The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1916-11-23
SOUP AND SAUSAGE PHILOSOPHY

morrow WOtk hcfd. July was come.
Yet for months, the rain had fallen
with soggy thud and sullen skies had
lowered above the earth like n pail.
July it was. but December reigned.
Likewise it was the Twentieth Cen
ltury Of mans enlightenment, his cul-
tuie, his civilization, his inventions:
If thr,st.arity, Brotherhood, and jus
tce. The Twentieth Century it was,
but the injustice and seffdom Of the
Dark Ages 'uied' The season, the
street, and the worker crowd Of that
nights m.nd-p'ctufe was u shutter
snap m the CosInic picture reel Of hu-
manity's misery, ignorance and strife.
July yet December! The Tween
tieth Century, yet the Dark Agesl
Freedom, Christianity. Enlighten-
ment, Brotherhood-yet world
wherein slave herds and their masters
snarled over bones possession that
the barred fangs of hunger might be
appeased!
Philosophers and sages of the long
ago told the world that a race of su
permen would some day come. Are we
to believe? If so, where the evidence
of confederation What social adj
vancensnt does today boast over the
races Of yesterday? Let's see: Over in
Seattle, just across the Bay, two
groups Of twentieth Century" men
are at each others threats. One of
these groups call themselves "strik-
ers;" the other group bears the title
of "scabs." AS human beings, the two
groups are identical, except in name.
All are weak, struggling, hungry hu-
mans. Yet these men are quarreling
over which group shall load another
mans boat, and at what price. The
boats in question, when loaded, carry
away clothing, food and other neces-
saries which the leaders themselves
need. Then, too, some of these yes
sells bulge deck high with implements
Of murder that 90 to another world
part where several races of the self
same-Twentieth~ Century -hipeds are
"Patriotically" carrying on a jubilee
Of determination.
Again, the railroad men are at
deadly grips with their masters to de-
termine how the said masters shall
operate their own (?) railroads. Now.
why should human beings, just plain,
hungry shivering, weak men, style
themselves "scabs" or strikers ?"
This distinction made, why do they
engage in a throat cutting conflict
when their interests are mutually
identical? Why fight to do another's
bidding that they themselves may
starve and freeze in furtherance of an
end which is Strengthening millions of
their brothers in a foreign country?
Why do the men of the railroads quail
rel over other mems railroads? Rail-
roads that take a yearly toll of tens
of thousands in dead and crippled
from the railroad mems own ranks?
If the railroads and steamships are
of such vital significance to these
workers, why do they not collectively
acquire sufficient ownership or con-
troll of them to give themselves assur-
ance of place in the industrial oper-
alton thereof Or do they who per-
form the worlds work consider that
their welfare will be further advanced
as a result Of smuggling each other to
determine in what manner somebody
else's property shall be manipulated
AS if in answer, on fancy's ear, the
work crowds foot shuttle sounded in
the empty street.
Supermeni These cringers? BAH!
Freedoml Where is it to be found?
Of certainty not among people who
are dependent for life upon a masters
whistle. Enlightenment! Who will
point it out in a world of dollar-grab
and war? Brotherhood! How so when
thousands are hungry and idle?
While our babies operate the facto-
ries? Or while we permit our women
to practice prostitution that cover
may be had against the nights com
ing?
Good" I muttered, rising, us
there no path that shall lead us from
out the darkness? Out of this pit
which ever grows broader, deeper,
blacker?" Bitter with impotent rage
and helplessness, l turned toward the
valley.
And 10! a magic change took place;
suddenly, over that valleys shadow
wrap the moon shone out! Like
lightning stroke the abysmal gloom
hover became effulgent with crystal
glory-a sea of benediction!
And to me the valleys transforma-
ton was as an inspiration! As the
moon-glow dissolved the shroud-wel-
ter, so shall humanity emerge from
today's blood spattered misery and
degradation in the guise of a fairer
and a better world-a world of Peace,
of Brotherhood and Justice.