Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-06-26

Uhlich's hall, in the closing hours of the
first convention of the Social Democ-
racy. Mr.. nebs made two speeches dur
ing the day, of which he will probably
not hear the last for long time. The
first of these was made at the morning
session, when the model constitution
for state unions was under considera-
ton. In his speech Mr.. Debs used the
following language:
II hear 1t said that we will come in con-
tact with the federal courts. 1 suppose we
will. When we get political control of
state we will employ lawyers to tell us
Just how far our rights permit us to go.
If the supreme court tells US to stop, why,
we will stop But that will give socialism
a great impetus. If they send stand
ing army against us they will have lots to
do on the way. If they insist in defiance
of the constitution, in suppressing the will
of the cooperative commonwealth they will
be met by 100000 men who will fight them
on that issue"
These sentiments electrified the del
egates, who responded with storms of
applause, and in less than two hours
they were paraded in an afternoon
newspaper as a declaration of war.
The newspapers found their way into
the hall during the afternoon session,
uht 4ils LCbSb III
rcpudiated the incendiary remarks at
tributed to him. He declared that he
had spoken guardedly of an invasion of
constitutional rights. But in that case
he reiterated that he and every Amer
lean citizen who is not a poltroon is
ready to fight.
Within two hours afterward, how
ever, Mr.. Debs made to the convention
closing speech, which contained Ian
guage far more unguarded and inflam-
1natory. He said:
1.-THE times are ripe for change. There
| are 100000 men in the country without em-
| ployment. In Alabama little girls work
| in factories IA hours day for 35 cents a
| week. In Sheboygan men work ten hours
| for so cents. Manhood is reduced to mer-
| chandise, and even so 1t Is not worth quot
| Ing on change. Negro slaves were worth
| $500 apiece, but the white slaves OF this
| country are not worth 10 cents cord. 1
| hate riches, but not the rich. l pity the
| poor man who has S20,0O0,000 and cannot
let go. 1 believe in helping him to let go.
| 1 cannot understand how man can cling
| to IS, ,000, 900 when men around him are 60
| ing insane through starvation.
| Last winter the mayor of Chicago had to
| address a proclamation to the people in
| forming them that thousands of men and
| women were in danger of freezing to death.
| What kept those freezing thousands from
helping themselves? 1 cannot tell. Man
| is the only animal l know of that has not
| sense enough to feed himself. Take, for in
stance, the Kansas jackrabbits. If you
| kill one of them and you find him fat you
may be sure all the other jackrabbits are
| fat too. There are no plutocrats among
them who corner the crops and get fat
| while the others starve. No Jackrabbit is
stupid enough to allow thing like that.
| Coming through Nebraska not long ago
| 1 Travelled for miles and miles between rows
of corncribs bursting with the corn crop
| OF last year. Most of them had on them
the mark of the Chicago Produce company
There was no demand for this corn. The
jacki abbits helped themselves, and why
did Lot starving men and women do the
same?
IN Chicago there are $1,000 starving peo-
pie, starving in full view OF food Nature
has provided an abundance for every crea-
ture, and 1t Is stored mountain high In
Chicago, before the very eyes of these suf
ferers. Why do they not help themselves
/ cannot tell"
The constitution adopted provides for ar
executive board to supervise the affairs o.
the national council. colonization com
mission. to be made up of three men, Is t
be chosen by the executive board. Thi:
commission Is to have charge of the new
commonwealth scheme The money tc
carry on this scheme is to be raised by vol
untary contributions. No member o.
, either the executive board or the commits
sion Is to hold any political office. The
commission is to meet before August anC
name the state in which the first colony
shall be established. 1t will also adop
regulations for the selection of unemployed
persons and take steps toward conveying
them to the state decided upon.