Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-16
OUTLOOK FOR SOCIALISM

Gaylord Wiltshire expresses the opin'
ION that Socialism will soon be a POI
tent factor IN the public life Of THIS
country. The Socialist vote he says,
Is rapidly increasing, and he predicts
a strength Of at least 100000 In the
next national election. lie argues that
the conditions are favorable here for
the sowing Of the seeds Of the Social
list propaganda, aud then declares:
There Is no country In which the
people generally are 80 dissatisfied WIN
the existing system a. Americans ON
the other hand. there Is no countrs-Jn
which the organized party of dlscoh-
tent. the party who wishes 10 make
change. Is so weak comparatively
speaking, as Is the Socialist party IN
the United States However THIS j. an
going TO be- changed the moment there
is let down TO our present era OF
prosperity. The moment there develops
AN unemployed problem ana inevltable
result Of the approaching crisis Us sure
TO follow the present boom. Let there
be any great number OF unemploytu
men, let there be any great number
Of merchants losing money of bankers
who cannot meet their obligations. then
YOU win see the great sea ~ discon-
tent which Is now OVERLOOKING lhe
country dashed into fury by The Social
istic hurricane
This IS "a notable admission by one
who himself is In favor Of overthrow
ing the present order Of things lie
recognizes the fact that prosperity is
the stumbling block to the progress OF
Socialism He predicts that, as soon
as The tide turns. the discomfort Of
the unemployed will overflow the
country. He leaves you under the
necessity OF inferring that then the
chance Of Socialism 20 assert itself
will have come Socialism is in his
estimation. the system that viii profit
by the disasters Of the country. II that
Il true. It must be the concern Of the
adherents Of that system, OF those sys-
tens, for they are many and divergent
TO hasten on the economic depression
they are supposed to need for the pro-
paganda.
It is true that Socialism has -four
ished in countries where the burdens
imposed by the state are most heavy
on the people. Military oppression has
driven many into the ranks OF Social
lists and anarchists. But as for this
country, We believe the people viii
avail themselves OF the constitutional
means provided for the correction OF
abuses or the reforms called for from
time to time. rather than try expert
ments with new schemes. For that
reason Socialism will not become pop
ular In times Of financial distress, as
long as the people believe in the gov
eminent as established by the fathers,
tested and found good as gold
In Belgium Socialism has put forth
some Of its best efforts, and has sue
ceeded because practical In It's opera
tions. As far back as 1879 a working
man In Client saw the futility OF SPEND
ing time and energy on academic dis
cussions. lie started a bakery on the
cooperative plan, and succeeded be-
yond expectation. More than 1900 CO..
operative societies were formed in a
short period. including credit associa-
lions. creameries and agricultural So
cieties. shoe and furniture making as.
surance. and numerous others. BY co.
operation the Socialists there rendered
the public and themselves a real serve
ice. by cheapening the living expenses,
Increasing wages and improving condi.
tons Of existence generally. Any so.
ciety that can do that has a reason Tor
It's existence Hut cooperation IL, OF
course. not necessarily Socialism. Hard
times should teach people the lessons
Of corporation rather than Socialism
For by co-operatiou the weak will be
made strong, and the poor wealthy