Page:May Walden - Socialism and the Home (1900).pdf/27

 Rh equal opportunity for education and development.

2. THE LAW OF SURPLUS VALUE. If each human being worked alone, with only such tools as he could make, to produce things he needs, he could barely produce enough to keep himself alive. By working together with improved machinery, each worker produces a large SURPLUS VALUE over and above what he needs to keep himself alive. This surplus is now taken from him by the capitalist class; we propose to abolish that class and let each worker keep for himself and his loved ones the surplus value that he creates.

The conflict between the working class and the capitalist class for control of this Surplus Value, is called

3. THE CLASS STRUGGLE. This struggle has been in existence since the first form of slavery began. Socialists recognize it and hope to free mankind from economic slavery by it. To be a Class-Conscious Socialist is to understand that the interests of the workers are directly opposed to the interests of the capitalists; and also to understand that we must work together in the Socialist Party, without wavering, or shadow of turning to any other party, until we get political control of the State.

Women, more than men, need this understanding, for we are double enslaved. We are dependent, as men are, upon the owning class for a chance to earn our living. We are without the ballot, as they are not, to protect our rights. We are sex slaves, bound by law and custom, to social usages that we are learning to despise. What reasons more shall I urge upon you for your emancipation?

Arouse, ye slaves, and fight for your freedom and your homes!