Communism; Industrial Workers of the World; Socialism
"The division _was not brought about by differences on vital
questions of principles_. It arose over disputes on methods and
policy. The separation of the Socialist Party into three
organizations _need not necessarily mean a weakening of the
Socialists_.... Our quarrel is a _family_ quarrel, and has no room
in the columns of the capitalistic papers.... We have had our
split.... Now we are through with it. Legitimate constructive work
of the Socialist movement is before us. Let us give it all of our
time, energies and resources. Let us center our whole fight upon
capitalism, and let us hope _our Communist brethren_ will go and do
likewise." (Italics mine.)
The difference, then, is not at all one of "principles," but only one of
"methods and policy," that is, of cunning in putting on disguises; and
in this we concede that the Socialist Party of America is greatly
superior to its "Communist brethren."
Another evidence of this cunning, brought out at the trial of the
Socialist Assemblymen in January, 1920, bears directly upon the
conspiratory character of the Socialist Party's policy of "political
action." According to the "New York Evening Sun," January 22, 1920, the
following from the Socialist Party's New York State Constitution was put
in evidence:
"All candidates or appointees to public office selected by the
dues-paying membership of the Socialist Party of the State of New
York, or any of its subdivisions, shall sign the final resignation
blank before nomination is made official or appointment is made
final."
The form of resignation, also put in evidence, is here reproduced from
the same issue of the "Evening Sun":
"To the end that my official acts may at all times be under the
direction and control of the party membership, I hereby sign and
place in the hands of Local (........) my resignation to any office
to which I may be elected (or appointed), such resignation to
become effective whenever a majority of the local shall so vote. I
sign this resignation voluntarily as a condition of receiving said
nomination, and pledge my honor as a man and Socialist to abide by
it."
One of the by-laws of the New York County organization put in evidence
also reads:
"On accepting a nomination of the party for public office, the
candidate shall at once give to the executive committee a signed
resignation of the office for which he is nominated, and shall
assent in writing to its being filed with the proper authority, if,
in case of election, he proves disloyal to the party."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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