Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-04-05

from office, much less any attempt
to outlaw their party organizations.
What has been considered essential
to normal political life for a cent
ury and half mas been overthrow
in this state by coalition of the
blackest forces Of reaction that ever
held power anywhere in the world.
Not only was the Socialist partys
opposition to the war cited in the
majority report, but its opposition
to preparedness. Even the WILSON,
ian Democrats remained. stubborn
in their opposition to preparedness
until Wilson told them they would
have to think otherwise, as he had
changed his mind. So far as we are
concerned we have no apologies to
make. We are confident that with
the passing Of time future genera
tions will read the record of the
dark era through which we are
passing and note that the Socialist
party had accurately forecasted the
results of the war.
We knew the black reaction that
would follow it, that it would not
bring peace. that it would destroy
much that the geuis OF the race had
bequeathed to mankind through
generations Of travail and suffer.
ing. Our refusal TO allow our in
tellieence to be eonseripted, our OPP
position to the foul and dirty reac-
ton that screened itself against a
faker "patriotism" viii be recog.
nized by future generations as the
greatest contribution to their civil
security and social happiness.
The scenes that accompanied
these final proceedings were fitting
for Job so foul. At times they re-
sembled disorderly auction.
Howls came from CuViliers Tam
many associates to put him in
cage" An assemblyman reaffirmed
his faith in shooting all those he
disagreed with. The Americans
account states that "As the hours
dragged on in the early morning a
lively crap game sprung UP
among the legislators 80 feet from
the Speakers rostrum,"
What has happened is that the
underground forces that rule at AL
bany are possessed with a cowardly
fear of the awakening intelligence
of the workers of this state. For
20 years the Socialist party had
functioned in the political life of
this state. It's organization has been
open Us we'll as its proceedings. It's
views has been publicly advocated
IN thousands Of meetings and in
millions of pieces of literature. 1t
has been recognized as an cstab-
lished political party during all
these years by the state authorities.
Not until its elected officials began
to challenge the control of the old
parties did the reactionaries cast
about for an excuse to outlaw the
party. Finding none they repudi-
ated the legal basis OF their own
rule by carrying out the Sweet pro.
gram.
The structure of representative
institutions has been pulled down
at Albany. These institutions mean
that the voting population can
make any changes they wish, no
Hi"tt0t ~" tlot OuSulS, IL purity
can win majority to its view. In
France a mDnarehist party appeals
to the electors in every election
and it is not ousted. although it is
certain that if it were successful in
an election the French monarchy
would be restored. Such a party
would have a right to function in
this country so long as it appealed
to the ballot.
\ party has a right to demand
complete change in the structure
of government and society. 1t can
demand the abolition of the Consti-
tuition itself. 1t can demand a So.
Wet form OF government. or a single
chamber legislature, or the abol-
ition of the Supreme Court, or the
Specialization Of land and capital, or
the establishment OF a numbe- of
kingdom with an emperor supreme
over all
A party temporarily In power
that uses that power to outlaw an
other party because OF disagree
ment over its course on a domestic
and international issue, or issues, is
treacherous to its own origin and
zauzzsssunse