is probable that the beginnings of Socialism followed close on the spread of civilisation; at all events traces of it and of equality are found in very old works, M. Laveleye shows that Plato's Republic is a Utopin of equal and that the ancient Jews made " persistent protests against inequality and the most ardent aspirations after justice and in the Gospels the sume levelling ideas are expressed in very fervid lnugunge, of which the Sermon on the Mount is the most striking example. The disciples at Jerusalem had all things in common, and the curly Christians received the name of Milleuariaus because their hopes pointed to the universal adoption of communism, or, socialistic life. any ut the Fathers of the Church were ruled by the same spirit, which was sometimes expressed with a fierceness which would shock us if we fou pages of a modern Soci list, "The rich man "nature created community; private property is the offspring of usurpation," "iniquity alone has created pri-vote property " are quotations from S*, Basil, St. Atbroso and St. Clement which are cited in many histories of Sucialism1, Phe most complete examples of communism and religious socialism have been afforded by the mounsteries while they were yet pure, and their example, if not their notaal tenching, unde the suffering of the masses at times intolerable and led to risiuge such as those of Wat Tyler and the Jacquerie, Socialism has in Inter times wrenched itself away from Christianity, and, a8 M. Laveleye points out, has strangely ries, which condemn their equality, Modern Socialism owes terrible outburst of outraged human' the first French revolution. The iden of "the people," the multitudes who Inboured, bat who rouped little of the traits of their toil, than took form; bat at first the socialistic faith met with little neceptance, Subsequently, however, the writings of Fourier and St, Simon France and of Owen in Eug-Inud enticed many of the industrial driases by their glittering and tempting theories. Towards the end of Owen's life a new school of Christian Svcialism appeared in England, of which F, D. Maurice, Kingsley nud a few less known men were the exponenta. Renders of "Alton Locke" must have gleaned something of its views and hopes, bat after attracting attention for a time, it almost disappeared from notice. It is however still in existence under the same designation, Bat the central iden of Sooinlivi was all the time expanding and making new converts, not only among working men but among the thoughtful and the wealthy. The me creasing strength of Trades Unionisu, the better wages and the greater consideration for the general condition of the people, did not satisfy the leaders of these confederations, and the frequent occurrence of Inrge strikes some years ngo, led to an infusion of a vague kind of Socialism into the theories regarding the relations between capital and labour in England, Attempts were made to place these relations on a better footing; one that would prevent the losses which masters and workmen incurred from lock-outs and strikes. Oooperation was tried, and with mach success, Since then all that is covered by the phrase Depression of Trade line, notwithstanding that the daily require ments of the labouring classes have been greatly cheapened, undoubledly led to a very marked advance towards Socialiem, We are not so much referring to what has taken place in France and Belgium, or to the ominous appearance of nffaira among German workmen, and in the United States, but to the prevalence of sceiulistic views among the English industrial classes, These are rightly credited with grenter sobriety of judge-und have been considered to practical in all departments of politics than rheic fellows on the Continent and the immigrant element in America, to which moat of the labour troubles there are attributed. They owe this in a great measure to their inherit ance of moderate views, tu the wise legisintion of the last half century, and also to thole insularity, But it may be accepted as evidence of the spread of phases of Suciulism among working men, that the two Inst Presidents of the rades Union Congress are claimed as Socinlists by Mr, Hyndmav, and in their addresses undoubtedly advanced opinions having tht colour, The most active of all the sovialistio associations in England is the Social Democratic Federation whose meets ings, processions nud bauners Uhrow west London into & panic some months ago. Iie gospel is the Das Kapital of Karl Marx, and it looks for @ new world "presenting itself in industry ne ce-operative communism, in politics as tional republicanism and ion as wtheistio humanism." thus declares war against the strongest forces in modern life, Railways, banks, land, are all to be appropriated, ap" parently without compensation, as nothing is said about that, and the National Debt is to be what is euphomis tically called "rapidly extinguished," which the unenlightened interpret at repudiated, Wild as the main objets of this Federation may be, it appears to be growing in strength. We do nut accept the statements of Mr, W. Morris ov Mr, Hyndman on this head, bat it is fair to deduce from the expressed opinions of the leaders of 'I'rades Unionists who were formerly opposed to the Socialistio movement that ite tenets are gaining ground. Itseems to be the old story. A great deal has been dove to improve every oundition of working people in England; they have obtained a great share of political power, bat they want more of the good things of the world, It is fact proved by many instances in history that the misses of people have been most rest less, and persistent in their demands for reforms, and for further improvement of their condition after that had been brightened and improved. It seems to be so now with the Trades Unions in England and there appears come reason to think that their leaders are compelled to advance towards Socialism by an actual decline in the power of the Unions, It is said that the number of Unionists have fallen from 1,300,000 to 500,000, that some of the most powerful societies are short of faude, if not in a worse case, and this condition is largely due
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.