The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-01-26
Danger Ahead
(Goatinueb from page one.)

not be in harmony with our revolution
AIRY program No possible good can come
from any Kind OF political alliance.
express or implied, with trades unions or
the leaders of trade unions who are op-
posed to socialism and only turn to it
for use in some extremity, the fruit OF
their own reactionary policy.
OF course we want the support OF
trade-unionists, but only oil those whc
believe in socialism and are ready to
vote and work with Us for the over
throw OF capitalism.
The American Federation OF Labor.
as organization, with its Civic Fed
Grafton 10 determine it's attitude and
control its course, is deadly hostile to the
Socialist party and to any and every
revolutionary movement OF the working
class. TO kowtow to this organization
and to join hands with its leaders to Sc
cure political favors can only result in
compromising our principles and bring
ing disaster to the party.
Not for all the vote of the American
Federation Of Labor and its labor -divid-
ing and eorruption-breeding craft-unions
should We compromise one jot OF our
revolutionary principles; and if we do
we shall h. visited with the contempt We
deserve 10y all real socialists, who will
-corn to remain in Il party protesting to
he revolutionary party of the working
disreputablc methods OF ward-heeling
class while employing the crooked and
politicians to attain their ends.
OF far greater Importance than in
creasing the vote of the Socialist party
is the economic organization of the
working sclas-: To the extent, and only
to the extent, that the workers are or
:.aniZcd and disciplined in their respec-
tive industries can the socialist move
ment advance and the Socialist party
hold what is registered by the ballot
The election of Legislative and admins
trativc officers, here and there, where
the party is still in crude state and
the members economically unprepared
and politically unfit to assume the re-
sponsibilitics thrust upon them as the
result of popular discomfort; will incvi-
taDlN DflIlx lIouDlc ill(t Scl ttlt lNl y
back. instead of advancing it, and while
this is to lie expected and is to an extent
unavoidable. We should court no more of
that kind of experience than is necessary
to avoid Il repetition OF it. The Social
list party has already achieved some vic
tories OF this kind which proved to be
defeats. crushing and humiliating, and
from which the party has not even now.
after many years. entirely recovered.
We have just so much socialism that
is stable and dependable, because secure
" grounded i'll economies, in discipline.
scious solidarity. and this must be aug
mentcd steadily through economic and
political organization, but no amount OF
mere votes can accomplish this in even
the slightest degree.
Voting for socialism is not socialism
any more than Il menu is n meal.
Socialism must I've organized, drilled
equipped. and the place to begin is in
the Industries where the workers are
employed. Their economic power has
got to he developed through efficient or
ganization, or their political power,
even if it could be developed, would react
upon them. thwart their plans, blast
their hopes, and all but destroy them.
Such organization to bc effective must
be expressed in terms of industrial
unionism. Each industry must be or
ganiZed in its entirety. embracing all the
workers. and all working together i'll the
interest of all. i'll the true spirit OF soli-
darity. thus laying the foundation and
the superstructurc of the new
system within the old. from which it is.
evolving. and Systematically fitting the
workers. step 10y step. 10 assume entire
control of the productive forces when
the hour strikes for the impending or
ganic change.
Without such economic organization
II nd the economic power with which it ia
clothed. and without the industrial CO.
operative training. discipline and ell
cheney which are its cOrollarics. the fruit
Of amy political victories the workers
may achieve will turn TO ashes on their
lips.
Now that the capitalist system is 50
IaIpahly breaking down. and i'll conse-
qrlcncc it, political parties breaking up,