Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-06-30
THE LABOR PARTY.
REASONS WHY SUCH A PARTY
EXISTS.
Political Education First, Then PO.
litical ActiOn-WhO Can Be Use.
full Reasons for
Becoming Identified.
International.

The formation of a labor party
had for its cause other than mere
political aspiration and dissatisfac-
ton. The reason for it's existence
may be found in the economical sub
lection of the workers by the pos
sessing class, backed up by law en-
anatlng and influenced by that class.
And since it has been demonstrated
that economic dependence cannot be
abolished by purely economic pro-
test, while the possessing class uses
the political power and circum-
scribes the power of the working
class by law, it is natural that with
the privilege of the ballot still in
their hands the thinking workers in
this country have made attempts to
organize political movements at
various times.
But the cause of labor's continued
subjection was not fully recognized
by the workers until Lasalle and
Marx pointed out with logical pre-
cision that tue laborers were robbed
OF their rlghtful property through
the wage system which made labor a
commodity of variable value accord
ing to the law of supply and demand.
OF the numerous political organi
zatious of worklngmen there is but
one which has fully accepted the
philosophy of Marx and has shaped
It's tactics in accordance with the
principles for which it contends.
This party is known in Europe as
the SoclalDemocratic party in Eng
land, Germany, Denmark and Swe-
den, as the Socialist Labor Party in
Spain, France, Italy and the United
States of America. While each
country has its separate organization
and movement, varying in develop
ment in the several States, they are
all combined and unified by a COM
mon spirit of progress, following
parallel lines. Even their tactics
vary only to the extent of the ma
tional circumstances under which
they exist, and they all agree that
the party in each country is the best
judge of the tactics to be pursued.
The Socialist movement seems to
have reached its highest stage of de-
velopment in Germany, France and
Denmark at present, where the So
clal- Democratic parties are actire po-
litical parties, contesting important
elections with the reactionary parties
If all shades, and proving successful
in many cases, especially in Ger
many.
Before entering the political field
as an active political factor, the So
clallst Party first appears as an edu-
catlonal propagandlst party, and it
is this position which it occupies in
this country. While it is in its
present stage of development here,
1t requires membership which is
peculiarly fitted for the work of
propaganda, whether it be among
the most neglected and ignorant, or
among the cultivated and educated
classes; and such a membership it
has, in the main, and while 1t seeks
to increase its working force, it
nevertheless is not proselytlng after
the revival" fashion. Sentiment
is not appealed to as much as reason,
and the public meetings are more
often meetings for debate than for
oratory. Often they combine the
social and controversial, and the re-
suits are favorable to the Socialist
principles. 1t is this readiness to
give opportunity for debate which at
once characterizes the Socialist Party
as confident of its logical position
and as a party of peaceful intention,
relying upon reason and spirit of
fairness for its growth.
There are many thoughtful people
outside the Socialist ranks with ex-