The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-02-14
CAPITALISM is DOOMED
And Socialism Is Bound To Come Said
Lena Morrow Lewis.

Lena mOllOW LEWIS.
Addressing an audience that filled the
auditorium of the Congregational church
last evening on the subject of Social
lists at Work." Mrs. Lena Morrow Lewis
gave the final lecture of a series con-
dGcted this winter by speakers sent out
fl ON the national Socialist headquarters
and given here under the auspices OF
the Barre Socialist local. Mrs. Lewis
proved herself to be pleasing speaker
and the hold which she early gained
on her hearers was not relinquished un-
til the very end of an address occupy
ing nearly two and one-half hours.
BIuce's orchestra was present and rem
dered several selections before and at
the conclusion of the lecture.
The speaker was introduced by Harry
King, who said that she was the first
ami only woman ever elected to the ma
tional executive board Of the Socialist
party. In opening her remarks, Mrs.
Lewis said that Socialism is the most
important and most widely considered
institution that to-day is attracting the
attention of the civilized world. Every
great movement has been baptized by
the very sacrifice of human life and So
cialism in sense has been no exception
to this rule. 1t is political gospel
that has persistently asserted itself
through every conceivable barrier of
prejudice and opposition. But it is a
mission with splendid destiny, and
its ultimate realization is not so far
away as some people imagine.
Devoting the earlier part of her lee
IN m a init r,f 4 haf
exist to-day, the speaker traced the
progress of the world from the beginning
down to the present time, giving credit
where she believed credit was due and
detracting nothing from the glory of
those forces and men responsible for the
advance. She assailed the idea, however,
that individuals were accountable for
the rapid strides in the development of
nations and said that the latent tall
cuts of great leaders were only awak
ened by situations. She also denied the
assertion that the progress Of the world
is due to any one race, saying that no
race can claim virtue superior to others.
Out of all great changes which the
passing years have witnessed has grown
the law of economic determinism. The
espitalistic system, by giving to the
world it's better methods Of transporta-
tion, has established condition which
brings men together and this, then, is
greatest contribution to
progress. And yet this system is
doomed, said Mrs. Lewis, because OF
its inetiiciency. Our children and our
chidren's children will some day blush
with shame at the attitude which their
a fFrv ialt tut1a - fai
is the only organized expression which
the workingman has to-day and the
work which it shall perform win be
the heritage for another generation TO
cherish and revere.
With regard to other political parties
in the field, Mrs. Lewis asserted that |
the Republican party represented the |
large capitalists who favor a high pro-
tective tariff. The Democratic party is /
the instrument which the small man
nfacturer and the agriculturist uses to
combat the men Of "bg business" The !
Democrats aim to revert to Jetfersonian /
democracy. It's hobby is retrogression I
in that direction, but the inevitable I
tendency of the times is forward tend !
sncy. The Socialist party, in strik
ng contrast to the policy of the old /
line parties, advocates sweeping changes I
that must perforce operate to the adj
vantage of the toiler.
In closing, Mrs. Lewis told of some
things which the Socialists eX-
,ect to accomplish. Under the regime
ii her party, she said, the Socialist
mayor of city would call out the
militia to protect the strikers and not
he interests. Legislatures would con-
rcne for the purpose of helping the
COMMON people and the legislative halls
It Washington would not be filled with
he paid emissaries of the master class
There are over 100000 dues paying mem
,ers of the party in the United States,
he said, and this number is steadily
Increasing Under Socialism, peace will
,btain new footing and even now
he peaceful attitude of European ma
ions in the past few years has reflect
d the work of continental Socialists
i work. The Spanish-American war
vas fought in the interests of the sug-
r and tobacco trusts, but under the
lew rule, such fragrant injustice can
ever be perpetrated. The rank and
he will be the court of last resort un-
e. Socialism and the workingman shall /
t last come into his own.