Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-12-17
IS IT A CORRECT VIEW?
SHELBY, Neb.. Nov. 80, 1898

NIlELD1, ANNlJ., WY. OO, lCOCs
Editor Industrial Freedom
| have noticed week after week a
little standing paragraph in our pa
per reading thus: IF all dues were
paid we could have the steamboat
now But, unless there is something
new under the sun, all dues will not
be paid, etc" Since | got through
corn picking | have done some think
ing with that for my text, and if you
will allow me l would like to give my
comrades of the Reserves the benefit
of my thoughts.
Comrades: We have voluntarily
united ourselves in brotherly associa-
ton for one of the grandest objects
that ever appealed to the minds and
hearts of men. 1t is also the most
gigantic undertaking that ever chal-
lenged mems courage, patriotism,
and manhood. And further, it is the
most urgent duty that ever made de-
mands on unselfish devotion and self
sacrificing zeal. Unless we are fired
with enthusiasm for humanity we
are not worthy of the high privilege
of taking part in a movement of such
tremendous import, and we may well
shrink back appalled,. If we are all
true, thoughtful, earnest socialists,
and far be it from me. to doubt it, we
know that these are no idle words.
There is a little band of men now at
Equality, Washington, who are lay
ing the foundation of cur mighty en-
terprise. They are no more interested
in its success than we are. But the
Almighty never yet put a great in
SEPARATION into the minds and hearts of
men but he also raised up men of he
role fibre to put it into practical oper
alton. These men are the brave self
sacrificing pioneers, not of a colony
only, but of Industrial Freedom. Not
only that, but they are working at
the foundations of that grand concep-
tion-the brotherhood of mantle
federation of the world
Comrades: Have YOU noticed how
patiently, determinedly and cheerfully
they work? Have you noticed how
modestly they tell of their achieve
ments and with what manly diff
dence they present their claims to our
support? One thing you have not
noticed--one word of grumbling or
complaint They tell us of their tri-
umphs but their trials we must guess,
and those of us who have had eXper-
fence in pioneering know something
of the hardships, privations and diff
culties with which they contend.
These are no ordinary men-they are
heroes and would be martyrs in our
cause if necessary. Socialists all over
the world are earnestly and hopefully
watching both them and us. The OPP
pressors of mankind are also interest
ed in the experiment. Both know
that the initial steps of this movement
are the most crucial. Once Seli-sup-
porting and the first colony of the CO.
operative commonwealth is grand
success. Without modern machinery
it cannot be made self supporting.
Without our hearty and generous CO.
operation they cannot have modern
machinery AS reports show, they
are not only freely giving their labor
but also their money to our cause.
They are both spending and being
spent in our service. Men OF that
mould will not beg and | know that
they would not like me to beg for
them But comrades, speakas | feel
when say they are doing more than
their duty. Comrades of the Reserves,
and there are over three thousand of
us, bound together in sympathy and
fellowship-Have we done ours! Now
read my text again. "If all dues were
paid, etc"
Ten cents a month! Comrades, | am
a poor man but am almost ashamed
to name the amount, but yet that
powerful ten cents every month multi
piled by three thousand is just what
the B c c needs. Ten cents a month
and no pioneer hardships as our con-
tribution to movement for our own
industrial emancipation to which we
pledged ourselves and to which our
sturdy colonists are dedicating their
lives. Ten cents a month for an IN
dustrial revolution on the installment
plan. Surely this is an era of triumph.
Our forefathers forfeited their estates,
suffered lifelong imprisonment, and
laid their heads on the h.,ck IN their