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266 VIOLENCE AND THE LABOR MOVEMENT
quences. Opposition to majority rule has always been
a cardinal principle of the anarchists. It is also a fundamental
principle of every American political machine.
To defeat democracy is obviously the chief purpose of a
Tammany Hall. But, when this idea is actually advocated
as an ideal of working-class organization, when it
is made to stand as a policy and practice of a trade
union, it can only result in suspicion, disruption, and,
eventually, in complete ruin. It appears that the militant
syndicalist, like the anarchist, realizes that he cannot expect
the aid of the people. He turns, then, to the minority,
the fighting inner circle, as the sole hope.
It is inevitable, therefore, that syndicalism and socialism
should stand at opposite poles. They are exactly as
far apart as anarchism and socialism. And, if we turn
to the question of methods, we find an antagonism almost
equally great. How are the workers to obtain possession
of industry On this point, as well as upon their conception
of socialism, the syndicalists are not advanced
beyond Owenism. "One question, and that the most
immediately important of all," say the Webbs, speaking
of Owen's projects, "was never seriously faced : How
was the transfer of the industries from the capitalists to
the unions to be effected in the teeth of a hostile and
well-armed government The answer must have been
that the overwhelming numbers of 'the trades union'
would render conflict impossible. At all events, Owen,
like the early Christians, habitually spoke as if the day
of judgment of the existing order of society was at hand.
The next six months, in his view, were always going to
see the 'new moral world' really established. The change
from the capitalist system to a complete organization of
industry under voluntary associations of producers was
to 'come suddenly upon society like a thief in the night.'