A REPLY TO HAECKEL IBl 



saw canals on Mars, and inferred intelligent 

 inhabitants. The difference in water-ways, be- 

 tween blind nature and a designing intelli- 

 gence, is the difference between a rambling 

 river and a straight canal. 



Now human society has arrived at a stage 

 where its consciousness of itself and the pos- 

 sibility of self-arrangement, becomes a factor. 

 This is a tremendous step forward, and its 

 future possibilities seem to be illimitable. Be- 

 fore this can be largely effective, however, it 

 will be necessary to thoroughly understand all 

 fundamental social laws. 



We had no rod to rule the lightning until we 

 knew the laws of its movement. There will be 

 no real airship until we master the laws of 

 aerial flight. Socialism solves the social 

 problem, not because it has, but because it 

 is, an explanation of the laws of social develop- 

 ment in general, and of existing society in 

 particular. On these laws our faith is founded. 

 By consciously arranging the social institu- 

 tions which so profoundly affect our lives, in 

 harmony with these laws, we shall cease to be 

 the slaves of a blind necessity. 



As Engels has well said: "Manx's social 

 organization, hitherto confronting him as a 

 necessity imposed by Nature and history, now 

 becomes the result of his own free action. The 



