[untitled]
The national excitement and mourning
incident to the death of the peoples’ chief executive are giving
way to normal conditions, and the people are beginning to consider
in a dispassionate manner the wonderful changes that have taken
place in industrial affairs since the close of the civil war, and
to ask themselves if these changed conditions are not in some way
responsible for the terrible crime that has plunged not only our
own people, but the entire civilized world, in mourning. They know
that nothing exists without a cause. They see that the rural districts
and smaller towns are peopled with loyal, patriotic citizens—that
it is only in the densely populated industrial centers that anarchist
societies can thrive or even exist, and they are beginning to question
if it be not true that some of the old world conditions that breed
anarchy have not been allowed to creep into our industrial and social
affairs. Anarchy is a fungoid growth. It cannot exist except where
there is decay. People have also noticed with what unanimity the
great metropolitan papers have editorially pointed out the fact
that Socialism and anarchy are as opposite as the poles; and today
no well informed person, unless he be a hypocrite and a knave, would
be guilty of using the words as synonymous. True, there are benighted
places like Sedalia, Mo., where they have refused to allow the Socialists
to meet in state convention, that still look upon Socialism as something
dangerous, (but this is true only of a few localities where the
m[?]s upon the epidermis of the citizens is sufficient to hide their
nakedness.) But thanks to an enlightened press, they are few indeed.
Honest, intelligent, patriotic citizens know there is something
radically wrong in the industrial affairs of this country and of
the world. They know that neither of the great parties have presented
a remedy, and that it must be looked for elsewhere. They are ready
to investigate and to listen to reason. Though the noisy, ignorant
few may howl and gnash their teeth, they are not formidable; intelligent
men and women are looking for light, and will accept the truth if
rightly presented. It is the Socialist’s opportunity, and every
lover of liberty and justice who has dreamed of the brighter and
better days that will be ushered in with the coming of the Co-operative
Commonwealth, should remember that “the dreams that nations dream
come true,” and consecrating himself anew to the cause of humanity,
should push the propaganda work with renewed vigor. This is no time
for cowardice or shirking. The dream of a brighter day bids us arise
and haste [sic] to the task before us. Let us do our duty, that
justice may rule in the hearts and minds of men, that our children
and future generation may bless us for sacrifices made, and that
the stars and stripes may be in truth what the patriot fathers intended
they should be—the emblem of liberty.
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