The Cairo bulletin., 1909-07-12

Social authorities, claiming that when
you try 10 locate us by. ONE authority
we jump to another, comparing us TO
the "Irishman' flea, but remember
we are discussing Socialism and noth-
ing but Socialism.
Socialists are well agreed upon ee.l-
nomic principles and philosophy. bu'
disagree upon many other points, AMI
/ see no reason to repudiate a mans
Socialism because we do net agree Oh
some other point that Has nothing 10
do with our economic ideas.
You refer to several names, some OF
whom have held views and opinions
thar have been held MP for criticism.
some of those you mentioned We're not
Socialist. But ii they were is pOlit-
icai party to assume responsibility
for the views of ALI of its adherents
on subjects absolutely foreign to lis
philosophy? Take Robert lngersoit.
one of the most brilliant orators Of
the Republican party and one of the
greatest agnostics Of the age. Shall
we charge the Republican party with
agnosticism on lngersoll's account?
And there are many more in the same
party who hold Ingersolls belief
But remember those things have
nothing to do with Socialism any
more than they have with Repuhsi
canism or Democracy, an you will
find many in the ranks of the two old
parties who both advocate and practice
free love. 4 political party is to he
judged by lis political expressions AMI
not by the private views Of certain
individuals
Once again we will have to tell you
that such efforts as Upton Sinclairs
is not Socialism. Socialism is no
more susceptible of being practiced
upon small scale than is free tradh
or protection.
In regard to Mr.. Debs being FREE
love advocate, we ask YOU to show in
speech or writing any single eXpres
sion of his advocating your conception
of Gree love.
You also charge Mr. Debs with be.
ing an anarchist and yet recogniza
him as a Socialist Had you taken
the trouble to consult an encyclopedia,
You would not have made such a mis-.
take. Remember Socialism and An
archy rest upon fundamentally oppo-
site principles. The basic in anarchy
is the individual; in Socialism it il
society. Under Anarchy the rule Of
action is the individual will; under
Socialism it Is the collective will, so
expressed as to free all and license
none. Anarchy enthrones the individ-
.ual. Socialism enthrones ine brother
hood and makes il possible.
How can a man be both Socialist
and Anarchist?
You also speak of the writings D
Bernard Shaw which you say are 50
rotten" that they have been excluded
from the public libraries We would
call to your mind that Mr. Shaw IN
his works has only given ms faithful
and truthful description of the effects
and fruits Of capitalism the system
YOU are defending And when Mr.
RCosevelt's own commission made its
report on the social, moral and eco
nOmic conditions of society a few
weeks ago( it was Immediately sup
pressed, having been declared IN
maiahle. Remember Mr. Shaw was
writing concerning the same things
that commission had been inYestiga-
ting.
Finally you say there are some
very bad Socialists" and that 'it is
significant to note that the most
prominent leaders OF today seem 10
he of that class. In reply we sim
ply refer you to the following leaders
.of the Socialist party: Hillquit Spar
80, Laudon, Simons, Dcbs, Wayland,
Warren. Thompson. Vail, Hunter,
and MANY others, who possess the
most exalted manhood and whose
lives are above reproach, These are
the prominent leaders of our party
today and if it is sucn as these you
villfy as very bad Socialist" we con
fess 10 have become converts then TO
the doctrine of the folly of being
good.
Trusting to your fairness TO give
this the publicity which fairness de.
mamdS, | remain,
Yours fratcrnally.
+. r MAXWELL,
STATE Organizer.
HARRISBURG July & 1909