The Washington herald., 1915-01-25
European Strife Proves
Downfall of Socialism
Thinks SDavid GOLdStei1
Former Leader of Party in Boston Argues Against Its
Ideas Before 5000 People in Gonzaga Hal-Would
Disrupt Christian Family, He Says

That the European war is not proof
of the failure Of Christianity. but marks
the downfall of Socialism was the dec
laration made by David Goldstein,
formerly an ardent Socialist, but now
one of it's greatest foes, in the course
of a lecture on the doctrines of So
cialism in Gonzaga Hall last night.
Mr.. Goldstein's declaration came in
reply to a query from a Socialist in the
audience, who took exception to the
lecturers statement that Christianity
is eternal Mr.. Goldstein replied:
Socialists teach that the working
man has no country and therefore can
not defend what he has not. Yet when
the war broke out between Germany
and the other countries, German So
cialists discovered that they did love
their country and are defending it.
Christianity never fails where its prin-
ciples are put into effect"
'Disrupts CHRISTIAN Family"
Mr.. GoIdstein set down two PROPOSE
tions, which in the course Of his lee
ture he endeavored to prove. First
that Socialism is antagonistic TO re-
Iigion; secondly, that it tends to dis
rupt the Christian family.
Ihe lecturer " AllS ouNA
ence a score or more of Socialist
books, from which he said he had
CLEANED the following as facts: That
marriage to one woman is only the
result of the desire of an ancient
savage to leave a legal heir to claim
his fish hooks and arrows; that, since
Socialism proposes to do away with
economic classes there would be no
need for religion to keep down the
working class and, therefore, religion
would eventually pass away; that the
commandment, Thou shalt not Steal
was necessary to protect private prop
ery. but under Socialism there would
be no private property. and that Cath
olicity came into existence as a labor
movement to adapt itself to a certain
class known as serfs.
The lecturer declared that, although
these facts were only the opinions OF
individual Socialist leaders, they were
officially circulated by the national
headquarters of the Socialist party.
"VioIate Gods Rule and Suffer-"
"socialism is based" said Mr.. Gold
stein. ION belief in the materialistic con-
ception of history. The materialistc
conception of history is a sort of mir
TOR that reflects into the minds OF the
people the ever-changing conditions which
require different forms of religion.
First came slavery; which, according
to Socialistic doctrines, necessitated the
creation OF paganism- Then slavery de-
yeloped into feudalism, which Socialists
say. brought into existence Cathoiicity.
And later, in the period of the trench
revolution, came capitalism and with It
Professionalism.
socialists attack the eternity Of the
ten commandants Of God. Well IL you
examine the causes Of all the misery ana
suffering in the world, in nearly every
case you will find 1t the result OF tne
violation of one of these commanoants.
There are a great number OF men
who profess to be Socialists simply De-
cause they do not know the real motives
that lie behind what apparently Is
purely political party. Politics Is merely
incidental to the underlying motives that
constitute Socialism.
Some men imagine that because they
believe in government ownership Of rail-
roads and other public utilities they are
Socialists. Well. 1 do not propose tc
solve the question of government owner
ship. But know that there are coun'
tries in Europe-Russia, for instance
that have government ownership and dc
not permit the freedom OF expression
that we have In America, Moreover. gov.
ernment ownership was in practice In
some parts Of the. world before Social
ism was thought Of
Men who are dissatisfied with unjust
economic conditions call themselves So