Page:Max Eastman's Address to the Jury in the Second Masses Trial (1918).pdf/15

 the danger of ruin and poverty, and from the domination of some man or some corporation which holds their luck: and their happiness in its power. That is so obvious that I think you might say the Socialists are only the ones who take the word "liberty" very seriously, and really mean the thing definitely when they say it.

And the same with the word "democracy." It is very important that democracy should exist in politics, and that everybody should have the right to vote, and Socialists believe in it. But after all, how much of our, time, how much of out interest, and how much of our life does politics influence? Is not the main occupation of our time, and the main engagement of our interest, determined by business rather than political considerations? And is it not true that those who rule business, whoever they may be, rule the better part of our lives? I think there will be no dispute about it. And so the Socialists, say that if it is possible, we ought to bring the rule of the people into the sphere of industry, as well as of politics.

And, of course, you will agree that if it is possible, we ought. But you will say that it is not possible, that it is impractical, and it cannot be accomplished. I tell you that it t:an be accomplished, and it is being accomplished under your eyes at this very moment, to a very considerable extent. A popular government has taken over, and is successfully running the railroads, and all we have to do is to dispose of the stock and bond indebtedness of the railroads, and we will have Socialism, so far as the railroads are concerned. And the railroads are a big industry, and a complicated industry, and one fit to become a test as to whether or not it is practical for a people to run any industry. This is being done exactly because it is the practical thing to do. It is the