Page:Olive Malmberg Johnson - Woman and the Socialist Movement (1908).djvu/35

 Rh of the ignorance of the workers, who declaim on the ignorance and stupidity of the workers and say that nothing can ever be done with them. These people are either dishonest or do not in the least comprehend the spirit of the working class.

It cannot be too carefully born in mind what the working class is—that it has been an enslaved class since the day man evolved out of barbarism. We bear on our backs as our birthright the marks of ages of slavery and servitude. For centuries the oppressed class has been whipped into submission. The most progressive, those that have ever dared to rebel, have been ruthlessly murdered. The tale is the same from the first uprising of slaves to the Paris Commune, Red Sunday or the Idaho and Colorado Bull Pens.

But in spite of all it has suffered, the working class to-day is educating itself the world over and is organizing for its emancipation. There are decided upward tendencies at work. The general and common education of both sexes has already been treated. The demand for an eight hour day is growing. With an eight hour day there is always some time for leisure and improvement. The right of the workers to organize is to-day at least morally conceded, however much it is contested in fact. The free association of boys and girls, men and women is probably one of the most uplifting tendencies. It creates a good natured rivalry that stimulates both sexes onward and it has the tendency to inspire each with what is good in the other.

On the whole we have great cause to rejoice at human progress. It has ever been only a small minority that led the human race onward and upward. That minority is proportionally ever so much larger to-day than ever before in history. Progress is far more general as it has penetrated all layers of society and is carrying with it its pro rata of the female sex that has been in the background throughout the ages.