Page:Friedrich Adolf Sorge - Socialism and The Worker (1876).djvu/20

 borers, who have taken up the gauntlet, are the Pioneers for the human race.

But in order to carry on this war successfully, the workers must be organized. Singly and isolated they are powerless; if all would unite for the same purpose, they would be a formidable power, which nothing could resist. You may easily break many single matches, a whole bundle of them tied together, you would try in vain to break.

With regard to this, the Socialists have the gratification of seeing, that their endeavors have not been fruitless. In Germany Socialism already forms a respectable power, which commenced to puzzle even the great Bismark. They have been able to elect nine representatives into the Parliament of the German Empire, who, by their untiring activity, by the speeches they delivered, have opened the eyes of hundreds of thousands of people in Germany. And who would venture to pretend, that those men strove for something, that was bad, that they betrayed the interest of their constituents? But not only in the parliament, in a great many municipal assemblies also we find members belonging to the working-class or representing its interests.

And all this has been accomplished in a few years: It is only 13 years since the labor party unfurled its banner there, And what has been tried and done, during those 13 years to suppress this labor-movement! It has been ridiculed, scorned, incriminated. Many of its prominent leaders have been put into prison. Many were deprived of their offices and situations, of their customers. In spite of all this it grew and thrived.

In North-America this movement has also begun fairly, having its origin in the gallant endeavors of tradesunionmen. They will transcend the narrow limits they made for themselves; they will expand and embrace the whole class of workers in this country as soon as they have overcome some prejudices, the natural outgrowth of their national conditions and then, perhaps, they will lead the van. I omit to speak about other countries. In England, France, Italy, Spain—everywhere throughout the civilized world Socialism has taken root. Everywhere it has begun the struggle against capital, monopoly, and classrule, and its victory is undoubtable. Concerning Socialism there might be said, what was said in olden times about Christianity: If it is bad, it will die out of its own badness;—if it is good, it will conquer the world, in spite of all persecutions!

And Socialism will conquer the world, its principles will carry the whole human race, worthy of that name, to a higher state of perfection.

Reader, you may judge for yourself and decide either in favor or against Socialism. If you think the aims and endeavors of the Socialists deserve your hatred, try to crush them; if, on the contrary, you are convinced, that they are good, that the Socialists endeavor to promote the happiness and welfare of mankind, join them! And if you do not like to act publicly, help them se-