The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-14
DEBS ANALYZED.
Geo. Hughes, Socialist, and Son of
the Author of arom Brown at Ok
ford,' Writes of the Man.


ford,'' Writes of the Man.
One of the most interesting charac-
tiers and best informed socialists in
Kansas, not excepting G. c. Clemens,
is George Hughes of Chase county. Mr..
Hughes is a son of Thomas Hughes of
England, ex-member of parliament and
author of the stories so dear to all the
boys, tom Brown at oxford and Rug
by"
Mr. Hughes was in Tennessee with
the Rugby colony awhile, but is now To-
Gated on ranch in Chase county.
When E. v. Debs visited Topeka, Mr..
Hughes came to hear him and gave ais
opinion of the man as follows:
To the outward senses Mr.sDebs pre-
sents a very pleasing picture of a gen
tleman in the conventional sense of the
word He is tall, erect, very bald, with
an expressive sensitive countenance. His
manner IS cordial and his language and
method of utterance are as beyond re-
proach as those of any man I have ever
seen in Mayfair or Fifth avenue. 1t
was almost shock to me to behold the
man as he is, after the ScurrilOuS de-
scriptiOns one has read in those organs
which helps to form public opinion, which
are such a questionable addition to our
national intelligence. So much then for
what of Mr.. Debs appears to the out
ward senses: it bears that test, which
is said to be infaIlible in judging the
conventional gentleman; namely, that if
he were standing silent and unknown
among a lot of men, one would notice
him and would not know why.
This, however, is very immaterial, for
1t is when one approaches that part OF
man which lights and forms the outer
man, that one becomes really conscious
that one is in the presence of true
man. 1t becomes evident to any eyes
that can see, that here is a really man
f7rr oil u T 1oT,
his stomach, from the fact that like eV-
cry great man, he is possessed by his
idea
They master US and force US into the
arena, where, like gladiatOrs, we must
fight for them"
And further his idea is that which 1900
years ago mastered and led to death the
greatest man that ever lived. And one
can see that as Mr.. Debs has already
passed free from all cOwardice through
J bribery and SANDER and persecution so
like the master of old for the cause he
| is proclaiming, he will be faithful to the
very gates of hell.
With clear if not rhetorical eloquence,
with artistic allusion to nature and quo
tatiOn from those singers who have
sung liberty and the rights of man, with
facts that will stand the test of any
searching mind, Mr.. Debs from his large
| experience of labOring mankind and
their conditions and trials, diagnosed
the social problem and our dire need of
remedy.
His audience of at least 1000 people
would testify to his skill and truth. For
my part, and I claim to have heard
some of the best, have never heard a
speaker who had a clearer or more
sanguine and thorough belief in true
knowledge of his statements.
Mr.. Debs did not tell US of his plan of
Social Democracy, he gave US no hint of
it's methods or requirements, he confin-
ed himself to a REPUTATION of statements
made by Judge GrOsscup, his diagnosis,
and an appeal which showed the ma
TONS need of a speedy and radical rem
edy from the death distilling system of
competition and greed which exists to-
day.
The two things which are really block
ing the way of progress today are our
blind worship of party. Though as
Christian I am bound to be a socialist, L
must frankly confess that with my
present incomplete knowledge, am not
convinced of the wisdom of another
party, am indeed at present inclined to
think that more good will come from
all of US adhering to the Chicago plat
form as the first step and voting that
way.
But I do declare that he who is un-
hesitatingIy following wherever the
truth shall lead him, cannot dare to
miss hearing and explaining the idea of
so true a man as Mr.. Debs. 1t is with
the purpose of moving men of all par
ties to hear him and without bias to
consider his plan it is because L know
that whatever their ultimate conclus-
ion and action may be after nearing
him their sense of patriotism will be
more logical and purer, and their act
ion in any direction more full of broth
erly love and the knowledge of our
present chaos, that have written TINS
at such length.
GEORGE HUGHES.