Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-09-17
WHY BELONG :?
(By Theresa serber MalkieD


Our common every day experience
coupled with the Instinctof self pre-
servation is planting the seed OF class
consciousness in the hearts of the
workers. Reason apprises them of the
fact that class interest and class soli-
darity the best if not the only tell
ing weapon against the steady en-
croachment, Of big business with its
wonderful combination and organiza-
ton.
Counter organization in the ranks OF
the workers is not new phenomenon.
The history of organized labor dates
back many decades and can boast Of
number of glorious victories in the
field, of shorter hours, better wages
and protection of life and limb. But
here it's mission stops, while the pro-
gress of evolution moves ON making
the fe viewer more powerful the
many more dependent.
Organized labor, pure and simple,
interesting itself with the economic
phase of our existence, only cannot
combat the mighty Colossus of Capital,
| for the latter yields two arms-the
politico-economic power of the nations
! is in it's hands and it uses one to sup
port its hold over the other In view
Of this condition, labor dare not leave
political actie nfor the use. of the
enemy.
Capitalism has it's own interests to
protect and it is sheer folly for the
workers to even hope OF obtain con
cessions through the political repre-
sentatives of capitalism.
The time is ripe when the workers
simply must enter the Halls of Legis
lation. But enter them not as indivi
duals for the sake of personal ambi
ton, but as representatives of all the
workers for the sake of socfaA welfare
and justice to all.
This is the hour when the workers
nust forget all differences. They
cannot afford to fight their own while
the enemy breaks down all barriers
and blocks exits. Remember Law
renee, Calumet, Ludlow
And that is just why the entire
working class must rally round one
flag, the flag of Socialism. The So
'alist Party, not only in this country
but the world over, is the only true
representative of labor on the politi
cal field. 1t alone can halt the slaugh
IF innocent workers, for it moves
ever onward with an irresistible force
f1hgting capitalism as it moves, stead
lily regaining lost ground and warding
off new onslaught.
At this hour of lust for blood, So
cialism sticks to its principle of abol
ishing all wars and openly and fear
lessly raises its voice in defense Of
the abused and dependent Of all Ma
tions. its world wide protest can be
heard above the tumult of the blood
mad mob.
The Socialist realizes that, in order
to make victory permanent, the work
er must be systematically organized
TIE. understands that the working
class cannot be liberated in a day :
Until the workers, men and women
are ready to take the reigns of power
into their own hands can complete
freedom be gained.
And no where else can the workers
81 themselves for these grave social
I duties, as they can in the organized
ranks Of the party. The party mem
Der becomes at once an intergal part
of the organization taking up the
burden of planning and shaping the
policies of his party In the army OF
the politically organized prolotariat
one finds himself in the midst Of the
cooperative commonwealth in NINA
ture.
Whereas the Socialist voter may
lflounder from one camping ground tc
the other, the Party member can be
relied on at all times. His loyalty
need not be Questioned He re
nounces all allegiance with old parties
and repudiates the fndividualist idea
Of the good good man government
He furnishes the propaganda he
spreads the gospel and from day tc
day brings up step by step nearer tt
the goal. His is the martyrdom Of to
day, his will be the glory Of tomor
row. He is the most feared by the
enemy, who measures our strength by
the numerical strength of our party
These and many more are the rea
sons for the seemingly useless pro
cess Of joining the Socialist party
The man or woman who processes l1il
Socialist principles but excuses him
self with some platitude for not join
coward and a shirk
LAIN VI dClllIy III lu0 party IdHhS
internal discentions. wrong methods
unwelcome leadership are not barriers
to those of us who have the courage
of our conviction. For we know tina
the Socialist party is just what thu
rank and file makes it, and that upor
our average intelligence depends oul
success or failure.
In the consciousness of personally
Fastening the day Of redemption every
party member. be he man or woman
finds reward for the many sacrifice!
which the party calls upon him tt
make. In the large, impersonal enc
"a ha affoinad ha forrofc and foroivns