Evening journal., 1917-06-28

With the European war as such an
awful demonstration Of the power OF
Ideas, when incarnated IN a nation or
an organization. we should be
aroused clearly TO identity, and 70
discriminate between, some con
structive and destructive ideas now
impening great groups in our own
land today.
With free speech and press. II We
act In time in the realm OF ideas, we
may neptrallze and dlspel those that
are destructive before they bring
about the condition which only re-
quires the spark to cause an explo-
sion in the realm Of physical force.
More important than even this mega
tive achievement: the momentum Of
those IDEAS that are good may be so
increased. by supporting the move
ments in which they are manifested,
that their splendid promise VIII be
realized.
An aroused and correct understand
ing may be expected 10 bring togeth-
err, In common agreement as TO pur-
pose and plan Of action, the entire
forward moving multitude, which
has been impotent because divided
and unconscious OF the oneness of its
hopes and aspirations.
A few days ago there was a dis.
tinct manifestation OF an idea around
which for years there has been grow
ing system, a dogma, and an orga
nization. The manifestation was SC
typical that II can be used to greai
advantage for the purpose OF con
In Ia rufr
constructive with the destructive
that each may be clearly identified.
A special national convention o
the Socialist PARTY, held in st. Louis
moved TO abolish the clause IN thu
party's constitution prohibiting
crime, sabotage, or other methods o
violence known as section Of ar
tiole p reading as follows:
ANY member OF the party who OF
poses political action or advocate
crime sabotage or other methods o
violence as a weapon OF the working
class TO aid in It's emancipation shall
be expelled from membership in tn
party. Political action shall be con
strued TO mean participation in cleo
tions for public ONCE and political
legislative, and administrative worl
along the lines OF the Socialist part,
platform"
The proposed change. however, an,
all other suggested amendments, ais,
a majority and minority declaration
Of the conventions attitude towar,
the war, and proposed new ma
tional platform, must now be sub
mitted to a referendum vote OF tn
membership before Il can be decide,
what the position OF the party reall.
is.
This national convention was thu
first held by the party since the on,
which nominated the candidates To-
the Presidential election OF 1912; tn,
candidates for the 1916 election hav
ing been nominated by the member
ship referendum method. The conven
ton was called because OF the threat
ening war developments, and also Il
consider other affairs, since the part
vote had dropped about one-tEir
from 1912 to 1916.
a Dubious Explanation.
In recommending to the conventio
that the clause mentioned be abo
ished, the committee on constitutio
offered the following note, attache
to its report in justification:
Unanimous agreement to strik
out Article 2. Section 6, was reaohe
by an understanding that it be def
nitely recorded on the conventio
minutes that in so doing the con
mitteo Expresses neither approval nc
disapproval OF the phrases eliminate,
but rather that. in the judgment {
some OF the committee, the educi
tional purpose OF the adoption /
1912 Of this section has been accom-
plished while still others Of the con
mittee believe that such questions ar
more properly within the domain {
the economic organizations"
The value OF the explanation
questionable
The New York Call is rather NOR
10 be commended. 10 states frank
and plausibly that it wants "peacef'
political action" but II the attemI
Is made to suppress the political a
tivities of the Socialist party. or
muzzle its press, "our policy wi
have 20 be TO agitate by whateys
means are left open to us"
There are many good things 90 I
said OF the Socialist party. It's anal
sis OF our present industrial and cor