The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-12-07

10 avert the rising tide OF, Socialism
the old parties are reluctantly &C
cepting the doctrines of progressiv-
ism. They pick them up as if they
were brands of flame and flaunt them
to the breeze in last dying effort
to hold the attention of the worker.
Realizing that the workers who for
decades have lain dormant on the po-
litical field are at last beginning to
throw off the shackels of tradition;
that the mind of the wage slave is
being cleared of the cob-webs of
prejudice. and freed from the damn
able doctrine of laissez faire; that
emancipation Of the intellect is be-
come a reality, progressives insanely
believe they can further cajole and
intimidate the worker into chasing the
political will-o'-the- wisp.
Once prejudice takes hold of a man
1t is lothe to leave him. This is as
true with the politics as with religion
We voted the Republican and Demo-
cratic tickets because our fathers did
before us and we asked no questions.
but violently defended our course, and
though vanquished we argued STILL
The experience of labor has been
the same. It has kowtowed and
salaamed to capital, and the powers
that are, but shall not long be, winked
while they kicked our hungry houn'
around.
He who would be emancipated must
emancipate himself. The greatest
power on earth is united labor. 1t
knows not it's own might. Anon it
has slept and. patiently awaited the
dawn of the day when it's self-ap-
pointed guardians would condescend
to give it relief through adequate
Workmen's compensation acts, mini
mum wage laws and so on AID IN
FINITUM.
But not until labor sent it's own
representatives to the legislative halls
did 1t get a respectful hearing. Vic
tor Berger's appearance in congress
did more to bring to the view of
we'll intentioned, but thoughtless pub
lie the abuses under which the work.
ing class labOrs than all the efforts
of congressional sympathizers COM
bined. What was once a feeble pray
er has become demand. The voice
clamor, and all because labor at last
recognizes the only avenue of it's
ncipation-political action.
Merchants and manufacturers as
sociations, citizens alliances, seekers
for special privilege and industrial
combinations having an eye to the
main chance would rest satisfied if
only the worker would contine his ac-
tivlty to the economic field. Let them
strike, the beggars -! Then let them
strike again! I guess we can starve
them out and they'll get tired of it
mighty quick! And when we feel it
We'll make them strike 50 we can
get rid of surplus product; We'll put
spies in their ranks to engender un-
rest and force strike while we close
the shops and take vacations to New
port and Europe!
Yet it was not until labor-united,
mind you-had begun to DEMAND;
to threaten to exert it's political power
at the ballot box, that the capitalist
aWoke to the seriousness of his situa-
ton. He has controlled the govern
ment which protects him and now tho
worker is to have his inning. The
capitalist knows that possession of the
machinery of government is to the
possessor nine points of the law and
that capitalism is gradually being
stripped Of that possession.
The vain attempt of the progress
sives to stampede the workingmen
into following their band-wagon has
the acquiesence of the powers of cap
italism. 1t represents the last stand
of the capitalists who are willing to
accept anything rather than Social
ism. They are standing at their own
Armageddon. We do not believe
the intelligent worker will longer con-
sent to- have the wool drawn over his
eyes when he fully understands the
situation.
We Socialists need votes it is true.
But we need more than that: We
need the cooperation of men and
women who understand the Socialist
philosophy and will work for it
through thick and thin. The mere
discontinued voter will help swell our
ranks, make us look big, but when