Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-07-07
CAN'T 1T BE DONE !
AN OLD CONTRIBUTOR SUG-
GESTS POLITICS.
A Period Of StagnatiOn-B Begin Polit.
ical Action at Home National
Conventions and Display
Not Needed Advice
for Socialists.

The reports from the centers of
industry show the workmen's move
ment in period of stagnatlon if not
actual retrogresslon. This may be
cause for lamentation and dismay,
so far as the bulwark against a de-
cline of the standard of living of the
wage-earners is thereby PARTIAL y
broken down. Yet we have to deal
not exclusively with present needs
and necessities, but, as is proudly
proclaimed, with the entire llquida-
ton of the present order of capital
ism. Besides, if want of backb
and an insight into the true nature
of the development of society,
is directly affecting those imme-
diately suffering, who is to blame
but those who have means of knowl-
edge without using them and power
to achieve their ends without WELD
ing it? The present uncertainty
and weakness, as much rs it must
be regretted, is enceinte with untold
good, if our friends will only prove
accommodating to the circumstances.
This does not mean that they should
allow themselves to be swept along
with the tidal wave of hopelessness,
Lor that in a vain attempt to stay
it's rising they should exhaust their
energy, time and money; but it
means that Socialists must now or
never become a party-a party in
the proper sense-and enter the
arena to meet the foe where the dis
couraged mass of workers are afraid
to meet it as yet. If Socialists wait
for political action until they can
ride on top of a political craze such
as they experienced in New York,
then, of course, it serves them right
if they remain hanging about
some hedge, only to see the be-
loved one break away in the
ocean of ridicule. Without de-
nying the usefulness of trades
organizations, and concedlng to
them the honor of being prime edu-
Gators of illiterates for the high
school of socialism, it must be borne
in mind that their training, power
and remedies are utterly inadequate
to accomplish results lying far be-
yond the domain of trades unionism,
as now understood political action
Of pure proletarlan character.
This is, or should be, the peculiar
province of the Socialist Labor Party,
standing on it's own ard not on some
bogus labor platform. The objec-
ton that the results would not
Justify the undertaking is utterly
without foundation, AZ well AZ the
claim that the expenses are outside
the limits Of party ability. As re-
CARDS the first objection, the expec-
tation must certainly not be to poll
a vote seating candidates by five or
five thousand. A protest against
the present regime and the present
order, and an implied proclamation
of claim to the stewardship of So
ciety-that is what in the end will
build socialist labor party in fact.
In this respect the prohibitlonists
have shown how party must be led
to victory. Begin with one precinct
or township, win it, or establish
therein stronghold, and then see
what can be done with larger polit-
cal divisions. This gives opportu-
nifty for discussion, for practical
work as distinguished from mere
theoretical endeavors, and brings
home to the understanding of many
something the theory of which they
can only comprehend by the slow
process of persistency and courage.
The second point, the financial as
pect of the question, is answered by
reminding of the fact that if hall
rent and handbills can be paid for,
comparatively Indifferent affairs, the
money will certainly be on hand for
more important departures. The