Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1908-01-16

houiuihs tnc ihihs Siose INV " S"h'
pact body to successfully fight the
purloiner Of its products, to seize all
social powers, and finally to abolish
both the proletariat and its oppressor.
The Western Federation has been
charged by the capitalist papers, the
public and the arraingment of society
with instituing a reign of terrorism
as a working class weapon. This
charge has been made in conjunction
with the one that the Federation was
a socialist organization. This certain
ly is one Of the most remarkable ANAL
gamation of charges ever brought by
ignorant aceusers. The method of the
terrorist or blind force and a war on
life and property in the very thing
in the instructive fighting of the work.
ing class that socialism has come to
half a century ago in the councils of
Marx old Internationals, when Ba-
kounine and his anarchist followers
were expelled from these. conventions,
and constructive policy Of education
and organization of the working man
took place Of an appeal to mob and
riot as means Of opposing domi-
nant and oppressive class. Engels said
the time for the harricade in the
streets had passed. Terrorism is ex-
actly what a socialist movement does
not want, not because of its method
but because of its inadequacy and in.
suffciency. From remote ages there
has been blow for blow, and blood for
blood. Now the working man must
learn to use the weapons that have
intrenched the capitalist class organi-
zation, administration, solidarity. With
a labor union turning to socialism
there Is the chance to teach the pub
lie those eternal principles.
The accusation of terrorism is the
blacklist sort Of slander used to brand
an organization suspected of socialism.
Moreover, it would be the most su-
perlative folly for labor organization
to imagine that il could ever win any
advantage whatever by resorting to
deeds of violence of government, and
the majority Of its own class against
it. Democratic institutions to a eer-
tain extent have provided a way to
get control of government. At least
If they have not a massed effort is
the first essential.
The second point for our considera-
tion is the institution of the ballot.
IL has been a distinctive feature of
the Goldfeld labor movement that
there is connected with it large and
growing sentiment against the ballot.
Many in the unions have violently re.
pudiated the ballot, and are using ev.
cry means to influence others in this
respect. A departure like this is GER
tanly surprising in a union which has
boasted of its strong socialist tenden-
cies, and a commentary on the sort Of
teaching that has been imbibed.
The soeiolist movement Of the world
stands prominently for the ballot.
Where that liberty is denied in the
countries of Europe the working class
are a unit in demanding it. The work.
ers OF Russia are enduring tortures
that they may get representation in
government. The conflict of the Ger.
mans in the revolution Of ls4s was for
ballot and representation. The Austri.
ans are calling the general strike that
they might have the rights of suf.
frage; so with the Belgians and num-
erous other cases that might be men.
toned. The right to vote, to partic-
ipate in the ordering Of the society
in which they live has been the aspir.
alton of the underlings throughout all
time, and there is not a socialist plat.
form in the world but what demands
IL.
What is this ballot that any member
Of the American working class can so
derideH It is the expression Of the