Noble Ideals of the First May Day Thrill the Workers Today
Feinstone, M.C.
Noble Ideals of the First May Day Thrill the Workers Today By M.C. Feinstone Secretary. United Hebrew Trades f\S May First, 1889, an InternaVtkmai Socialist congress in r^aris dedicated that...
...Nelson was backed by every daily paper in the state except the Socialist Milwaukee Leader...
...It is...
...In the halcyon days after the war, there was a renewed feeling that the democratic principles of civilized society must b» saved and entrenched, else culture would disintegrate...
...HHjHs this spiritual solidarity, saving the years of struggle and ftwbt, which stands out most desrlyt to one considering the whole period since that Paris congress...
...When an oligarchy of 300,000 slaveholders dared to inscribe for the first time in the annals of the world 'Slavery' on the banner of armed revolt...
...Had that proclamation been atereiy theoretical there would be aa such intense class loyalty, social consciousness and feeling of panton cause as now animates I labor...
...Labor on this May First must pledge itself anew to the ideals of 1889—to a cause that must ultimately be realized, no matter what the difficulties are in our way...
...The commonwealth of Labor: this most important point in the May First proclamation appears as yet far from realisation...
...The workingmen of Europe 1 felt sure that as the American - War of Independence initiated a new era of ascendancy for the middle class, so the .American anti-slavery war will do for the working classes...
...The efforts of these early idealist* brought about the realization of many of the goals proclaimed in 1889...
...when on those very spots counter-revolution, with systematic thoroughness, gloried in rescinding 'the ideas entertained at the time of the formation of the old constitution' and maintained 'slavery to be a beneficial institution,' indeed, the only solution of the great problem of the relation of capital to labor, and cynically proclaimed property in man 'the cornerstone of the new edifice,'— then the working classes of Europe understood at once (even before the fanatic partisanship of the upper classes for the Confederate gentry had given its dismal warning) that the slave holders' rebellion was to sound the tocsin for a general holy war of property against labor, and that for the men of labor, with their hopes for the future, even their past conquests were at stake in that tremendous conflict on the other side of the Atlantic...
...Long live the solidarity of the international working class...
...Fascism, Nazism and Communism are basically foreign to the peaceful, constructive and democratic commonwealth which was proclaimed at the Paris congress and which wc dedicate anew every May First...
...The World War, with its increase of fanatical race hatred, its exploitation of patriotism by ruthless capitalists- and infatuated politicians, did a great deal to block the upward progress , of world Socialism...
...From the commencement of the titanic American strife the workingmen of Europe felt instinctively that the Star Spangled Banner carried the destfny of their class...
...The intervening period of straggle would long ago have dissipated iti and the present obstacles, political and economic, would have dispelled it entirely if it were not deeply rooted in the people, if it were not sound, healthy and constructive for society as a whole...
...WHEN KARL MARX SENT GREETINGS TO LINCOLN ONE of the earliest documents adopted by the First International within two months of its organization was addressed to Abraham Lincoln congratulating him upon his re-election in 1864...
...They consider it an earnest sigh of the epoch to come that it fell to the lot of Abraham Lincoln, the singleminded son of the working class, to lead his country through the matchless struggle for the rescue of the enchained race and the reconstruction of a social world...
...Socialism Alone is the Hope of a Sorely Troubled World By J. Boskin General Secretary, Workmen'* Circle ""THE First of May is here again...
...It bears the impress of Karl Marx' style...
...The strongest possible guaranteethat the ideals of 1889 arc not lost, that their force is undimished, is the inward solidarity and feeling of a common destiny of the working class...
...But despite countSjjpmanges both in the material aad the social aspects of society gnce 1889, the original affirmation of that day remains unchanged, jtrtngthened and firmly entrenched ¦m the hearts of workers: that' world labor has a single destiny, s single loyalty, and a single purpose...
...The meeting will be held at the People's House, 7 East 15th Street, N. Y. C, and the subject will be: "Socialism in America Today...
...Ten years ago, upon the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the Workmen's Circle held a QuarterCentennial Jubilee convention that opened with a mass meeting at Madison Square Garden with Eugene V. Debs as speaker...
...The heavy blows the Socialist movement has suffered in the past fewyears have not at any moment weakened our firm beliefs, have not in any manner shaken our fundamental and deep-rooted principles and ideals...
...Sir...
...On this day they band in close formation openly proclaiming their solidarity with every brave soul in the struggle for the liberation of the exploited and the oppressed...
...Together with the councillors whose terms continue the new governing body for the Canton consists of four Socialists and three others...
...That j was Debs' last public appearance in New York...
...The social ideal embodied in the May First celebration came to the fore again...
...Long live the First of May...
...Today, atfer an economic slump that sent the whole world into a state of panic, moral as well as financial, there has risen a great controversial disturbance, rooted in the panic that large masses of people feel when they have been disrupted by events and are ready to follow any leader or try any panacea...
...The Socialist candidates polled 16,692 and 15,781 votes respectively out of a total of 30,888...
...These decisions awakened s bunt of enthusiasm in the ranks of Labor...
...The complete text of this notable document follows: "To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America...
...The old council had two Socialists and five others...
...Oneal at Debs Branch James Oneal, editor of The New Leader, will speak Friday, April 26th, for the Debs Branch, 666, of the Workmen's Circle...
...If Resistance to the Slave Power was the watchword of your first election, the triumphal war cry of your re-election is Death to Slavery...
...so longer taken for granted that the laboring classes should ; work in filth, sweat and darkness...
...The First of May...
...The contest for the territories which opened the dire epopee, was it not to decide whether the virgin soil of immense tracts should be wedded to the labor of the immigrant or be prostituted by the tramp of the slave driver...
...Workmen's Circle Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary TTHE Workmen's Circle, the * powerful Jewish- fraternal organization that is closely allied with the Socialist movement, has completed 35 years of useful service to the working class, and is celebrating its anniversary at a great jubilee convention in New York during the week beginning May 5th...
...218,158 Votes for Turner in Wisconsin MADISON.—A record Socialist vote for the state of Wisconsin was polled by Glenn P. Turner in 5 bis run for supreme court justice at the recent election...
...era of many beliefs, proudly marched and declared in clearf unequivocal language the goal toward which they were striving...
...Fascism, Nazism, or for that matter Communism — these are a few of the cure-alls that are hawked about among the nations...
...It is ' this which has received the greatest setback during the tempestuous ' years since 1889...
...On the contrary, all the events of the past strengthen our conviction that the world has no other solution than Socialism...
...Turner was the only opponent of Judge George B. Nelson, who poller 585,659 votes on the Republican, Democratic and LaFellette tickets...
...They attracted the best auhds and spirits, seeking a finer world and who were working towards the founding of a more sane sad beautiful society—a society of BjHJaen, a society based upon equality and justice to all...
...In America last year, especially in the larger centers, we organised huge mass lemonstrations...
...The eight-hour working day and other improved economic conditions are already things of the past in all civilized countries...
...Everywhere they bore, therefore, patiently the hardships imposed upon them by the cotton crisis, opposed enthusiastically the proslavery intervention—importunities of their betters—and from most parts of Europe contributed their quota of blood to the good of the cause...
...Socialist Majority in Basel Government The Canton of Basel, seat of the second largest city of Switzerland, now has a Socialist government, following recent elections...
...On the contrary, the greater the misery and hatred induced by that ghastly spectacle, the greater need was there for persistent striving towards that Commonwealth, to be a permanent guarantee against any such barbarization of mankind as "we witnessed on the last war...
...Communism, purporting to be Socialism and speaking in the name of Labor, is confusing and dangerous since it seeks t:> take advantage of Labor at its weakest hour to brutalize it into a false unity...
...We are firm in our belief that all quack remedies prescribed for the ills art of no avail, that the world is in pain because - the system under which we live is in its death, throes, and this must lead to chaos and destruction...
...Two Socialist councillors were elected and two Liberals...
...Again this year have the Socialist leaders the trade union officials, the Workmen's Circle and other radical organizations prepared for a huge demonstration on May Day, We are convinced that the celebration this year will go down in history as among the most outstanding the American workers have ever held...
...This is their day, the day of the oppressed and the exploited...
...while before the Negro, mastered and sold without his concurrnce, they boasted it the highest prerogative of the white-skinned laborer to sell himself and choose his own master", they were unable to attain the true freedom of labor, or to support their European brethren in their struggle for emancipation...
...On that day the historic destiny of axirki labor was announced to the world On May First, 1925, Labor locks lack over great triumphs and defeats, over hopes realized and bitter disappointments...
...when on the very spots where hardly a century ago the idea of one great Democratic Republic had first sprung up, whence the first declaration of the Rights of Man was issued and the first impulse given to the European Revolution of the eighteenth century...
...On this day they demonstrate their faith in a noble and just ideal, and call upon all thinking people yearning for a richer and fuller life, to unite in the struggle for its attainment...
...United Hebrew Trades f\S May First, 1889, an InternaVtkmai Socialist congress in r^aris dedicated that day to the ecoajsnc and political unity of the wasting class of all countries...
...Once more we hear\ the triumphant sounds and trumpets of our International borne on a wave Of hope to every part of the world where workers are found...
...Oaths first May Day Labor set u its immediate goals the eightsoar working day, improved working conditions, a higher working standard for the laborer, protection of Ins'hearth, moral and physical well-being, the creation of a commonwealth of labor over the entire world...
...In recent years the English-speaking section has been growing, and there are today a large number of English branches as well as the Young Circle League, all of which carry on Socialist educational work...
...It looks for- ] ajard to ceaseless struggle toward gj goal, and the certain fulfillment ef that goal...
...Next week The New Leader will carry a special supplement devoted to the Workmen's Circle, with articles giving details of its manifold activities...
...While the workingmen, the true political power of the North, allowed slavery to defile their own republic...
...The Labor and Socialist movement reflected this popular feeling about democracy...
...We sincerely believe that even under the black reaction of Hitler, Mussolini and other oppressors, enough workers will be found who will gather in designated places to express their cherished hopes and strivings, and to proclaim to the world that all is not yet lost...
...The highest previous Socialist vote was for John C. Kleist for the same office, who received 168,541 votes in 1922...
...Workers of all trades and industries, work...
...that there are still a sufficient number of valiant workers who await this moment to come out in open battle against the sinister forces of reaction...
...The correct total vote, just made public, was 218,158, an all-time high for any Socialist candidate in this state...
...but this barrier to progress has been swept off by the red sea of civil war...
...The organization maintains, in addition to its regular work, a fine tuberculosis sanitarium, many labor lyceums in every part of the country, an important educational department, and conducts much other work of incalculable benefit to the masses...
...But it could not discourage it...
...Let the cynics laugh, let the pessimists and the weak lose their courage and relinquish their hope —that does not deter us...
...The Workmen's Circle was launched in 1900 by a group of Jewish Socialists led by the late Benjamin Feigenbaum, and it has steadily grown until today it is one of the most important organizations of its kind in the country...
...On this May First, more than at any other time, all workers must in no uncertain way display that solidarity and strength...
...The first two, so deadly and fanatically nationalistic in design, are dangerous enemies of free labor, of the workers in every country, and offer obstacles to the realization of the Socialist commonwealth...
...We congratulate the American people upon your reelection by a large majority...
Vol. 18 • April 1935 • No. 17
