Page:Ferdinand Lassalle - Lassalle's Open Letter to the National Labor Association of Germany - tr. John Ehmann and Fred Bader (1879).djvu/23

 dog cry.

Let what I have said, then, answer for those who speak to you of the impropriety of State intervention, condemning it as threatening the principle of self-help and favoring Socialism and Communism, which they say underlies the demand. Give them to understand that, having lived so long in Socialism—as proved by guaranteeing the interest on the railroad and other instances hastily touched upon, we desire to benefit by its advantages in a still greater degree.

It may be added that great though the progress of culture was made made manifest.by the introduction of railroads, it would sink into insignificance compared to the advance civilization would show in the same space of time by the elevation of the working class through their industrial association by State aid.

For, what do all the heaped-up riches and all the fruits of civilization benefit the community when they are used by only a few? leaving unlimited humanity the Tantulus of the ages, reaching in vain for what forever eludes the grasp: worse, indeed than Tantulus, for he had not assisted in cultivating the fruits for which his thirsting tongue was damned to long for. The elevation of the working class ought to be regarded as the grandest achievements of culture, therefore warranting the highest efforts of the State in the accomplishment.

It is to be added that the State, through the agency, of the ordinary credit and money circulating institutes, (the banks) may, in the easiest possible manner, perform the needed duties of assistants to the Government in its new relation to us, and without taking upon themselves any greater responsibility than was assumed in accepting guarantees for the payment of the interest of railroads.

How easily the necessary capital, or, credit, rather, might be procured for the gradual association of the entire working class, cannot be further shown here, as it would involve explanations of the theoretical, financial and social functions of money and credit. Furthermore, such an explanation of the method as would be necessary, would be superflous, because not called for. Not till it can have a practical value by initiating the realization of the demands will this become a duty.

From the nature of things, these associations can only gradually, and in process of time, embrace the entire work-