The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-26
DEBS TALKS OF THE STRIKE.
WHO ARE THE CONSPIRATORS'
THE SUBJECT OF HIS OAK
LAND LECTURE.
He DECLARES THE MEMBERS OF THE
Al U. Dir. Nor BURN CARS
IN CHICAGO.

Eugene Y. Debs, who was the central
figure during the recent great railroad
strike which ended so disastrously for the
railroad employees. lectured before large
audience at the Oakland Theater last even.
ing, taking for his subject "Who Are the
Conspirators2" Mr.. Debs is extremely de-
hberate in his delivery and emphasize:
his words with numerous gestures.
He spoke for over two hours and held
his audience remarkably well. After tell
ing the causes of the strike and the events
leading up to the advent of the militia into
Chicago he spoke of the charges made that
the men were desperate characters and not
deserving of sympathy because they de-
stroyed the property.
"If the members of the A. r. U. were
men bent on destroying cars and property
would they not have destroyed Pullman
cars instead of the cheap flats and box
cars?" He said: "They were too expen.
sive; the corporations could not afford te
lose a $1,000 Pullman when a S25 flatcal
would answer just as we'll
1.-The corporations were aided by the
press to large extent. The press is gener
ally, / may say always, in league with the
corporations. There are some notable ex-
ceptions on this coast, i am glad TO say
papers that have some conceptions of the
true mission of metropolitan dailies.
'tThat there was no excuse for the pres
ence of the Frderal troops in Chicago,
continued the speaker, sis shown by the
messages of Governor Altgeld after the
strike was broken. He said that there was
no necessity for such a demonstration oil
force; that he could have handled the
turbulent element with the militia, and
that the Federal authorities overstepped
their 6uties when they called ont fhn
soldiers.
at amused me at our trial when the
crier got up and said, God save this hon.
orable court God knows that it needed
that prayer. But for the action of the
courts and militia we would have won a
victory for labor the greatest on record
in the history of man. Cleveland has
been rebuked by the people for the
part he took in breaking up the
strike. His man Olney, who is Attorney.
General of the United States and attorney
for the whisky trust at the same time, ad-
vised the sending of troops, and Cleveland
carried out his advice. The Democrats did
not rebuke him. the Republican party did
not rebuke him; he was rebuked by the
American people.
1.-THE railroads of this country to-day in
wade the courts and Legislatures, corrupt
and debauch justice and the law, and there
is no longer any liberty in this country.
The power of the corporations must be
broken before the people of these United
States are found bound hand and foot.
know not whatyou think, but my thoughts
run as did those of Patrick Henry when be
said, Give me liberty or give me death.
There is no need for bloodshed TO ac-
complish the ends we want. The intelli-
gent use of the ballot will break the
shackles which bind US. Look to the bal
lot; use it intelligently. Give your wives
and daughters the same rights Of suffrage
that you yourselves have; they will aid in
your emancipation. They have as much
right to political freedom as you have.
Give it to them"
In conclusion Debs said: "The work
ingmen of this country are in a great
measure to blame for their condition. They
do not think enough. Let them go home
after work instead of loafing around sa-
looms. Let the workingman go home
and put in his leisure hours playing with
the children and thinking, thinking and
educating himself. God helps those who
help themselves.
you workingmen must help yourselves
by educating yourselves and seeing that
your children are taught. | have an abid-
ing faith in the masses of this country and
/ believe that the day is coming when the
right shall triumph and the country will
be free"