Crowell, John Franklin. (Economist.)
I am opposed to Socialism—
First: Because it fails to provide for the requisites of progress, and this threatens to cause a stationary civilization.
Second: Because it seems to me to misplace the emphasis by putting the material before the spiritual in human happiness.
Third: Because it is anti-national in its attitude toward liberty and self-government. By means of national citizenship modernity has gained most of its rights and privileges. To show utter contempt for the national flag, by referring to it as "an old rag," exhibits a personal quality wholly incompatible with true human brotherhood.
Wilcox, Lute. (Editor, Field and Farm, Denver, Colo.)
I am opposed to Socialism upon the broad ground that we already have too many loafers in America for the future good of the nation. All mankind is Socialistic to a certain degree. The most of us are inclined to double shoot the turn and ride a free horse to death. We make Socialism a sort of excuse to shift responsibilities that certainly belong to each and every individual living under a democratic form of government. We are always dodging the little duties that go to make up the ground work of life. Socialism seems to inculcate that spirit of inactivity which might be more properly called loaferism and no country can become great with such a dominant spirit prevailing among its people.