Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-07-02

ton, and has become utterly incapable
OF meeting the problems now confront
ing society. We denounce this out
grown system as incompetent and cor
rupt and the source of unspeakable mis-
cry and suffering to the whole working
class.
Under this system the industrial
equipment of the nation has passed into
absolute control of plutocracy which
exacts an annual tribute of billions OF
dollars from the producers. Unafraid
of any organized resistance, it stretches
out It's greedy hands over the still I'M
developed resources of the nation-the
and, the mines, the forests and the
water powers of every state in the un-
ion.
In spite of the multiplication of la
bor-saving machines and improved
methods in industry which cheaper the
cost of production, the share of the pro-
ducers grows ever less, and the prices
of all the necessities of life steadily in
crease. The boosted prosperity of this
nation is for the owning class alone To
the rest it means only greater hardship
and misery. The high cost of living is
felt in every home. Millions of wage
workers have seen the purchasing power
become desperate battle for mere ex-
istence.
Multitudes of unemployed walk the
streets of our cities, or trudge from
state to state awaiting the will of the
masters to move the wheels of industry
The farmers in every state are plum
dered by the increasing prices exacted
for tools and machinery and by extor-
tionate rents, freight rates and storage
charges
Capitalist concentration is merciless-
ly crushing the class of small business
men and driving It's members into the
ranks of proper yless wage workers.
The overwhelming majority of the peo-
pie of America are being forced under
yoke of bondage by this soulless indus
trial despotism.
1t IS this capitalist system that is re-
sponsible for the increasing burden of
ornaments, the poverty, slums, child
labor, most of the insanity, crime and
prostitution, and much of the disease
that atfiicts mankind.
Under this system the working class
is exposed to poisonous conditions, to
frigh tful and needless perils to life and
limb, is walled around with court de-
cisions, injunctions and unjust laws.
and is preyed upon necessarily for the
benefit of the controlling oligarchy of
wealth. Under it also, the children of
the working class are doomed to ignor-
ance, drudging toll and darkened lives.
In the face of these evils. so manifest
that all thoughtful observers are APP
palled at them, the legislative repre-
sentatives of the republican and demo-
cratic parties remain the faithful serv-
ants of the oppressors, Measures de-
signed to secure to the wage earners of
this nation as humane and just treat
ment as is already enjoyed by the wage
earners of all other civilized nations
have been smothered in committee
without debate, and laws ostensibly de-
signed to bring relief to the farmers
and general consu mers are juggled and
transformed into instruments for the
exaction of further tribute.
The growing unrest under oppression
has driven these two old parties to the
enactment of variety of regulative
measures, none of which has limited in
any appreciable degree the power of
the plutocracy, and some of which have
been perverted into means for increas-
ing that power. Antitrust laws, rail-
road restrictions and regulations, with
the prosecutions, indictments and in
designations based upon such legisla-
tion, have proven to be utterly futile
and ridiculous. /
Nor has this plutocracy been serious
ly restrained or even threatened by
any republican or democratic executive. |
1t has continued to grow in power and |
insolence alike under the adminstra-
tions of Cleveland, Mckinley Roose-
welt and Taft.
In addition to this legislative Jug |
Cling and this executive connivance. |
the courts of America have sanctioned |
and strengthened the hold of this plu-
tocracy as the bred Scott and other de-
cisions strengthened the slave power
before the civil war. They have con-
Stantly been used as instruments for
the oppression of the working class and
for the suppression of free speech and
free assem- blage.
We declare, therefore, that the long
Or sufferance of these conditions is inn
possible, and we purpose to end them
all. We declare them to be the
product of the present system in which
industry is carried on for private greed
instead of for the welfare of society.
We declare, furthermore, that for these
evils there will be and can be no RENE
ly and no substantial relief except
through Socialism, under which indus
Try will be carried on for the common
rood and every worker receive the full
social value of the wealth he creates.
Society is divided into warning groups
md classes, based upon material inter-
,sts. Fundamentally, this struggle is
conflict between the two main classes,
me of which, the capitalist class, owns
he means of production, and the other,
The working class. must use the means
If production on terms dictated by the
,wners.