Under the new order of things, as
they have arranged it in their minds, there should be room for every
individual, every opinion, all sorts and conditions of men. What the
ruling classes say against them to-day has been said against the
adherents of all new ideas since the beginning of time. Whoever
tried to make the slightest alteration in the existing order of
things was always considered, by those who derived advantages
therefrom, to be a foe to the State and to society in general-a
robber and a revolutionist. The early Christians enjoyed exactly the
same reputation as the Socialists to-day. They were looked upon as
enemies of the whole human race, and were torn to pieces by wild
beasts, though--doubtless to your regret--it has not come to that
with, the Socialists. And nevertheless, though lions and tigers are
a good deal worse than police officers, the principles of
Christianity have triumphed, and there is nothing to prove that the
principles of Socialism will not triumph in their turn."
"Prophet of evil omen!" cried Paul.
"Not necessarily so. Where would be the misfortune? I am firmly
persuaded that a Socialist State would not differ in any important
point from the accepted forms of government of the day. The
administrative power would merely be transferred from the hands of
the military and the landed aristocracy to another class.
Pages:
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337