The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-10-31
ADDRESS BY JOHN sPAReo
Speaks on Meaning and Message Of
Socialism" to Large Audience


Speaks on Meaning and Message of
Socialism" to Large Audience
Pittsfeld, Oct 9O.--John Spargo of
New York, whose summer home is in
Bennington. the noted socialist, essay
list and platform orator, delivered a
notable address on THE meaning
ana message of socialism" before
very large audience at the CoIoniaI
theatre yesterday afternoon. THE
ADDRESS was given under the auspices
oil the Pittsfeld socialist club. The
presiding officer was Rev. Earl C. Da.
VS. pastor of the Unity church who
SAID that socialism was to be the
dominant factor in this country in
the near future 1t was either a case
OF going back to socialism or forward
TO socialism, and he was convinced
II was the latter
Mr. Spargo in opening said that the
time had now come when no inteIli.
gent man or woman could any longer
profess ignorance of the meaning of
the word socialism or the principles
OF the socialist party In 1870 there
were In the civilized world just 30
300 persons voting the socialist tick
ct, while last year there were be.
tween 100000 and 100000 It is
not too much to hope that next year
the Socialist vote will reach, il not
exceed, the ten-million mark. In all
the history OF the ages there has
never been a movement which has
made similar rapid progress except
| Christianity. The speaker then went
on to define socialism under four diff.
ferent heads: First, as a criticism
upon existing society; second as a
theory of social progress, philos.
ophy OF social evolutions; third. a
social ideal, and fourth, movement
making for the attainment of a
better race. He went on and traced
mans progress from his ape-like pro
genitor 10 man as we now find him
In the 20 tn century. This progress
he said all hinged on the great
struggle for food, for existence. Out
OF this struggle had come all the pro
gress. The time has arrived wher
we come to the trust problem, wher
mans daily tribute to the STANDARD
oil or some other trust. The states
men OF the country today are tryinl
to destroy or curb the trusts, bu
their struggle will be useless, for tn,
trusts are simply the result OF oul
progress, and their only trouble Il
that they are out OF keeping with tn,
competitive system under which W,
still live. They have by their won
derful organization eliminated tn,
wasteful methods OF the olden days
and saved labor and time. The,
would be all right IL they were owne'
by society and were being operate,
for society's benefit rather than 10
: some few members OF society. Thos
who try to bust" the trusts Nigh
: just as we'll try to turn back tn
: hand on the clock OF time. 1t cannc
be done.
Mr.. Spargo then proceeded TO r,
flute the claim that socialism woul
destroy private ownership On III
D contrary, he said, 1t would inhnitel
y extend private ownership. A ma
g would then own his own labor powe
and the products Of that power an
Paul's principle would be put In tor'
that ne who was healthy and stror
a and able to work. and yet would n.
work. but wanted to live by explol
Ing others, would have nothing
ont Socialism would guarantee
every child an equal opportunity
. develop himself to the best OF his u
o ents Il would abolish child labor
y would also free womanhood from U
II nresent thraldom and give her ecu
social and political standing wi