SOCIALISM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 178, 27 August 1878, Page 4

SOCIALISM.

[Saturday Review.] Socialism is the natural creed of the babes of this world, of nrdenf, loving souls who think th&fc everything could ho put right if everyone would but altogether changp, aud if men lived altogether for one another. But there are babes aud bab^-s, and the Socialism which appeals to the babes of a higher class also appeals to the babes of a lower class, to those who are just educated enough to be really iguorant, who hate the society in which they fiod Ihemselvee, ond who thick fcbpy are entitled to a much better lot oa earth than is given them. Socialism is to such as these a mere decomposing foic. It gives them an excuse for breaking the bond9 which tie them to the order of things that exists Around them. Babes in a state of babyish revolt are not very edifying specimens of humanity, but the worst types of every Bet of men are unpleasant. A roaring conceited, shallow, Socialist demagogue is a weariness to the flesh, but so likewise is that preverted flower of individualism, the pampered, blatant, self-opinionated grocer. And when men of feeling and genius have surveyed modern society there has been among them a constant leaning to the Socialist side. If the writings of Socialists incite men to commit deßperate legal offence*, to defile themselves with inventing malicious libels or to wander into the dangerous paths of treason, or sedition, the writers ought to be punished ; but then they would not be punished simply a% Socialists. A man who thinks that Socialism is the cure for the evils of modern society is, we think, altogether in error • but he ought to be confuted, not crushed. Discussion would, we think, show that nil artificial revivals are doomed to fail, and that modern Socialism is in a great measure only the artificial revival of what used to obtain iu early communities. But there is nothiug wicked in preaching Buch a revival any more than there is in inviting Frenchmen to believe that Englishmen like, and all other men ought to like, to live in the queer red complicated houses, with window-panes the size of a wntch-glassee, which are offered a a the acme of English taste to those who visit the Paris Exhibition, Artificial revivals are one of the conspicuous hobbies of the day, and they may be let to go the way in which all such things are apt to go,