Introduction
The Materialist Doctrine op Socialism.
Origin of Socialism Opposed to Christianity.
Socialism International.
Socialist Tactics.
Public Ownership.
Evolution.
Morally Irresponsible.
Political Atheism.
Free Love.
Homeless Children.
Socialist Leaders.
The State.
ili
STo our Country, in tije fcefence of economic justice; of domestic integrity; of ctbtl an& religious liberty; tfjfe book te bebtcatelu
Preface To The Second Edition
When in 1903 we presented the first edition of "Socialism: The Nation of Fatherless Children" to the public we had only a very few friends, true blue. The public press paid but little attention to socialist propaganda ; and to the general public the movement was known by a phrase or two which signified condemnation without understanding or by those of approval which rested upon equally unknown ground.
This indifference had given to socialists a foothold in the nation. Abnormal fortunes were matched by abnormal ambitions that had been aroused here and there amongst the members of the working class. These proletarian comrades in association with their intellectual leaders were preying upon the hopes and fears of their fellow workers, many of whom were receiving an unjust wage and were even so in constant dread of unemployment.
On the other hand the occasion was ripe for interesting the illy educated middle class in the science of poverty — that it is all due to the system — and for enlisting its sympathy for the under dog, as their own fortunes were feeling the blight of "the trusts."
This much was certain, that for socialist wares it was a rapidly rising market, and that for anti-socialist literature there was none at all.
We were neither disturbed nor disappointed at the reception of the book by the socialist press. Indeed we forecasted precisely what its reception would be, namely, silence more or less deep so long as the book had no added strength behind it; and then, for we were confident that the time would come when some force in the country would awaken to the menace of socialism, the knights of the quill would say what they would say. We had learned that the code of ethics of the morally irresponsible demanded successful propaganda. Hence those means were right that made progress. Progress had to them vi Socialism: the Nation op Fatherless Children.
ceased to have any but one meaning — an advance towards the view of the "class-conscious." Going any other way, towards right-reason for instance, was, with a shrug of contempt, "reactionary," or intellectual dope.
What then was the support of our confidence ? Simply the consciousness of the integrity of our intention. Our inner circle of three was secure in the belief that we would pay the price demanded by the occasion for the possession of truth, be that progress toward it never so thorny and rough.
But precisely what the socialist press said about " Socialism: The Nation of Fatherless Children" may be of interest. We quote :
"The falsehoods of the Avery-Goldstein 'household' will be effectually run down, for the socialists campaign the year around, and another year will find such enemies powerless to further deceive the people, while the socialist advance will surprise the plutes as much as did the big gain of a year ago.". {Social Democratic Herald, i i-i 4-1903 .)
"A vile and slanderous book which has been taken up by certain anti-socialist priests, has also caught the eye it appears, of Samuel Gompers, who is trying to protect his job by despairing and vain efforts to keep socialism out of the American Federation of Labor, and he has written an autograph endorsement of the book." {Social Democratic Herald, Milwaukee 9-5-1904.)
"They were very careful not to send the book out to the socialist press. It is full of malicious untruth, dishonest quotations from so-called socialist authorities, and rumor has it that the National Republican Committee helped the pair to finance this one legitimate 'child.' " {Social Democratic Herald, 5-1 4- 1904.)
"Wonder what has become of Martha Moore Avery and her affinity, Goldstein? It is about time they found a purchaser with either Parker or Roosevelt, in defense of the family. But it seems to be rather a poor fakir market this year — no competition between buyers and an over-production of commodities of the fakir kind." (Editorial, Chicago Socialist, 9-3-1904.)
"Amass of foul lies." {Chicago Daily Socialist, 3-20-1909.) ". . . has long since joined the Goldstein- A very Company. The initiation fee is a few articles against socialism, guaranteed not to contain a spark of truth.". {The New York Call, 5-4-1909.)
Resolution: condemning Mr. Samuel Gompers, "(for a) base misuse of his official position by giving his official endorsement to a vile, scurrilous misrepresentation of the science of socialism." {The Appeal to Reason, 11-12-1904.)
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