The Irish standard., 1914-04-18
Socialism a Menace to the State

!: Socialism a Men
Whenever it is a question of cater
ing to voters of staunch religious con-
victions, the claim is brought forth
that Socialism in this country has
nothing whatever in common with
the Socialism of other countries; that
the advanced ideas proclaimed by
leading exponents Of Socialism in Eu-
rope do not apply to the conditions
of our country, and that, 30 far as
this country is concerned. Socialism
is nothing but a political party, hav'
ing a platform like all other such
parties, calling upon the voter to wit
ness it's ability and intention to meet
the problems of the day. and to re-
deem the pledges which other par
ties are alleged to have broken.
Like most other political orators
the opponents of this plea are equal
to the occasion and are able to make
most extravagant promises with q
straight face. Others less trained In
the art of deception might blush or
grin: not 30 the Socialist orator. He
brazenly tells the working-man that
II the socialistic ticket should win'
each working-man would get a fve-
thousand.dollar salary, and SO on.
In order to ascertain whether the
Socialist party has q right to pose as
one of our political parties, let US
erst ace what the spirit of party sys-
TEN is in our country.
Any country depending upon con-
stitutional authority must have TWO
or more parties for its own welfare
II matters little whether the govern
ment be a constitutional monarchy
mr. 81 republic. like our own country,
or whether the parties are called
or Republican or Demo-
cratic. the end and aim of parties
of any name, must be the
and welfare OF the
country, the UNFOLDING OF lawfully
authority.
Safe. sound and patriotic men may
hove their honest differences of opin-
ions "a to which of the parties will
he best suited to secure the stability
of the country, the upholding OF law
full authority, and the welfare OF tne
people. No matter what parry wiz
draw most votes, on the day OF elec'
lion the minority will abide by the
decision of the voters, convinced that
The stability and the welfare OF the
will be taken care OF. Ana
il it should prove that the wenaie
If the country might be advanced IN
a better way by another party, "
will only be question OF time "nen
The other party will be given an op'
to put into practice Its bet
rer ideas. But in no way will a par
" dare to wilfully bring into danger
tho stability of the country. The mo-
ment one of these parties Wouid at.
tempt to undermine the stability OF
The authority invested in the leeis'
atiye. executive or administrative
branch of the government, that par
" would be doomed.
OF late years Socialism has enter
I'd the political field as a political
party, soliciting votes under the plea
hat it stands for the welfare OF the
that it wants to better
he conditions of the laboring class,
md so on.
But let us see what right Socialism
has of entering our political arena,
q be a part of our lawfully consti-
,uted authority.
Is it pledged to work for the sta
,ility and the welfare of the com
as this is understood and
constituted now?
We have NO pledge Of any kind. Its
platform is constructed to mislead
men who will not think. Socialism
8 neither American, nor German
Tor English-it is international In It's
scope and in its organization. It's
members care no more for the Unit
ID States, for England, Germany,
France, or any other country than
We care for the man in the moon. So
:ialism is opposed to any and all
awful constituted governments, sbe
hey monarchical or republican. Ev-
,rywhere it's avowed aim is to get
control of the government by votes,
( that is possible, or by bullet, II
hat be the only way, and to uproot
hat government. To destroy a con-
,titutional government, and place its
,wn Socialistic government In Its
stead, is the outspoken plan. One
will look in vain for patriotism in
he ranks of Socialists. They care no
more for the stars and stripes OF our
air land than they care for the nag OF
France or any other country. Their
lag is the red nag. All others are
,ated rags in their sight. In the civil
zed world red has come to be signal
If danger, and it were we'll for the
sake of self-preservation that the pe0-