Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-04-27
SYMPATHY FOR REDS"


I'm Is of their labors. While admit
Tin. tie weaknesses of our economic
system. ire we ready to substitute an
other eystem therefor? II we are
thocourhly satisfied that the present
car itali lie system is wholly had, then
we should not only sympathize with
the Reds but should be among our
brothers" We are both wicked and
iuclnsi ent to lend our sympathy TO a
raLical movement, unless we are Will
iuu to AXE the consequences of the
overthrow OF the capitalistic system
which most of lis cherish ia our hearts,
and in the end will die for rather than
see wiped out
But we lend laid and sympathy to
the Red movement when we say:
We'll what can you expect with iv-
ing SO high there's bound 10 be trouble.
l can't ally blame folks for starting
a revo ion" IL is like standing by
ana Sc u n mob rob bakery; Sc
cretly think il serves the baker
right, he may he a profiteer; but
at the ne time we know we ought TO
call IN police aud aid in the arrest
and u, shment of those who are
bcrakiu the law. The time is COM
ing VIII, we can't choose to sit ON the
fence il hese matters.
Their, : reason for the sympathy
which feel for struggling humanity
eyeryw' 'e-property rights against
human ,hts. Gold against breathing.
living. cling human beings, is too
often q problem offered for solution.
But in larger why this is an unfair
stateme Of the q estion. To do less
than d. vt proper is to return again
To pri1 we auarc ~. where no per-
son Ia ny right which he is not
physica powerful enough 10 main
tain, Il gn Jalily cannot he ques-
toned. a, Ga, socialist advocates the
holding uli F.Urrity by the state or
In conn %. Iu.s may he u very good
scheme. ut du Ne wish 10 turn our
backs the Institutions under which
America have enjoyed n measure OF
freedom Unknown IN the world up to
this tim We always come right back
10 the : ,ne point. Most of us will UNI
hesitatiI ly say NO" Then we are
traitors D. our own interests and con
victi1ns hen we lend sympathy to the
radi al ement.
49,. %, .es e. communism and advo-
Gates II ne Ne sent capltalistic system
Ita - long way for the material
out Of iich they construct their ar
gument. pro and con. The socialists
formerl. pointed TO Germany as their
ideal stat, Of well-being, but they now
turn to l,ussia. as do the economists
that support the capitalistic system.
I.ut why 20 to Europe at all for proof
Of economic theories? Our own po-
litical economy and economic theories
are constructed on a large foundation
and the ,uperstructure is no mean edi-
flee. Eli ler the proof lies at our doors
or there IS no proof that applies TO our
cundtio and organization.
The & t Of American workmen, as
RoSSenu said of English workmen.
more tll a hundred years ago, have
never h,rn bruised by wooden shoes,
neither have their stOmachs been out
RACED o. black bread and lard. To
most of rs the wooden shoes. and the
black o. aad, are typical Of the eco
homie O aniZatiOn OF continental Eu-
rope. ID shaded from bad in France
and Ge uany to worst in Russia under
the anc nj regime. And the peasant
or wor nan had neither the intelli-
gence the political powers to
change e conditions. He could only
fight in desperation, CHANGING his all
in an unequal contest.
Now, it is obvious that the conditions
in any part Of Europe do not parallel
the condl ions in the United States.
Bad as Is the distribution Of wealth
se - IN m
hler's chance to win, and honest toll
does not go unrewarded. Ignorance
and lack IL training here are the bar
riprs between the individual and a com
vetence hut education Is making steady
gains and exploitation Of the workers
becomes more difficult to predatory
capitalists. Capital hasn't any con
science. but II can be made TO fear pO-
litical masters, though IL does whine
aud cry under the lash. As whole
we are all too thOughtless and ig-
norant II choose that which Is best.
Truth will set ~ free"
The cruX Of the situation is simply
this: Are American workers 10 pity
Themselves because OF their kinship to
European workers? Do they care tol
make European wrongs their own With
out regard 10 their own welfaref Are
the wrongs which are actually our own
warrant us in taking the chances Of
desperate revolution which the down
trodden Of Europe must take TO even
lift their eyes TO the sun? This Is not
France and this is not Russia. We
have neither Of those symbols Of class
misery, the wooden shoes and the black
bread. We have more power to amend
and suspend governmental institutions
and there is little doubt that the pres
ent system eau be overturned IN this
country when the majority Of citizens
regard such n course as necessary. But
the very ease with which IL can be ae-
complished gives pause TO the thinking
citizens and the question Is asked
WIN the so ,iet system better serve the
interests Of the majority The en-
thusiasm which comes OF class hatred
and revenge in Europe finds little to