Page:Lily Gair Wilkinson - Revolutionary Socialism and the Woman's Movement.djvu/29



"What Means this Strike?" is an address delivered before the striking textile workers of New Bedford, Mass. It is the best thing extant with which to begin the study of Socialism. The strike is used as an object lesson to show the nature of capitalist society. The development of the capitalist is clearly given, showing why it is that the capitalist class is able to live in idleness and luxury while the working class rots in poverty and toil.

Trades Unionism is one of the methods by which the exploited class of to-day—the working class—seeks to resist or minimise the power of the exploiter. The author goes into a searching analysis of trades unionism and shows how the mistakes incurred by trade unionists lead to the nullification of their efforts at redress. Correct tactics are set forth. No student of Socialism but must be familiar with the trade union movement, therefore this book should be read.

The organisation of the Industrial Workers of the World, at Chicago, July 10, 1905, marked an epoch in the history of the Labour Movement in America, for the reason that, as the preamble to the constitution declares, there can be no peace between the exploited working class and the exploiting capitalist class; the I.W.W. organised itself on that basis—the recognition of the class struggle.

The Industrial Workers is organised, not to conciliate, but to fight the capitalist class. We have no object in concealing any part of our mission; we would have it perfectly understood. We deny that there is anything in common between workingmen and capitalists. We insist that workingmen must organise to get rid of capitalists and make themselves the masters of the tools with which they work, freely employ themselves, secure to themselves all they produce, and enjoy to the full the fruit of their labours.