The Workingmans Paradise

Workingman's Paradise, The

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Title: The Workingman's Paradise An Australian Labour Novel
Author: John Miller
Release Date: July 27, 2005 [EBook #16366]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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WORKINGMAN'S PARADISE ***

Produced by Col Choat

The Workingman's Paradise: An Australian Labour Novel by 'John
Miller' (William Lane) (1861-1917)
* * *
IN TWO PARTS.
PART I. THE WOMAN TEMPTED HIM.

PART II. HE KNEW HIMSELF NAKED.
First published 1892
* * *

PREFACE
The naming and writing of THE WORKINGMAN'S PARADISE were
both done hurriedly, although delay has since arisen in its publishing.
The scene is laid in Sydney because it was not thought desirable, for
various reasons, to aggravate by a local plot, the soreness existing in
Queensland.
While characters, incidents and speakings had necessarily to be adapted
to the thread of plot upon which they are strung, and are not put
forward as actual photographs or phonographs, yet many will recognise
enough in this book to understand how, throughout, shreds and patches
of reality have been pieced together. The first part is laid during the
summer of 1888-89 and covers two days; the second at the
commencement of the Queensland bush strike excitement in 1891,
covering a somewhat shorter time. The intention of the plot, at first,
was to adapt the old legend of Paradise and the fall of man from
innocence to the much-prated-of "workingman's paradise"--Australia.
Ned was to be Adam, Nellie to be Eve, Geisner to be the eternal Rebel
inciting world-wide agitation, the Stratton home to be presented in
contrast with the slum-life as a reason for challenging the tyranny
which makes Australia what it really is; and so on. This plot got very
considerably mixed and there was no opportunity to properly re-arrange
it. After reading the MSS. one friend wrote advising an additional
chapter making Ned, immediately upon his being sentenced for
"conspiracy" under George IV., 6, hear that Nellie has died of a broken
heart. My wife, on the contrary, wants Ned and Nellie to come to an
understanding and live happily ever after in the good old-fashioned
style. This being left in abeyance, readers can take their choice until the
matter is finally settled in another book.

Whatever the failings of this book are it may nevertheless serve the
double purpose for which t was written: (1) to assist the fund being
raised for Ned's mates now in prison in Queensland and (2) to explain
unionism a little to those outside it and Socialism a little to all who care
to read or hear, whether unionists or not. These friends of ours in prison
will need all we can do for them when they are released, be that soon or
late; and there are too few, even in the ranks of unionism, who really
understand Socialism.
To understand Socialism is to endeavour to lead a better life, to regret
the vileness of our present ways, to seek ill for none, to desire truth and
purity and honesty, to despise this selfish civilisation and to
comprehend what living might be. Understanding Socialism will not
make people at once what men and women should be but it will fill
them with hatred for the unfitting surroundings that damn us all and
with passionate love for the ideals that are lifting us upwards and with
an earnest endeavour to be themselves somewhat as they feel Humanity
is struggling to be.
All that any religion has been to the highest thoughts of any people
Socialism is, and more, to those who conceive it aright. Without
blinding us to our own weaknesses and wickednesses, without offering
to us any sophistry or cajoling us with any fallacy, it enthrones love
above the universe, gives us Hope for all who are downtrodden and
restores to us Faith in the eternal fitness of things. Socialism is indeed a
religion--demanding deeds as well as words. Not until professing
socialists understand this will the world at large see Socialism as it
really is.
If this book assists the Union Prisoners assistance Fund in any way or if
it brings to a single man or woman a clearer conception of the Religion
of Socialism it will have done its work. Should it fail to do either it will
not be because the Cause is bad, for the cause is great enough to rise
above the weakness of those who serve it.
J.M.

CONTENTS

PART I. THE WOMAN TEMPTED