The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-09-15
NHE words "individualism" and
Socialism" define tendencies
rather than concrete system;

rather than concrete system;
for, as extreme indlvidualism is
not to be found under any form Of
government, so there Is no example of
socialism In full operation. All govern
ment being more or less socialistic, the
contention, 80 far as this subject Is
concerned, Is between those who re-
gard indlvidualism as ideal, to be APP
preached as nearly as circumstances
will permit, and those who regard Il
sociallstic state as ideal, to be estab-
lished as far and as fast as public
opinion will allow.
The indlvidualist believes that COM
petition Is not only a helpful, but
necessary, force in society. to be guard
ed and protected; the socialist regards
competition as a hurtful force. to be
entirely exterminated. 1t is not neces-
snry to consider those who consciously
take either side for reasons purely self
fish; 1t Is sufficient to know that on
both sides there are those who with
great earnestness and sincerity present
their theories, convinced Of their cor
rectness and sure of the necessity for
their application to human society.
As socialism Is the newer doctrine.
the socialist Is often greeted with
epithet and denunciation rather than
with argument. but. as usual. it does not
deter him. Martyrdom never kills q
cause, as all history, political as well
ma royi0sous demonstrates
Moral Passion Pervades Socialism.
No one can read socialistic literature
without recognizing the ''moral pas
sion" that pervades 1t. The Ruskin
club of Oakland, Cal, quotes with APP
proval an editorial comment which as
serts that the socialistic creed inspires
a religious zeal and makes it's follow
ers enthusiasts in its propagation. 1t
also quotes Professor Nitto OF the
University of Naples as asserting that
sthe morality that socialism teaches IL
by far superior to that Of its adver-
saries;" and 1t quotes Thomas kirkup
las. declaring In the Z peyclopaediao
Britannica that ''the ethics Of socialism
are identical with those OF Christian
ity."
It will be seen, therefore, that the So
ciaiists not only claim superiority ia
ethics, but attempt to appropriate
Christ's teachings as foundation for
their creed. As the maintenance Of
either position would insure them ulti'
mate victory, 1t is clear that the first
battle between the individualist and
the socialist must be In the field OF
ethics. No one who has faith in the
triumph Of the right (and who can con-
tend with vigor without such n faith9
can doubt that that which is officially
best will finally prevail in every depart
ment Of human activity.
Best Means or UI,.,--."r'ns",.
Assuming that the highest aim Of
society is the harmonious development
of the human race. physically. mentally
and morally, the first question to de-
eide Is whether individualism or social
ism furnishes the best means Of secuT-
ing that harmonious development. For
the purpose of this discussion, indi-
vidualism will be defined as the priyate
ownership Of the means Of production
and distribution where competition is
possible, leaving to public ownership
those means of production and distri-
button in which competition Is prac-
tically impossible, md socialism will
be defined as the collective ownership
through the state Of all the means OF
production and distribution.
One advocate of socialism defines it
as common ownership Of natural re-
sources and public utilities and the
common operation of all industries for
the public good" 1t will be seen that
the definitions Of socialism commonly
In use include some things which can
not fairly be described as socialistic,
and some of the definitions dixie the
last one, for instance) beg the question
by assuming that the public operation
of all Industries will necessarily be for
the general good. As the socialists
agree In hostility to competition as
controlling force. and as individualists
agree that competition is necessary for
the well being of society, the fairest
and most accurate line between the
two schools can be drawn at the point
where competition begins to be posi-
BILE, both schools favorlng public own
ership where competition is impossi-
BILE. but differing as to the wisdom of
public ownership where competition
can have free play.
Common ur0una.
Much of the strength developed by
socialism is due to the fact that social
lists advocate certain reforms which
individualists also advocate. Take. FOR
illustration, the public ownership Of
waterworks. 1t Is safe to say that a
large majority Of the people living in
cities of any considerable size favor
their public ownership-individua
because ii is practically impossible to
have more than one water system in
city, and socialists on the general
ground that the government should
own all the means of production and
distribution. The sentiment In favor
of municipal lighting plants is not yet
30 strong. and the sentiment in favor
Of public telephones and public street
car limos "a still less pronounccd but