The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-28
MR.. DEBS ON PHILIPPINES
NOTED, STRIKE LEADER ADDRESSES
MASONIC HALL CROWD.
Overcoming by Arms Natives Whose
Only Crime Is Love
of Liberty.

When Eugene V. Debs appeared upon the
platform of the Masonic Hall last evening
for his lecture, Labor and Liberty" he
was greeted with the cry Three cheers for
our own Eugene" which were most heartily
given by the large gathering assembled to
hear him. Mr.. Debs was introduced to the
audience as the man too well known to need
an introduction to the people.
Mr.. Debs began his lecture by saying that
he appeared for the purpose of discussing
the more important phases Of the social
and economic problems of to-day. He pro-
ceeded, in his way, to show how the work.
ingmen of this day are not on so good q
footing as were the workingmen of fifty
years ago, in that the workman then was
in a position to enjoy the fruits of his labor,
whereas now it had been proven by statis-
tics that the laborer is able to obtain about
% per cent. of the value OF his production,
the remainder going to the employer, filling
his Golfers to overlooking, while the pro-
Queer and his family starved. The work
ingman then was not looked upon as a setV-
ant or underling at all times, but as the
mainstay OF society. The condition to which
the Workingmen OF to-day has been reduced,
and which, according to Mr.. DebS, is pit
liable indeed, he says is the result OF capital
and the Capitalization or labor ana the IN
Vention of labor-saving machinery, though
he holds nat the WOfkllSIleu themselves
are largely responsible for the condition in
which they find themselves, being arrayed
in battle, one against the other, instead OF
standing together and working Tor their
common interests.
Mr.. Debs then gave numerous examples
of how the corporations ana capitalists,
through their grasping policies, are working
out their own ruin, and would in a short
time be things of the past, being Supplanted
by ORGANIZATIONS owned ana controlled by
the people. The cooperative system, ne
said, was sure to come, ana, though IT
seemed afar off, the time would surely not
be long, and the capitalists and corporations
of to-day. he insisted. are only getting the
details of the future system in readiness for
the people to take hold of and conduct in
their own way when the time came Tor them
to take hold
The Philippines n the administration re-
ceived only passing notice from Mr.. Debs.
He said that the acquisition or the territory
beyond the limits of this country was only
the result of the work OF capitalists and
CORPORATIONS. and he Ventured TO say that
within q few wears these lands would be
owned or completely controlled by one vast
syndicate. Relative to the work of the army
in the Philippines he said: I'VE are over
coming by arms those poor. ignorant ma
tives, whose only crime is the high and
noble aspiration for liberty
Mr.. Debs dwelt at length upon the condi-
ton of the workingmen in the larger cities,
citing numerous instances of the manner Of
their living and also the conditions to
,rbich tbey haG allowed themselves IN he
lowered. lie also made an earnest appeal
for the closer organization and the educo-
ton Of the w~orkingmen and their children.
showing how 1t was through education of
the future generations that relief would
come. Proper education, he said, and after
that the intelligent use Of the ballot would
be the means of correcting all present exist
ing evils. and then all mankind would live
together in brotherly love. Mr.. Debs closed
his remarks by saying that he believed. as
Lowell said, Dreams that nations dream
come true, and chat he thought all things
were working together for the good Of hui
manity and that time would see all things
righted. The hall was we'll filled and Mr..
Debs was frequently interrupted by vigor-
Gus applause.