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Hellraisers Journal – Friday November 5, 1920
Statement from Convict 9653 E. V. Debs, Socialist Candidate for President
From The Atlanta Constitution of November 4, 1920:
Country Leaped From Frying Pan
To Fire, Says Debs
———-In Written Statement, Defeated Candidate Declares
Wall Street Is Still in Saddle.
———-(Wednesday morning Eugene V. Debs, socialist candidate for president, furnished The Constitution the following written statement in regard to the election results.)
———-
BY EUGENE V. DEBS.
There was never any doubt about the results of yesterday’s election. The fate of the democratic party was sealed at the Versailles peace conference. One thing was made clear by the election returns. President Wilson, Attorney General Palmer and Postmaster General Burleson now know what the American people think of their despotic administration.
But, unfortunately, the people have not profited by past experience. They need look for no improvement in conditions as the result of the election. Wall street is still in the saddle under Harding as it was under Wilson.
Politically speaking, the American people have the cheerful habit of jumping from the frying pan into the fire and back again. They seem to enjoy the diversion.
Lincoln said “If you want that thing that is the thing you want.”
Harding prays God to help him. The American people will be doing the same thing before they are through with his administration.
For President Harding will take his orders from Wall street, and his administration can be relied upon to see to it that the people get all they voted for-and then some.
Trusts and monopolies will continue in full swing and the people will pay as in the past the awful price for their political blindness.
The great body of people do not progress of their own volition. They do not think for themselves, but follow their so-called leaders. They do not move until they are moved by the very conditions created by their own ignorance and stupidity.
Socialism will flourish like a green hay tree under the Harding administration. We know its nature and hail its advent.
The more reactionary and oppressive Wall street becomes the sooner will the people wake up and take possession of their own.
We socialists are extremely confident and optimistic. The present is theirs, but the future is ours.
Socialism, which insures the rise and rule of the people, can only fail if evolution ceases and the earth stands still.
The workers are awakening and the people are rising all over the world. We work unceasingly to realize our ideals, while we contemplate with serenity the dawn of the new day, when triumphant socialism shall proclaim the brotherhood of the race.
———-
Warden Zerbst, of the United States penitentiary, stated on Wednesday that the rumors relative to the early release of Eugene V. Debs are absolutely without foundation so far as he knows,. The recent weighing of the prisoner, reported as preparatory to his release, is merely a part of the medical routine, declared the warden. He pointed out that especially in the case of prisoners whose health is poor, as is that of Mr. Debs, the prison physicians keep an accurate weight record.
———-
[Photograph and emphasis added.]
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SOURCES
Quote EVD if Crime to oppose bloodshed, AtR p1, Oct 23, 1920
https://www.newspapers.com/image/612855160/
The Atlanta Constitution
(Atlanta, Georgia)
-Nov 4, 1920
https://www.newspapers.com/image/26940912/
IMAGE
EVD 9653 Atlanta Pen, June 14, 1919
https://www.archives.gov/nhprc/projects/catalog/eugene-debs
See also:
“Debs’ Last call to Voters in 1920
And His First Call in the New Campaign”
https://www.marxists.org/archive/debs/works/1920/d288d43_1920.pdf
Tag: Debs Campaign 1920
https://weneverforget.org/tag/debs-campaign-1920/
Note: re “despotic administration” -see:
Tag: World War I Repression
https://weneverforget.org/tag/world-war-i-repression/
WE NEVER FORGET: Political Prisoners of World War I Repression
Who Lost Their Lives in Freedom’s Cause, 1917-1931
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Workers Song – Dick Gaughan
Lyrics by Ed Pickford