Lanterna Rally

Author: Eugene V. Debs

Publisher:

Published: 2015-07-12

Total Pages: 548

ISBN-13: 9781331284444

Excerpt from Debs, His Life, Writings and Speeches: With a Department of Appreciations Socialists are not hero-worshippers. We do not believe that occasionally great men have been created who have lifted the human race a notch higher or a degree forwarder. Neither do we put our faith in leaders. We understand that the emancipation of the working class will not be granted by the generosity of the capitalist class, nor by the acumen and honesty of great leaders. Wage workers must trust in themselves. Their interests alone are at all times identical. We know that socialism is inevitable because men seek pleasure, because they may be counted upon to turn toward ends that promise welfare and happiness to themselves. We realize that men who lift themselves out of the ranks of the workers are no longer on the same plane as the workers. Only people in the same economic position see things alike and feel the same needs. It is only natural that leaders should desire to continue to lead. An author believes he is able to teach, and a teacher thinks he is wiser than his pupils. So the men who arise out of the labor movement believe they are chosen to direct and guide those still engaged in the conflict. They are likely to return to their belief in the Great Man Theory, since they have become "great men." Also they are more than likely to become conservative when they have something to lose. The revolutionary impulse bubbles up always from beneath. "Leaders" regulate their conduct in accordance with what they count their best interests, or happiness. Men who have positions to lose become timid. They are forever cautioning the workers not to move too swiftly. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.