The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-20
SOCIALISTS URGE
VOTES AGAINST
ARMORY
One Of the Things That Help
Produce Militarism
NOT FOR WORKING MEN
Local Socialist Committee Thinks
Bennington Should Defeat
Armory Plan

SO fairly offered for discussion, to
present to the voters of Bennington
the other side Of the armory question,
the splendid measure" spoken of so
proudly by Mr. Cushman. And thanks
to civilization and christian influence
there is another side. The Socialist
party stands opposed to war
with all its hell OF hor-
rors. We believe it to be in
human unchristian, and at this stage
of the worlds progress, unnecessary
All wars, except those of revolt
against tyranny, are declared in the
interest of the capitalist class, either
for the acquisition of territory, mar
kets or some commercial advantage,
or to attract attention from some vii
ainy practiced in government.
Capitalists want wars. Politicians
declare wars Christian ministers,
under the very cross of the Prince
of Peace, pray for victories in wars,
but working men must fight the wars.
And in these later days workingmen
are thinking. and they are not so will
ing as in times past to be the fool
tool for scheming politicians, and
those who represent large vested in
terests Perhaps this will explain to
our friend the "fewer enlistments"
and frequent assertions" just now
when ut is becoming quite common
to hear demands for larger stand
ing army" There is a strong and
growing sentiment against war
throughout the civilized world
The department of murder is losing
in popularity The industrial despot
is alarmed He is helpless against
enlightened workers, without the ar
my-"the fist of blood and iron"-so
the word has been passed along, let
us build armories with modern equip
ments. Let us make them attractive
with baths, toilet rooms. and all up
to date conveniences. for It Is easy
to see that with a strong well discip-
lined militia in each state not so
large a standing army will be requir-
ed"
Required for what? There is not
the slightest danger Of invasion from
foreign powers.
Voters OF Bennington. do you not
see the game? Those at the head OF
affairs are wise They know that in
the near future. industrial conditions
will become intolerable for the great
mass OF American workers A new
danger to capitalism Is growing like
an increasing storm-mlllions in feal
OF losing their jobs, millions with wa
ges reduced, millions out OF work.
This great and growing army of tn,
unemployed hungry, insulted, angry
not permitted TO work. not even per
mitted TO beg.-men wronged anC
robbed. and desperate will threaten
the security OF capitalism. and the!
will want you TO go out and make
! war upon your fellow workers. T,
bolster up the present unjust system
OF exploitation through profits. which
has proved inadequate for human
needs under modern conditions, the.
Z would have you build armories a
, your expense-build the scafiold OF
, which they propose to execute tn,
working class.
To save this old system rendere,
) useless and oppressive to the grea
. mass OF toilers-fhis system by whicl
p those who labor are robbed OF IN
/. fruits of their labor, the home |
c broken up. manhood. womanhood an
. even childhood Is degraded-to saw
I this. they would have you build hnel
r equipped armorles, blind your eye
4 with uniforms and display. confus
J. you with patriotic talk. and MARTA
e music. so that you forget the VI
I speakable horror OF war. To saw
J. this profit system, the shame OF mo,
e ern civilization they have started IN
boy Scout" movement. Becaus
they realize the need OF a blind. ODE,
4 lent butcher. they take the small DO.
the helpless small boy. and stab dea
b the bud OF kindness In his sou
arouse the kin lust. and train him I
blind. unthInking obedience Befoi
you vote to add this. worse than us
less, expenditure to your burden ,
-. debt and taxation. ask yourself whl
benefit an armory would be to 20
IL might be used as n guardhouse
Is which to detain you when II
a. thought advisable ito resort to co
20 scription" as In Germany Would
n benefit you to accept the role Of pr
II fessional cutthroat3
H. Remember. In all wars, the Jaws
death spread wide for the worklI
le class. and only for the working elias
r. Before the people OF this town d
lc eide to build an armory We wou
" ask them to read the new boo
he "war-what For9" by George
NJ Kirkpatrick
y NJ p. Armstrong.