Albuquerque morning journal., 1906-09-10
THE SOCIALIST
PHILOSOPHY
Editor Morning Journal.

~ NhNekAhh bilNN dbiG " bt blouS
up for discussion. II is soon ready Tor
settlement. The Importance of the
subject of the socialist philosophy T.
shown by the step taken by Rev J.
w. Barron, pastor of the Congregl-
tional church Of this city, when he in
vited the socialists to explain their
view point relative to the practicable
ity of applying the communism as
practiced by the early church to our
present day church.
While the socialist philosophy does
not contemplate such application its
discussion makes it possible for its de-
tenders to show how the spiritual side
of the individual may be improved,
and how, by the practice of its philos-
ophy. he may more easily recognize
the Fatherhood OF God and the broth
erhOod of man.
This step taken by Mr.. Barron
shows him to be a broad-minded, lib
eral man. and while opposing what he
thinks to be socialism, as is generally
done by the church, he is fairimind-
ed and willing to allow this socialist
philosophy to stand or fall upon It's
own merits and this, too, is all the So
clalist asks.
In commenting upon this action, the
writer wishes to make a few remarks
that seem to him to be opportune, IS
is evidenced by the desire upon the
part Of many. to know what socialism
stands for now.
You perhaps have read Carl Marx
and other authors, but you want %
know what we say, so | think Il arl
expressing the present day idea whel
| say that we do not present our philo-
sOphy as a religious one In any sense
more than that the study Of cause and
effect proves that ones environment
has a most potent effect upon his spir-
ituality.
But we do present this philosophy
as an economic one. We do not ho'd
that all things shall be owned an1
used in common, but on the other
hand we declare for private owner
ship DESIGNATING what that ownership
shall consist Of And it is that the
things that are collectively used shall
be collectively owned; that the thinas
that are privately used shall be prl-
vately owned, claiming for the indy
idual the greatest and fullest individn-
ality that is consistent with society's
good.
We recognize the rights of society
to the rights of the individual, while
giving to the individual the greatest
liberty, recognizing that liberty Is no;
license This is clearly expressed ana
defined i'm our present laws of eminent
- We stand for the enactment
of laws through the use of the initia-
tive and referendum and for the en-
forcement of all laws, as was evil
denced some time since by the coun-
ell, calling their attention to the fact
that the laws relating to houses OF
being flagrantly broken,
and begging them, in the interests OF
society, to do their duty relative to It's
suppression.
He recognizes that man is social
being; that he owes what he is to So
cety, and that as a unit of that Socl-
ETY. he has an obligation to fulfill to IL.
SO that in turn, he may demand GER
tain things of society, He owes enough
of his time to society so that 1t Is pos
siblc for society to give him the right
to labor. and to be able bv his labor
to have the three things essential ana
necessary to the attainment of hiPh-
er life. They are, to be comfortably
housed fed and clothed, that he may
live, love and we'd
The fact Of the existence of the
brothel and its environments is evil
dence of many not being able to have
comfortably these three things under
the present exploiting system, and we
condemn that system and challenSe
any Christian minister to defend 1t.
We demand the overthrow OF the
profit, interest and rent systems,
charging the profit system with being
the cause of dishonesty of persons
both in public and private life. we
declare that labor shall have its fun
products: that no man shall be able
to exploit another mans labor
Perhaps you do not understand what
we mean when we declare that title
shall consist in use. 1t is illustrated
by our public highways You occupy a
space in that highway covered by
your person or vehicle. That space IS
absolutely yours for use so long as You
use It. as society decrees you shall us
it. DO you ask any ones permission
to use It? Can any one disposses you
Of it, SO long as you use it as decreed!
No. Well now, if that is sOcialistic
philosophy, and it is. and if you like
It, you need not be afraid, and we IN
vto you to help us extend the prin-
ciple.
The same thing applies to our pos
tai system and to our public schools,
and by the way, we believe that. like
"a chain. society Is no stronger than
the weakest member Cor link in tn It
chain), so that the stronger we make
the individual member of society, the
stronger and better able to serve the
interests of all that society as a whole
will be.
The church has taught for two
thousand years, be good, be content.
That some time, somewhere, In the
sweet by and by you will have ma l.
sion. The Christian socialist prays
Thy Kingdom come, right here AMI
now. and follows up that prayer by
revolving against a system that de-
stroys the home and family and the
conditions necessary to the highest d a-
gree Of spirituality, that does good 1n
Sunday and does the other fellow the
other six days Of the week, And you
may know this socialist by his works.
He Is not afraid.
The writer would like to hear from
those that believe In the present di-
vlde-up system that we are living u l.
der, and in which the powerful say
how that division shall be made.
JOHNEY II. BEARRUP.