The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1897-07-17
FREIHEIT ON DBBS.
Comments on the Social DemOc-
racy, and Its Plans and
Principles.

A Highly Eulogistic Estimate of
the Character and Ability of
Its Leader, rlr. Debs:.
Upon request, translated from the Ger
man by Rev. Sigmund Frey.]
Under the leadership of the
we'll known agitator, Eugene V.
Debs, new party was founded
at Chicago a few days ago.
The same greatly resembles
the "general German work
mems union,' which Lasalle in
his time called into existence,
in it's form of organization as
we'll as in it's aims; though La
sale demanded state assist
ance for productive associa-
tons, while Debs wishes to OBJ
tain the aid of the government
in establishing cooperative
colonies, by way of political ac-
ton.
First, such institutions shall
be founded in the state of
Washington, because in that
state there is not only much
land but also natural resources.
The organization of the new
party is centralistic, demo-
cratic; the tactics peaceful and
lawful; it's purposes are Uto-
plan. However, the Freiheit
cannot decline to express it's
views on this latest appear
ance in the field of movements
among workingmen. What
ever the further development
of these affairs may bring, and
what, accordingly, will have to
be said about what advice and
criticism may be necessary, at
present, according to the view
of the writer of this, it appears
that the foundation of this
party may become of far-reach-.
ing significance for the move
ments of workingmen of this
country.
Centralistic, democratic, le-
gal and Utopic, as said before,
as this party is, so that a revo-
1utionary and anarchistic COM
munist cannot see his ideal in
it., it forms, however, such a
turning point in the history
of movements of American
workingmen that even one of
us may be highly pleased with
it. Beside those attempts
which have been made by an
archists in America, and be-
side the everlastingly repeated
useless experiments to- graft
the imported cut twigs of Ger
man social-democracy upon
the tree of movements of con-
servative workingmen of this
country, until now, one can
notice only dark illusions and
otherwise insignificant cur
rents within the entire field; as
for instance, the devouring of
Chinese by Kearney, the green
back idiocy of Weaver, the con-
fused ideas about land by
Henry George, the hysterical
McGlynnism and the silly
humbug Of free silver; not to
speak about the never dying
"tail-policy' in all colors. ..
To show the contrast: The
new party has abandoned os-
tentatiously connection with
the old (capitalistic) parties
and occupies real socialistic
standpoint, though yet some
what confused one. And this
is just what in this country,
where one might be inclined to
consider it impossible to uproot
the customary negligence
among socialistic politicians,
gives an eminent significance
to the new party. Furthermore,
there is entirely excluded the
chance that it may be only
passing sectarianism; and it
may be taken for granted that
the more reasoning part of the
hard tried and haunted Amer
ican "proletariat' will flock
to the new party.
And concerning the person
of Debs who stands at it's head,
it is not to be denied that he
has kept himself afar from
Doodle, and that he is an hon
est, active and talented young
man whose enchanting elo-
quence may be able to bring
from far and near hundreds of
thousands of poor devils in
whose heart the desire for So
cial revolution has instinct
lively caught fire, upon the bat
+1ofal1 r. ia fact that nahs