Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-01-13
SOCIALISM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Our good friend, Mr. NJ p. Stamm, who has an
article in another column on this page seems to be
irritated by editorial or two which has appeared
In the Journal of late. Mr. Stamm Is one of the
leaders Of the elder group who have done much for
Albuquerque He is entitled to the kindly consid-
GRAFTON of our people. The Journal would do him
honor for he deserves 1t on his record.
However, while gladly publish his article in
the interests of free speech, would do less than
our duty, as we see 1t, If we did not make reply.
The journal, too, regrets that conflicting inter-
ests exist in the world. II knew of a practical
political system which believed would bring in
dustral and economic peace and justice would
heartily support it, study of the philosophy OF
socialism the history of its experiments lends no
encouragement to the view that it is such sys
tern.
The sources of conflict largely inherent in
human nature and no political system can change
it. The question of our natural evil tendencies is
a moral The reformation must come in the
moral natures of before absolute equity can
be done. 1t is Utopian dream to believe that the
political philosophy of socialism would redeem
human nature.
The evils complained of by Mr.. Stamm do exist
We both recognize and deplore them We would not
be put in the position of defending them Those
who follow the editorial policy of the Journal have
long since learned that press continually for
social justice and equality of opportunity.
of indvidualism and the substitution of paternal-
ism will accomplish these results. America has
grown great because of the opportunity it has af-
forded for the individual to be whatever he wills to
be. Pillow boys may become presidents and newsboys,
railroad presidents Our system encourages indivd-
ual aspiration and intense personal effort.
To attempt a system which clips the wings of
honest ambition and substitutes for it a fowery bed
of paternalstic for the soth, to carry him to
d parity with curbed ambition, will work. 1t
never has succeeded
In truth, human nature is so very human that
wherever socialism has been tried 1t has been
sary to predicate it upon political autocracy
than the government of the cars. Otherwise
a sociastic system could not be made to function
at ALL Witness the Commune of France and the
Bolshevsm of Russia-both out-kaisering the kaiser
in disorderly rigor.
No social theory will ever keep those who are
strong from exploiting the weak. Those with spe
cal interests to will forever strive for con-
troll until the human heart undergoes a change.
Man is land animal" The theory that taking
from him ownership of the tree in which he has
built the family nest for his offspring, will make
his heart sympathetic with his fellows, is alb
surd. The center of gravity that keeps upright
in loyalty to government lies deep in his
ship of home.
Mr.. Stamm is a highly moral man, we'll known
for his family loyalty. Yet he defends system
which is VIGOROUSLY antagonistc to conventions and
institutional marriage. The ultimate result of
these views upon the character of its leading advO
Gates has been to lead them almost invariably into
free-love theory if not such practice
Our correspondent well knows that the Journal
does not GLORY in the fact that innocent babes
starve so that pet dogs may ride in lmousines"
More innocent babes starving right in
socialistic Russia than have starved in hundred
years in "capalistc" America.
More mouths will be continuously fed and more
happy lives will be lived, by all who love their
fellow men joining in effort at evolution toward
social justice under present institutions than by
supporting any theory of government which has
revolution its watch word.
We glad that Mr. Stamm is tainted only
with the philosophy of socialism He does not
sympathize with it's America.