New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-19

Loses 10 destroy .n order 10 reform.
L he Trades Unions Of England are but
socialism IN concrete form. Not
perhaps IN their present form, but IN
thci~ ultimate and inevitable destiny.
They have done a useful work IN or
carving labor. but is II a useful work
20 have disorganiJed Society? Is It
useful 20 apply compulsion as an eco
monte means Of rearranging questions
OF wages ard the control Of great
Industries? Is ~ useful 20 undermine
the prosperity Of manufacturing Eng
land Is IL useful TO drive business
abroad 10 countries Wherc the DcspOt-
ism Of Trades Unions does not exist?
is the sympathetic strike, whether in
the manner OF jim Larkin or any 9TH
err. IN the interest OF the community as
q whole?
4 single remark may serve as test
OF the new spirit which ! think essen
italy demoralizing spirit. The LabCr
Party in Great Britain is the first
political organization which avOws It's
intent 20 legiSlate in the interest OF a
single class. Other classes have legIs-
lated for themselves; none till our
time has ever been bold enough to ad-
NIT II; 10 assert IL as a vital principle;
to allege 10 as a doctrine Of morals.
You will hear IL avowed not only in
Trades Congresses. but b. the little
knot Of Labor Members in the House
OF Commons, and by the Labor Press.
IL has become familiar. II is undis-
puted. And il strikes al the root Of
the State. What - the State but an or
ganization Of the whole people for the
common interest Of all? And. what is
Socialism but an attempt 70 use the
power Of the State for the behoof OF a
part OF the people? And the Trades
Unions, though repudiating Socialism
as faith. would use it, and do use it.
as a weapon. II they are allowed a
free hand it will become a Statute.
The Trades Disputes Act is proof
enough among many protigate pieces
OF recent legislation that perhaps de-
hes more fagrantly than any other the
principle on which all law rests. II
sets up d Caste apart. Il relieves the
Trades Unions from that legal liability
for Illegal acts which every other cor
poratiOn or body or individual in the
kingdom is compelled 10 accept That
also is Socialism. For Socialism. with
all its professions OF concern for the
masses. Is but Privilege in a new guise.
These ale some. and only some Of the
Dilemmas out Of which England has 10
find her way do not ask you 20 listen
to people who tell you she never will,
or who insist that corruption Of the
body polite has gone too far and 700
deep 70 be stayed. do not believe in
the permanent decadence of the Eng
lish race. whether in England o.
throughout the British Empire. or in
the United States, where our heritage
Of what was best in British institutions
in the eighteenth century mas taken d
development Of its own. With u. as
with them. there are dangers. With
neither is there any reason for despair.
But there is every reason for heroic
political and social surgery; and the
first means of cure is 10 study the dis
ease. There. as here. prosperity is the
order Of the day and wholesome ideal ;
are still the landmarks of progress.
But prosperity IN the long run is only
the expression Of those high qualities
and purposes among the people VIII ich
have ever been the foundation OF ma
tional life G. ". 5.