THE SWISS AND THEIR POLITICS 41
tion of the necessity on the part of the state to monopolize all the means of production.
The speech delivered in support of the resolutions reveals the fact that these new socialists expect to be viewed with dis- favor by the older socialists. Yet they plead for the right of free discussion and private judgment, and they contend that believers in the doctrine of evolution ought to concede the right to change one's opinions. They would, however, have their brethren understand that they are just as good socialists as ever. If they are less definite than other socialists as to the right of the state to exploit things they will allow no one to surpass them in their efforts to prevent the exploitation of men. This, they say, is what constitutes the socialist, and for the attainment of this they are ready for a union of heart and hands, etc.
These new Swiss socialists seem to be much in the same pre- dicament as was a congress of English clergymen assembled at Wolverhampton in 1887. They had asked Mr. Champion the socialist to address them, and custom required them to pass a resolution on the subject. So they resolved that "with the objects and aims of socialism they were in hearty sympathy." Now the object and aim of socialism is to better the condition of mankind, and it takes a mighty mean man not to be in favor of that. And as to this new definition of socialism surely Herbert Spencer himself will not allow any new upstart of a socialist to surpass him in dogmatizing against the exploitation of men on the part of the state. So in Switzerland the socialists have met the enemy (reasonably fairminded bankers and manufacturers) and if the socialists are not theirs, it is difficult to see whose they are or "where they are at."
When, a few years ago, the socialists secured a vote on the prop- osition to adopt a measure declaring it to be the duty of the state to furnish employment to the unemployed they were overwhelm- ingly defeated, yet it is probable that a large number voted for the measure who are not socialists. The conservative people in the towns and cities are accustomed to act in harmony with the spirit of this socialistic vote. The city governments make
