Hellraisers Journal: Debs Accepts Nomination for President , Stands for Class-Conscious Socialism

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Hellraisers Journal -Tuesday August 7, 1900
Eugene Debs Will Represent International Class-Conscious Socialism

From The Scranton Republican of August 6, 1900:

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 5.-Eugene V. Debs, the presidential nominee of the Socialist Democratic party, has sent his letter of acceptance to William Bubscher, national secretary of the party in this city. Mr. Debs writes his letter from Terre Haute, Ind., under date of July 31,

He says:

My Dear Comrade:—Your communication of the 18th instant has been received, and I note that by the election of the unity committee, elected at the Rochester and Indianapolis convention, approved by referendum vote my nomination has been ratified as candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the office of President of the United States. Permit me to return my thanks to the committee and the comrades they represent for the ratification of my nomination, which I esteem a signal honor.

Having responded to the call of my comrades in accepting the nomination and the confidence partly bestowed upon me as a socialist candidate for the office of President of the United States. Fully imbued with the philosophy of socialism I seek no personal preferment and I claim consideration only as a representative of the principles of international, class-conscious socialism.

In that capacity and that alone, I appeal to the working class and my countrymen for their support. The confidence implied by the unanimous action of my comrades moves me to regret my limitations and to wish myself a worthier representative of the principles so sacred to them because fraught with such grave import to the countless victims struggling in the grasp of economic bondage.

But all the strength and ability I have is at their service. Long since I consecrated myself to the cause and my all I have laid with joy on the altar of socialism. As we look abroad we behold the steady and stately march to transformation. Capitalism, which has written its record in the tears and blood of the human race is staggering to its doom, while socialism, herald of light and freedom, quickened by the spirit of the new revolution is sweeping over all the world.

Here in the United States we are on the eve of our first great battle. Let us gird on our armor and press forward to meet the enemies of freedom, the oppressors of the people, the exploiters of the working class and the foes of all humanity. Let us dismiss all minor considerations and unite in every state and territory from end to end of the land in one mighty effort to hasten the end of capitalism and the coming of the co-operative commonwealth. Thanking you again and through you the members of your committee and all your comrades for the honor conferred upon me, I remain Yours fraternally,

Eugene V. Debs.

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

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