When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.
Eugene V. DebsRead
Why should the railroad employees be parceled out among a score of different organizations? They are all employed in the same service. Their interests are mutual. They ought to be able to act together as one. But they divide according to craft and calling, and if you were to propose today to unite them that they might actually do something to advance their collective and individual interests as workers, you would be opposed by every grand officer of these organizations.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Workers should unite regardless of their specific jobs for mutual benefit.
Eugene V. Debs emphasizes the importance of solidarity among workers across different roles within the railroad industry. He critiques the division of labor that separates employees into various organizations based on their specific crafts, suggesting that this fragmentation hinders their ability to collectively advance their interests. Debs advocates for unity in pursuit of a common cause, arguing that workers can achieve greater leverage and benefits when they come together as one, rather than being divided by professional differences.
Themes
UnityWorkersSolidarityLaborCollectiveInterests
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about labor rights at a rally.
More from Eugene V. Debs
All quotes βIf it had not been for the discontent of a few fellows who had not been satisfied with their conditions, you would still be living in caves. Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation.
Eugene V. DebsRead
As long as this great army of workers is scattered among so many craft unions, it will be impossible for them to unite and act in harmony together. Craft unionism is the negation of solidarity. The more unions you have, the less unity.
Eugene V. DebsRead
Speaking of myself, I was made to realize long ago that the old trade union was utterly incompetent to deal successfully with the exploiting corporations in this struggle. I was made to see that in craft unionism the capitalist class have it within their power to keep the workers divided, to use one part of them to conquer and crush another part of them. Indeed, I was made to see that the old form of unionism separates the workers and keeps them helpless at the mercy of their masters.
Eugene V. DebsRead
Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
Eugene V. DebsRead
Wherever capitalism appears, in pursuit of its mission of exploitation, there will Socialism, fertilized by misery, watered by tears, and vitalized by agitation be also found, unfurling its class-struggle banner and proclaiming its mission of emancipation.
Eugene V. DebsRead
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