Industrial Workers of the World

"Shadows follow him everywhere;
Grim want and worry and dread are there;
For life is not a gorgeous plan -
Far, far from it - to the average man"

One of the characteristics of mankind is temperamentally to conserve. This comes about not so much because "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," but chiefly because of the difficulty mostly met with in obtaining, and attaining to, anything. This conserving, or keeping, does not mean that one has to stubbornly or selfishly hold on to things because they materially benefit one and work ill to many others. True conservation means holding onto those things that are socially good. Those things that make for harmony, peace and justice will have to be held. In so far we want these, then we can be termed conservers.
All things and conditions that do not lead up to social well being will have to be thrown overboard and substituted by conditions that will be of endurable benefit to society in a communal way.

The class distinctions in society will have to be got rid of. In their place we will have to put true Communism. That is, that each of us will have to be so circumstanced as to be able to work for all. This will ensure to each of us the necessities of life, and, by moral implication, the means of attaining a full life in any field we may best be talented to pursue. It will mean that a community will ask us to give of our best in the way we are most capable, consonant with it being of direct advantage to society at the time. In return we shall get from society those things and opportunities necessary to us to enable us to live as fully as our needs and talents allow.

Now this, of course, does not appertain to day. Society is so constituted that a few hold things to the detriment of many. These few hold the means of material wealth and consequently have sway over the welfare of each one of us. Those who "have" intend to keep on holding. One of their methods of holding is to branch into politics as Conservatives or Nationalists. They hoodwink, through press, pulpit and platform most of us who "have not." This is easily done, because they determine from the time we are born (and before that!) what sort of existence we are going to have during life.

Unless - and mark this - unless one is a special sort of genius, other than this you are, in the main, going to dance to their tune. If the tune were all right it wouldn't be so bad. But it is a social discord. Discords are disagreeable things! But the position of the working class is more than disagreeable, it is unjust. Even if laws were good it would not necessarily mean the elevating of distress and unfairness. Good laws do not make good people. People have to be good of themselves. Then, of course, laws will not be so necessary.

All this points to a moral to you of the working class. It is this: If your position in society is bad then to put yourself to rights; to stand on your hind legs and say that things are wrong and unjust; you must set about it YOURSELVES and rectify the position. No one else but yourselves of your own volition can do it. Don't think that a few stump orators and revolutionists will be all that is required. No.

Don't cringe behind them and rub your hands in glee if by their efforts they get something of advantage to you. GET INTO THINGS AND HELP. You will know yourselves how best you can help. One way of helping is, first of all, to thoroughly get hold of the position you, as workers, are in relative to the rest of society. Become conscious of the state the working class is in and why. To get this needs a little study - not very much. Any way, to those of you who consciously and sincerely desire to right the social wrongs, then a little study on the matter should be congenial.

Now, supposing - for argument’s sake - you become class-conscious, don't let that narrow your outlook. I mean, that when you become aware of the position of your class, you will be staring open eyed at it, and damning yourself from early morn till late at night because you "never saw it before." You will, I know, become burningly enthusiastic and want to alter things right away. That's all to the good if you afterwards settle down into steady, persistent, plodding and fighting for the "bottom dog." "Constant dripping wears away a stone." KEEP AT IT!

Like the babe in the bath who wanted the soap on the floor you "won’t be happy till you get it." Certainly you wont be happy till you get what you need. But you are not - like the babe - going to cry over it. You are going to fight over it. And it is up to you to see that those who cry are the "others" and not yourselves. It is up to you. No one else will get it for you.

Besides, psychologically speaking, you will appreciate something you have had to fight for better than if it were thrown at you. In any case you have to be in a position to know what you want and to understand how to get it.

Buy all the pamphlets, papers and books on the subject you can. They are cheap enough. Get into things and kick. But get to know when to kick and where to kick.

And all the time retain an open and tolerant mind. Have a viewpoint, a standard from which to weigh things. Hold it, not obstinately but sincerely until you can be convinced that you are wrong. Always be willing to listen to any point of view, and at the same time persist in pointing out your own. Get armed cap-a- pie for the fray.

I'll tell you something.

Enthusiasm begets a good digestion. Your liver works well.

You'll find in sincerity, a healthfulness of being that money can't buy.