The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1914-03-12

lowers Professor Mommsen wrote:
The devotion, the self-sacrificing
spirit OF the Social Democratic masses,
impresses even those who are far
frcm sharing their aims
Some Causes of Party's Growth.
The German government tried force
IN suppress the growth of the Social
Democratic party and then prosecu-
ton of its leaders, but without avail.
Workmen's insurance followed-minus
the unemployed benefit of Great
Britain-but this, too, had no effect.
The party continued to grow. The
immortality suggested by the adver-
Using in the newspapers and by the
terrible fact that one of every ten
births in Germany is illegitimate, the
low wages and crowded housing of the
working classes, the official caste sys-
tenn, even the democracy taught in
the schools, where sons of kaiser and
day laborer sit on the same bench
were causes contributing to its
growth.
The founder OF the Social Demo
cratic party in Germany was William
Liebknecht who began, at the sugges-
ton of his wife, the movement. Lieb-
knecht was a poor journalist. When
he had created and organized the
party and was serving in his old age
as editor OF Vorwaerts after having
been in Jail from time TO time for
his political opinions boldly ex-
pressed, he was sharply cross
examiL ed by committee of the party
as to his household expenses and
censursd for keeping a domestic
servant and accepting salary as
editor instead of living like an ordi-
nary workingman.
Not a Job-Gettine Party.
The party has succeeded TO the
present time in maintaining a strict
democratic equality and rigid disci-
pline among its members. 1t is aid
ed, of course, in its discipline by the
spirit of organization which is drilled
into the German from childhood. Its
leaders are never beyond party crici-
cism, but its masses act as a unit
under the leaders direction. 1t has
added strength because it has not per
mitted itself to be used by politicians
to get jobs. 1t has been a cause which
has held the members together rather
than campaign to get offices. All
this, added to the considerable and
widespread industrial discomfort, has
increased the membership of the
party, bringing to it at the elections
many bankers. merchants and profes-
sional men of advanced Liberal views
who were disappointed at the ineifect.
iveness of the Liberal parties-which
like most else in Germany live under
government inspiration - and dis
pleased at the ineptitude of their lead
: ers.
Is Substantially a Unit.
What is the future of the Social
Democratic party? Others than the
, German kaiser and those Of the estab-
, lshed order are asking this question
. most seriously. In part due to its
influence, though perhaps more large
7 ly due to the paternalsm of the gov
eminent and other causes, much
progress has been made in the wide
field of social reform. The party has
remained substantially unit. Bebels
towering influence aided in maintain
ing this unity. His successor, with
out Bebels historical importance
though possessed of his ability may
not be able to prevent the rise OF dis
cordant factions and the destruction
of the party, as so many other parties
have been destroyed, on the rock OF
personal ambition.
Already three distinct schools or
factions struggle for supremacy. The
older and more radical faction wish
to insist on all their reforms in their
entirety or none; the younger, or re-
visionist elements, apparently now
the stronger, are willing to join with
the Liberals and others to get half a
| loaf today rather than no bread, ex.
| pecting the whole loaf tomorrow; a
third and influential faction seek to
/ harmonic the old and the new
schools, preserving unity of action.
i Party's Future Provision.
u Discussion of the general strike as
a political weapon is acute just now
as is criticism by the radicals Of their
representatives in the reichstag who
: voted, according to the revisionist
| ulItCl luSl6du VI
rect taxation for military purposes as
: the lesser of two evils. These discus
:, sions are of less consequence than
: consideration of the future Of the
party as a whole. There are no signs
that this future will be less important
: in the empire than has been the
party's past Indeed the contrary APP
pears probable. The Social Demo-
cratic party, in country where men
and women are educated to under
stand and do what they are told with
out asking for any reasons, is superb
= ~ organized. It's leaders have cour-
age, common sense, ability, the con-
fidence of the rank and file. IL is the
: one potent political force for democ-
racy in Germany today. All that it
4 hopes it may not soon, If at all, &C.
complish. Under its influence, how