The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-03
PUBLIC OPINION
DO WE WANT SOCIALISM?

DO WE WANT SoCIALISM2 Editor of Farmer:
 Slr-Under the caption of '"The Teachings of Socialism" there appeared ln your issue of the 2sth ut, a disser- tation on the attributes of that social
 A perusaI of the same has. as it's prime effect. the forming of the con vhction that someone has been, ana In fact. Is. in the throes of an en- chanting dream It Is, indeed, re- freshing to let ones thoughts wander off to fields of pleasant imagination, now and then, but when the practlce becomes chronic. mathematician Is the result, rather than benefit Ana when the habit is communicated 10 and grows in the lives of number of men. and such persons are oany coming in contact with others. the ill assumes the proportions of a pest, ana is likewise as odious- "A
 Writer does not feel that his time would be we'll spent in wasting a quan- tity of 1t replying to the entire article in question: but there Is one little paragraph which struck him quite for sfbly, an answer to which, just at this time might prod someone out of his deleterious vision, and at the same time furnish a practical reply to the question of What is Socialism 2.'
 Our Socialist exponent says "A mis- understanding of the meaning of the Socialist symboIs-red flag and torch has led fools and knaves to pro nounce it a system of blood, fire and pitch-forks-
 Is all the world peopled with fools world are fixed on the courageous con- duct of Socialism in Europe There they see Socialism. not in actual sway 1t is true. but only in its attempts to grasp the helm, and the logical con clusion is, what an epoch of terrorism would prevail were these people to seize entire charge of matters
 If the universe is so overpopulateu with fools and knaves". as our So- ciaiist friends suspect. this fact ac- counts for the pronouncement or q system of blood. fire and pitch-forks in scondemnation- of Socialistic- tacfics. France is afflicted with the cancer or Socialism and writhes in civic pain Spain suffers terribly with the n1alig- nant malady, and the ancient ideals and high morality of Italy are De- Srnirched-
 IT Is Interesting to. note that the de- cay of French supremacies has been coincident with the growth of Utopian- ism. and the deterioration of old time French morality has been only one ol the wayside marks on the path or So- cialism- Witness the national char acter of France before Marx 3 disciples spread their fancffu- Illusions among sober. industrious, good-nvings peo- pie and compare it with the France of today with Anarchy and material Ism. crime and sordid orgies of immor- aliffes contending for the mastery or her once fair territories -
 And if we dare cast our ken in the direction of Spain, the spectacle Is even worse There the rebellion of crim- inals. and scowardly desperadoes. im- pelled to their dastardly acts by Fer rer1sm. presents itself to- the view. Anarchists end Socialists have wept bitter tears. especially fin Europe at the death of Ferrer. but how many of them have any compassion for the innocent nurz slau ughtereds like cattle in the streets of Bloody Barceiona. to satisfy the rage of curbed Anarchy2 And yet It is not ended, All over Europe. An archisfs. Socialists. and Radicals of every description. 90 long as they are opposed to the reigning system of gov ernmenf hold daily meetings. and in 1aring@ terms denounce and threaten the Church. law, and in fact. anything and everything that exerts a restrain
 Tfthouta doubt. Socialists will re ply that they are being unjustly con- fused with rabfd Anarchists. and oth~ ere with whom they have no sympa- ,thr. It is true that Anarchism and Socialism are entirely different Tn theory. and it is likewise a fact. espe- cially among American Socialists that there are men who would no more sfoop to such acts as are referred to than they would think of substituting carbolic acid for their morning bever- age. but these latter, it would seem, belong to that good-natured. Rip Van Wrinkle genus. who, look at shining surfaces, and allow themselves to be lulled into tranquil lethargies by the glib tongue of Socialistic disciple who prefers sinking from existing con- dftions and star, gazing. to a courag- eous. manfm struggle on the field of life. z
 Yes. Socialism and Anarchy are quite different in theory. but where is there
 4T,a af fa r7n Socialism. and where Is there Socialism that there is not Anarchism2 Why did Socialists join with Anarchists throughout the Continent. in protest against the death of Ferrers~ Why did they riot with them2 why did they assau with them the churches which had minis tered to the people for ages. and burn and desecrate them? Why. in fact, have they. on every notable occasion feagued with Anarchists in denuncia- ton of reputable law and order?
 When Socialists helped fly the fiery banIiers of Anarchism .in the streets leading their followers to that mystical Temple of Truth and Justice. oi which our Socialfstic friend speaksi If Sociaiistic justice comprehends the dren. thes world is too full of it al- ready.
 Present conditions may be bad. and the burden of life may fall more heav- fly on some than on others. but is Il a.s-.- to bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not
 of?'
 JOANNUs CORNELIUS. JUNIOR WHAT WOULD SOCIALISM DO IN
 BRIDGEPORT
 To Editor Farmer
 Sir-Yours of Monday contains a long yetter on Socialism. and the writer seem.