Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1907-06-26
Letters from The people
(fsom Wednesdays pailyl
REGARDING Socialism.


dress Of our eminent and sincerely and
rightly respected district Judge, at the
High sthool exercises. contains so
many good thoughts, that - criticism
from one less renowned than nimself
viii seem prcsumptuous.
40 true Socialist, however, can let
HE quotation below pass unchallcnged:
Men are preaching Socialism today
who are not able to define the term, cx
the equal division of the fruits of labor
not understanding the profoundcr truth
that all 10 not and cannot contribute
equally to the wealth Of the world, and
to divide that wealth equally among all
men would be. in effect, what they now
condemn. the spoilation of some for the
benefit of others, AMI the consequent
lowering of effort and production 10 the
level of the indolcnt and inefficient, un.
less the state. to the total destruction
Of individual liberty, should compel
each man TO do his best. nj the point
of gun.
This statement was made before n
splendid Prescott audience, ms though IL
were the final argument on Socialism.
Every intelligent Socialist knows the
above for the most common misconcep-
ton Of our doctrine.
Socialists unite in n demand that all
capital of every description, land, fac.
tories. railroads. mines, etc. be collect.
i've property. That they be collectively
operated by the whole people, for the
greatest production possible; that the
products so produced be justly divided.
Justly. mind you among every man,
woman and child on earth
Socialists differ as to what would
constitute just division. Some claim
, the more capable should receive more.
Others, that everyone who gave his bcs,
efforts should share equally from presi
dent down. Even these however, agree
I VITA the first that anyone, however
. capable who will not work, shall have
I no share whatever, and those who give
but half Of the required effort shall
have but half u share.
Some would work just enough TO live
but as to this dragging down others tc
|, their level, if pay is any incentive, the
ambitious would have TO be restricted
= from working too much, since the,
would be assured Of n greater income IL
, ratio to their labor.
o That the state would need to max,
p every man do his best at the "point Of
. a gun. and thus totally destroy persona
liberty" is, to every Socialist, thu
T most glazing error. Edward Bcllamy
!. in Looking Backward" "Equalit,
forccfully expounds this question Of in
f.. ccn,ive.'
The most excellent advice about goo'
reading and against pcrnicious litera
turc. has n sting, in that as the address
I. does not label dime novels, ETC., as read
ing Of the wrong sort, and does mention
Socialism, it may be inferred that So
. cialist literature 10 referred to.
4 The Encyclopedia Brittanica state
- that "The ethics Of Socialism are close
:. ~ akin. il not identical with tn
=. ethics Of Christianity.
In the face Of such an authority ca
n anyone say the reading Of Socialist Iii
;. crature is undesirablei
:, Is it fair to judge any doctrine VIII
>. out studying both sides'
= 1t matters not how wrong any doc
!, trine may he. an intelligent man ca
i. present such plausible arguments in II
favor ~ to convince many unthinkin
hear the other side, to dissent and dir
!. approve his statements.
/, Do not change your belief until yo
are assured Won are changing wrong IA
:, right. -
DO not stand on any unborn, or a.
:. qurcd belief until you have rca'
studied and know you are right. Whe
two people hold different views on an
- subject, one must be wrong; it may l
you'
40 We Socialists desire you to study OF
:. principle political economy. II we nj
" right. YOU will become enlisted in n
great movement for the bctterment I
mankind. II we are wrong, you will
better equipped to combat us.
The eminent judge has attempt,
what the nndisputed authority abo'
=. quoted says cannot be done, tnat is
banish Socialism with one fell swoo
nd again quote; ''ln point OF fa'