The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-01

The Socialist Laboritcs Propose TO Apply 10
After whining at the Polls.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir. In THE
SUN OF October "a Mr.. William q. Llghtbown
attempts to ~criticise Mr.. Goodwin Smiths
opinion concerning the method for estab-
fishing Socialism. Mr.. Llghtbown's admls-
sion that the method by which to accomplish
socialism Is one for the future to decide Is a
confirmation OF MIR. Smiths position and a
refutation OF Mr.. Lightbown's praises for his
own. the Socialist party.
party with a revolutionary aim that leaves
to the future the method OF carrying out that
aim Is q burlesque. well worth all and more
OF the sattres that Mr.. Smith bestows upon It.
such a party had better quit. Its only apology
Tor not quitting is that it never started.
The Socialist Labor party. on the contrary.
u IN no such pickle. Its aim Ia clear and Its
methods well defined. What these methods
are can be gathered from its tactics. and
these tactics can be best appreciated by con-
trasting them with Mr.. Lightbown's Socialist
party.
Mr.. Llghtbown's Socialist party proceeds
upon the fatuous idea that a political party
Is an organization that deals In the ballot
only. Such u not the case. No body de-
serves the name OF q political party" that
simply Yields the ballot. A political party
not only Yields the ballot. but comes equipped
or seeks to equip itself with the organized
force to enforce the triumph Of that ballot.
without that physical force equipment,
whatever calls itself a political party 10 q
tumbling clown on the stage Of h istory. Such
is Mr.. Lightbown's Socialist party. and that
10 the reason he and IL have to trust to the
future
The Republican and Democratic parties
come equipped with the requisite physical
force. II political parties Of conservatism
themselves, need the physical force equip
ment for the eventual enforcement Of their
suffrage victories, how much more essential
political movement Of revolution. The capt.
talist parties. Democratic and Republican.
equipment: the political movement of so.
cialism. or be 1t the Labor movement, has yet
to H5Ssnlre w vnd Perfect s5s nd IL physISsl force
Of labor that physical force equipment Is the
class-consciously organized economic or
s ss1liisaf pSTty o. While fas c %2pTIEiaF lash Slas sco,s The So So
while pretending TO be MaTxlst, knows nothing
Of the MARKHAM sociologic principle that only
the working class can give birth to a true
and s6C fherefG Rs,r s%ns e N political party of
party. ignores the importance OF the union,
SpOlOslst for the Civic Federatlonised. clsss.
a good tarsst FOR Mr.. doldwihn sm nshSfss sh lsfsn
The Socialist Labor party, one the con-
seeks TO organize the working class in the
foundation for that which Marx considered
an essential, prerequisite for the rise of the
true political party of socialism. Along these
triumph Of the Socialist Labor party will
find the working class In or ganic possession
Of the plants OF production. ready to enforce
the fat Of hat ballot by taking and holding,
or. be It lock out the capitalist class. in case
this class should attempt what Its predeces-
sors have done-riotously rebel against the
ballot of the revolution.
am not at all surprised at Mr.. Lightbown's
seneitiveness at Mr.. Goodwin Smiths shafts.
Well may the Socialist party man writhe under
them. The Social st Labor party, on the other
hand. Is beyond the reach Of any such shafts.
JOHN HossACK.
JERSEY CRY, October 81.