Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1903 — The Bugaboo of Socialism. [ARTICLE]

The Bugaboo of Socialism.

Rev. Father Gleason says that "socialism is the tendency of civil society to make the state everything and the individual nothing.” It is doubtful however, if the definition applies to the larger manifestations of a socialistic spirit which have been noticeable in the last decade. People propose that industrial trusts, railroad corporations, coal mines, should be controlled by the state, not to exalt its authority but to protect a majority of its citizens against a minority, The principle is the same that has illustrated in earlier times by the ■» uprising of the commonality against feudal lords or extortionate kings, Whether the power of individuals and classes be exercised through the sword or through

that far more subtle and dangerous weapon, money, there is a poiotjt which it must be checked in the interest of millions of other individuals and of the masses collectively considered. There is nothing novel in this idea even when it is applied to moneyed monopolies. The fight for it has been acclaimed as a fight for human liberty, the protection that is sought has long had a warrant of law. If modern developments have led to suggestion for a new application of the old principle it cannot be damned by calling it social istio. On the contrary, the contest of centuries against monopoly will be continued with greater spirit than ever because the greater the intelligence of the people is, the more will it be outraged at the thought of a nation’s paying a species of tribute to a few individuals and corporations. And if a government monopoly is proposed as an alternative it is because there is no other. Railroad mergers cannot be divided and re-divided; coal mines cannot be turned over again to small operators. Individualism is threatened with extinction under the present system. — Chicago Record-Herald.