The Socialist and labor star. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1911-1915, 1914-07-24

ital as the only road to ultimate VIC
Tory and economic liberty.
The distinctive mark of capitalism
is the making and circulation of things
for sale-that is, COMMODITIES.
Commodities depend for their value
upon the amount Of labor necessary
for their production. Labor thus be-
comes the sole basis of exchange
values, and, consequently, it is from
labor-the blood and lives OF the work
ers-that the fortunes of the worlds
capitalist class have been taken. This
is made possible only by the fact that
the means of life-the land, the fac
tories, the mills, the mines, and the
means of Sportatlon-are the sole
property Of one class-the capitalists.
The propertyleSs worker of today,
with nothing to sell but his power to
create useful and beautiful things for
society, must barter his labor power
in the open market to the owners of
the means Of life-the capitalist en-
ployers.
Should he fai! to find buyer for
his labor poWer-aS must inevitably
be the fate Of numberlcss workers-he
becomes d social and industrial out
cast-that most hopeless and sombre
spectacle of our socalled Christian civ
ilization. Rapidly upon the heels Of
unemployment and its consequent vag-
rancy, follows the dissolution of the
workers home. Wife and children are
dragged by the implacable decress of
capitalism into the open market and
made to yield the product of their
feeble labor to further swell the al
ready bursting Golfers Of predatory
parasites. The word ''home'-the
temple Of Love--with all its Won
lrous memories and traditions, be-
comes the birtcreSt OF mockcries. Cap
italisnl--thc private ownership of the
peoples means Of lifc-robS the work
me class not alone Of its labor-creat-
I'd wealt.., but of home, of education
and Of opportunity, and ruthlessly
stalvcs ard strifles their physical,
mental, moral and spiritual develop
mcnt.
The havoc Of capitalism is wrought
alike in the mills and mines, and up
on the fields and farms. The farmer
of today, no matter how remotely re-
moved from urban life, cannot escape
the ravcnous clutches of the common
devourer Of the peoples lives. The
development Of machinery production
has gradually transferred the actlvl-
ties of the farm to the city. Dalrylng,
preserving, weaving, sewing and many
other activities formerly 4 part OF
country life, have winged their way
to the factories of the towns and cit
les. and on the heck; Of this transfor-
nation have followed the boys and
girls, themselves. to become Il part Of
the capitalist regime. Successful land
cultivation is more and more depend
cnt upon machinery and mechanical
appliances. The making Of these, in
common with other articles Of COM
mercc, depend upon capitalist indus
try. The farmer cannot obtain the
benefits Of inventive genius as appll-
ed to labor saving appliances without
paying the most eXtortionate tribute
to the private owners. His fate is the
fate of all workers. His life is one
Of long hours of toll and drudgery,
and the product of his labor goes, in
common with that Of all workers, to
swell the fortunes of social parasites.
For these reasons the Socialist Par
ty is the political expression of the
working class. it becomes proclaim
ed its undying hostility to every form
of private ownership Of the social
means Of life. Its worldwide aim is
TO convert those means Of life upon
which society depends for its exist
cnce into social or collective proper
ty. Private property not used for pur-
poses Of exploitation shall remain the
private property Of the individual.
Capitalism means private property for
the few-Socialism means private pro-
pcrty for ali. Capitalism means in
dustrial tyranny--SOcialIsm means in
dustrial democracy. Capitalism means
a nation Of working slavcs-Socialism
means u nation of freedom.
Political tyranny follows industrial
tyranny as the shadow follows the
substance. Masters of bread are like
wise masters Of government. Presi-
dents and governors, legislators and
Judges are but the dancing puppets
of the economic power barricadcd be-
hind laws and constitutions. Their
true characters are shown when the
workers protest against some Of the
speeches. intamicS that are heaped
upon them in the name Of law and or
der. Their habitual air Of hypOcrlcy
instantly turns to grimaGc Of hate,
and the military dogs Of war are sent
to murder and Slay those upon whom
the nation depends for its very life
Military commissions arc created
and lcgalizcd to take the place Of law
fu! tribunals in order that the masters
bidding may be more speedily done.
History having placed the sacred
mission Of working class emanclpa-
ton within the keeping Of our party,
we must discharge this great obllga-
ton with the fullest measure OF dcYo-
ton. We may safely leave, at this
tine. the matter Of immediate de
n1ands in the hands Of reformist par
ties whose sclfappointed task seems
to be the patching of the out-worn
garment OF capitalism. 1t IS for Us
to busy ourselves with the weaving Of
the new garment to clothe the COOP
rrative commonwealth Of the future.
With the capturing Of political power
as means Of acicrlng our mission,
and glorying in the sacred task before
Us. we call upon ali workers, regard
less Of race, color, sex, creed or ma
lionaity TO enlist under our banner
the banner Of the Social Revolution.
The Socialists Of kanawha County
nominated d rcvolutionry ticket, com
posed of the uncompromising cham
pions Of the working class interest.
Such ticket should appea! to the
workers in all walks or life and de-
mand their support.
United States troops now patrollng