Letters from Tomis

My Socialist Hall of Fame

During this chaotic era of vile rhetoric and manipulative tactics from our so-called bourgeois leaders, I am invigorated by the opportunity to reflect on Socialists, Revolutionaries, Philosophers, Guerrilla Leaders, Partisans, and Critical Theory titans, champions, and martyrs who paved the way for us—my own audacious “Socialism’s Hall of Fame.” These are my heroes and fore-bearers. Not all are perfect, or even fully admirable, but all contributed in some way to our future–either as icons to emulate, or as warnings to avoid in the future.

US history classes in the 1980s were strange beasts. There was a lot of material on the early presidents and World War II, emphasizing the political and military strategies that shaped the nation during those tumultuous times; however, practically nothing on the labor movement and socialist pioneers like Eugene Debs was included, which left students with a skewed understanding of the social and economic struggles that defined the working class in America. This omission not only undervalued the significance of grassroots movements that fought for fair labor practices, but it also neglected the historical context of the rise of socialism and its impact on various communities across the country, effectively erasing a vital part of American history from the curriculum. Consequently, many young learners graduated with an incomplete perspective on the complexities of social justice and economic equity that were deeply rooted in the nation’s past.

Early Life:

Eugene V. Debs was born into a working-class family of French immigrants in Terre Haute, Indiana. His parents, Jean Daniel and Marguerite Debs, instilled in him a strong sense of justice and a deep empathy for the struggles of ordinary people. Leaving school at the age of 14, Debs took a job as a paint scraper in the Vandalia Railroad shops, where he was exposed to the harsh realities of industrial labor.

Labor Movement Activism:

Debs joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen in 1875, where he rapidly rose to prominence as a skilled organizer and writer. However, he grew disillusioned with the conservative approach of trade unions that prioritized narrow craft interests over broader solidarity. This dissatisfaction led him to advocate for industrial unionism—a radical idea that emphasized unity across all trades and industries.

In 1893, Debs co-founded the American Railway Union (ARU), one of the first industrial unions in the United States. The ARU’s most significant action came during the Pullman Strike of 1894, where workers protested wage cuts and high rents in company-owned housing. Debs led the strike, which spread nationwide and culminated in a violent crackdown by federal troops, resulting in numerous deaths. Debs himself was arrested and jailed for six months, an experience that profoundly shaped his political outlook.

Turn to Socialism:

While imprisoned for his role in the Pullman Strike, Debs studied the works of Karl Marx and other socialist thinkers. Upon his release, he became a committed socialist, dedicating his life to the cause of the working class. In 1901, he helped establish the Socialist Party of America and became its most prominent figure.

Political Career:

Debs ran for president of the United States five times as the Socialist Party’s candidate (1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, and 1920), gaining millions of votes and bringing socialist ideas into mainstream political discourse. His most successful campaign was in 1912, when he garnered nearly a million votes (6% of the total), demonstrating significant public support for socialism in an era dominated by capitalism and the two-party system.

Opposition to World War I:

Debs was a passionate advocate for peace and vehemently opposed U.S. involvement in World War I, viewing the conflict as a capitalist struggle fought at the expense of the working class. His anti-war stance culminated in a famous speech in Canton, Ohio, in 1918, where he denounced the war and urged workers to resist conscription. For this, Debs was arrested and convicted under the Espionage Act of 1917, receiving a ten-year prison sentence.

Even while incarcerated in the Atlanta Penitentiary, Debs ran for president in 1920 and received nearly a million votes, an extraordinary feat that underscored his enduring popularity. He was released in 1921 after his sentence was commuted by President Warren G. Harding, but his health had deteriorated significantly during his time in prison.

Legacy and Death:

Eugene Debs spent his final years advocating for workers’ rights, social justice, and prison reform. He passed away on October 20, 1926, but his legacy as a tireless champion of the working class endures. Debs remains a symbol of resistance against exploitation and inequality, inspiring generations of labor activists and socialists.

Bibliography

Primary Works by Eugene V. Debs:

1. “Walls and Bars” (1927)

• A memoir reflecting on Debs’ imprisonment and the broader issues of social injustice and prison reform.

2. “Debs: His Life, Writings, and Speeches” (1908)

• A collection of Debs’ writings, speeches, and biographical information.

Biographies and Studies on Debs:

1. “Eugene V. Debs: Citizen and Socialist” by Nick Salvatore (1982)

• A comprehensive and critically acclaimed biography of Debs, exploring his life and the evolution of his socialist beliefs.

2. “The Bending Cross: A Biography of Eugene V. Debs” by Ray Ginger (1949)

• A classic and accessible account of Debs’ life and his contributions to the labor movement.

3. “Eugene V. Debs: A Biography” by Bernard J. Brommel (1978)

• An insightful biography that focuses on Debs’ political and personal life.

4. “Debs: The Story of a Rebel” by Max Eastman (1929)

• A contemporary account by a fellow socialist and admirer of Debs.

5. “Labor’s Untold Story” by Richard O. Boyer and Herbert M. Morais (1955)

• Provides context for Debs’ role in the American labor movement.

Eugene Debs’ unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the dignity of labor established him as one of the most influential figures in American history. His words resonate today, reminding us that “while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.”