The San Francisco call., 1896-03-20
AMERICAN SOCIALISTS.
They Are at Work Forming a
Public Ownership Politi.
cal Party.
A Declaration of Principles Setting
Forth the Aims and Objects
of the Movement.

The Society of American Socialists
has practically entered the field of
politics and is carrying on inter-
esting. educational meetings in Kohler
& Chase Hall at 26 O'FarreIl street.
A. A. Sargent will discourse upon the sub
Ject of woman's suffrage. These and other
socialist workers are endeavoring to unite
and bring to the front the better element
of all other political parties and unite
them in political party called the Public
Ownership or Socialist party. In their ap-
pc al for the attention of the general public
the socialist leaders have put forth the
following declaration OF principles of the
projected party:
The one object of socialism is justice. It's
central thought is public ownership. It's
me ethod is orderly agitation. 1t is antagonistic
to violence. 1t is the diametrical opposite of
militant anarchism. The explosives in which
it trusts are education and ballot.
Socialism is liberal. 1t does not countenance
scorns the bigotry of orthodoxy. 1t expects to
learn and grow. Its tactics are broad and
generous. 1t welcomes those who are going in
its direction. The last thing. 1t thinks of is
abusing them. 1t repudiates bosses, directors
and dictators. Military party organization is
repulsive to its spirit in America. That may
do in some foreign countries, but not here. 1t
gives the cue to headquarters. 1t is entirely
modern. 1t studies to be intelligent, fresh and
alert every day. 1t is inventive and continu-
ally active in new ways. 1t will not bind it
self to any rule or routine. Whatever has not
these qualities is not socialism, although it
may wear that name.
Socialism does not divide class from class, but
unites them. 1t believes in reaching all classes
and enlightening all. 1t sees the struggle
going on in every mind over the fear-inspiring
social problems. 1t notes men and women
cropping for light, and it carries them light
1t imparts to them an understanding of the
principle OF public property, of public cooper
alton, of public consolidation. of public indus.
trial action, as antidotes for private ownership
mad and competition drunk. 1t will mend the
delirium tremens of monopoly by giving the
monopolies to the people. 1t will make the
public the capitalist
Socialism believes in a coming political
party called the Public Ownership, or the So
cialist party. All parties and all forward
movements now in the field are preparations
for it. Trades unions, the Populists, the So
cialist Labor party, the Prohi hibitionists, the
adherents of single tax, independent labor
movements, municipal reformers, woman suf-
fragists, the honest men of intellect in the Re-
publican and Democratic Great Easterns, are
making ready for new political division
Robbers and reactionists will be on one side;
modern men, honest men and reformers on
the other. They will cleave on the question of
obliterating wagedom and inaugurating pub
Iicly owned industry. To politicians who wear
diamonds, this is impractical. To such poll
ticians the freeing of slaves was impractical
to be completed, if ever, 800 years from the
year 1865.