Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-22
lndividualjsm vs.. Socialism.

Editor Courier: If the individuals
who have been discussing theology in
the peoples Pulpit" of your paper will
not deem it an intrusion and with your
kind prmission, | would like to pre-
sent q few arguments for individual
ism and against socialism and If there
10 anyone who thinks he can knock the
props out from under my arguments
let him speak up and l will endeavor
Ito defend what am about to write.
It is true that social conditions at
the present time are not all that can
be- ID esired, that there is constantly
widening breach between labor and
capital that there are some progress
sive and social reforms that could be
inaugurated for the lasting good OF
this section but any attempts to inau-
CRATE socialism strikes at American
homes, American liberties and Amer1-
can Individuality.
Our system of government impos-
ing confidence and trust IN the 1nd1-
vidual still embraces the fundamental
principles Of individual liberties and
the cause of idle workmen, dissatis-
faction, want and tpenury does not re-
pose in our system but in the avarici-
business. greed and dishonesty of those
men who by either business ability,
shrewdness or manipulations control
the output Of the factory and our nat
ural resources. rs
Consequently it follows that any re-
forms promulgated for the betterment
|of social conditions shall not be aimed
at .the system but at the individuals
who dominate the system. Any sys.
TEN that attacks individuality attacks
personal liberties and declares its lack
of confidence in individuals. Any sys-
tenn that has tendency to destroy
competition tends to retard the pro-
gress of civilization. Adversely is
the result of competition and the ef-
feet of adversely is progress because
man puts forth his best efforts to over
come his difficulties. Any effort aimed
to destroy competition will be fruit
less because it will be aimed at pro-
gressiveness and it is contrary to hui
man nature not to progress. Il know
of no way of Judging the future but by
the past" and in every instance of the
past wherein individuals and nation
have fallen, the cause has been because
human nature has been misjudged and
treated subordinately as though condi-
tions change human nature when 1t is
human nature that changes conditions.
These changes are not made over
night; they are the result of human
ity's judgment of issues.
sAll wise and good reforms have not
been spontaneous but have been the
offspring Of progress. All progressive
, and lasting reforms have been those
that placed man upon his merits and
supposed confidence in humanity as in
dividuals.
Individualism achieves things; it is
it's own reward; it has won battles; it
has made nations; it has created re-
publics. It permits individuals to labor
to strive, to advance on their own
Initiative. 1t fosters self-reliance. 1t
! is the fundamental requisite for the
success of either individual or nation
Whatever We have that is worth
having must be striven for individually
and enjoyed individually.
Considering this would a wise. broad
minded, earnest-thinking, conservative
people cast aside indiyidualism for
socialism? Would they cast aside the
memory of glorious past and the
prospects of brilliant future, which
has been and will be achieved under
iindividualism for communism which
breeds laziness. discomfort and para
sites. which has always resulted in
total failure and is now termed social
ism, ensnaring with false promises and