The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-11-03
PETER W. COLLINS
EXPLAINS SOCIALISM
Real Meaning of a True Socialist
Made Clear by Statements Of
Well Posted Orator.
PROVED FOUNDERS ATHEISTS.
Declared Every Socialist Was Not a
Good Citizen Of United States,
In Fact Undesirable
PROVED FOUNDERS ATHEISTS.

Bemidji Socialists received q se-
we're shock last evening when Peter
w. Collins lectured on socialism be-
fore packed house in the City hall,
Backing every statement he made by
quotations from Socialist leaders
throughout the country and by the
founders of Socialism, Mr.. Collins
displayed the faults of the party in
manner which could not be doubt
ed even by the socialists who were
present. s.-.s
After explaining to the satisfac-
t1on OF the audience the reason he did
not accept every challenge thrust at
him by men who claimed they were
Socialists, but who in reality did not
understand the subject and could not
back a statement they made. Mr..
Collins commenced at the beginning
of Socialism and ended up with the
conditions existing at the present
time. During his description Of the
history of the party and its founders,
he proved; that true Socialist was
an atheist; that the Socialist party
was founded by capitalists who were
ATHEISTS; that the party was not
working for the working men and
had nothing in common with them;
that society would be ruined If So
cialism ever came into power; that
there was no such thing in existence
as wage slavery; that some of the
biggest grafters in the country were
Socialists who induced money from
members of the Socialist party and
that Socialism had failed where it
had been successful.
Interrupted Often
Time after time Mr.. Collins was in
corrupted in his lecture by the al
fence which applauded~ in manner
seldom heard in this city. After ne
completed his speech which lasted 25
minutes he asked for questions.
embers of the Socialist party re-
; p cnded and asked several questions
lhich the orator Immediately an
sWered without hesitation. Cues
lions were asked which were in
ended to prove that some of the
greatest scientists the world had ever
-lnown were atheists. Mr.. Collins
proved too we'll posted on this sub
ject and Immediately named the
scientists who were considered the
greatest and proved that they were
believers in Christ. One Socialist
endeavored to prove thta Thomas
Jefferson was an atheist, but Mr.. Col
Inns quoted passage written by
Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration
of Independence, which was unquas-
tionable proof that Jefferson was a
believer in Christ.
Proctor Not Posted
Richard T. Proctor, editor of the
Bemidji Examiner and Minnesota So
cialist, was present and asked several
questions and attempted to corner
Mr.. Collins. Those present expected
Mr.. Proctor to be one of the princi-
pie men to question Collins, but he
asked only four questions which Mr..
Collins referred to as trifles and i'm
mediately after answering them asked
for some good questions. The rea-
son for Mr.. Proctor's silence was ex-
planned this morning by w. N. Web
er who stated that the editor was
not posted on Economic Socialism,
and dared not attempt to enter into
a discussion with Mr.. Collins"
At the close of the entertain
ment" Mr.. Collins praised Bemidti
when he stated that this city was
among the most progressive Of It's
size in the United States and that he
would again endeavor to come to Be-
midi in the near future and appear
before the public on similar pur-
pose. If debate could be arranged
in February he will probably stop
over in Bemidji, but he would refuse
to meet any Socialist unless he rep
resented the state or national party.