In what was an emotionally charged two weeks before he began his prison sentence, the sixty-three year old Debs toured Ohio to say thank you and goodbye to comrades and supporters. Here, he is met by the tears of thousands in Youngstown.

‘Debs Gets Ovation at Youngstown’ from Ohio Socialist. No. 62. April 2, 1919.

While the cry leaped from a thousand throats of the disciples of Eugene V. Debs last night, March 26, in Diamond Hall: “If you go to jail, we go with you!” two thousand more stormed the door trying to get into the hall.

The expression came following the reading of a resolution in which it was unanimously voted “that not a wheel shall be turned in this valley by us on or after July 4, unless the constitutional rights, as guaranteed Debs in our American constitution, are respected, without any penalty whatsoever for exercising his rights.”

It was 8 o’clock when the resolution was presented and Debs had not arrived. Those not standing jumped to their feet and a deafening din of endorsement was given the resolution. Diamond Hall is snugly filled by 500, but a thousand managed to crowd in and the overflow of 2,000 had to be addressed in Public Square.

Cheers Debs Five Minutes.

When Debs came into the hall, some thirty minutes later, a demonstration broke out anew. It lasted for fully five minutes and during that time a spray of red carnations was presented him as he mounted the stage. There was a small spray that bore the words, “From a Russian peasant who is a bolshevik,” also for Debs. A tiny miss, six years of age, threw her arms about Debs’ neck and said: “I love you, Comrade Debs.” Debs was visibly affected. He hung his head, while tears sprang to his eyes and when he raised his head to speak, for a moment, he could not find words. Tears glistened in his eyes and then began:

Debs Visibly Affected.

“If only words could speak my love for all of you. But, comrades, my heart is full and words are cold and purposeless. The warm greeting has touched every red drop of blood in my body. If it were not for you working people, you proletarians, I would be unknown. The little I have I grew from your hearts. The little I have belongs to you. Long I have listened to your proletarian heart beats. All that I have and can give, I lay on the altar of the revolution for you. It was my good fortune to have a good mother. At a tender age she was pushed into wage slavery and in wage slavery I was born. From her bosom, I grew to what I am. I know where bolshevikism sprang from and if you don’t know I can tell you. I am not going to attempt to excite your passions tonight—but possibly, possibly later.

Will Go Together.

“And when I do we’ll go together, I shall not say to you, go, but come on, for I’ll be at the head of you. I know what is wrong in Europe, in downtrodden Europe. I know why the people of Russia have come into their own. Isn’t it strange, that there is so much concern about Russia now. that they, the peasants, have worked out a successful government, have thrown off the yoke of the czar, are able to real democracy, are realize a able to think and act with freedom, without being thrown into jail to rot, without being sent to Siberia to die slow and miserable death? There was no concern in Russia by England on other countries when atrocities worse than death were committed by. the czar. No armies were sent into Russia then! Probably you think I am talking rather plain tonight?

Doesn’t Fear Courts.

“Do you think I fear the courts? They can go to hell with their courts.” A demonstration of several minutes followed the statement. And then Debs continued: “I’m not skidding along the edge tonight, I am speaking my heart. Some capitalist has said I was worth $150,000. Comrades, if I wanted to sell out this cause for which I stand, I wouldn’t fool with a paltry and detestable $150,000; I could get $150,000,000–I could sell out your cause for that amount easily.

Says Bolshevism Misrepresented.

“If bolshevism were what they tell you it is. I would be as much opposed to it as they are, and as you are, who do not understand it. But it is the uncompromising rise of the form and figure of the working man, who, battling for his rights through all the ages, has arisen upon the horizon of the world and said: “I created this world and I propose to make it a fit place for human beings to live in.” They say poor Russia is anarchistic, that her passions and greed are running away with her. I tell you, comrades, they’re liars and hypocrites. When the czar lived it was a crime to whisper freedom. They rotted in jail, they died in Siberia when they thought against despotism. They’re illiterate, yes. But they can think. The Soviet government is a government of, by and for the people. For sixteen months they have stood without a quiver. There is no prospect of their government falling. They have stood their ground.

Wants No Bloodshed.

“But in what I have to say, I do not want to excite or incite you. I am opposed to bloodshed in any form. A revolution is coming, but it must be peaceful. That is the reason I am opposed to war, to making men soldiers. A soldier is a human being trained to kill other human beings. I don’t believe in killing, I am opposed to it. I met several soldiers at my home recently. They were hungry and hunting jobs. One said he was sorry he had been a soldier. He had awakened and seen the light. I can go to the gallows with a smile on my face, without a quiver, but I’II never have the stain of any man’s blood upon my hands. I’m opposed to all forms of murder. We must do our work, comrades, peacefully. We are slowly but surely welding the iron ring about our exploiters. But, because they have treated us cruelly and like cattle that is not the spirit in which we must treat with them. We must be gentle and ask God to forgive them. They speak of Americanizing the foreigners–why? To make strike-breakers of them? God forgive them! When I am gone, the richest gift I ask, is that some child will lay a flower upon my grave and say: ‘Gene did something for me.’

New Era Dawning.

“The sun is arising upon our cause. A new and beautiful world is approaching. The day is dawning when we shall take possession of the world that is ours. It may be your lot to carry on. This may be the last time I shall ever see you. But to touch your hands and know as I pass out, that your hearts are right and beat in this cause, no more precious gift or crown I ask. We are all for democracy and opposed to bloodshed. In Russia is a real democracy–the Bolsheviki. It is the rise of the common people laying the foundation of a real republic. Those who are dying on the streets of Hungary tonight are paving the way for a new country for your children and children yet to be born.

Debs Mentions Penitentiary.

“I’m about to go to the penitentiary for the rest of my days”–Debs got no further. Cries of “No!” split the air for fully five minutes. The same thing happened when Debs later addressed a crowd that comfortably filled the square about the Soldiers monument. When finally the listeners were quieted, he went on: “There’s not much left of this. old shell of mine. My years and my days are numbered, would be God that I had another life to give. I ask from you no sympathy, no compassion, just your love and the realization of your hearts’ desire. I would rather go to prison a thousand times for you, than once to the White House as a hypocrite and a betrayer.”

Meeting in Square.

Margaret Prevey of Akron, who had been addressing the crowd in the square gave up her place to Debs as he came from the hall. He spoke briefly, emphasizing some of the points he had used in the hall. He was cheered to the echo repeatedly. Several officers found it impossible to keep traffic moving because the crowd grew to such proportions when he appeared. He spoke upon a box beside the municipal flag pole. When he had finished several hundred followed him into the lobby of the Tod house. Several speakers followed Debs, including Frank Midney.

Kissed Goodbye at Depot.

Talks were listened to until after 11 o’clock. At the B. & O. station, 200 gathered to give Debs a parting farewell as he boarded a train for Akron. They sang songs and men and women alike kissed him goodbye. It was a tearful farewell.

In the hall following the address, hoary-handed workmen crowded about him and choking with tears kissed his cheeks. By it all he was overcome and could scarcely find words to express his appreciation and affection.

The Ohio Socialist, published by the Left Wing-dominated Socialist Party of Ohio in Cleveland from January, 1917 to November, 1919. It was edited by Alfred Wagenknecht Wagenknecht spent most of 1918 in jail for “violation of the Conscription Act.” The paper grew from a monthly to a semi-monthly and then to a weekly in July, 1918 and eventually a press run of over 20,000. The Ohio Socialist Party’s endorsement of the Left Wing Manifesto led to it suspension at the undemocratic, packed Socialist Party Convention in 1919. As a recognized voice of the Left Wing, the paper carried the odd geographical subheading, “Official Organ of the Socialist Parties of Ohio and Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and New Mexico” by 1919’s start. In November of that year the paper changed to the “labor organ” of the Communist Labor Party and its offices moved to New York City and its name changed to The Toiler, a precursor to the Daily Worker. There the paper was edited by James P. Cannon for a time.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/ohio-socialist/062-apr-02-1919-ohio-soc.pdf