The San Francisco call., 1903-09-04
SOCIALISTS IN THE EAST.

rule the annual convention Of the universal
n peace congress does not attract much atten-
4 Alton outside Of the narrow circle OF those who
fondy believe that by holding conferences and adopt
ing resolutions they stay the mad spirit Of war
and bring about the disbandment OF armies and the
abolition OF navies. This year, however, the meet
ing OF the convention at Mystic Connecticut has been
found interesting for peculiar reason 1t seems the
convention virtually captured by Socialists and
converted into a Socialistc conference.
Popular interest in the development of Socialism
among the universal peace advocates is due to the
fact that OF late years the growth of Socialism in
many of the Eastern States has been sufficiently
able to give the voters of that creed marked inu-
ence in politics. In some States the Socialists hold
the balance of power in many municipalities and
have been able to elect good many candidates for
important offices. By of these demonstra-
tons of strength nearly everything that tends to
throw light the growth or the purposes of the
Socialist organization is studied with little care
by practical politicians as well by socioogists.
Hence the interest displayed in the reports of the
appearance Of Sociastic orators among the leaders
Of the peace convention.
AS a result of the new influence in the conference
the subjects of discussion were in many instances
OF a kind utterly unknown at former peace conven-
trial Peace" and kindred topics that suggest domes-
tic politics rather than international peace 1t was
noted also that just outside the entrance OF the park
where the sessions of the congress have been held
for years there painted a mammoth boulder
in the hillside above the heads of all passers along
the road the bold inscription Socialism is Coming
A report OF the proceedings as whole says: The
session marked by the advent of a large number
OF speakers of the Socialist cue and the trend OF
thought at times distinctly Socalistc."
The capture of the peace congress is looked upon
part of the general Sociastic propaganda which
is progressing in all parts OF the East and which
has become strong enough to constitute genuine
political force in New England New York, Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey and Illinois. In reviewing their
work the Philadelphia Public Ledger says The prop
agandists work chiefly among the laboring men, es-
pecially in the mining and manufacturing centers;
they do not confne their efforts of perversion to
the ordinary political campaign periods, but main
tain their pernicious activity throughout the year.
holding small meetings pressing their opinions
upon little groups OF workingmen, or even seeking
out individual voters to induce them to accept the
Socialstic creed. Latterly they have carried cam
pagning into the agricultural districts sending their
spebinders to the farmers social gatherings to dis
semnate their doctrine
There is danger of a Sociastic triumph in any
American State but the cult may become as danger
Gus at some time did the cult of Populism during
the hard times that followed the panic of 1905 The
growth of the party is therefore a matter of
serious portent, for American conservatism may
some day have to reckon with it when it will have
the support of all the dscontented radicals of the
! big cities and be a formidable foe