The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-05-17

Victor L. Berger, of the Debs' faction
of the Socialist party, has issued the
following appeal to the Socialists of Am
erica. He asks them to place themselves
at the head of the antitrust movement
with the issue, NATURALIZATION of trust
and monopolies.' The circular is as fol-
lows:
'In consequence of President Roose-
velt's action against the meat trust-if
indeed this action really produces any
results-it is very possible that a >pecu-
liar situation may develop in the United
States.
Until now it has been taken for grant
ed that the Republican party was the
chosen representative of large capital in
the United States. The trusts, corpora
tions and plutocrats therefore were al
ways very liberal in their contributions
to the campaign funds Of the Republican
party, although as matter of course
they also gave some money to the Demo-
cratic party, because that organization
likewise stands for capitalism.
But now in consequence of the anti
trust pranks of the administration, the
Republican politicians everywhere are
setting up a howl that Roosevelt is
"Bryanizing' the Republican party. The
Republican politicians are afraid that
the trusts and corporations will now take
care that the Democratic party nomi-
mates "safe man." for instance, Cor
man of Maryland or Hill of New York,
and that then the LIONS SHARE of
the plutocratic Doodle will flow to the
Democratic party, which may thus be
enabled to elect it's candidates.
These fears of the Republican politi-
clans are indeed not entirely without
foundation. To the great capitalists it
is absolutely immaterial whether the
Republican or Democratic party exc
cutes their mandates. In the last ten
years the South has made wonderful
progress in the field Of industrialism,
and the South is destined in the next
thirty years to become also politically a
bulwark of capitalism. Since Roosevelt's
nomination by the Republicans is now
settled thing, it is not altogether inn
possible that the trusts will form an alli-
ance with the South and set themselves
the task of nominating and electing Cor
man. ,...4 >: +, ,.&ii..,s;~ x: .. - .:..,..,
,,chisskj ftiness thesl ticalsseenes
would be sort ofs wind fall for the So
cial Democrats. It would prove once for
all that BOTH parties-the Republican
and the Democratic-are sprung from
the same source and that capitalism can
rule as we'll through one party as
through the other.
Whether events turn out in this way
or not, the Socialists of this country
must now place themselves at the head
of the antitrust movements, with the
ISSUE "NATIONALIZATION OF
TRUSTS AND MONOPOLIES." Be-
sides that, the usual Socialist demands
in municipal and state affairs should be
brought out at the respective elections,
and at all times the demand for OLD
AGE PENSIONS must be emphasized.
On fitting occasions and especially in
the introduction to platforms the So
called final aim'' Of Socialism would
always find it's full expression. In doing
so our party will only be in harmony
with the tactics of Socialists and Social
Democrats the world over. The ''imme-
diate demands" are the main lever of all
their platforms-th platform of the S.
l.. p. of America excepted. The Social
Democratic party of Germany has this
year taken the lead AGAINST the pro-
posed high tariff on breadstuffs (the So
called "Hunger-Zoelle''). The Belgian
Socialists are at the head of the move
ment for a one-man-ballot in their coun-
try. No one thinks them less revolu-
tionary on that account.
Yet we expect that against our propo-
sition every ignorant fanatic and mar
row-minded bigot in our party will break
out in shrieks and lamentations about
"heresy'' and Estate Socialism," But
this cannot restrain us from doing what
is right. People of the above character
ized kind are in the minority among So.
cialists. Yet this minority, by cheap
phrases and artificial fanaticism, up to
the present time has succeeded in retard-
ing the growth of the Socialist party in
most sections of America, although this
country is ripe for LARGER and
STRONGER Socialist political organiza-