The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-30
For the Good of
 the Community

DE sure you are right; then go ahead. D This is good old adage much more honored in the breach than in the keeping.
 Be sure of your facts before attempting to convince others, is another way of put ting it.
 And the last is the one pertinent to the subject in hand today
 Recently at socialist meeting in Bir- lningham the "star" speaker attempted t0 explain the principles 1pon which the so- cialist party is founded He rambled through his subject for an hour and at the conclusion of his speech knew less of socialism and what it stands for Shan when the speaker began.
 In the course of his "speech" he made frequent references to bolshevism, Lenine and Trotzsky, ranting, loudly proclaiming the virtues of that form of insanity and government destruction and and lauding those responsible for it.
 "You hear speakers denounce bolshe- vsm and read denunciatory articles in the newspapers and magazines" he exclaimed in stentorian tones, "but the speakers you hear and the authors of the articles you read, when pinned down, confess they know nothing of their subject, that they are merely repeating heresay evidence and so on ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
 But he failed to explain what bolshevism is, or what Lenine and Trotzsky stand for The only positive statements he made were that bolshevism is misrepresented in this country and t ,'n ande Trotzsky are patriots trying to build great republic on the ruins of fallen empire.
 But the particular speaker above re- ferred to was loudly applauded ae~-sular intervals when he gave utteranca to such pet phrases as the "down-trodden labo3ing man" and the "capitalistic press anu the driving industrial operator" The appearance of majority of his audience indicated that they were of just such cali bre, mentally and temperamentally, to drink in such gaff and believe it. In other words, they did not give the impression of thinking. Their minds had become in- fected with the virus so generously spread by agitators and disturbers and made them willing and subservient slaves to the men who work harder to keep from work ing than any other class of men in this or any other civilized country.
 And this is the class of people to whom the truth should be told. Being either un- willing or unable to investigate for them selves they are the prey of the designing promoters of unrest and discontent
 At this particular transitory period be- tween war and peace much is heard of the proletariat, and few probably know just what proletariat is But this is the class that is appealed to to revolutionize condi- tions in the United States
 The agitators and propogandists are busy spreading their doctrines and the proletariat is lending a ready ear.
 The average people, and they are in the majority, want to do the right thing, and will do it if properly informed. Are they being properly informed? Is any effort being made to offset the rawlings of the element that is trying to create discord and discontent? Is any effort being made to enlighten these people as to the true con ditions in this country?
 There should be no antagonism between capital and labor Each has it's place and nnithnr can hn dicnoncod with v,ith0,1f