The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-20
SAUNDERS PLATFORM.
Social Democratic Candidate For May
orOutlines His Principles.

ofOutlineS HIS PRINCIPLES.
Charles w. Saunders, the candidate
for mayor proposed by the social de-
mocracy, has written the following let
ter of acceptance which was read be-
fore members of the local section yes
terday:
Comrades of the Social Democratic
Party
In accepting the nomination of the
social democratic party of Worcester,
do so with a deep sense of the re-
sponsibility involved but not wishing
to shirk any duty placed upon me- I
accept the honor conferred and pledge
my support to the principles and plat
form of the party. The call has gone
forth and society demands better sys
tenn of economics, than the one under
which we now live.
The competitive system is drawing
near it's close. With individualism in
tensified as it is by selfish greed, where
every mans hand is against his brother
in the struggle for existence, and the
weaker is inevitably driven to the wall
and robbed so far as possible of all he
possesses, this system has grown until
it's dragon head is terror even to the
parties who have nursed it.
With it's concentration of wealth and
corruption on the one hand and its
poverty and misery on the other. The
system has served its purpose 1t has
been one of the stepping stones in the
evolution of society from serfdom to CO.
operation. Now, however, it has out
grown its usefulness, and has become
corrupt. 1t has failed to provide for its
children, driving them into misery and
nyiy q at az n itself q
domination which is undermining the
underlying principles of the republic.
The principle of individualsm and
competition was wrong from the begin
ming, but it was permitted to perform
an office. That purpose having been
served, we have no further use for II.
Wealth is but a means to an end, ana
the most fitting end is the advancement
of the human race. The normal life of
the nation is like the normal state of
the human body, where the head,
hands, feet and every organ and tissue
work in harmony for the good of the
whole and the perfect whole is the re-
suit of the combined effort of each.
The nation is but the COLLECTIVELY of
individuals made up Of great num-
Der of intricate parts. As a chain is no
stronger than its weakest link, so a
nation is strong or weak accordingly
{
in harmony Does the present system
provide these conditions? Is not this
system disintegrating and anarchistic?
dividing society into two opposing FAC
ton, the rich and the poor?
The waste of energy and property
that is going on under this warfare is
enough to supply the millions of suffer-
ing brothers with the necessities OF
life lifting them up out of the slums,
making them good citizens and the
pride of the nation. Under the COOP
eratiVe system it will be to the advan
tage and interest of every member to
strengthen the weaker brothers that
the whole may be more prosperous II
we wish to evangelize the world we
must not only work for higher stan
dard of ethical ideas, but must lay a
sure foundation in economic justice.
A government founded on the golden
rule-applied to all the procedures of
life will transform the nation into a
paradise where selfish crime will cease
and man will walk forth an image of
his maker. We believe this great
change is coming 1t is in the line of
progress. We are to have a new earth
as well as a new heaven. The work
that is given us to do is to educate
and cooperate with the forces that are
bringing about the good time coming.
Do we not see the need of a change?
Do we not feel the calling letters that
are growing tighter every day? If so,
then give up party spirit and wrang-
ling over non-essentials. March TO the
polls shoulder to shoulder and change
this inhuman system to a humane one.
Change competition and warfare to
cooperation and helpfulness. Forever
do away with the system that places
the dollar above the man, sacrificing
every virtue on the altar of greed.
We present our platform and princi-
pies to the citizens of Worcester, ask
ing them to throw aside all prejudice
and investigate our claims to keep
their ear to the ground and listen to
the advancing host that is marching
on to victory, with their banner of JUS
tice and cooperation thrown to the
breeze that is sweeping over all ma
tons. and which viii continue to blow
until the world shall learn righteous
ness and war shall be no more. Our
path is plain, our duty is before u.s.
I cheerfully join with you, my asso-
ciates, in a united effort to successful
ly conduct propaganda for the best
ends yet comprehended by foremost
economists. Whatever may be the re-
suit of the campaign, let US keep our
face to the front and falter not in the
discharge OF our duty.
------ Charles W. Saunders,