Title:  The Inhumanity of Socialism

Author:  Edward F. Adams

Release Date:  May, 2004 [EBook #5624] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on July 24, 2002]

Edition:  10

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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The Inhumanity of Socialism

The Case Against Socialism & A Critique of Socialism

Two papers, the First Read Before the League of the Republic at the University of California, December the Fifth, Nineteen Hundred and Thirteen, and the Second Read Before the Ruskin Club of Oakland, California, Some Years Earlier by

Edward F. Adams

“And finally, let each of us according to his ability and opportunity practice and inculcate respect for the law, the maintenance of order, regard for the rights of others, admiration for the successful, sympathy with the unfortunate, charity for all, hope for humanity, joy in the simple life and contentment therewith.”

Foreword

One might write continuously while he lived for or against Socialism and yet at the end of a long and misspent life have said nothing that others had not said before him.

Nevertheless, new generations come on and have to learn about Socialism as they learn about other things, for there always have been and always will be Socialists.  It is a habit of mind which becomes fixed in a certain number of each generation; and succeeding generations seem to prefer fresh statements of the theory to the study of the ancient texts.  Besides, Socialistic endeavor, while its ultimate object in all ages is the same, assumes different forms at different periods and is best dealt with in terms of the day.

I am opposed to Socialism because of its inhumanity; because it saps the vitality of the human race which has no vitality to spare; because it lulls to indolence those who must struggle to survive; because the theories of good men who are enthralled by its delusions are made the excuse of the wicked who would rather plunder than work; because it stops enterprise, promotes laziness, exalts inefficiency, inspires hatred, checks production, assures waste and instills into the souls of the unfortunate and the weak hopes impossible of fruition whose inevitable blasting will add to the bitterness of their lot.

Some years ago I was invited to dine with and address a charming group of Socialists comprising the Ruskin Club of Oakland.  We had a joyful evening and I read to them “A Critique of Socialism” which forms the second part of this volume.  It was published in 1905 by Paul Elder and Company, but almost the entire edition was burned in our great fire of 1906.  As there are still inquiries for it, it is thought best to republish it.  Obviously it was primarily intended to amuse my hosts, but there is some sense in it.