ANARCHISM AND SOCIALISM.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 15, 18 July 1894, Page 2

ANARCHISM AND SOCIALISM.

TO THE KDITOR OF THE STAK. * Sir, — I have been watching with a considerable degree of interest the recent correspondence between Messrs Stanton and Goodbehere, relative to the merits or demerits of the above subjects. And, as the result of my watching, I am of opinion that Mr Goodbehere has, so far, had the worst of the controversy. In fact, I can only suppose that the latter gentleman was led to "rush in where angels fear to tread " owing to his being afflicted with that distressing malady caco'ethea scribendi : anglice, "an itching for writing." But, having rushed into print, Mr Goodbehere should have made himself somewhat more secure in the position he has so rashly taken up than he appears to me -to have done Apparently, Mr Goodbehere is firmly imbued with the fallacious idea that Socialism is synonymous with Communism, Nihilism, and Fenianism, and it is r_ry much to bs feared these " isms " sit so heavily on his chest at night as to disturb his slumbers with tbe most hideous of nightmares and distressing fantasies. I have not consulted anyone's dictionary to ascertain a fixed definition of the. word " Socialism," but I have a definition of my own, and I am bound to say that on the whole it is of about the same style of architecture as Mr Stanton's. Indeed Igo further than the latter does, and, although I may shock Mr Goodbehere's sensibilities, and be deemed by him to be grossly irreverent, I unhesitatingly declare that I regard our Saviour Jesus Christ as having lived and died a Socialist ; aye, and a Socialist in the truest, broadest, and most exemplary case ! His daily teachings were essentially Socialistic, as was his blameless life and boundless love for and sympathy with poor suffering humanity. When a bloated young capitalist asked what would best qualify bim for inheriting eternal life, what was the despised Nazarene's reply ? " Sell all you possess and bestow your wealth on the poor." And we read tbat the rich young man went away with his plutocratic heart slopping over at the sides with grief, " for he bad exceeding great possessions." Mr Goodbehere, it would indeed be very good to be here, if Christ's teachings as a Socialist were " better understanded of," and carried into practical effect by " the people " than they are. I fancy if the principle of Socialistic reform, equality, and fraternity, were understood more widely than is the case at present, this world would be much better worth living in than it is. In conclusion, let me add tbat I believe our Saviour's cruel and cowardly execution was attributable rather to the fiendish hatred of the wealthy Jews, than to His alleged blasphemy in declaring Himself the Son of God. His three years' ministry was characterised by two strong and guiding principles, both eminently Socialistic. One was His fearless and constant denunciation of the wealthy and tyrannical Jews; and the other was His deep sympathy with and love for the poor, friendless, and oppressed. Such being tbe case, I am afraid that if He were here among men to-day thousands of so-called professing Christians would be so mortally offended with His Socialistic tendencies and levelling doctrines, tbat they would exclaim " Away with Him ! Away to the nearest gaol with Him, for a pestilent Socialist!" Possibly Mr Goodbehere's voice would be included in the wild unhallowed clamour. I am, etc., G. E. Bentley.