New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-10
A REPLY FROM DR.. ELIOT
Why He Regards Socialism as an Enemy
to Progress.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In reply to Edward W. Van Walk
enburgh's inquiry regarding my attitude
toward socialism | believe that the prog
ress of mankind toward ideal conditions
OF labor and life depends on the main
tenance OF wholesome family life, indl-
vidual liberty protected and limited by
law and the security Of private property
in both acquisition and transmission.
Socialism, correctly defined, seems to me
TO loosen family bends. diminish the re-
sponsiblity of parents for their children
restrict individual liberty and abolish pri-
vate property. | believe also that the
safe progress Of society toward Justice
and righteousness depends on the develop
ment, through continuous struggle and
aspiration, OF the human virtues In
larger and larger proportion or mankind,
and that the development Of virtue comes
only through freedom, property rights and
family love.
That condition of society at which
socialism aims--namely, equality OF in
come and of the days work In production
and similarity of total lot for all MEM
pitious condition for the development OF
the human virtues. What you speak OF
as the ultimate attainment OF state
approaching equality Of income" is to my
thinking, the worst way OF trying to at
tain real human progress and happiness.
Variety In occupation, capacity and SER
vice, personal ambition for excellence and
distinction, competition, rewards proper
tionate TO merits and the fostering OF self
denial and self-control seem to me in
dspensable conditions Of all advances Of
mankind toward ideal welbeing.
The monotonous and stupid social con-
dition which you picture as desirable
seems to me to resemble closely the con-
dtion OF community of slaves. with or
without a good master Slaves have al
ways been persons without property
rights. with equal income Of food, clothing
and shelter, loose family ties and neither
ambition nor motive for excellence in
work.
Thus far human society has progressed
out of savagery toward civilization
through steady, productive. voluntary
labor, the motives of which have been
family love, the transmission of posses
sions, the Joy in personal achievement and
the individuals purpose to use his powers
for righteous and serviceable ends in lib
erty Through the play Of these motives
every significant achievement Of man
thinking and working has been brought
about. Theoretical socialism perfected
would take away from individual man
most of these >civlizing motives. Then
civilization would halt and walt for the
advent of political philosophy which bet
ter understood the means Of developing
human virtue. Any theory OF society
which would do away with 'the struggle
by each member Of society to succeed"
would fail TO develop thriving. progress
sive human race. and. therefore. 70 pro-
mote the good OF the whole.
The watchword, Each for all and all
for EACH is a good one, but good only II
the hosts that shout 1t believe without
reserve in family life. private property
and unselfsh individual liberty.
Finally, believe-and this Is necessar-
lily a matter OF belief or opinion. since
lacking-that profit sharing, combined
with cooperative management, sick and
death benefits, accident insurance, voca-
tional training and good housing. is cap
able OF Transforming the present century
old Industrial warfare into an era OF peace
and good will. because II supplies the
natural method and means OF developing
in employer and employed alike Industry,
frugalty, fidelity and efficiency. and.
therefore. promotes the human virtues on
which alone the political and Industrial
commonwealth can securely rest.
am fully aware that there Is much
poverty, misery and sin in modern white
race civilization, but, 10 my thinking. So
clalism promises no cure, and not even an
ameiiorstion Of these evils On the con-
trsry. Il proposes to cut out Of the human