The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-07-12
On the Trail
of the Serpent
ny John q. Wonhorol

them for that vote necessary to save
the country and preserve our glorious
institutions.
The candidates for the county Offices
five in number, two members of the leg
islaturc, the county judge, clerk and
sheriff, stepped off the train in II small
town in southern Oregon. On arrival
they were previously disappointed to
find that the only hall in the place had
been engaged for socialist agitator
who was travelling that way. Seeing no
chance for oratorical fireworks, they
stood on the sidewalk and presented
their cards and smile, (as n smile is
most important part of the stock
in trade of capitalist politician de-
sirous of office TO prospective voters.
Someone suggested that they divide
time with the socialist. One of their
number agreed to do so, and the report
blew over the country like thistle down
on windy day. A record crowd gath
ered as they expected to see teeth and
hair flying, and the hide of pesti-
ferrous socialist agitator, decorating the
fence. However, before the time for the
meeting arrived, the wise ones began to
view the situation with alarm, and de.
clined to take part in such discus
sion. The socialist said that, though
there was only one of him, and five Qe
them, he would try it, and if he weut
down in defeat would accept it with tF
best grace possible, but they flatly RI
fused. Realizing that something h8l
to be done, it was proposed by the a
cialist speaker that he take one hopr
and then turn the hall and audience ovAr
to them, as they would stay outside aBh
keep the crowd away, otherwise. When
this offer was made, they were profuhe
in their thanks and would long remeti-
Der the kindness. Little did they know
that they had not only swallowed TIE
bait, but that hook and all went with
it. Political history was in the making.
The crowd filled the building to the
doors and the republican politicians, o.
cupied the front seats. The socialiFt
spoke on the vital questions that a.
fected the working class in their daily
struggle for bread under the capitalist
system He pointed to the class char-
acter of society, the deep and wide
chasm, that separates the working chss
from the capitalist class, how the work
ers were robbed and how the politicians
and courts made the robbery legal and
how they were hypnotised by the rVli
tician in order to consent to the robbery
practiced on them. s&
He showed that this was the one real
vital issue, the battle of the classes, The
struggle for industrial freedom. HeS at
tackled no individuals, but struck at Che
very bastile of capitalist power-7the
private ownership of the things n&Ees
sary to mans welfare and well beng.
Every word went home to that audience.
They understood and applauded fire.
quently. He never mentioned his4op-
ponents until closing. They sat 5there
uneasy in their seats and with atlook
of defeat a:d despair on their faces.tThe
speaker finished by saying: 81 am a
stranger to you here, but as a working
man have endeavored to point out the
cause of human degradation and sIAyery.
oil ttct nd fuba
form take its place, we must own col
lectively our own means to life and free
dom. This is in line with social pro-
gress, therefore [ am an advOcatesof a
new and higher order of civilization.
There are a few gentlemen to follow me,
who still cling to the dying and decay
ing corpse of capitalism, and no doubt
they will try to show you that. you
should remain in its deadly embrace.
However, I hope that you will at least
give them as close attention as you lave
given me. The audience gave eXppes
sion of their approval as he sat down1
When the republican was introduce@
MS eIlDdIIdbSUlcHJ WIS CNluCIJ liz Itu-
lied that he had nothing to offer to
refute the statements made by the
socialist agitator and did not attempt
it. He was at complete loss to know
how to begin-he choked up unable to
collect himself. The ground had been
swept from under him. The old stero-
typed speech would not do, but he must
make an attempt, so he got in on
mother-in-law story. 1t fell dismally
flat and then he tried to tell them how
much he loved the county he was born
in. He loved it for its hills and its
rocks-it was the county of the coon,
the red apple and the tall timber, and
he certainly looked as if he would like
to get into it. The crowd did also and
acting on the suggestion, they began 90
leave in two's, three's and strings, and
his voice could hardly be heard above
the patter of departing feet, making for
the woods. Before he was through half
9 d.. ,r,Tf1r,.. NOR. ,raua TIL. tI.,.+ am