Eugene V. Debs: Socialism Will Free Workers From Private Tyranny
For the great labor leader Eugene Debs, socialism and freedom went hand in hand. In a 1920 article entitled “The Genius of Freedom,” reprinted here for the first time, he explained that socialism would free workers from the bonds of their capitalist masters.
Eugene Debs in 1920: “Freedom in Socialism is the one thing worth striving for. Without freedom civilization will crumble and hope die.” (Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The twentieth century, according to the prophecy of Victor Hugo, is to be the century of humanity.
In all the procession of the centuries gone, not one was for humanity. From the first, tyranny has flourished; the few have ruled, the many have served; the parasite has worn the purple of power, while honest labor has lived in poverty and died in despair.
But the eternal years, the centuries yet to come, are for humanity, and out of the misery of the past will rise the civilization of the future. The present time will witness the culmination of slavery in the crash of despotism and the rise of the worldwide democracy, freedom, and brotherhood.
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