Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-09-07
Essence Of Socialism.

st. Mary, Neb., Sept 6.-To the
Editor of The Bee: note in re-
cent issue of The Bee a Mr.. Agnew
refers to instances where the prices
of the necessaries of life were adj
vanced in price, and unjustifably so,
and infers he would be in favor of
putting such dealers behind prison
bars or hanging them. cannot con-
ceive why he should be in favor Of
Furnishing anyone who has not vio-
lated any law. We are living under
a profit system and our laws were in
tentional1y so enacted to give some
the privilege of robbing others if an
opportunity presents itself. In the
same article he says he Is not revo-
lutionist, an anarchist or a socialist.
In this l beg leave to differ with him.
To raise the price of the necessaries
of life without just cause Is oppres-
sion, and Mr.. Agnew being opposed
to such measures reveals spirit of
dissatisfaction, and whenever a spirit
of dissatisfaction becomes general II
leads to revolution, therefore he has
revealed revolutionary spirit
How about not being an anarchist?
He speaks of being in favor Of hav-
ing men hung that persist in practices
that are oppressive. Evidently be-
cause they are bad men and would
like to have them removed from So
ciety, and thereby make society bet
ter. The theory of anarchy is to kill
all the bad people so that only the
good will remain. therefore he has
shown a streak Of anarchy
Now, how about not being q social
list? Thou shalt not Cypress the
poor and humble Of my people,"
When he resents the practice of OPP
preston which is wrong and unchris-
tian, a socialistic spirit shows itself.
Socialists advocate cooperative and
collective ownership, which would
eliminate the profit system, and con-
sequently eliminate the practice of op-
preston. l feel inclined to believe
II anyone were to say that Mr.. Agnew
was not a Christian he would feel
offended, yet he says himself he Is
not a socialist. Pray by what au-
thority does he make the distinction?
There Is no more difference be-
tween socialism and Christianity than
there is between two American silver
dollars. There may be distinction
one may be a little more worn or
bear a different date than another,
but both will perform the same serv-
ice. But because a little 2x4 like my
self makes this assertion does not
prove anything conclusive, because /
am not considered authority. There
fore l shall quote from the Encyclc-
pedia Britannica, which is acknowl-
edged as standard authority of the
world, being based on the opinion of
the greatest professors of theology,
philosophy, political economy and
ethics. / quote from ninth edition,
Volumn ~: The ethics Of social
ism are closely akin to the ethics of
christianity, II not identical, to say
that socialism and Christianity are
officially the same unmistakable."
Just because man may vote the
socialist ticket does not make him
socialist any more than it makes a
man a Christian because he goes to
church. ut is not he that says Lord,
Lord that shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he that does the will
OF the Father" and by their deeds
shall We know them" In my opinion
when we come before that Judge
from whose decision there is no ap-
peal the verdict will be rendered ac-
cording to what we practiced and not
according to what we professed.
H. SCHUMANN.