Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-02-22

towards sectarian Socialism that he
had experienced more than once be-
fore.
And as he drew away from the BIT
ter dissensions of the warning sects,
he turned with increasing respect and
hope toward the actual organized
movement OF the working class. In
1875 when the various German or
CARNATIONS Of working men met to.
Their for the purposes of unit, he wrote
to Bebel, Liebknecht and others:
Every action every positive step
ward, is worth more than a dozen pro-
grams" He then urges his German
comrades, if it is impossible to have
adopted a consistent Socialist pro-
gram to merely join the workers in
enc organization without a program.
In other words, Marks idea was
clearly and Enthusiastically this: That
the organization of the working class
was the all important thing. He did
not withhold his sympathy and aid
to the working class because a GER
tain program, announcing that they
must accept that program or be damn
ed. He did not say that the workers
must organize in a certain manner,
or he would withhold his sympathy. In
fact, there is not anywhere to be
found in Marks words or actions a
single thing to suggest the sectarian
spirit.
What them did Marx mean when he
wrote to Speyer:. You must endeavor
to gain the Trade Unions at all costs ?
Did he mean that unless the Trade
Unions would adopt the Socialist
Program that Socialists should at
tempt to destroy them? Did he mean
that Socialists should enter the trade
union movement merely to make 1t
the side show OF a political party
These are questions worth thinking
over, and fortunately Marx himself
has supplied the answer.
In 1859 Marx had an interview with
Hamann, the Secretary of the German
metal workers Trade Union. In this
interview Marx said: "The Trade
unions should never be af1liated with
or made dependent upon political
society if they are to fulfill the object
for which they are formed. If this
happens 1t means their death blow"
Now this statement. Of Marks Is SO
absolutely contrary to the view taken
by some of the early Socialists in this
country, and by some Socialists even
today, that it may well cause amaze
ment And some may even ask:
what in the world is the use Of
botheringz with trade unions unless
our purpose is to make them Social
lists? Why should we attend union
meetings, or bother with the mere
daily struggle of the working class to
better its hours and conditions un-
less our end and aim is to make the
trade union Socialist movement"
Such questions serve merely to
prove one thing: That the men who
ask them have never grasped the
philosophy Of MARKHAM Socialism. Here
and there man Of the middle class
may be converted to Socialism
through appeals to ibis heart and CON
science. but the mass Of the working
class will be converted to Socialism
by their actual shrugged against the
capitalist class. BY organization they
win learn their need OF each other.
BY actual effort to improve their CON
ldition they will learn the hard facts
Of capitalist society. BY trade union
organization and by the results Of
their struggle will they learn the
need Of political action.
1.-THE trade unions says Marx,
f@are the schools for Socialism. The
workers are there deucated up to So
ciaAsm by means Of the incessant
struggle against capitalism which is
being carried on before their eyes. He
(the Trade Unionist) becomes So.
ciaiist without knowing It." / urge
the readers to notice one point. Marx
does not say that trade unionists will
become Socialists by books, by speech
or by resolutions, by attacks on the
union. by bitterd ascension between
Socialists and Anti4Socialists. In the
union. Not at all. The trade union
ist viii become Socialist without
knoyving Il as result Of the Inces-
lsaht struggle against capitalism.
IN the time when Marx was most
active In the Labor movement, there
were, says Kautsky, many Socialist
schools, each swearing to the genuine
ness Of its own patent pin for the
cure Of all the Ills Of society. and