believer
supplement destructive criticism Of the
existing order of society. He says that
political Socialism has grown at
phenomenal pace during the past ten
years In Germany. Italy. France and
Belgium; that irreconcllables are being
driven to the rear
"It is no longer held" he declares,
that the growing poverty OF the
masses Is the best assurance for the
speedy realization Of Socialism or that
reforms are, even If bourgeois class
meant them to be SO, hindrances TO the
spread of the movement. When Social
ism comes, say the new men, 1t will
be as the result of the growing fntelli-
gence Of the masses and not their
growing poverty and despair" Fur
ther, to summarize Mr.. Hardie's re-
view, there has grown up feeling
that Socialist parties should, while rig
idly adherlng to their ideal and inde-
pendence cooperate with other parties
In emergencies.
The German Socialist address OF
1908 with a trifiing eKciston toward
its close, could serve as model for
British Liberal candidates at the next
election, and 1t is common for German
Socialist votes to be given to Radical
candidates on second ballots. In Bel
GUM the Socialists and Radicals have
practically come to terms, and In Italy
a similar tendency is manifest. In all
these cases Revolutionary Socialism Is
giving way to evolutionary" the old
ideals remaining, but the methods and
tactics changing.
With an exception or two, which Mr..
Hardie explains, wherever Socialism
has become force in politics the trend
is toward evolution In methods, and In
countries without well developed par
liamentary institutions reactionary
methods still find favor. In the United
States the Socialists have not become
political party, and the movement is
in the early propaganda stage Of the
continent Of Europe and, like that, DOM
mated by stern Marxism.
In general, Mr. Hardie deduces from
the voting at Amsterdam that dog
matte absolutlsm in the Socialist ranks
is giving way before practical working
principles and the schoolman before the
statesman. If Socialists will not CO.
operate with those who are prepared
to forward social reforms, then the
common people will seek relief In the
older parties. Socialism may keep out
of politics and be revolutionary. but 1t
cannot enter politics and remain revo-
lutionary. Socialists must share the
responsibility Of guiding the state, and
reforms which they pray for will grad
ually come without anybody knowing
that there has been revolution.
Tho Roston man who scrInped and