The Socialism of to-day

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 835096955

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-28834

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Laveleye, Émile de

Title:: The Socialism of to-day

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: Field & Tuer

Year of publication:: 1884

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (XLIV, 331 S.)

Collection:: Economics Books

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SOCIALISM IM ENGLAMD. 31I previously the best known, belong to a society called the “ Social Democratic Federation.” This society was originally formed in 1881, under the name of the “Democratic Federation.” It appears to have been suggested by the success of the Irish Land League, and origin ally it acted mainly in concert with that body. It was not until 1883 that the Federation declared itself openly a Socialist body, and issued its manifesto in the form of a pamphlet entitled “ Socialism made Plain.” The Federation carries on an active propaganda by means of pamphlets, lectures, public meetings in the parks and elsewhere, and conducts a weekly newspaper called Justice, and a monthly magazine called To-day. I have no means of estimating the number of its members. In answer to an inquiry on the subject, Mr. C. Fitzgerald, assistant secretary, writes to me (3rd of Sept, 1884) as follows ‘ We have at the present moment twenty-one branches ; six new ones forming, and there are in addition over twenty pioneer classes, as we call them, composed of young men who are studying Socialism for the purpose of forming the nuclei of future branches in their localities. Since October, 1883, our progress has been remarkable. It is not possible to give any approximate estimate of our numbers, for the reason that thousands who would join us are kept back by the fear of losing employment, as too many have done already. ” Mr. Hyndman, one of the most active members of the Federation, has advocated its programme by voice and pen. He recently engaged in a public debate with Mr. Bradlaugh on the subject, “ Will Socialism benefit the English People ? ” in which Mr. Bradlaugh, by contrast at least, appeared as the champion of the rights of property.* Mr. Hyndman is the called “Art and Socialism,” with much of which it is impossible not to sympathize. He states his claim on behalf of labour thus :—“ It is right and necessary that all men should have work to do which shall be worth doing, and be of itself pleasant to do ; and which should be done under such conditions as would make it neither over-wearisome nor over anxious.” This is an ideal much to be desired, but is it likely to be realized by the State-marshalled industrial armies which Mr. Morris and his friends wish to enrol by universal conscription ? Mr. Morris says that we gave up Art three centuries ago for what we thought was light and freedom, but that it has turned out to be light and freedom for the few alone. Does he really think that by surrendering such light and freedom as we possess we shall bring about a new renaissance in Art ? The Socialist régime, whatever it may be, >s certainly not calculated to encourage individuality. * A verbatim report of this debate has been issued by the Freethought

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