The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-03-12
By ALEX BITTELMAN

True, consistent and genuine working class inter-
nationasm the very essence of Ruthenbergs
life and struggles. In the United States, where the
working class is composed of many nationalities,
languages and coors; where divisions of BIRTH back
ground and training so varied and run in so
many directions where the capitalist class persis-
tenty cutivates and artfcially nfames these dvis-
ions and prejudices within the working class-t is
in this country that Ruthenbergs life and struggles
became symbolic of the much needed unity of
the American working class Unity between the for
egn born and native. Unity between white and
Negro. Unity of all workers, regardless of race
color or place Of BIRTH against their class enemy
the capitalists
One of the greatest contributions of Comrade
Ruthenberg to the revolutionary struggles Of the
working class was his mastery exposure and unre-
lenting attack against the sham and hypocrisy of
American democracy. Applying the theory and
method Of Marxism-L ennism to the present phase
in the development Of American capitalism, Ruthen-
berg able to penetrate into the most hidden
corners of the governmental machinery or the CAPT
talist class, demonstrate to the the real
ture of this machinery the organ Of power by
which the capitalist class holds in subsection the
overwhelming majority of the population in this
countryside workers and poor farmers His fam-
ing hatred of this capitalist government knew no
bounds.
His was the clarion call to the workers and poor
farmers of America 60 organize and wage political
struggle against this government His was the con-
sistent advocacy of the burning need of Independent
political action of the American working class as a
class through the formation of a Labor Party His
the untiring effort for the capitalization of an
alliance between the workers and farmers for COM
mon political struggle against the exploiters of the
toiling masses and for the establishment of Work
ers' and Farmers government in the United States.
Ruthenberg a proletarian reyolutionist. He
firm believer in the inevitability of the social
revolution in America and in the victory of the work.
ing class. For the achievement of this goal he had
given his whole self Without break interruption,
except when confined to jail by the enemies of
the workers. without waverng hesitation optim-
istic, courageous, determined and with solid faith
in the working class Ruthenberg proceeded along
ever forward educating, organizing and mobilizng
the for the victory of the revolution and the
establishment of Communism.
He of the first to raise the banner Of the
Communist International in the United States This
banner he held aloft till the last day of his life All
his force and power and ability, all his energy and
leadership devoted towards rallying the masses
to the banner and struggles of the Communist In
ternational.
His road to Communism and to the leading ranks
Of the general staff of the world revolution-the
Communist Observation-Disclosures the road of persistent
struggle in the socialist party of America against
opportunism and petty-bourgeos reformism and for
revolutionary socialism and proletarian struggle
Like the revolutionary MARKHAM that he was he COM
batted merciessly the influences of Bergerism and
Hillquitism, influences which were pushing the So
clallst party Of America away from class struggle
and toward class collaboration. He was struggling
steadfastly to maintain the socialist party as a
working class party. And in 1919, when the right
wing initiated the campaign of wholesale explosions
from the party Of the revolutionary left wing ele-
ments, and when the open betrayal by this right
wing of the most basic interests of the working
class made no longer possible the existence in one
party of the left and right wings Comrade Ruthen-
berg led the way to the organzatonal qualification
Of the left wing and the formation of the Communist
Party.
His theological affinity to the revolutionary Marx
ian elments Of the world socialist movement was
nearly always close and intimate. 1t is for this
reason that he Of the very few in the United
States who quick to realize the meaning Of
the Bolshevst revolution in Russia and its signfi-
for the labor movement of the world With
boundless energy he proceeded to rally the revolu-
tonary workers Of America to the support of the