WIST Quotations

Debs, Eugene V. -- “The Issue,” Speech, Girard, Kansas (23 May 1908)

Dave — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:42:36 +0000

It is a basic economic proposition that as long as a relatively few men own the railroads, the telegraph, the telephone, own the oil fields and the gas fields and the steel mills and the sugar refineries and the leather tanneries — own, in short, the sources and means of life — they will corrupt our politics, they will enslave the working class, they will impoverish and debase society, they will do all things that are needful to perpetuate their power as the economic masters and the political rulers of the people.

Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) American union leader, activist, socialist, politician
“The Issue,” Speech, Girard, Kansas (23 May 1908)
(Source)

Debs, Eugene V. -- Speech (1908-05-23), “The Issue,” Girard, Kansas

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation.

Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) American union leader, activist, socialist, politician
Speech (1908-05-23), “The Issue,” Girard, Kansas
(Source)

Impromptu speech in the town Debs was living in after his third nomination for President on the Socialist Democratic ticket.

Debs, Eugene V. -- Speech, Cleveland, Ohio, against accusations of sedition (12 Sep 1918)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.

Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) American union leader, activist, socialist, politician
Speech, Cleveland, Ohio, against accusations of sedition (12 Sep 1918)

http://www.bartleby.com/66/43/15943.html

Debs, Eugene V. -- Statement to the Court (1918-09-18)

Dave — Fri, 25 May 2018 22:32:01 +0000

Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind then that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; and while there is a criminal element, I am of it; and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926) American union leader, activist, socialist, politician
Statement to the Court (1918-09-18)
(Source)

On being convicted of sedition for urging resistance to the draft. Often paraphrased:

As long as there is a lower class, I am in it. As long as there is a criminal element, I am of it. As long as there is a soul in prison, I am not free.