The Washington herald., 1912-10-13
By LOUIS KoPELIN.

: Socialism. b based ON absolute Justice.
Capitalism II based on gross injusticeL
I shall prove these assertions to the
satisfaction Of any fair-minded person
First. what is .justice?' According to
wdbsters International Dictionary. "jus-
] tics" means ''the rendering to every one
his due or right" It is the right Of every
one to live. And In order to livo every
: one must have access to the means OF
producing the necessaries Of life. The
means of production to-day are land and
machinery. These are owned and con-
trolled by o small class Of capitalists.
As o result Of this private ownership OF
the means Of production and distribution
less than half Of what they produce and
remain idne when II does not pay or
please The capitalists to employ them.
This is the situation to-day. This Is
capitalism. This b injustice.
A system Of society that does not rem
der to every ono his due or right 10 un-
Just.
year produces 8, 20 worth Of wealth over
and albove the cost Of superintendence
and rev materials and gets only $s1S in
wages, a system that permits this is un-
just.
When more than five million women are
forced to labor at unhealthful occupations
for wages even lower than those OF the
men. a system that permits this Is un-
just
When nearly two million children below
the age of fourteen are ground into prof
fts q system that permits this il unjust.
When the railroads and the coal mines
murder and MAIN tens Of thousands every
year. a system that permits this Is un-
Just.
When capitalists and manufacturers
adulterate and poison the food Of the peo-
pie, system that permits this Is unjust.
And. this Is capitalism.
Strikes at the Root.
Socialism strikes at the root OF this in
justice. That is. it proposes to abolish
the private ownership OF the means of
life. It contends that land and machin-
cry are absolutely necessary to safeguard
the lights Of the individual 1t. there
fore, demands that they shall be owned
collectively by all the people and demo-
craticalIy managed for the good of all
poduceEs.
This is Socialism. This is justice.
A system Of society that will render to
every one his due or right is just.
When a worker is able to get the full
value of what he produces; a system
that does this Is just.
ally independent or able to make the
home what 1t should be-a blessing to
mankind-a system that does this is just
When the children can be sent to
schoo, until they are developed into use
ul.citizens; a system that does this is
just
When all machinery and occupations
are safeguarded in all possible manner
against accidents and disease: a system
that does this is just.
When production of food and other
commodities are carried on for the use
instead of profit; a system that does
this is just.
And this is Socialism.
Socialism proposes the greatest good
to the greatest number with all possible
consideration for the rights of the
minority. It comes to protect the fndi-
vidual as well as society. The govern
ment under Socialism will of necessity
be a pure democracy. That means the
people will rule. And when the people
rule no one has the right to complain.
Possessed Of the initiative, referendum,
and recall. the people will safeguard the
rights of all. Bossism or autocracy can
not thrive where pure democracy obtains.
Greed and graft cannot thrive where
every human, being is politically and eco
nomically the equal OF every other hu-
man being.
May Quote Spencer.
It is possible that my opponent. who
is a cfurchman, may resort to the ar
gument OF the infidel. Herbert Spencer.
which, in effect. is that Socialism is