Report of Debs’ speech to over 2000 workers in Providence, Rhode Island during the 1912 Presidential campaign.

‘Debs Given Royal Welcome in Providence’ from Labor Advocate (Providence) Vol. 1 No. 6. October 6, 1912.

UNBOUNDED INFANTRY ENTHUSIASM AT HALL MASS MEETING

Inspiring Scene When Candidate for President is Introduced–Other Speakers Also Evoke Cheers of the Vast Assemblage

Eugene V. Debs–our “Gene”–beloved of every Socialist in the land, and respected and admired by every honest intelligent man with whom he comes in contact–spoke to an audience of over 2000 people in Infantry Hall on Wednesday evening. The demonstration which occurred when he made his appearance on the platform was a truly remarkable one, the applause and cheers lasting for over a quarter of an hour. It was a scene which could not fail to gladden the heart of every Socialist. In every part of the big hall, banners and flags were waving, while the strains of the “Marseilles,” as played by the band, could scarce be heard above the tumultuous cheering of the vast assemblage.

It was more than a tribute to the man. It was an unmistakable demonstration of awakening class consciousness, and he is truly dulled in intellect who could not see in this occasion the evidence of a growing sense of class solidarity among the workers of Rhode Island.

Comrade Debs never appeared to better advantage than Wednesday night. His voice is in splendid condition and could be readily heard in every part of the hall. He does not depend upon flowing phrases, grandiloquent sentences or dramatic climaxes to reach his audiences. Always he appeals to their intelligence–to think for themselves. Powerful was his denunciation of capitalistic oppression, determined was his demand for justice for Ettor, Giovannitti and Caruso; and, on the other hand, how eloquent and touching was his description of the ridicule and persecution of all pioneers in a righteous cause, from the Man of Galilee to the patriots of colonial days, the abolitionists of the last century and the leaders in the social revolution. And through it all, in every sentence that he uttered could be seen the great love of our comrade for the people.

Previous to the opening of the meeting several of the songs of the party were sung by the La Salle Singing Society.

Fred Hurst officiated as the chairman of the evening, and after outlining the plans of the local Socialists for the coming campaign, presented as the first speaker of the evening Edward Theinert, who is the candidate of the party for the House of Representatives in the First Lincoln District.

Mr. Theinert told in detail how Socialism would help the farmers to till every bit of soil and of the advantages to be gained were the farms cultivated by collective ownership.

Dr. James P. Reid, the only Socialist member of the House of Representatives, was the next speaker. He gave the reasons why the Democratic and Republican parties in his district had combined in order to defeat him for reelection. “No man can serve two masters,” he said. “When elected to office he must serve either the capitalist class or the working class. I chose to serve the workers.” This statement was greeted by prolonged cheering.

Samuel H. Fassell, the Socialist candidate for Governor of the State, was given a good welcome when introduced. He urged all those present to do all in their power for the advancement of their class, and congratulated the Socialists upon the showing made.

While the band played, Debs stepped upon the platform and the vast audience gave vent to their enthusiasm. In introducing Mr. Debs, the presiding officer paid a glowing tribute to the work accomplished by Mr. Debs for the cause. In opening his remarks the speaker said: “A few years ago the smallest halls were far too large for the Socialist bodies, while now the workers gathering under the Socialist emblem tax the capacity of the largest halls and auditoriums.

“A few years ago to be a Socialist meant to have the finger of scorn pointed at you, while now everybody admits that there are some respectable Socialists, and Mr. Roosevelt thought so much of Socialism that he took a few of the planks of the Socialist platform to stand on in his campaign.”

Comrade Debs paid his respects to both the old parties, as well as the latest one of which Mr. Roosevelt is the leading spirit. “The beauty of being a Socialist,” continued Mr. Debs, “is that you know why you are a Socialist, while the other fellow does not know why he is not a Socialist.”

He announced the amount of the collection and said:

“This is not tainted money. They were counting this collection when I came in and it took them quite a while. It doesn’t take the old parties so long, for they get their contributions in $100,000 checks–when they are not looking. By the way, Roosevelt is the only man in the United States who does not know that his campaign was financed by the trusts.

“The old parties do not charge entrance fees to their rallies, the same as we do. They furnish the bands and the speakers and all those things for nothing, but they take their contributions out of your pay envelopes on Saturday night just the same, and they don’t ask your permission either.

“If the purchasable vote of Rhode Island could be bought for a five-cent piece, the Socialist party would not have it. We don’t appeal for you to vote for us, but to vote for yourselves.

“The three parties are simply three divisions of the same capitalistic power and whichever one wins there will be no material change. All of them stand for private ownership and the exploitation of the working class and of wage slavery.

“In Providence and the state you have made a splendid start. You have forced them to throw off their disguise and to join hands in the attempt to defeat you. Now is your opportunity to show your power. They have been in power all these years. What have they done for you? Have you anything to show except your servitude?

“I cannot let this time and occasion pass without saying a few words regarding our three brethren at Lawrence. It is our duty to see to it that they are fairly tried, and, if they are, they will walk forth from that court room without scar or blemish.

“They are no more guilty of the crime of which they are charged than am I. Think of these men being on trial charged with the murder of a working child, one of their own class, one whom they would have defended with their lives if necessary.

“The capitalist system is no longer adapted to the needs of modern society. It is outgrown and fetters the forces of progress. Industrial and commercial competition are largely of the past. The handwriting blazes on the wall. Centralization and combination are the modern forces in industrial and commercial life. Competition is breaking down and co-operation is supplanting it.

“Steadily the number of class-conscious toilers is increasing, and higher and higher rises the tide that is to sweep away the barriers to progress and civilization.

“Let others talk about the tariff and finance–the enlightened workers demand the ownership of the tools of industry and they are building up the Socialist party as a means of getting them.

“The working class alone made the tools; the working class alone can use them, and the working class must, therefore, own them.

“This is the revolutionary demand of the Socialist movement. The propaganda is one of education and is perfectly orderly and peaceable. The workers must be taught to unite and vote together as a class in support of the Socialist party, the party that represents them as a class, and when they do this the government will pass into their hands and capitalism will fall to rise no more; private ownership will give way to social ownership, and production for profit to production for use; the wage system will disappear, and with it the ignorance and poverty, misery and crime that wage slavery breeds; the working class will stand forth triumphant and free, and a new era will dawn in human progress and in the civilization of mankind.

“The Socialist party is organized in every State and Territory of the American Union. Its members are filled with enthusiasm and working with an energy born of the throb and thrill of revolution. The party has a press supporting it that extends from sea to sea and is as vigilant and tireless in its labors as it is steadfast and true to the party principles.

“The Socialist party stands upon a sound platform, embodying the principles of international Socialism, clearly and eloquently expressed, and proclaims its mission of conquest on the basis of the class struggle. Its tactics are in harmony with its principles, and both are absolutely uncompromising.

“Viewed today from any intelligent standpoint the outlook of the Socialist movement is full of promise.

“It is the break of dawn upon the horizon of human destiny and it has no limitations but the walls of the universe.

“What party strife or factional turmoil may yet ensue we neither know nor care. We know only that the principles of Socialism are necessary to the emancipation of the working class and to the true happiness of all classes, and that its historic mission is that of a conquering movement. We know that day by day, nourished by the misery and vitalized by the aspirations of the working class, the area of its activity widens, it grows in strength and increases its mental and moral grasp, and when the final hour of capitalism and wage slavery strikes, the Socialist movement, the greatest in all history–great enough to embrace the human race–will crown the class struggles of the centuries with victory and proclaim Freedom to all Mankind.”

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