The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-27
BY James Creelman.

by james Cretlmah,
II do not know whether this great ques-
tion can be settled peaceably. From the
bottom OF my heart hope 1t can. But II
1t can not be. then / am one of those who
believe in getting ready to solve it other
wise.
III, In defiance OF the Federal constltu-
ton. they sent Federal troops TO suppress
US in tho exercise Of our constitutional
rights, they Will be kept busy in their
march across the country. and when they
reach the State line they will find 100000
patriots ready TO receive them,
THE Rockefellers, the Vandcrbilt.. tho
Havemcyers. have grabbed the Oil the rail
roads and the sugar OF the country aud oX-
act tribute III the trusts cnu
manage them for gain of their members
they can manage them for the good OF the
whole people, We propose that such shall
be done. From speeches made by Debs to
his followers in Chicago.
Chicago June 2l.-With the morning
sunlight shining on his impassioncd coun-
tcnance and convention OF socialists roar-
ing at his feet. MIR. Debs today smashed his
tO-DytTdllNt commandments stnttilt bcS
all hope of resurrection when he declared
that tho present American system OF gov
ernment would be oyerthrown by peaceful
means II possible, but otherwise II neccs-
sary, and gave notice that he and his fol-
lowers were prepared 10 resist United
States troops at the right time.
IL was scene of terrible excitement
Stretched out before the lille stage, with
its gorgeous splashcs of crimson and green
and yellow, We're rows of strange looking
men, During the interval which followed
tho adoption OF the constitution OF the So
ciai Democracy OF America, carefully OBJ
served the men In the hall who wire taking
upon themselves the task Of founding new
government for the American people. re-
mapping tho country, recognizing society
and recruiting It's complex Industrial hys-
tens.
ABILITY WAS ABSENT.
In spite OF my natural sympathy with
men who can not iini work TO do. must
in common honesty. say that there was not
a substantial looking person in the hall.
and by that ! mean that did not see n
person who looked as though he had ability
TO be foreman OF an ordinary workshop.
There were abstract anarchists present.
single takers, communists. new Pledged and
illlterate socialists, men Of all ages and all
conditions OF although poverty
Is 10 reproach in times like these days, but
the average face WAS either duh and unin-
teiligent or was plainly fapatical.
Mr.. Debs was the most impressive per-
sonality thore but his speech destroyed
the impression made by his face. have
seen enough Of this remarkable man 10
convince me that he Is sincere and that he
has an ecstatic, headlong enthusiasm for
the bright vision that floats before his eyes,
however vain and evanescent IL Gay be.
lie has force enough, earnostness enough
and eloquencc enough perhaps 10 start into
westward motion the great multiples OF un-
employed men who are tranping through
tho streets Of the cities and towns. OF roam
ing desperately In the country districts.
NO SIGN or FARMERS.
But these are city bred men, wholly unfit
for the work OF colonizing the agricultural
domain into which Mr.. Debs proposes 10
lead them. have seen no sign anywhere
that farmers or any of tho agrarian class
have been attracted TO the movement.
The supreme executive board selected by
the convention TO manage the vast and
complicated programme for the foundation
OF new commonwealth. consists OF Eu-
gene v. Debs, William IL. Burns. Roy NJ
Goodwin, Sylvester Keliher and James Ho-
gan. the five men who were sent to tho
Woodstock jail for contempt Of court at
the time OF the Chicago strike.
Dehs will DO chairman; Burns, vice