Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1907-05-18
SOCIALISM AND INDIvIDUALIsM.

1t was announced that a grand debate
would take place at the Columbia theatre
in Chicago on the 10Th between Mr.
Henry Clews and Prof, K. Kirk patrick
on the subject of socialism and individ-
ualism. This is an interesting question
in the public mind just at present and
the indications are that the interest will
intensity as the days increase. There is
no question that the doctrine of social
ism is growing in this country and it
behooves every good citizen to study its
merits and its demerts to the end that
he may know where he stands and why
he stands there. Every man should be
ready and able to give a reason for any
and every opinion which he entertains,
and every doctrine that he advocates.
We concede that the times are out of
| joint and the differences between capi-
tai and labor is a serious one, and the
tendency Of the laborer is to flock to the
socialistic standard. In all the years of
the past capital has ruled labor and the
rich have ruled the poor, and this has
been brought about not alone by the
power of their money as some contend,
but it cannot be denied that in this re.
public superior intelligence and educa-
tion has helped them to maintain their
position. We know that in this coun-
try the laborers are the many, and the
capitalists are the few, and we also are
aware of the fact that one mans vote
carries no more power than the vote of
every other man. Why is it then that
the laboring man has not always had
just what he wanted in legislating and
in the framing of the laws to protect his
interests? To this question there can
be but one answer, and it is simply this,
he did not know enough. Thus far the
fact is plain, but the scene is shifting,
and the toiling OK is learning his pow.
er, and it has only been in the last few
years that he has been brought to un.
derstand that to gain the power to which
he is entitled that he must unite with
his kind. The strikes that seem to be
the order of the day are not the signs of
adyersity and the inability to obtain
bread for themselves and families, for
the demand for labor was never so great
and wages were never so high as today.
1t simply means to US that the laborer is
learning his power, and if at the same
time he learns to use it wisely then all
will be well, but of this we have our
fear. We regard that as the greatest
danger that confronts our nation today,
but whether for veal or woe the change
is upon us and the old regime will soon
have passed away. As We view it labor
is going to rule this country, and when
it does so it will be the first time in the
history of the world that such thing
has come TO pass. Will the laboring
class become socialists? We hope not.
We think not, but we cannot SO far dis
Germ the future as to predict that they
will not. We hope to see the constitu-
ton stand as it is, for the men who
thought it out and framed it for our
guidance were greater, and wiser, and
more pathetic than any assembly that
could be brought together in our coun-
try today. 1t is true there is no room
for many reforms but all that is needed
is a strict and honest administration of
the laws as they stand and let US hope
that this may be brought about and
maintained without bloodshed, without
calamity and without dshonor to our
nation