Page:Ferdinand Lassalle - Lassalle's Open Letter to the National Labor Association of Germany - tr. John Ehmann and Fred Bader (1879).djvu/11

 you however, forces me to dwell more at large on their doctrines.

The third relation alluded to, in which Delitzsch stands, is his peculiar individuality, which has the effect of forcing him beyond his theory as an economist of the National School: of him it can be said that, of his party, he is the only one who has really benefitted the people. Although standing alone, and at a time of unusual business depression, by his untiring activity, he became the father and founder of the German Co-operative Societies; giving them a push forward which will give a wide and spreading effect to that beneficent movement; and for which, although his opponent in theory, I now, while writing, in spirit shake hands with him. Truth and Justice, even to an opponent, ought to be the first lesson as well as the first duty of all men.

That, at this day, in the German movement the question is already discussed, whether the associations are to be taken up in his sense or mine, which is to a great part his true merit—a merit, we must admit we cannot too highly estimate. In the face of the warmth with which I recognize this merit, however, I shall insist on regarding with critical sharpness the question: Are the Schultze Delitzsch associations—the Credit, Loan, Raw Material and Consuming associations able, effectively, to better the condition of the working class? To which I reply, and with emphasis, No! And here I briefly state my reasons for my decided negative.

In regard to the Loan and Raw Material Associations, they assist him only who has a small business for himself. For the journey, men or workers in the factory, men having no business strictly of their own, those institutions are as if they did not really exist. This feature you must never lose sight of, that from the beginning, the aim of the being of these societies was to be serviceable only to small industries; not for the elevation of the whole. They will help employers with a capital, but are not intended to reach the Workingmen: In this connection you must impress yourselves with two pressing points:

First. It is in the nature of the industrial movement to tive the factory, with its immense productive power, an extraordinary advantage over the small industries; so much so as to dwarf all efforts of the smaller producer. Wholesale and mass-production daily more and more taking the place of pro-