Would Have Party Set Pace by Declaration

...The provocative phrases were added against Morris Hill-quit's advice and in his opinion did not add to the strength of the declaration...

...But it must be admitted that the tone of the proclamation was extraordinary, aggressive, defiant, and provocative...

...Would we have been more hounded and prosecuted by the Palmers and Burlesons if we had then advocated mass resistance, etc...

...Ve shall acknowledge all of them and give short excerpts where it appears something new is said...

...A continuation committee was elected, and the employmment of a full-time party organizer discussed...

...George Freeman, W. Hempstead, L. I. "The Declaration augurs well for the party and should be the forerunner of action in the coming crisis...

...It should be considered as a whole...

...James F. Carey, Massachusetts...

...Even amendments seemed out of order...

...In this kind of leadership the Declaration fails...

...It must afso be borne in mind that at the time of the adoption of the St...

...Party members have made a glorious fight in their Christ-like way, times have changed, and the Declaration should be adopted...

...These solemn, high-sounding threats of how the Socialist Party is getting ready to "crush the reckless forces of reaction" as soon as it has gained political power, and on the other hand, in case it does not gain political power, how it will not shrink from organizing the rule of the workers—well, such solemn threats are childish, ridiculous, and funny!—if it were not for the tragic fact that the scattered lone Socialists, and little' strug-| gllng locals must hsreafte...

...The question once was "Is it Socialism...

...IT must be quite patent to any * - active party member during the distressing war years and later abundance economy, that the Socialist Party has been laboring under the misapprehension that thought and action are two quite different and frequently antagonistic manifestations of the same organization...

...chairman of the convention...

...SALAMANCA, N. Y. —At a well-attended district convention here, Fred J .Smith, secretary of the Jamestown local, was named for Congress, and plans were made to carry on vigorous Socialist propaganda throughout the counties that make up the district...

...Nor can they dare discipline them for the emphatic dissent that such a document inevitably creates...

...The Declaration is fhe deliberate and considered action of the party...

...Such a pledge is fraught with great danger to all rational, constructive and organized action, initiated and executed by the Organized workers, which the threat of war demands...

...Hillquit Never Repudiated The St, Louis Manifesto...

...This is not dictatorship...

...Louis Anti-War Manifesto of 1917...

...Now it is, "Is it Legal ?" The Declaration is an able document...

...Such material is not relevant...

...Are we just resoluting some more...

...Afrs...

...the democratic method, when and ! if the exploiters shall become desperate in the "final conflict...

...Had it been written in normal circumstances, it would undoubtedly have been couched in more moderate and less irritating language...

...Moreover, it does not exhibit those marks of practical statesmanship in facing the immediate economic situation which such a document should exhibit...

...There was considerable enthusiasm and determination...

...In the organized labor movement and in the far-flung uprising of the farmers we will find ample fields for service...

...I reiterate: It pays poor lip service to democracy and then goes on with its solemn threats...

...By J. Stiff Wilton...

...The week-end of June 23rd and 24th at Camp Tamiment was a brilliant success, with an attendance of over five hundred...

...Loose Leaves From a Busy "Life, pages 166, 167 and 168...

...The Declaration will create reactions that will cause many to listen less attentively to our philosophy and will bring a diminished approval at the polls...

...Morris Hillquit has written the following letter in answer to published and oral statements that the late leader of American Socialism had regretted the famous St...

...go on with then propaganda and political activity, hM with their individual and group action on the economic field, under these gran...

...Is this too strong meat for a party that has always opposed wars...

...In such a crisis as the present, even the first part dealing with economics it weak, uninspiring, lacks concrete-nessv But when it becomes specific in the particulars considered above, the leaders cannot lead even tha shattered remnants of the party with that kind of Declaration...

...But when a national,party, acting under the leadership of its ablest leaders, pledges itself loyally to support any kind of anti-war action that any Tom, Dick, or Harry in the party chooses to carry out against the law, it has thrown party discipline to the winds...

...I don't know...

...The party is presumably the leader in a movement to reshape the world nearer the heart's desire...

...but it was not written under normal circumstances...

...Far-seeing, constructive leadership, and clear, definite, concrete, and practical economic proposals are immediately imperative...

...Bob Tyler, New York City...

...Most qf them are from the East, but some are now coming from the West...

...Satirically suggests that after Declaration is adopted the "true Socialists" urge withdrawal from the L. S. I. because German and Austrian Socialists have declared for...

...E. J. Squier, an old-time Socialist candidate on the state ticket several times before the war, was a moving spirit in the convention...

...One hesitates to dissent from any real constructive anti-war position...

...If we don't want mass abhorrence of war and mass opposition to war, what do we wantf...

...The largest group attending was the friends of the former People's Institute of Newark, N. J. The other important group was the Rand School Institute, whose students closed the week with a two-dayr* session at the camp...

...How well prepared the party it to make such threats of mass action the background and goal of party action may be seen from the roll-call of the convention, where out of 42 states represented, 16 states had but one delegate and 13 others but two delegates...

...It was passed by a vote of almost 2 to 1. It received the unqualified endorsement in debate by the National Chairman, Leo Krzycki, the candidate for President, Norman Thomas, and nearly all the National Committee...

...THE Socialist Party as a body went so far "to the Left" at the Detroit convention that many members mutt conclude that "the party has left them," and therefore they have no alternative other than to withdraw from membership...

...We put our whole soul into the proclamation, the agonized Socialist soul crying out in anguish agaiiiBt the savagery of war, against the needless sacrifice of American lives in the quarrels of clashing capitalist interests In Europe and against the atmosphere of passion, hatred and tetter which the war was sure to...

...I do not question the sincerity of comrades but I do question their experience...

...The part that deals with the general economic program is badly worded and loaded down with sentences as long as paragraphs, too heavy for ordinary readers...

...First—Let us take a stand against war that will enlist mass opposition to bloodshed...

...Grace S. Croyle, secretary of the convention, was chosen pernfWient secretary of the district commi\ee...

...The Detroit Declaration of Principles faila in' this regard, whatever its deliverances on trade unions, farm problems, etc., may be in minor resolutions...

...Nor can the language and purport of these paragraphs give leadership to that vast American body of revolting farmers or ignorantly rebellious middle classes, without whom no economic deliverance is possible...

...Objects to any changing of the Declaration by the N. E. C. as unfair to delegates who voted against it...

...I hope that we may forever be united in purpose, whatever our differences, and that come what may we shall have the courage, the determination and the high ideals so needful for the building of a sane, decent and human commonwealth...

...We may have nothing to do then but view daisies from below...

...We surely hope and barfeve they will be sticklers for...

...People should be separated from the notion that our only chance is to be voted into power...

...A. G. Hayden, Bronx...

...Vigorous Campaign Planned j In Far Western Corner Of New York State...

...It may be illegal at some time...

...It is time for the party to take a militant stand...

...It is backed by whole cohorts of the party as now constituted...

...Didn't some us do just that...

...American citizens [were accustomed to speak their thoughts freely and unreservedly on all subjects, including war...

...John G. Cooper of Olean, who made a sensational run for Mayor last fall, was...

...Comrade Wilson is an active and prominent member of the party in California, and while running his contribution we "emphatically, dissent with his view that he and others have no other alternative than to resign from the party...

...Express your opinion of the issues...

...Let the Declaration be clarified if need be, but let it at least say what we mean, and what we mean must give notice to all of good-will and high purpose that Socialism is more than a word, and the Declaration of Principles more than a gesture...

...Didn't Debs go to jail, were not others indicted and did not still others live in fear (I plead guilty) of imminent arrest...

...Dorothy Manley Duff, New York City...

...breod...

...Fascism will brush aside the constitution...

...AMY husband, Morris Hillquit, did *™a not repudiate the St...

...The Declaration, in the particulars considered, is not an adequate, constructive lead to organized labor now fighting desperately on a thousand fronts...

...when the tirehou.se itself is in s state of demoralization...

...Surely the party should become the outstanding champion and, if need be, tht martyr, to maintain and perpetuate democratic hopes...

...William Edwards, Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y. How can I vote straight if there is only a left or a right to vote ? Why quarrel about what we are going to do twenty years hence...

...Indeed, they will defend it against a militant minority of any kind...

...The Declaration Pro and Con...

...Can we achieve this resistance by passing a Declaration...

...Even the Communist Party would not make such a foolish pledge, utterly disregarding party discipline...

...If the convention meant it, why not say so...

...Stitt Wilson Sees Danger To Party in Declaration...

...Louis resolution the political and intellectual atmosphere of the country was still free from the stifling terrorism which a morbid war psychology created i In later days...

...The Declaration sets forth the propositions...

...I don't know...

...Louis resolution, and that, on the whole, made a very creditable showing in the hectic days of 1918...

...These limitations, however, could be overlooked...

...Is this possible...

...firoletarian dictatorship, that Po-Ish Socialists have declared, for a "workers' and peasants' dictatorship" under certain circumstances and that French and Spanish Socialists are forming united fronts with <'ommunists...

...diloquent threats as a background and as the party goal...

...All the more crying necessity'to rally the whole soul of democracy and all its resources and renew the confidence of the despairing masses in the ways of democracy, and inspire their faith in democratic procedure...

...Democracy is in danger...

...As I read over the document after a lapse of sixteen years and in the calmer atmosphere of comparative peace and sobriety, I can find in its preamble nothing but a reiteration of the oft-expressed and well-known Socialist position on war, and in its program nothing that offended against the law...

...They cannot commit their comrades to the unqualified defense of the implications and threats of this document...

...Only a dozen states in the Union had more than two delegates, and these made up two-thirdt of the entire convention...

...Although a raw recruit who joined the party last year, I think that now is the time to take a definite stand...

...Well, didn't we...

...The party ought to make good by giving the instruction and inspiration and the lead to action in the wording of its Declarations at well at in itt service to the ranks...

...Finally, are we tilting at windmills...

...John F. Mooney, Sapulpa, Okla...

...Never in American history has there been such a need for sane leadership and constructive statesmanship...

...By Vera Hillquit...

...Many repeat what is said by others in one form or another and in juch instances they are condensed...

...It is the paragraphs on war and fascism that now constitute the gravest concern...

...We advise cool judgment and a determination to maintain the unity of the party.— Editor...

...The British La^ bor Party hag also declared Jyr a general strike and because the** parties are a majority in the L. S. I. "our duty is clear...

...I have spoken on this against many comrades and in the face of Communist prodding...

...that in 1917 accepted the St...

...Some letters contain gossip about what this or that member said or is alleged to have said...

...The call to the party membership and the pledge of the party on fascism can not bear, critical analysis...

...As to the general strike—since when have we believed in Civil Peace during war...

...Poor lip service in two indifferent sentences is paid to democracy, as if to a faded and wearisome wench scarcely worthy of respect, and the whole burden of the Declaration is the threat of direct action and mass action, and it ends up' with a veiled declaration of the Communist "Dictatorship of the Proletariat...

...It does not justify violence but we have to change our tactics...

...Louis anti-war resolution either in his book, "Loose Leaves From a Busy Life," or on any other occasion...

...Why veil it...

...R. S. Hofses, Reading, Penn...

...So overwhelming was the majority of the convention in favor of the "Declaration of Principles" that dissent from the party action now is practically useless...

...What does the party propose in words that can be clearly understood and either accepted or rejected...

...Cut out vicious language, as it will not be permitted.—Editor...

...The letters being received regarding the Declaration of Principles are so numerous that it is impossible to print all of them even if we ran an extra supplement...

...And if capitalism slumps and it' becomes necessary to rebuild anew, shall we stand aside because there j is no one formally to authorize the' rebuilding...

...Arthur .Rosenberg, New1 York City...

...Other nominations made were Hugh Dollard of Olean for State Senator, William P. White for Assembly in Cattaraugus County, Comrade Phillips for County Clerk of Cattaraugus, Guy Loomis for Coroner of the same county...

...I hope not...

...but, then, what will be legal that the pa-trioteera and profiteers determine to be otherwise...

...Hoffman, Buffalo, N. Y. Seldom agrees with Jim Oneal but his article on the Declaration was sound...

...it is an answer to the cry of "Fire...

...Brilliant Week-End...

...Robert,,A...

...I find nothing illegal in all this...

...It's like a child during Hallowe'en getting a five cent mask and saying "boo...

...By the general strike, by mass resistance, by defense of those who are prosecuted for anti-war activity...

...This Declaration, backed by party pledges, is an invitation to pure "individualistic direct action," which the great leaders, of Socialism have always vigorously opposed as senseless and destructive to the interests of organized working class movement...

...At any rate, I hope it shall never come to pass, but we shall try—and it will depend on our strength as men and as thinkers...

...but the party is or is not the leader, and if it is, it should express its leadership...

...For the Declaration and believes that Communism was put over in Russia by about 2,000...

...Second—Let us carry on by democratic methods to the attainment of power...

...But if the Declaration says so, what is theabjection...

...Their entertainment wat the gift of the camp...

...The Declaration is the work of the outstanding leaders of the party...

...He took exception to some of its wording...

...It has opened wide the door to agents provocateur, and thus sanctions a "tactics of action" against which Karl Marx waged one of the most valiant battles of his life...

...The Detroit Declaration is not a "Declaration of Principles" at all...

...At Camp Tamiment...

...It is a compilation of economic proposals, followed by specific paragraphs on war and fascism...

...By no other means can we hope to achieve, a literate and articulate majority—that WttWwye to a goal it understands and defend it to the end, knowing its value...