Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-24
MENACE OF SOCIALISM

II XISTING conditions in the United
II States are menaced by the great
- and steady growth of the Social
list party, with a program so radical
it may be called revolutionary. While
the old parties are fighting over issues
as they arise, the Socialists are pursu-
ing steadily a purpose of readJust-
ing conditions by complete readJust-
ment of society, and by the establish
ment of a new point of view from
which to regard human life and en-
deavor 1t is impossible to hight So
cialism with old-fashioned politics. IL
discountenances professional politics
by its irritating assumption of an ethf-
cal superiority which lifts 1t above the
plane of those whom 1t loftily calls
convention squabblers and "scramblers
for loaves and fishes" The only prac-
teal force which might be brought to
bear on 1t with restraining effect Is
that which we have been calling Amer
icanism. a reaffirmation OF the hrst
principles on which the government
and social economy of this republic
were founded, and which have oeen
grossly neglected and dishonored or
late years by the entirely selfish and
counter-ethical materialism which rules
modern partisanship. Greed for gain
in the form of lucrative offices COM
manding wealthy patronage has oeen
socialism's most effective missionary.
and it is still doing deadly work and
adding new recruits to the Socialist
ranks daily. Mark this, for 1t is true;
Every new political scandal, every new
political controversy which results In
what is known as washing dirty linen
in public" nay, every revelation of the
increase of machine power and the
wane of popular power in the United
States. makess Socialistic votes. Fig
ures and facts indicate that nothing
but a return to the first principles Of
Americanism will prevent condition
which at comparatively early date
not the remote future-will compel all
the Earring, warning factions of all po-
litical parties to unite in one big Con-
servative party, which will have to face
the formidable task of opposing
force which, without the slightest re-
gard for conditions or presidents, will
proceed to readjust society in conform
ity with its PHILOSOPHERS. In 1883 the
presidential vote of the Socialist party
IN the United States was only 2064.
In 1892 1t had been increased to ELISA;
in 1896 to 1924; in 1900 to 127,55S; IN
1904 to 442, 402. In 1908, owing to
variety and succession Of circum-
stances which have been singularly
favorable to Socialism, the vote will
be double and perhaps more than dou-
BILE that of 1904. A Democratic presi-
Dental victory will halt the advance
of Socialism, because many people will
believe in giving the Democracy
chance to make good" by putting
Americanism into practice, and ending
the reign of privilege and exploitation
With a Republican victory, however,
the Socialist strength will be increased
to such an extent that in 1912 the So
cialist party will have an excellent
nRnJlnR
Dental election.
The growth of Socialism means that
a constantly increasing number OF cit
liens of the United Statesmen for
eigners or foreign born men in America,
but American born citizens-believe In
the Socialist program, which contem-
plates a reorganization of society on
the basis of collective ownership of the
means of production and distribution OF
the necessities of life. Socialist lead
ers say they hope through the success
of an appeal to reason and through the
triumph of education to bring about
what historians of the future may call
the Second or social American reVo-
tuition" which is now being preached
constantly to overwhelming circles of
Intelligent American readers by forty
daily papers, weekly periodicals and
monthly magazines devoted to Social
ism. In view OF this menace to the
present social organization, the blind,
crassly ignorant, foolish, irresponsible,
reckless selfishness which dictates, in
spires and controls machine movements
In politics is deplorable. reprehensible
and a just cause of alarm to citizens
who believe the regeneration and puri-
fication of the Grand Old Republic may
be accomplished without revolution by
return to purposes and practices
which are clean, lovely, true, of good
report and in accord with the first
principles of Americanism. enunciated
by the patriot fathers for the inspira-
ton and the perpetual GUIDANCE of
the United States.