The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-06-26
DEBs TO ROCKEFELLER.
The Multi Millionaire Pointed % q
Way to Use His Surplus Wealth.

0600 ~ 0OCAG(6AAEH.
The Multi Millionaire Pointed to .
Way to Use His Surplus Wealth.
= One of the most extraordinary
results Of the organization of The
Social Democracy of America on
the ruins of the once all-powerful
American Railway Union, is the
following letter from Chicago Of
juno 18th which President Debe
mailed to Mr.. Rockefeller, president
of the Standard Oil Company:
"McCoy's Hotel, Chicago, June
Ito Mr.. John D. Rockefeller
New York City-Dear Sir: l take
the liberty to inform you that We
have this day organized the Social
Democracy of America, an organi.
cation designed to rescue the op.
pressed and suffering of our land
from the grasp of industrial condi-
tons which they did not create and
which they are powerless to modify
or to control. The purpose of the
organization is, briefly stated, to
supplant the present cruel, immoral
and destructive system by the CO.
operative commonwealth, under
which millionaires and mendicants,
the abnormal products of an alb
normal civilization, will disappear
together, and the brotherhood of
man will be ushered in to bless and
beautify the world. In this city
alone, in. which the University
which bears your name stands
monumental of the triumphs of
labor and the fabulous wealth of
the country, 5000 families are prac-
tically homeless and 10000 honest
workingmen are verging on starva.
ton.
IF you think this statement all
exaggeration, l beg that you may
come here and I will arrange to
have them assemble on the Lake
Front, and there, under the common
sky, their only shelter, their enact
ated faces and tattered garments
may bear testimony to the haggard
truth of mans inhumanity to man.
The picture is we'll calculated to
appeal to men and angels, and, az
you are Christian gentleman and
are widely known for your bene-
actions, perhaps you might deem
t proper, no less than dutiful, to
give your support to an organiza-
ion whose high purpose it is not
% feed and humiliate these suffer.
ng fellow beings with the paltry
crumbs of charity to perpetuate
conditions which make their lives
continuous curse, but to strive
or a more exhalted humanity, q |
liviner civilization, such as the
Master taught when be said, ION
Earth peace, good will toward men,"
"The immediate organization will |
'e the relief of the unemployed by |
'olonizing a Western State where
hey may cooperate in the applica-
ion of their labor to the resources
# nature, to provide for themselves
md their dependent ones and man.
ully discharge the duties of an
'mancipated citizenship. In this
there are no class dis.
motions. Rich and poor are equally
Welcome to aid in dethroning gold
nd exalting humanity. Then the
trong shall help the weak, the weak
hall love the strong, and the broth
rhood Of man shall transform the
arth into veritable paradise.
"To consecrate oneself to such
FORK is my highest conception of
uty to myself and my fellow man,
nd, trusting that you may find it
onsistent with your own sense of
ocial and patriotic obligation to
Din hands with US in our emanci-
ating and ennobling mission, l
ubscribe myself, yours very truly,
EUGENE V. DEBs."