Our enemies say ours is a party of EXPERIMENT. We admit it. No forward
step in the world's history, no achievement in science, art, literature
or politics has ever come but by EXPERIMENT.
We are not, however, the only party of EXPERIMENT. The plutocrats,
who now control our country, also believe in EXPERIMENT, only their
experiments are in the direction of further despoiling the people
without adding to popular rage, and of tightening their grip upon our
property, our lives and liberties without inciting to rebellion.
One man experiments with surgeon's knife upon the body of another,
chloroformed or a corpse. But suppose the chloroform ceases to act or
the corpse proves a case of suspended animation, rises up snatches
the surgical instrument, ties his tormentor to the couch and begins
to experiment on him. The EXPERIMENT in either case may be equally
beneficial to science, equally dangerous to the victim. But the
personal value of the EXPERIMENT to either of the principals depends,
in a large measure, upon WHETHER HE IS THE EXPERIMENTER OR THE MAN
EXPERIMENTED ON.
The millionaires united are at present experimenting on the people.
The records of their discoveries are doubtless of great value to
political science but when the unfortunate public, heretofore thought
dead or safely hypnotized, arises and with ghastly alacrity, begins to
EXPERIMENT on its doctors, not only will science be equally benefited,
but the "corpse" will enjoy the operation hugely.
This outcry on the part of the plutocrats against political
experimenting means simply that _they want to do all the experimenting
themselves_.
OUR ENEMIES ARE THE INNOVATORS.
A family, sheltered for many years to their entire satisfaction by an
old homestead, that also protected their property, suddenly discovers
that their silverware is fast disappearing with many heirlooms, jewels
and valuable papers and pieces of furniture. They discuss a plan for
changing the locks and, with the aid of a skilled mechanic, make an
examination of every wall, floor, door and window with a view to a
general overhauling and repairs. A neighbor makes serious objection and
in a solemn manner appeals to his friends not to interfere with the
ancient landmarks nor lay an irreverent hand upon the old homestead,
that served their father so well and that sheltered them and protected
their property so long. His only object in thus warning his friend
against dangerous innovation being grateful reverence for which has
been so useful in the past.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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