The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-02
WHAT SOCIALISM rs.
A PHILOSOPHY That WI Soon write Fiuis TO
the Present Order.

To THE EDITOR or TIKI SuN-Sir: In his
letter on socialism Goodwin Smith says:
The inference which we seem warranted in
drawing is that socialism at present means
little more than a fervent desire 10 level those
inequalities OF the human lot which, mourn
full and touching TO the heart OF benevolence
as their aspect may be, nave arisen from
differences Of capacity, and unless capacity
a. well as property could be levelled would
presently reappear."
There are other points in this letter which
would serve as well. but this quoted para
graph illustrates how Professor Smiths ad-
mirably clear and lucid style can show forth
not only understanding OF a subject but also
complete and utter incapacity to catch the
nrst faint glimmerings OF what this new doc
trine Is.
That the establishment Of the doctrine that
all forms OF living creatures have resulted from
their environment-from the struggle for
existence. in q word should inevitably re-
suit In the downfall OF the doctrine Of special
creation and the ultimate caving in OF the
whole structure OF those social organisms
that depend upon the enslavement OF the
human race by superstition was not the
purpose Of the evolutionists. however much
the wish for such a downfall and such a cav
ing in may have predisposed them to the
doctrine. In the last analysis their real pur-
pose was to find a satisfactory explanation
OF the physical world about them. That the
truth should make them free was not the rea-
son why they sought the truth; they sought IL
because It was the truth. Any other state
ment OF the purpose OF evolution would have
been not only beside the point but indicative
OF inability to see the point.
Similarly. while the establishment OF the
doctrine that all forms Of social creatures
beauty. standards OF morality, and the likel
have resulted from their economic environ
ma -~W AhA AlAAa L. -.A
will inevitably result in the downfall OF special
privilege and the ultimate caving in OF the
structure Of those social organisms that de-
pend upon the ensla vement OF the human race
by poverty, that after all IS not the real wish
OF Socialists. however much the wish for such
posed them to the doctrine. In the last analy-
sis they. like the evolutlonists. seek an ex-
PLANTATION OF the social world that ~ and was
and Is to come. That the truth shall make
us free is not the real reason why we seek
the truth, we seek IL for itself alone. ANY
poist, and Is ind I Sa Of 'fi pSSili ~ p te see he
point. Socialism is. in only one aspect, a
benevolent design to draw the great majority
essentially a philosophy that discerns the
reason why In every land, in every human
lineage, at any date you please. whenever
a people attains a certain stag OF industrial
progress its social inst buttons are i~nevita-
bly, similar. A. philosophy that can predict
las witness Kari MARKS forecast Of the trust,
non-eXistent and apparently impossible in
his day. is certainly deserving of more re-
speCt than a mere fervent wish to level those
inequalities which touch the benevolent heart.
II is certainly worthy OF as much respect as
the philosophy that can tell where a hitherto
undiscovered planet may be found or from
one bone describe an unknown animal and
have the fossil dug up later verify that de-
Professor smith has lived to see the doc
trine OF evolution. once hooted at, become
entirely accepted; il is my wish that he may
live TO see the. doctrine of socialism as en-
tirely accepted. And while ! shout "Ad
muitos amos" for him. feel that mnitOs
ceptance of socialism does not so much de-
pend upon the intellectual conviction Of a
majority OF the voters of this country (which,
The possibility Of e~neCtual resistance on the
part OF the classes who are 10 be deposed seems
hardly 10 be taken into account as upon
certain elemental forces over whose work
ing the individual has as small control as over
the forces that swing the worlds in their
orbits. The class struggle must soon end.
not only because the one class upon whose
subsection all other classes depend 1.-THE pro-
~letariat, If you will is doomed TO get control
because each class is also doomed TO do that
which destroys II as a class. TO abolish its eX-
cuse for being The working class. for eN;
annie, exists because of bodily strength and
skill. Otherwise it would not have been worth
while in all the ages past 10 enslave the work.
ing people and take from them all OF their
product except 80 much as will keep them
In working condition and enable them TO breed.
But IL IS the working class that %invents ma
NlllItIA NudI Hl"lllNHNN NV hNth Vi uOuli9
strength and skill. substituting therefor the
strength Of the engine and the ~unerring skill
Of mechanism. The other, class, not the
working class you may call IL the Sinking
classl exists because il can supply real money
10 an enterprise. cunning in the battle or the
markets which has taken the place Of the
supervision OF the work, IL invents schemes
whereby an enterprise may be financed. not
future. devices which obviate competition
and which free II entirely from the drudgery
Of supervision. so that, insane people, and
mere children grow. rich in spite Of them
selves. 4 thousand illustrations may be
cited to prove that every class is, driven to
bestow upon mankind AT large the special
constituted its caste. They die TO the old
Adam that they may live in the New Man.
That there should be differences in capacity
In human beings Is no mere matter of chance
TO the Socialist. no special creation; ! am OF
the opinion that 1t Is a matter OF environment
This does not at all imply that men in equally
favorable environments would he intellec-
iually capable in the same ways. As Pro-
lessor Smith evidently intends: EQUALITY is
not samenesS. IT we construct q laboratory
state in which the large production Of useful
things is the means and not the end; il that
helms Of every member Of thar stale; il every
child born into II shall always have enough
TO eat and wear: II II shall have the time and
place and opportunity to obtain that most
imnortant education. outdoor play with its
fellows: If it shall have book learning in the
formative years OF life II. upon reaching ma
turity, the man and the woman shall have
occupation nj productive labor for. say, two
hours a day (which, when every man not ply
sicallv inCapacitated should he set to work,
would morethan EQUAL our present productions;
If, | say. we should construct such n labora-
tory State. IL il evident that in the next gem
Grafton there would be very little difference
IN Intellectual capacity and very great di-
versity in intellectual pursuits.
But il Is not upon the sweet reasonAbleness
Of such a State the Socialists RELY. N will not
do AZ all to picture n ItOnia. and expect men
10 realize II in action. Socialism proves-or
1t proves nO~thing-that such n State Ia inevi-
table. And whether we FIGHT for its coming
or against II makes very little difference. In
spite Of ourselves We bring IL about, John u.
Rockefeller no less than the soap box orator
on the street corner. r.. W.
BRoOKLYN, November I.