them; you
give them work to do. You can dispense with them. You ought to own your
own tools. Organize industrially. Make the organization complete. Unite
in the Socialist party. Vote as you organize. Stand with your party. See
that that improves the working class, especially this year when the
forces will clash as they have never clashed before. Take your place in
the ranks. Help to inspire the weak and strengthen the faltering. Then,
when we vote together we will develop the supreme power of the one class
that can bring peace in the world. We will transfer the title deeds of
the railroads, of the telegraphs, the mines and the mills. We will
transfer them to the people. We will take possession in the name of the
people. We will have industrial, social and political democracy. This
change will be universal.

"And now for all of us to do our duty. The call is ringing in your ears.
Do not worry over the charge of treason to your masters, but be
concerned about the treason that involves yourself. This year we are
going to sweep into power and in this nation we are going to destroy
capitalistic institutions and recreate them.... The world of capital is
collapsing. We need industrial builders. We Socialists are the builders
of the world that is to be. We are inviting you this afternoon. Join and
it will help you.

"In due course of time we will proclaim the emancipation of the
brotherhood of all mankind."

3. THE DAY BEFORE THE TRIAL

These were the essential parts of the speech which Debs made at Canton.
He was indicted. On Monday, September 9th, the case went to trial in
Cleveland.

I happened to be out West at the time, and on Sunday, September 8th, I
had the opportunity of spending the afternoon with Debs and his attorney
and of hearing him review the case. The case was discussed, the
attorneys presenting the various possibilities. Debs made it quite clear
that there was only one thing he could do and that was to repeat his
Canton speech. He said, "I have nothing to take back. All I said I
believe to be true. I have no reason to change my mind. I have no reason
to change my position." His lawyers and he knew on Sunday that the
following week would see him sentenced to the penitentiary.

He spoke of it in his quiet way as his simple opportunity to serve the
cause. He said that he had always felt like a member of the rank and
file, and now he had his chance to travel along the road the ordinary
man had to follow,