Was Henry George's Campaign
of 1886 a Mistake?
Joseph Dana Miller
[Reprinted from Land and Freedom,
November-December 1938]
Joseph Dana Miller was during this period
Editor of Land and Freedom. Many of the editorials
published were unsigned. It is therefore possible that Miller was
not the author of this article, although the content is thought to
be consistent with his own perspectives as Editor. |
It is a good thing to have an historic background of the Single Tax
movement in the contemplation of certain great events that ushered it
in.
There has grown up among recent adherents to our movement an
impression that the campaign of 1886 was a mistake, that Henry George
might better have devoted himself to the writing of other great books
to add to those he had already written. This impression is rather
widespread, but chiefly among those who have come late to the ranks.
To this impression Albert J. Nock, in his admirable article on Henry
George, has lent the weight of his name.
We think the impression is wholly wrong. Mr. George made no mistake
in entering the campaign of '86. He had what his later-day critics
seem to lack a keen sense of the dramatic. The whole world learned in
this campaign who Henry George was. Not that many had any very
intelligent comprehension of what he stood for his philosophy remained
in the background, only dimly perceived. But many did learn it and a
number of great names were emblazoned in the early chapters which
begin the annals of our movement.
Think of it! Had it not been for this campaign we might never have
heard of Father McGlynn, William Lloyd Garrison, John S. Crosby,
Ernest H. Crosby, and many other great names. It disclosed Henry
George as perhaps the most moving orator of his time. It had
tremendous influence abroad and really started the movement of which
the Henry George School is the final link in a continuous chain. We
heard him cry out at a great meeting in that clarion voice of his: "We
are firing a cannon tonight whose echo will be heard round the world,"
and again we call attention to his sense of the dramatic. The campaign
of 1886 was the cannon whose echo was heard round the world. In the
time to come that clarion cry will be quoted.
The campaign of '86 added to the weight and fame of his books that
were now to be carried everywhere. It illuminated his message.
Regardless of its political effect all that aside, for no political
effect was sought the stage for the opening of the great drama was
begun! The curtain had risen.
The campaign of 1886 was no mistake. It is meaningless to assert in
criticism that the time given to this campaign might better have been
devoted to the writing of another book. Even at that time his writings
were nearly complete. Mr. George was wiser than his later-day critics.
We have purposely refrained from any allusion to the campaign of
1897, for Mr. George was in no condition to undertake it. Yet even
here it would be rash to question his judgment. The occasion and
manner of his death, which he deliberately chose still alive to the
sense of the dramatic was no hastily conceived sacrifice. The world in
the days to come will regard it as a second Gethsemene, the effect of
which was worth the sacrifice.
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