Your material interest and mine in the society of the future will be the
same. Instead of having to fight each other like animals, as we do
today, and seeking to glorify the brute struggle for existence—of which
every civilized human being ought to be ashamed—instead of this, our
material interests are going to be mutual. We are going to jointly own
these mammoth machines, and we are going to operate them as joint
partners and we are going to divide all the products among ourselves.
We are not going to send our surplus to the Goulds and Vanderbilts of
New York. We are not going to pile up a billion of dollars in John D.
Rockefeller’s hands—a vast pyramid from the height of which he can look
down with scorn and contempt upon the “common herd.” John D.
Rockefeller’s great fortune is built upon your ignorance. When you know
enough to know what your interest is you will support the great party
that is organized upon the principle of collective ownership of the
means of life. This party will sweep into power upon the issue of
emancipation just as republicanism swept into power upon the abolition
question half a century ago.
In the meantime, don’t have any fear of us Socialists. We don’t mean any
harm! Many of you have been taught to look upon us as very dangerous
people. It is amazing to what extent this prejudice has struck root. The
capitalist press will tell you of a good many evil things that we
Socialists are going to do that we never intend to do. They will tell
you we are going to break up the home. Great heaven! What about the
homes of the four million tramps that are looking for work today? How
about the thousands and thousands of miserable shacks in New York and
every great city where humanity festers? It would be a good thing if
they were torn down and obliterated completely, for they are not fit for
human habitation. No, we are not going to destroy the home, but we are
going to make the home possible for the first time in history.