The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-21
Socialism Has Gripped the Lower
East Side.
Section of New York that Greeted Debs With Hearty
Acclaim. ~

peared tall. thin man. supported on
either side by companions.
He wore light coat with the collar
turned up and buttoned about his
throat, and walked with a decided
stoop of the head and shoulders. II
was Debs.
Again the band struck up the Mar
seillaise." and the crowd cheered with
all the lung power II had, while Debs.
perched up on the frail platform and
supported by several followers, looked
down Into the mass OF humanity and
smiled.
Comrades" he began. but the
crowd would not let him continue. In
! fact. II Is doubtful II any one except
those nearby heard him. for his voice
wss weak and he talked with effort,
just above q whisper.
Finally he raised his hand and the
din subsidized. Then he began to speak,
! but ii was evident that not more than
half a dozen who stood directly in
! front of him could hear
Comrades and fellow-citizens," he
said. lit is impossible for me. after
scattering most of my voice across the
continent, to make myself heard
across this vast concourse Of people.
only bring you greeting.
His address was short; he predicted
the election OF Morris Hillquit and
concluded with the remark that the
results Of Nov. win surprise the
world"
Debs, with the other Socialist lead
ers. left in automobiles for Rutgers
So. But the crowd had caught the few
er. and was not going TO let him get
1 Tt..wv Nvxe1x .<st.
ahead OF him and surrounded his mo-
tor car. SO that they might see him at
close range. The three cars contain
ing the party from the Red Special"
could not move. People lined the
street from curb to curb.
BY little judicious use OF their
clubs. the police succeeded at last In
clearing a narrow aisle, and away
went the candidate with the yelling,
struggling mob following In his wake.
The ride through Pitt-st. was one
that Debs Is not likely soon to forget.
From every side street poured a multi
tude OF east side folk. who filled every
crossing and brought progress TO u
dead stop time and again. People
seemed TO come from everywhere.
They climbed on the steps OF Debs'
machine and shook him by the hand.
and patted him on the back. Women
with children In their arms leaned out
OF dingy tenement house windows and
waved To him as he passed.
Just before the party drew up at
Rutgers-sq., they passed under Bry-
an banner strung across the street.
and the crowd Kissed as they saw Il.
Debs was again called on for speech
here. and he responded briefly. There
might have been twenty thousand In
the square by this time; certainly the
streets could not have held more than
had managed To squeeze in from all
quarters.
This is not crowd TO speak to-"
began the candidate. who this time
talked from his automobile. 1T Is
crowd To look at and TO draw inspira-
ton from"
Then he repeated what he had said
al the first meeting. lie got tumult.
uous cheer when he had finished. and
while the crowd was still yelling and
the band was playing the Marseil-
laise," and the excitement was ut its
height. the motor car shot away and
was heading down the Bowery for
Brooklyn before people were aware
that Debs had gone.