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Harmony has not yet been seen； the so…called rational system of
education has not yet transformed the impulses or the aims of
men； and the communist of today； with a history of two thousand
years of failure behind him； in the same pathetic confidence
still looks for the realization of his dreams to the communism of
the future。
And yet； granting that communism were practicable； granting that
Owen's hopes had some prospect of fulfillment； the doctrine still
embodies evils that must make it forever inexpedient。 The
readers of Mr。 Matthew Arnold's works must have noticed the
emphasis with which he dwells on the instinct of expansion as a
factor in human progress。 It is the refutation alike of
communism and socialism that they thwart the instinct of
expansion； that they substitute for individual energy the energy
of the government； that they substitute for human personality the
blind； mechanical power of the State。 The one system； as the
other； marks the end of individualism。 The one system； as the
other； would make each man the image of his neighbor。 The one
system； as the other； would hold back the progressive； and； by
uniformity of reward； gain uniformity of type。
I can look forward to no blissful prospect for a race of men
that； under the dominion of the State； at the cost of all freedom
of action； at the cost； indeed； of their own true selves； shall
enjoy； if one will； a fair abundance of the material blessings of
life。 Some Matthew Arnold of the future would inevitably say of
them in phase like that applied to the Puritans of old： 〃They
entered the prison of socialism and had the key turned upon their
spirit there for hundreds of years。〃 Into that prison of
socialism； with broken enterprise and broken energy； as serfs
under the mastery of the State； while human personality is
preferred to unreasoning mechanism； mankind must hesitate to
step。 When they shall once have entered within it； when the key
shall have been turned upon their spirit and have confined them
in narrower straits than even Puritanism could have done； it will
be left for them to find； in their blind obedience and passive
submission； the recompense for the singleness of character； the
foresight； and the energy； that they have left behind them。
In almost every phase of life； this doctrine of political
altruists is equally impracticable and pernicious。 In its social
results； it involves the substitution of the community in the
family's present position。 In its political aspects； it involves
the absolute dominion of the State over the actions and property
of its subjects。 Thus； though claiming to be an exaltation of
the so…called natural rights of liberty and equality； it is in
reality their emphatic debasement。 It teaches that thoughtless
docility is a recompense for stunted enterprise。 It magnifies
material good at the cost of every rational endowment。 It
inculcates a self…denial that must result in dwarfing the
individual to a mere instrument in the hands of the State for the
benefit of his fellows。 No such organization of society…no
organization that fails to take note of the fact that man must
have scope for the exercise and development of his faculties…no
such organization of society can ever reach a permanent success。
However beneficent its motives； the hypothesis with which it
starts can never be realized。 The aphorism of Emerson； 〃Churches
have been built； not upon principles； but upon tropes；〃 is as
true in the field of politics as it is in the field of religion。
In a like figurative spirit； the followers of communism have
reared their edifice； and； looking back upon the finished
structure； seeking to discern the base on which it rests； the
critic finds； not principles； but tropes。 The builders have
appealed to a future that has no warrant in the past； and fixing
their gaze upon the distant dreamland； captivated by the vision
there beheld； entranced by its ideal effulgence； their eyes were
blinded to the real conditions of the human problem they had set
before them。 Their enemies have not been slow to note such
weakness and mistake； and perhaps it may serve to clear up
misconceptions； perhaps it may serve to lessen cant and open the
way for fresh and vigorous thought； if we shall once convince
ourselves that altruism cannot be the rule of life； that its
logical result is the dwarfing of the individual man； and that
not by the death of human personality can we hope to banish the
evils of our day； and to realize the ideal of all existence； a
nobler or purer life。
End