The Rebel (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. [6], No. 298, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 21, 1917 Page: 1 of 4
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THE f^EBEL
MAD BY 100,000 ACTUAL
VABMKB8 XAOH WEEK.
Organ Land Laagus of America.
50c per year. In clubs of 4,
Mm, 10 weeks. S yean for $1.
m QSKAT APP1AB O&KAT TO U« OMLY
WX ARK OR OUR
US AftTWH
T. A. HICKEY, Editor.
fOo per year; dubs of fan at
more (40 weeks) 26c.
If this number is opposite
yoar name your •ubscrip- 2 99 '
Hon expires next isroe.
1911, it tfe
▼Ilk, Tml,
Mj 1,
at IUIlatte-
Mt of Mil. I, ISTt
HALLETTEVIIAB, TEXAS, SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1917.
Mo. 298
NATIONAL EMERGENCY
■ i r*
0,1
s national
Upon the call 01 g
executive committ delegates
from 42 states met J St. Louis,
Ho., April 7, and * $ ted almost
the whole week. T m most im-
a * ! • ,
portant part of the § work was
their resolution on the Aar, which
was signed by all except two,
Louis D. Bouden of New York,
and John Spargo of Vermont.
Each of these brought in a min-
ority report. The result of the
ballot was as follows:
The majority report was car-
ried with 140 votes.
Boudin's minority report got
31 votes .
John Spargo's report got 5
votes.
«
Thus was put to shame the con-
tention of the capitalist press
that the Socialists favored the
war as was sought to be convey
ed by publishing the resolutions
by a half dozen of parlor Social-
ists, who have made some profits
by writing "hot stuff" for ma-
gazines and publishing houses.
Below we publish the majority
report of the Emergency Conven-
tion, and in our next issue wo
will print the two minority re-
ports if space will permit:
• • •
MAJORITY REPORT ON MILI-
TARISM AND WAR.
Resolutions on War and Militar-
ism.
1. The Socialist Party of the
United States, in the* present
grave crisis, solemnly reaffirms
its allegiance to the principle of
internationalism and working
class solidarity the world over,
and proclaims its unalterable op-
position to the war just declared
by the Government of the United
States.
Modern wars as a rule have
been caused by the commercial
and financial rivalry and intri-
gues of the capitalist interests in
the different countries. Whether
they have been frankly waged as
wars of aggression or have been
hypocritically represented as
wars of "defense." they have al-
ways been made by the classes
and fought by the masses. Wars
bring wealth and power to the
ruling classes, and suffering,
death and demoralization to the
workers.
They breed a sinister spirit of
passion, unreason, race hatred
and false patriotism. They ob-
scure the struggles of the work-
ers for life, liberty and social
justice. They tend to sever the
vital bonds of solidarity between
them and their brothers in other
countries to destroy their organi-
zations and to curtail their civic
and political rights and liberties.
2. The Socialist Party of the
United States is unalterably op-
posed to the system of exploita-
tion and class rule which is up
held and strengthened by mili-
tary power and sham national
patriotism. We, therefore, call
upon the workers of all countries
to refuse support to their govern-
ments in their wars. The wars of
the contending national groups of
capitalists are not the concern of
the workers. The only struggh
which would justify the workers
in taking up arms is the great
struggle of the working class of
the world to free itself from eco-
nomic exploitation and political
oppression, and we particularly
warn workers against the snare
and delusion of " defensive " wars.
As against the false doctrine of
national patriotism we uphold the
ideal of international working
class solidarity. In support of
capitalism we will not willingly
give a single life or a single dol-
lar ; in support of the struggle of
the workers for freedom we
pledge our all.
3. The mad orgy of death and
destruction which is now convuls-
ing unfortunate Europe was
caused by the conflict of capital
ist interests in the European
countries.
In each of these countries the
workers were oppressed and ex-
ploited. They produced enor-
mous wealth, but the bulk of it
was withheld from them by the
owners of the industries. The
workers were thus deprived of
the means to repurchase the
wealth, which they themselves
had created.
The capitalist class of each
country was forced to look for
foreign markets to dispose of the
"surplus" wealth. The huge pro-
fits made by the capitalists eould
iio longer be profitably reinvest
ed in their own countries, hence
they were driven to look for for-
eign fields of investment. The
fear of the rising power of the
working class forced each of
them to arm to the teeth. This
led to the mad rivalry of arma-
ment which, years before the out-
break of the present war, had
turned the leading countries of
Europe into armed camps with
standing armies of many millions,
drilled and equipped for war in
times of "peace."
Capitalism, imperialism and
militarism had thus laid the
foundation of the inevitable gen-
eral conflict in Europe. The
ghastly war in Europe was not
accused by an accidental event,
nor by the policy or institutions
of any single nation. It was the
logical outcome of the competi-
tive capitalist system.
The six million men of all
countries and races who have
been ruthlessly slain in the first
thirty months of this war, the
millions of others who have been
crippled and maimed, the vast
treasures of wealth that have
been destroyed, the untold mis-
ery and sufferings of Europe,
have not been sacrifices exacted
in a struggle for principles >r
ideals, but wanton sufferings up-
on the altar of private profit.
The forces of capitalism which
Ruthless as the unrestricted sub-
marine war policy of the German
Gt^ernment was and is, it is not
an invasion of the rights of the
Aiifcrican people as such, but only
an interference with the oppor-
tunity of certain groups of Am-
erican capitalists to coin cold
profits out of the blood and suf
feribgs of our fellow men in the
warring countries of Europe.
It is not a war against the mili-
tarist regime of the Central
Powers. Militarism can newr
be abolished by militarism.
It is not a war to advance the
cause of democracy in Europ
forcing upon this nation against
its will.
In harmony with these princi-
ples, the Socialist party emphati-
cally rejects the propsal that in
time of war the workers should
suspend their struggle for better
conditions. On the contrary, the
acute situation created by war
calls for an even more vigorous
prosecution of the class struggle,
and we recommend to the work
ers and peldge ourselves to the
following course of action:
. I. Continuous, active, and
already accentuated, we demand
(a) The restriction of food ex-
ports so king as the present short-
age continues, the fixing of maxi-
mum prices, and whatever meaa-
ures may be necessary to prevent
the food speculators from hold-
ing back the supplies now in theirt
hands;
(b The socialization and demo-
cratic management of the great
industries concerned with th«
production, transportation, stor-
age and the marketing of food
and other necessities of life;
(?) The Socialization of all
public opposition to the war Ul
through demonstrations, mass pe land and other natural
Democracy can never be imposed | titions, and all other means with- which is now held out otZTtZ
upon any country by a foreign in our power. monopolistic speculative profit
2. Unyielding opposition to all These measures aro presented
. ,. , proposed legislation* *i>r military as means of protecting the work-
say that he war is not directed or industrial conscription. Shoul 1 ers against the evil results of the
against the (.erman people, but such conscription be forced upon present war The danger of re
against the Imperial Government the people, we pledge ourselves t<
power by force of arms.
Tt is cant and hypocrisy
of Germany. Tf we send an arm
ed force to the battle-fields of
Europe, its cannon will mow
down the masses of the German
people and not the Imperial Ger-
man Government.
i Our entrance into the European
conflict at this time will ierve
only to multiply the horrors of
war, to increase the toll of death
and destruction and to prolong
have led to the war in Europe are thc Hc„llish slaU((hter „
even more hideously transparent |,rin^ dp>th 8ufferinB
in the war recently provoked by
the ruling class of this country.
When Belgium was invaded,
the government enjoined upon
the. people of this country the
duty of remaining neutral, thus
clearly demonstrating that the
"dictates of humanity," and thc
fate of small nations and of demo-
cratic institutions were matters
that did not concern it. But
when our enormous war traffic
was seriously threatened, our
government calls upon us to rally
to the "defense of democracy and
civilization."
Our entrance into the European
geogrophical boundaries of eacli war instigated by the predator*'
modern capitalist country thus capitalists in the United States
became too narrow for the indus who boast of the enormous profit
trial and commercial operations 0f seven billion dollars from the
of its capitalist class. manufacture and sale of munitions
The efforts of the capitalists of an{| war supplies and from the
all leading nations were, there- exportation of American food-
fore centered upon the demina- stuffs and other necessaries. They
tion of the world S markets. Im- are a]so deeply interested in the
perialism became the dominant continuance of war and the suc-
note in the politics of Europe, cegs of the allied arms through
The acquisition of colonial pos- their huge loans to the govtVn-
sessions of the extension of ments of the allied powers and
spheres of commercial and politi- through their commercial ties. Tf
cal influence and became the j8 flame interests which strive
object of the diplomatic intri- for imperialistic domination of
gues and the canse of constant the Western Hemisphere.
dashes between nations. i The war of the United States
The acute competition between afrainst Germany cannot be justi-
ce capitalist powers of the fied even on the plea thftt ifl ..g a
earth, their jealousies and dis- war in defense of American
trusts of one another and the rights or American "honor.
tution to the people of the Unit
ed States and particularly to th •
working class. It will give the
powers of reaction in this eouri
try the pretext for an attempt to
throttle our rights and to crush
our democratic institutions, and
to fasten upon this country a
permanent militarism
The working class of tin; Unit-
ed States has no quarrel with thc
working class of Germany or of
any other country, The people
of tlie United States have no
quarrel with Germany or of art''
other country. They have not
been consulted about the war and
have had no part in declaring
war. They have been plunged
continuous efforts for the the re-
peal of such laws and to the sup-
port of all mass movements in
opposition to conscription.
We pledge ourselves to oppose
with all our strength any at-
tempt to raise money for pay-
ment of war expense by taxing
the necessaries of life or issuing
bonds which will put the burden
upon future generations. We de-
mand that the capitalist class,
which is responsible for the war,
pay its cost. Let those who kin-
dled the fire, furnish the fuel.
■i. Vigorous resistance to all
reactionary measures, such as
censorship of press and mails, re-
strietiori of the rights of free
speech, assemblage and organiza-
tion, or compulsory arbitration,
and limitation of the right to
strike.
4. ('<msi.st.ent propaganda
against military training and
militaristic teaching in the pub
lie schools.
•r>. Extension of the campaign
of education among the workers
to organize them into strong,
class-conscious, and closely uni-
into this war by the trickery and j fied political and industrial or
threaehery of the ruling class of i ganizations, to enable them by
of the country through its repre
sentatives in the National Admin-
istration and National Congress,
its demagogic agitators, i|s sub-
sidized press, and other servile
instruments of public expression
We brand
war by our
concerted and harmonious mass
action to shorten this war and to
establish lasting peace.
6. Widespread educational
propaganda to enlighten the
masses as to the true relation be
the declaration of tween capitalism and war, and
government as a to rouse and organize them for
crime against the people of the action, not only against presen
TT in, . - ■ - i '
United States and against the na-
tions of the world.
In all modern history there has
been no war more injustifiable
than the war in which we are
about to engage.
No greater dishonor has ever
been forced upon a people than
war evils, but for the prevention
of future wars and for the de-
struction of the causese of war.
7. To protect the masses of
the American people from the
pressing danger of starvation
which the war In Enrope has
brought upon them, and which
' ~ " ~ U1 ^,ucr,<-ttu nonor- that which the capitalist class is the entry of the United States has Algernon Lee, Secretary.
SENATOR LANE DYING. other he was viciously abused by n,andi
. . . * • J mantling that the Government tcrtp *vr rtrmT^wxT • . . ...a. , , ,
currence of war will exist as long
as the capitalist system of indus-
try remains in existence. Tho
end of war will come with the es-
tablishment of socialised industry
and industrial democracy the
world over. The Socialist Party
calls upon all the workers to join
it in its struggle to reach the
goal, and thus bring into the
world a new society in which
peace, fraternity and human bro-
therhood will be the dominant
ideals.
Beoommendatons.
1. We recommend that the
convention instruct our elected
representatives in Congress, in
the State Legislatures, and in lo-
cal bodies, to vote against all pro-
posed appropriations or loans far
military, naval, and other war
purposes.
2. We recommend that thin
convention instruct the National
Executive Committee to extend
and improve the propaganda am-
ong women, because they as
housewifes and mothers are now
partk-uluarly ready to accept our
message.
3. We recommend that the con-
vention instruct the National Ex-
ecutive rommittee to initiate an
organized movement of Socialist*,
organized workers, and other
ant-war forces, for concerted ac-
tion along the lines of this pro-
gram.
Kate Richards O'Hare,
Chairman
Victor L. Berger,
Job Harriman,
Morris Hillquit,
Dan Hogan,
Prank Midney,
Patrick Quinlan,
0. E. Ruthenberg.
Maynard Shipley,
Geo. Spiess, Jr.
&
/
News comes from Washington
that Doctor Harry Lane." United
States Senator from Oregon, is
dying; that he has broken under
the tremendous strain of the gal-
lant and heroic fight he made to
keep this country out of the hell
called the "World War."
Senator Lane was one of the
six Senators who voted "NO" to
the last. lie was one of the
Btraightest and noblest men this
nation ever produced, yet from
one end of this country to the
other he was viciously abused by
things in the form of men wdio
were not fit to clean his boots.
He was descended from one of
the oldest and bravest families in
all America, from a breed of men
and women who ever did their
duty as they "God gave them
the light to see it," regardless of
the mob, be it the upper ten
thousand or lower."
When the Cotton Crop of 1914
was being stolen from the Fann-
ers of Dixie, he was the ONLY
man to stand up in the United
States Senate and protest, de-
manding that the Government
VALORIZE it. For this action,
too, he was denounced in unmeas-
ured terms and by the very gang
that is now throwing BILLONS
into the maw of war.
Forever he has refused to sit in
secret sessions of fhe Senate or
any of its committees and by so-
doing. has forced many of its
most important committees to do
their work before all men. Tt u
said that the President liierallv
hated him.
By no means could his enemies
charge that he was not an AM-
ERICAN CITIZEN in all the best
that, the term conveys, for not
only had he and all bis family
been warriors and pioneer's )f
the nation's flag, but he was, bo-
sides, part Indian blood—was all
around and thru of the blood that
placed conscience and honor be-
fore all other things on Earth.
And now, this man who, thri
all the days of his life, fought thj
People's fight with unswerving
devotion is dying. The lion of
liberty is lying on his death-bed
and the jackals of society arj
howling their' curses on his de-
voted head. America! America! I
weep for thee!
Harry Lflne, I who has been
privileged to grasp your clean
and kindly hand, I salute you on.
your way to Valhalla! There, let
us hope, that the spirits of Wash-
ington and Paine, Jefferson and
Jackson and Lincoln, and all the
free and mighty souls ^vho led
this people ever toward the goals
of Freedom, will meet you Ray-
ing, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant; enter into thy
reward!"
This last prayer I make of you
and them: "Give me strength to
follow the road of liberty and
duty to the end, as well and truly
and nobly, 0 soldier of the Com-
mon Good, as grandly as you have
done."
Covington Ami.
One hundred and seventy-five
thousand dollars to chase a lone
bandit ten miles into Mexico; six
billion dollars to destroy Krrtser
Bill's playhouse, but not one cent
to feed the starving millions of
American people.
„JU
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> ■
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Hickey, T. A. The Rebel (Hallettsville, Tex.), Vol. [6], No. 298, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 21, 1917, newspaper, April 21, 1917; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth394927/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed June 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UT San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.