Scott County kicker., 1912-03-09
WHAT SOCIALISM Is

WHAT SOCIALISM Is
Socialism is the opposite of cap
italim-our present form OF in
dustry and government. And
capitalism Is guilty Of about all
the meanness they seek to lay at
the door OF the Socialist.
The capitalists-the enemies OF
Socialism say that Socialism will
destroy the homes, when as a
matter Of fact capitalism has al
ready destroyed the homes Of
nearly, seven tenths OF the A.
merican people. Socialism will
not destroy homes but will enable
those who are willing to work
three or four hours a day to
have a real home, q home wor-
thy that sacred name-not a
rented shack.
The capitalists say that Social
ism Is against religion. Let US
see. You know full. we'll the So
cialists are not In power through
out this country at present. Yet
saw q statement made by q
Memphis minister the other day
that at least 95 per cent Of the
laborers do not attend church.
It would seem from that state
ment that capitalism is fast de-
stroylng religion.
| But Socialism will not destroy
religion. In fact, Socialism has no
more to do with religion than
any other political party. Soci-
alism does not deal with the fu-
ture Of man, but with his present
state or condition. It does not
seek to obtain for man a home
beyond the stars, but a home
right here and now.
Again, the enemies OF Socialism
tell you that Socialism will de-
stroy the incentive to work. Say,
Mr.. Day-Laborer or Tenant Far
'mer, what Is your Incentive to-
day. Either one OF you get only
a bare living for the most excess
sive toll. You work long hours
each day in the year, and at the
close OF each year when you bal
ance your books, you have-noth-
thing multiplied by two. For all
your toll you are permitted to
live in a rented shack and have
your board and clothes-provided
Of course, you don't eat and wear
too much, and what you do get il
OF the very cheapest. In other
words, you get about one-fourtt
OF what you produce now-the
other three-fourth 60 to the idle
class. Under Socialism you viii
not get one-fourth Of what Sol
produce, but ALL you produce
Now. Mr.. Laborer. which de
: stroys the Incentive to work
) capitalism by letting you taxi
: oue-fourth OF what you produce
| or Socialism by letting you tax,
i. it all?
Our critics say Socialism viii
r reduce the laborer to a mere ma
: chine-a cog In a great machine
What are you now but a cog il
! the capitalist machine OF produc
5 tion? In q great many cases yol
have lost your identity-youl
! name-and are known only By
, number You must go at the becl
, and call OF your boss. You mus
, be there when the whistle blow
! or another cog viii take youl
place.
The enemies OF Socialism say il
will destroy individuality. How
; about the Individuality OF tht
worker under capitalism? Wha'
: chance has the factory hand, tht
J section hand or the tenant farm
er to show his individuality-tl
. develop the best there is in him
| His llle is a ceaseless round o
, toll for the barest existence. HI
| receives enough for one day
| work to buy food to give hin
strength to work the next day
, and no more. And, above all
, what chance have the little boy
. and girls in the factories to de
: velop themselves? They are re
| duced to machines-coined int,
+ dollars to fiji the Golfers Of tn,
factory owners. But, under So
: cialiSm. when he who works vii
> get all he produces, then each in
| dividual can develop the very bes
r thee Is In him,
p The enemies Of Socialism oftel
I cay that Socialism is anarchy. l
Is generally known that the ricl
4 and powerful ride, rough-shot
t over every law in their way. I
r that not anarchism? But Social
|, ism is the direct opposite to an
!, archism. Two thincs could no
/ be more unlike They differ a
D heaven does from hades. Social
/ ism will enact just laws an
e bring about obedience to then
Will usher In the co-operativ
: commonwealth-the B"otherhoo
a OF man and the Fatherhood c
s God.
j Today we have a governmen
: OF the rich, by the rich and 70
I the rich. Under Socialism we wi
t have a government Of the peopl,
Y by the people and for the people.