In January, 1897, Debs joined the international Socialist movement.
Six weeks later the present writer, amid the jeers and gibes and some hisses of many old comrades, publicly hailed our Gene’s adhesion to the ranks as symbolizing the Awakening of Labor.
After awhile the S. D. A. was founded, and I met Debs in this city as a member of the new party.
On that occasion he addressed an audience including hundreds of my countrymen. They hardly understood one word out of every five he spoke, but they nevertheless clearly grasped the meaning of his message as a whole, which they applauded to the echo.
Well, it was Love’s inter-racial, pan-human language which had reached the hearts almost unaided by the use of words.
And ever since then they, like myself, have loved him as their big brother, their comrade, the foremost champion of their great Cause.
Eugene V. Debs! This is one of the great names of the century. No one—not even a political enemy—has ever said that Debs is not sincere to the core of his heart. It is an event to meet this courageous friend of man. The grasp of his hand is comforting, the look of his lighted face is an inspiration. In that one look you are taken into the door of his home, seated at his table, warmed at his chimney-fire!