The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-19
nEBs ON A CONSERVATIVE PLATFORM.


II the Socialist party clearly understood
what 1t stands for, it's national conyen on
which has just met in indianapolis and nom
mated Eugene V. Debs for President might be
worthy Of far more general concern than viii
be given it.
Practically, whatever It's theories, socialism
stands for discomfort and invites the discon-
tented, If It had definite policy upon winch
It's rank and file were reasonably united, no
time would be ripper than the present for it to
throw panic into conservative government and
the traditional rights of property. This 10 be-
cause of the discomfort In both the Republican
and the Democratic parties. With the G. 0.
P, Taft Is preaching constitutional govern
nent. and Roosevelt, while apparently aligned
with certain special financial interests, il talk
ing the general conception OF socialism. In
the Democratic party. while they are not SO
venomous In expression, several prominent
spell binders are agitating in the same general
direction. In situation so thoroughly scra M
bled frank, open and clear declaration OF So
cialstc principles might inject a new aud de-
cidedly dangerous element into national pol
itics
Fortunately. the socialists know no more
about what they want. or where they are GO
ing, or what they are lighting for. than the
man who lends himself to the welkin- SKATER
ing generalitles OF this that. or the other
would-he Republican or Democratic apostle OF
change. Socialism, also, has It's Roosevelts
derwoods. and Harmons. It, too, is threatened
with schisms and splits, heart-burnings and
chickering's In the inevitable Disappointment
that will accrue from the decisions of the two
great national conventions, the degruntled
will not find in socialism the ease to the des-
cialism itself were not a pickle chowder of
ffty-seven and more varieties.
1t is interesting, however to observe the
line of cleavage by which the Socialist conven-
tion parted It's opinion. II took seven hours
OF acrimonious debate for it To pass a section
of the constitution taking stand against
violence a weapon OF the working classes"
Against 1t were the representatives of the ''di-
rect action" wing of the party, while its adhe-
rents were the Conservative" or yellow
faction. Think OF Eugene V. Debs as "con-
servative'. OF this betrayal Of progressive
policies, however william n Haywood, OF the
Industrial Workers OF the World Che whom
barrow acquitted OF Steunenbergs murder),
THAT looks like it was aimed at
me. but 1t will have to be put to referendum
vote before 1t is finally adopted"
There we have 1t. the one principle which
what would be In the nature OF a triumph.
The passage of the amendment, and its poIit-
ical necessity, shows that, despite protest to
the contrary, socialism has meant an appeal
to yiolence-and anarchy. And 1t Will continue
to mean It until the panacea of a referendum
shall have worked the change When that
happens, Emma Goldman will probably take
charge Of the followers Of the ninety delegates
who voted for "direet" action and socialism
VIII have lost more than forty per cent. of Its
adherents
With everything else politically working for
socialism We should take courage in the
thought that socialism may be depended upon
TO effectively cut It's own throat.
Mr.. Taft says that he !s tired Of being lied
about Then why did he venture to contest