The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-10-28
SOCIALIST
COLUMN

Many people wonder why SOCIALISTS are
uniformly optimistic; why they are al
ways confident and never discouraged. No
matter how small their vote, or how nearly
their propaganda may be smothered by
opposing influences, they emerge serene
and smilingly and continue their work as
if their cause was to be triumphant the
very next day.
The reason for such optimism among
Socialists is easily explained. Socialism
is in itself an optimistic philosophy. 1t
is the philosophy of social progress and of
social redemption. 1t is based upon the
facts of material life and upon the varie-
ties~of industrial evolution.
Socialists are never discouraged for the
reason that they know that ultimately
Socialism must triumph. They know this
because they have studied and made them
selves familiar with the great forces un-
lying society, and which have been cease
lessly at work moulding social forms and
remoulding them since the very dawn of
social life. They have made a scientific
analysis of the existing capitalist system
tiic demonstration how this society was
piotuNSuJ uiidtl iii cOHtllllOHS II WAS
evolved, what its mission is and it's limi-
tations, and what it must finally culmi-
nate in when it has served it's purpose and
must make way for another system, as
others before it had to make way when
the hour struck for social change.
Socialism is the first social philosophy
of world wide application. Its patriotism
is of u new order and extends to all man.
kind. 1t knows no race, no Sex, no color,
no creed. 1t has not been made to order
and no attempt will be made to force it
on society. 1t is society, in a theoretical
stage, based upon mutual economic inter
csts, and held in restraint by an cnlight-
cned social conscience.
The whole civilized world is moving to-
ward Capitalization, combination and CO.
operation. This is simply another way of
saying that the whole world is being driv-
en- toward Socialism. Capitalization and
combination go hand in hand and before
them competition disappears as mist be-
fore the sunrise.
The world S housekeeping has been bad
" ordered under capitalism. 1t is true
that capitalism taught us how to produce
wealth.; to make all things and do all
things, and it was really its historic mis-
sion. Did L say all things? l meant all
but one. 1t failed wrctchedly in distrib-
uting its bountics and in bringing happi-
ness to the people. That will be the mis-
sion of Socialism.
Capitalism taught us how to produce
wealth and Socialism will teach us how
to use it. Where capitalism ends Social
ism begins.
The working class first of all is con
cerned in this revolutionary movement.
1t is essentially 4 working class move
ment. In every country and in every de-
partment of activity the workers are
catching the spirit of Socialism and fall
ing in line for the social revolution. 1t
appeals to them rs nothing else has in
all the ages past, for the reason that it
promises complete political and industrial
emancipation.
Why should they not join it with all
their hearts, work for it with all their
zeal, and consecrlte themselves to it with
all their souls?
Socialism is the philosophy of the work
ing class emancipation. 1t springs from
the misery of the oppressed and pro
claims the glad tidings of their coming
deliverance.
S. s. MORRISON.