History of American SocialismsNoyes, John Humphrey
History
History of American Socialisms
Noyes, John Humphrey
Communism -- United States; Socialism -- United States
"3. It solves the problem which has so long puzzled Socialists,
the harmonization of just individual freedom with social
co-operation. Here exists a system of arrangements, simple and
effective, under which all capital, industry, trade, talent,
skill and peculiar gifts may freely operate and co-operate, with
no restrictions other than those which Christian morality every
where rightfully imposes, constantly to the advantage of each
and all. All may thrive together as individuals and as a
Community, without degrading or impoverishing any. This
excellent system of arrangements in its present completeness is
the result of various and wisely improved experiences.
"4. It affords a peaceful and congenial home for all
conscientious persons, of whatsoever religious sect, class or
description heretofore, who now embrace practical Christianity,
substantially as this Community holds it, and can no longer
fellowship the popular religionists and politicians. Such need
sympathy, co-operation and fraternal association, without undue
interference in relation to non-essential peculiarities. Here
they may find what they need. Here they may give and receive
strength by rational, liberal Christian union.
"5. It affords a most desirable opportunity for those who mean
to be practical Christians in the use of property, talent, skill
or productive industry, to invest them. Here those goods and
gifts may all be so employed as to benefit their possessors to
the full extent of justice, while at the same time they afford
aid to the less favored, help build up a social state free from
the evils of irreligion, ignorance, poverty and vice, promote
the regeneration of the race, and thus resolve themselves into
treasure laid up where neither moth, nor rust, nor thieves can
reach them. Here property is preeminently safe, useful and
beneficent. It is Christianized. So, in a good degree, are
talent, skill, and productive industry.
"6. It affords small scope, place or encouragement for the
unprincipled, corrupt, supremely selfish, proud, ambitious,
miserly, sordid, quarrelsome, brutal, violent, lawless, fickle,
high-flying, loaferish, idle, vicious, envious and
mischief-making. It is no paradise for such; unless they
voluntarily make it first a moral penitentiary. Such will hasten
to more congenial localities; thus making room for the upright,
useful and peaceable.
"7. It affords a beginning, a specimen and a presage of a new
and glorious social Christendom--a grand confederation of
similar Communities--a world ultimately regenerated and
Edenized. All this shall be in the forthcoming future.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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