Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-12-24
The Needs and the Dangers of the Hour

Inc needs and the Dangers of the Hour.
Every great progressive movement begins
on the mental plane and continues its mont
tions until the material plane is reached and
theory is reinforced by practice. During
this transitional period from the visionary to
the real there comes danger point which is
usually at the time when the purely theoreti-
cal stage having reached its highest pitch of
enthusiasm eliminating in attempts at prac-
tlcal work, said attempts, naturally and
necessarily feeble and awkward at first. have
somewhat dampened the ardor of the devotees
of the new idea and together with the natural
and almost inevitable reaction from high
degree of enthusiasm causes an apathetic
condition to prevail
This condition may or may not be for the
best. Should it be merely rest for the
gathering of new force for more determined
and energetic future work, then the former
But If it means the smotherng of the new
idea through the cooling off of its adherents.
then most decidedly the latter. as far as the
success of that particular idea is concerned.
To some extent such is the question that
confronts the Socialistic colonization move
ment today. Last year ION to Washington
was the slogan of thousands of apparently de-
termined Socialists in every part of the coun-
try, and it seemed as though the capture of
this state and the Inauguration by peaceful
means the first INTERCHANGEABLE
in history would be but question of com
paraUively short time.
But to speak truthfully the work has seemed
to lag. A few have worked with might and
main for the cause but. too many have taken
but perfunctory interest in the matter. and
some none at all. They seem to have forgot
ten the grand object for which the B C c was
founded, and that we have undertaken one of
the mightiest contracts ever entered into by
man, and that it behooves every well wisher
of the race to lend a hand to the successful
carrying out of the same.
The original plan was and is perfectly FEAST
bic This state has a small population. a
large proportion of whom have Socaistic
tendencies already, most of the balance are
more skeptical than bitterly hostile, and only
need good object lessons to be convinced of
the practcablity of our theories.
Now what is needed is for the colonization
Socialists of the land to ''look alive act alive.
and be alive. Let them initiate the capital
lists, who when they want thing organize
their forces, 90 right after it and move heaven
and earth but what they secure the object OF
their efforts.
But as a rule the Socialists of this country
prefer to dream. theorize and see visions
rather than do actual practical work at the
front Nor do | wish to speak disparagingly
of our reserve comrades. The ia Is that it
requires an equilibrium between the two
great humanizing factors-oppression and
education. to force reformers to a realizing
sense of the seriousness of the problem and
the necessity for immediate and decided
action.
Another Wall street panic might have
tendency to stir things by showing how un-
certain are the chances for livelihood under
the competitive system. Something in the
line of oppression is needed to be added to
the burdens already borne in order to wean
oul comrades from the bad habit of delaying
action until the shackles of slavery are too
firmly rveted upon their limbs for the sue
cessful breakage thereof, and of using their
energies against themselves and their own
cause by remaining as servants of their capt
talistic masters and enemies.
Ability whereverand by whomever manifest
ed is entitled to and should receive respect.
and one cannot help admiring 1t in our pluto
cratic oppressors although it is being per-
verted in its use.
We must show lake or greater ability in or
der to win. there is no lodging that issue.
and the only way to do so is to go ahead and
cultivate and develop the same i'm pursuance