Communism in Germany.
A large number of the working class in Germany have been fascinated by the fanciful theories of Lassalle. His system is founded entirely upon the pernicious principle that the State is to do everything, and the people nothing for themselves. Karl Marx, as the successor of Lassalle, is the ruling spirit of the German socialists, and has become a prominent figure from his connection with the International. The socialist journals in Germany delight to reproduce the programme and doctrines of that society. They make noisy professions of atheism. They applauded the insurrection of the Commune in Paris. They have a collection of songs of their own. They disavow the warlike policy of Germany, and have endeavoured to substitute the community of class interests for the community of race, language, and country. It must not, however, be supposed that the number of these unpractical visionaries is proportionate to the noise, which they make in the world. The influence of socialistic doctrines is not so great in England as on the Continent, and it is weaker in America than in England. I hope, therefore, that no disposition may be manifested here to abandon the hopeful work of social, moral, and material progress for the pursuit of visionary and impossible schemes.
The amelioration of the condition of the poor is not to be brought about by destroying the ancient fabric and foundations of our social and political system. It is easy to destroy but most difficult to restore the institutions created by past generations, in which there lived men not less great, and wise, and good than the most gifted of our own contemporaries. Mr. Ruskin, a devoted friend of the working classes, in a passage of more than ordinary eloquence, has truly said, ‘This is the thing, which I know, and which, if you labour faithfully, you shall know also,—that in Reverence is the chief power and joy of life;—Reverence, for what is pure and bright in your own youth; for what is true and tried in the age of others; for all that is gracious among the living, great among the dead, and marvellous in the Powers that cannot die.’