The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-02-04
DEEP STUDY OF SOCIALISM.

|
This Is very diligent and earnest
study into Socialism and tue ethics OF
! Christianity on the Socialstic order.
There is a good introduction: aud the
chapters consider Socialism in the
Time of the Reformation; THE Be-
einnings OF Modern Socialism In
France; - "I.assalle: The First Stage
J OF German Socialism, "Karl Marx
and Modern Scientific Socialism,; -
Anarchy: The School of Proudhon
and Kropotkin;'' Socialism in Eng
land; - - Socialism in America" t'The
! Ideals Of Socialisnl-Are They Prac-
ticable!,' 1.-THE Social Teachings OF
Jesus-General Principles; 1.-The So
| cial Teachings of Jesus-Applica-
tions;'' 1.-The Social Future Of the
| Church, and S'The Attitude of
Churches and Ministers to Social
| Questions.
This review of the Socialistic propa.
ganda and progress is unbiased and
author takes note, as he necessarily
must, that the details Of Socialism
present difficulties almost from the first
consideration Of them. This. the author
notes himself (see pages 2s2.2s3) as
follows:
When we take up the details OF Social
ism. We quickly meet serious and per-
picking question; namely. the principle
on which the wealth produced by CO.
operative society is 10 be distributed All
socialists are agreed that the distrIbu-
ton must be equitable. they are about
equally divided In opinion. as TO groups,
though perhaps not as to numbers, whcti
CT equitable and equal are synonv-
nous. VIII equal distribution satisfy the
average ethical sense Of the future So
cislist commounity. or viii there be rec
oepiiion OF unequal service and therefore
UNEQUAL rcward2
There is much 10 he said, abstracty.
for either principle. II may he plausibly
greatly in value. they should be unequal
l. compensated. each receiving the real
value Of his service There is no such
thing as equality in this world. and no
Socialism TO accomplish human equality
must he classed with Jack Cade's prom
ise that seven halfpcnny losNes should
be sold for penny, and the three e-hooped
pot should have ten hoops. The modern
socialist recognizes this necessary limita-
tion. and hsstens TO profess that the
equality demanded by MIN is equality OF
opportunity. equality OF privilege, But
given equality of opportunity and jnequal-
ity OF ability. and by neXorable logic and
TACT as ineNorable, there VIII result un-
equal achievement. VIII Socialism rec
osnize such inequality and provide pro-
poTtloned Chat is, ineGUaD rewards? II
not. is Socialism anything but the at
tempt % the lame and the lazy and the
level? Can social order be founded
on such basis? Will tho men OF brains
and energy ever submit 10 be robbed Of
The fruits OF their labor, that these fruits
may be enjoyed bv those who have moi
produced them" SO long as the world
stands. Is II not likely that the man who
can do things. and does them, will be
Oh n higher level than the man who can
not do things. or IS too indoIcnt TO try?
Making water run uphill would seem to
he as easy task as 10 reverse this in
cVifable current OF human affairs.
Moreover. AS another practical difficult
~. this should lac Considered in the case
~ purely intellectual services there would
hc 10 ltile cmbsrrassmen; in estimating
msfkc, value. even for intellectual serv-
ices but when there is no competition,
how shall an mmaterial service be
cquatcd With material reward? Some
uf The MarTians. II not Marx himself,
would cut this knot not unite II. by de-
ny.ng that any sort OF labor is worthy
of compensation but manual labor. But
We may he sur" that this will not be the
Drawn. viii continue 10 rule the world.
and. If they arc not paid they will take
their pay.
The author * firmly convinced that
political party Socialism is not the So
luton Of the community problems for
the human race He believes very
firmly and very earnestly in Christian
Socialism: and this part OF his theme
he deTclops (sec pages $40, $50. and
Ssl) as follows;
Tic message II Jesus to the world
therefore. is that social reform is pos
sihIc oaIy through snirituaI renewal. To
Ill be q new man. The wiser socialists
perceive this TO be true, but hope for
the renewal pf man ny evolution. Others
pat their trust. as did owen. in educa-
tion. Many rctormers are buSily trying
TO make mon sober and peaceful and Just
and intelligent by legislation. Education
aa aids in the reorganization or society;
but vii" expect from them what nothing
short % Omnlpotcncc can do? Education
Il only the training Of the life that is.
Legislation ~ the best, can Only restrain
mcn from doing The wrong love of the
right aud Impulse to do the right must
come to men from source entirely dlf~
f.reUt.
Jesus is unique IN Ills method NJ right
ing social wrongs Iic proclaimed rcyolu-
tion by spiritual renewal, not b- blood
and larrcaJes. But for this Il wouid
be hard 10 understand Ills Indifference
To orSnpizs ion. His disregard OF the in
-titutlunal side Of religion. Ills alnpfness
from the temporal and political affairs Of
His age. lie walked upon tine waves Of
social agitation and unrest. others were
submerged by them. Others had attempt
cd 70 rcseueIatH society bv providing
u
regeneration WAS 10 bres the into IL a |
new spirit. Others had led n movement
and founded a sect; Iic brought 10 men |
a rcr life, which could be trusted TO find |
!or itself appropriate outward forms. He
saw into the hear; Of things where most
returncrs sec only The surface
Here Is an utter contrast of spirit and |
method between Jesus and present day
socialism. Socialism seeks 10 attain the
new society without tho neS man Tho |
few who have insight enough TO sec that
this is hopeless seek tho new man br |
inadequate methods. In some vague way |
Underlined and indefnabie they trust to
the evolution ~ the new man along with
the now society. But man may bc OK
pcctcd 10 evolve himself into the new
man when We have discovered the secret |
OF lfting ourselves oyer "A fence b., tho
straps Of our boots. Oniv Jesus has
shown The world how the new man may
be produced. He alone possesses The
secret of regeneration. And history
proves abundantly. docs present cx-
peTience, that the method OF Jesus Is |
practicable, that II is efficient that II |
really accomplishes what IL processes TO |
do: while experience and history alike |
establish the negative conclusion that no !
other power under heaven has been able |
10 regeueratc d man or people Inn |
proVement ~ social conditions demands /
as nrIrctIpuf 4