62 
THE SOC/AL/SM OF TO-DAY. 
Let US follow still further the exposition of the ideas of the 
German agitator.* Nowadays, he says, in order to produce 
with success, large capital is needful. The small manufacturer, 
the petty shopkeeper, the artisan, vegetate only, crushed by the 
competition of the great manufacturers. The labourer, unable 
to be an independent producer, is obliged to sell his labour 
for the means of subsistence ; and in consideration of wages, 
the employer obtains the entire product of the labour. This 
product is constantly increasing, according as processes are 
perfected, and as science is applied to the working of natural 
resources ; but the labourer, the source of all wealth, does not 
profit from it. It all goes to the capitalist, who reaps the entire 
benefit of industrial progress. The labourer is, then, deprived 
of almost all the fruits of his labour, and necessarily so, for he 
does not possess the capital which would enable him, by working 
on his own account, to keep the product of his labour for 
himself. 
Economists point out that the relations established between 
capitalist and labourer must be perfectly equitable, since they 
are established by a free contract concluded between the parties. 
Not so, replies Lassalle ; the contract is free only in appear 
ance : the labourer, not being himself able to employ his hands, 
must hire them out for any price that may be given him, being 
constrained by hunger. He is no more free than the drowning 
man who gives all he possesses to one who merely reaches him 
a pole to pull him out of the water. 
But, replies the Economist, capital itself is merely accumu 
lated labour : even if it is true that it obtains an ever-increasing 
portion, this is only the fair remuneration of intelligent labour, 
united to forethought, abstinence, and thrift True, answers 
Lassalle, capital arises from the accumulation of the products 
of previous labour, but it was the labour of those who have 
not obtained the capital, namely, the workers, and not the 
labour of the capitalists who have obtained it. The existing 
* See besides the numerous writings of Lassalle, Die bedrohliche Ent 
wickelung des Socialismus (The Dangerous Development of Socialism), by 
Rudolf Meyer, a lucid and substantial production; Dermoderne Socialismus 
(Modern Socialism), by Dr. Eugen Jaeger ; Die lehren des heutigen Social 
ismus (The Lessons of Modern Socialism), by H. Von Sybel.