Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-06-06
THE PASSING OF |. W. WISN
10
(By w. J. Ghent.)

fadmirable-the fiery agitator balanced
with the capable administrator. The
platform is definite and aggressive.
The labor resolution, while reiterating
the approved Socialist policy regard
ing organizations of labor, adjusts the
claims of both factions in the move
ment in manner that ought to be
satisfactory to all. Finally, the new
constitutional clause, providing for
the expulsion of any member who ad-
vocates violent methods, expresses in
set terms the historic attitude of the
| party.
The contest over this clause was bit
terand prolonged. Every artifice in
argument was brought forth against
it. The opposition, however, was OF
no avail. More than twO-thirds Of the
convention realized that the time had
come to speak in emphatic terms on
this subject and to colse the con-
troversy. There had been too much
delay, too much hesitation, too much
fear of the ill results of party CON
troversy. The time had come to meet
the issue, and it. was resolutely met.
For the past four or five years this
sinister propaganda has been carried
on. All this time it has been reaching
wider fields. It has developed its
own language Of evasion and equivoca-
ton. It has been plausible and diplo-
matte in some places; it has been in
sinuating and suggestive in other
places, and in still others it has come
to an open advocacy of violence and
crime. It has won to its advocacy
men and women of almost every type
the high-minded fanatic, the turbul-
emit rowdy, the languid intellectual,
the irresponsible freak, and the plain
crank. Its effect on the party in all
places has been hurtful and in many
places paralyzing.
There is no suitable name for this
propaganda. 1t uses the term indus
trial unionism' as shibboleth, ana
Il
members who can explain exactly what
he means by this term. 1t is a pro-
paganda that by reason of its destruc-
tive tendencies might be known by
the name of Nihilism, were Ii not
that this term carries with it. certain
heroic associations which are wholly
out of place in connection with the
new school. Then, too, it is consider
ably different from the doctrlnalre
impossibilism of five or six years ago.
It will be better understood by REFER
ring to it as l. w. W.-ism.
It becomes more and more clear to
every one that 1. w. W.-ism Is not
doctrine, not a program, not move
ment not even a definite tendency
It is simply a turbulent and factleus
state of mind. It has no consistency
of belief and no uniformity OF method.
IT carps and cavils and denounces
and where possible it disrupts. In
the name Of brotherhood it sets group
against group; in the name OF peace
Il it constantly incites to hatred ana
violence. and in the name OF world
wide unity it discrepancies and de-
moralizes. II is emotionalism run riot.
The jesuitical character OF this
propaganda Is we'll understood. Gay
lord. in his magnificent speech, dwelt
particularly on this point. I'VE do not
have to define sabotage" he said; eve
mean by it just what you mean by It.
The bubbles and evasions by which
this propaganda has been preached
are patent to everybody who has any
understanding, and by none more
clearly than by these propagandists
themselves. Gaylord's speech natural
" angered and irritated them, for it
touched the sore spot. They resented
it. and will no doubt always resent
lit until they awaken to their better
selves.
It is of course with qualification
and pride that we record the fact that
the attitude taken by the National So
icaIist ON party questions has been in
ali respects confirmed. 1t was in no
love of controversy that we assailed
this sinister specter. We have felt
all along what more than two-thirds
Of the convention felt-thats this
vicious propaganda of muddle-headed
Anarchism must be resisted and check
ed. 1t is foe not only to Socialism,
hut to civilization. In Dobbs' words.
the working class are the heirs OF all
that is best in civilization, and they
mean to have their Inheritance. An
Inheritance. Of suspicion, hatred,