Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-29
Socialist-Laborite Denies
Anti.Capitalism Is Theft
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Your editorial dated August % on
"Thievery and Communism" shows
that YOU are not aware of the tactics
of the revolutionary movement, or you
are purposely misrepresenting them.
The Socialist Labor party proposes to
follow American constitutional lines
in it's spreading of that much-hated
principle of collective ownership OF
the tools OF production. We have
American precedent to follow, namely:
/. The American Revolutionists did
not steal, nor were they thieves, nor
did they confiscate the property OF the
blue bloods Of England and his fol
lowing of Tories. Continental Con-
gress passed a law embodied in our
Declaration Of Independence prohibit
ing ownership by royalty in the Amer
lean colonies, denying their right by
God to rule the American people.
2. The freeing of 100000 negro
slaves representing $4,000, 100000 In
wealth. Was that thievery? NO!
Abraham Lincoln, the greatest Presi-
dent we ever had and ever will have,
led his party to victory on that prin-
ciple.
3. The American citizens were de-
MED their right to have intoxicating
LIQUOR, not through thievery, but by
law making it crime to manufacture
or use 1t.
4. American lives were drafted, not
taken, by law during the World war.
1t was not for us to say nay.
Wealth will be drafted in the future
in much the same way, and events Will
force even you to propose such
Fa% Ln ".
Wealth which becomes a menace to
the happiness of the people will be
socially owned, but you state "for the
benefit of the few" an incorrect posi-
ton. for YOU imagine that the finan-
cial system will remain intact. 1t will
have tottered, due to- it's own incon-
sistencies. Will there be selfishness
under that condition? You are plainly
mistaken under those circumstances.
We do not fiout the laws of the land;
in fact, we are most laW-abldlng.
The upper class has only contempt
for the laws which they instigate. The
lawmakers f1Out these laws, and the
law enforcerS are no better in their
contempt for these very laws. The
revolutionary movement is not linked
with the underworld. Canton. New
York, Chicago, show us that they
have relationship with the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties, who
have for their principle the robbing
Of the workers at production.
Private ownership based upon col
lective production must necessarily be
followed by collective ownership. Evo-
lutionary process is in our favor. AS
a political party, we are the pioneers.
the John the Baptists. crying in the
wilderness, proposing change that
even James Madison, Thomas Skid
more, Abraham Lincoln, foresaw in
their study of conditions. Capitalism
finances bogus movements, agent
provocateurs to bewilder you and the
American people, to worm their way
in among the revolutionists and pro-
pose physical force ideas, going so far
as to provocate deeds that bring dis
grace on an innocent people. Com
munism does not defy the law. If you
believe these sentiments are treason,
make the most Of 1t.
The modern tory by his very mis-
representing facts, stamps himself as
a reactionary and an enemy OF the
people. In the attempt to discredit
you deny that the people have the
right to take over industry. But what
say you If that principle is proposed
at the ballot box? We are not ashamed
of that principle. Nor do we fear to
answer yours.
JOHN McGRATH,
Publicity Committee, Socialist Labor
Party Section, Washington, d. G.