English
AfterbreakfastJurgiswasdriventothecourt,whichwascrowdedwiththeprisonersandthosewhohadcomeoutofcuriosityorinthehopeofrecognizingoneofthemenandgettingacaseforblackmail.
Themenwerecalledupfirst,andreprimandedinabunch,andthendismissed;but,Jurgistohisterror,wascalledseparately,asbeingasuspicious-lookingcase.
Itwasinthisverysamecourtthathehadbeentried,thattimewhenhissentencehadbeen“suspended”;itwasthesamejudge,andthesameclerk.
ThelatternowstaredatJurgis,asifhehalfthoughtthatheknewhim;butthejudgehadnosuspicions—justthenhisthoughtswereuponatelephonemessagehewasexpectingfromafriendofthepolicecaptainofthedistrict,tellingwhatdispositionheshouldmakeofthecaseof“Polly”Simpson,asthe“madame”ofthehousewasknown.
Meantime,helistenedtothestoryofhowJurgishadbeenlookingforhissister,andadvisedhimdrylytokeephissisterinabetterplace;thenhelethimgo,andproceededtofineeachofthegirlsfivedollars,whichfineswerepaidinabunchfromawadofbillswhichMadamePollyextractedfromherstocking.
JurgiswaitedoutsideandwalkedhomewithMarija.
Thepolicehadleftthehouse,andalreadytherewereafewvisitors;byeveningtheplacewouldberunningagain,exactlyasifnothinghadhappened.
Meantime,MarijatookJurgisupstairstoherroom,andtheysatandtalked.
Bydaylight,Jurgiswasabletoobservethatthecoloronhercheekswasnottheoldnaturaloneofaboundinghealth;hercomplexionwasinrealityaparchmentyellow,andtherewereblackringsunderhereyes.
“Haveyoubeensick?”heasked.
“Sick?”shesaid.“Hell!”(Marijahadlearnedtoscatterherconversationwithasmanyoathsasalongshoremanoramuledriver.)“HowcanIeverbeanythingbutsick,atthislife?”
Shefellsilentforamoment,staringaheadofhergloomily.“It’smorphine,”shesaid,atlast.“Iseemtotakemoreofiteveryday.”
“What’sthatfor?”heasked.
“It’sthewayofit;Idon’tknowwhy.Ifitisn’tthat,it’sdrink.
Ifthegirlsdidn’tboozetheycouldn’tstanditanytimeatall.
Andthemadamealwaysgivesthemdopewhentheyfirstcome,andtheylearntolikeit;orelsetheytakeitforheadachesandsuchthings,andgetthehabitthatway.
I’vegotit,Iknow;I’vetriedtoquit,butIneverwillwhileI’mhere.”
“Howlongareyougoingtostay?”heasked.
“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Always,Iguess.WhatelsecouldIdo?”
“Don’tyousaveanymoney?”
“Save!”saidMarija.“GoodLord,no!
Igetenough,Isuppose,butitallgoes.
Igetahalfshare,twodollarsandahalfforeachcustomer,andsometimesImaketwenty-fiveorthirtydollarsanight,andyou’dthinkIoughttosavesomethingoutofthat!
ButthenIamchargedformyroomandmymeals—andsuchpricesasyouneverheardof;andthenforextras,anddrinks—foreverythingIget,andsomeIdon’t.
Mylaundrybillisnearlytwentydollarseachweekalone—thinkofthat!YetwhatcanIdo?
Ieitherhavetostanditorquit,anditwouldbethesameanywhereelse.
It’sallIcandotosavethefifteendollarsIgiveElzbietaeachweek,sothechildrencangotoschool.”
Marijasatbroodinginsilenceforawhile;then,seeingthatJurgiswasinterested,shewenton:“That’sthewaytheykeepthegirls—theyletthemrunupdebts,sotheycan’tgetaway.
Ayounggirlcomesfromabroad,andshedoesn’tknowawordofEnglish,andshegetsintoaplacelikethis,andwhenshewantstogothemadameshowsherthatsheisacoupleofhundreddollarsindebt,andtakesallherclothesaway,andthreatenstohaveherarrestedifshedoesn’tstayanddoasshe’stold.
Soshestays,andthelongershestays,themoreindebtshegets.
Often,too,theyaregirlsthatdidn’tknowwhattheywerecomingto,thathadhiredoutforhousework.
DidyounoticethatlittleFrenchgirlwiththeyellowhair,thatstoodnexttomeinthecourt?”
Jurgisansweredintheaffirmative.
“Well,shecametoAmericaaboutayearago.
Shewasastoreclerk,andshehiredherselftoamantobesentheretoworkinafactory.
Thereweresixofthem,alltogether,andtheywerebroughttoahousejustdownthestreetfromhere,andthisgirlwasputintoaroomalone,andtheygavehersomedopeinherfood,andwhenshecametoshefoundthatshehadbeenruined.
Shecried,andscreamed,andtoreherhair,butshehadnothingbutawrapper,andcouldn’tgetaway,andtheykeptherhalfinsensiblewithdrugsallthetime,untilshegaveup.
Shenevergotoutsideofthatplacefortenmonths,andthentheysentheraway,becauseshedidn’tsuit.
Iguessthey’llputheroutofhere,too—she’sgettingtohavecrazyfits,fromdrinkingabsinthe.
Onlyoneofthegirlsthatcameoutwithhergotaway,andshejumpedoutofasecond-storywindowonenight.
Therewasagreatfussaboutthat—maybeyouheardofit.”
“Idid,”saidJurgis,“Iheardofitafterward.”
(IthadhappenedintheplacewhereheandDuanehadtakenrefugefromtheir“countrycustomer.”
Thegirlhadbecomeinsane,fortunatelyforthepolice.)
“There’slotsofmoneyinit,”saidMarija—”theygetasmuchasfortydollarsaheadforgirls,andtheybringthemfromallover.
Thereareseventeeninthisplace,andninedifferentcountriesamongthem.
Insomeplacesyoumightfindevenmore.
WehavehalfadozenFrenchgirls—Isupposeit’sbecausethemadamespeaksthelanguage.
Frenchgirlsarebad,too,theworstofall,exceptfortheJapanese.
There’saplacenextdoorthat’sfullofJapanesewomen,butIwouldn’tliveinthesamehousewithoneofthem.”
Marijapausedforamomentortwo,andthensheadded:“Mostofthewomenhereareprettydecent—you’dbesurprised.
Iusedtothinktheydiditbecausetheylikedto;butfancyawomansellingherselftoeverykindofmanthatcomes,oldoryoung,blackorwhite—anddoingitbecauseshelikesto!”
“Someofthemsaytheydo,”saidJurgis.
“Iknow,”saidshe;“theysayanything.They’rein,andtheyknowtheycan’tgetout.
Buttheydidn’tlikeitwhentheybegan—you’dfindout—it’salwaysmisery!
There’salittleJewishgirlherewhousedtorunerrandsforamilliner,andgotsickandlostherplace;andshewasfourdaysonthestreetswithoutamouthfuloffood,andthenshewenttoaplacejustaroundthecornerandofferedherself,andtheymadehergiveupherclothesbeforetheywouldgiveherabitetoeat!”
Marijasatforaminuteortwo,broodingsomberly.“Tellmeaboutyourself,Jurgis,”shesaid,suddenly.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”
Sohetoldherthelongstoryofhisadventuressincehisflightfromhome;hislifeasatramp,andhisworkinthefreighttunnels,andtheaccident;andthenofJackDuane,andofhispoliticalcareerinthestockyards,andhisdownfallandsubsequentfailures.
Marijalistenedwithsympathy;itwaseasytobelievethetaleofhislatestarvation,forhisfaceshoweditall.
“Youfoundmejustinthenickoftime,”shesaid.
“I’llstandbyyou—I’llhelpyoutillyoucangetsomework.”
“Idon’tliketoletyou—”hebegan.
“Whynot?BecauseI’mhere?”
“No,notthat,”hesaid.“ButIwentoffandleftyou—”
“Nonsense!”saidMarija.“Don’tthinkaboutit.Idon’tblameyou.”
“Youmustbehungry,”shesaid,afteraminuteortwo.“Youstayheretolunch—I’llhavesomethingupintheroom.”
Shepressedabutton,andacoloredwomancametothedoorandtookherorder.“It’snicetohavesomebodytowaitonyou,”sheobserved,withalaugh,asshelaybackonthebed.
Astheprisonbreakfasthadnotbeenliberal,Jurgishadagoodappetite,andtheyhadalittlefeasttogether,talkingmeanwhileofElzbietaandthechildrenandoldtimes.
Shortlybeforetheywerethrough,therecameanothercoloredgirl,withthemessagethatthe“madame”wantedMarija—”LithuanianMary,”astheycalledherhere.
“Thatmeansyouhavetogo,”shesaidtoJurgis.
Sohegotup,andshegavehimthenewaddressofthefamily,atenementoverintheGhettodistrict.“Yougothere,”shesaid.“They’llbegladtoseeyou.”
ButJurgisstoodhesitating.
“I—Idon’tliketo,”hesaid.“Honest,Marija,whydon’tyoujustgivemealittlemoneyandletmelookforworkfirst?”
“Howdoyouneedmoney?”washerreply.“Allyouwantissomethingtoeatandaplacetosleep,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”hesaid;“butthenIdon’tliketogothereafterIleftthem—andwhileIhavenothingtodo,andwhileyou—you—”
“Goon!”saidMarija,givinghimapush.“Whatareyoutalking?
—Iwon’tgiveyoumoney,”sheadded,asshefollowedhimtothedoor,“becauseyou’lldrinkitup,anddoyourselfharm.
Here’saquarterforyounow,andgoalong,andthey’llbesogladtohaveyouback,youwon’thavetimetofeelashamed.Good-by!”
SoJurgiswentout,andwalkeddownthestreettothinkitover.
Hedecidedthathewouldfirsttrytogetwork,andsoheputintherestofthedaywanderinghereandthereamongfactoriesandwarehouseswithoutsuccess.
Then,whenitwasnearlydark,heconcludedtogohome,andsetout;buthecametoarestaurant,andwentinandspenthisquarterforameal;andwhenhecameouthechangedhismind—thenightwaspleasant,andhewouldsleepsomewhereoutside,andputinthemorrowhunting,andsohaveonemorechanceofajob.
Sohestartedawayagain,whensuddenlyhechancedtolookabouthim,andfoundthathewaswalkingdownthesamestreetandpastthesamehallwherehehadlistenedtothepoliticalspeechthenight‘before.
Therewasnoredfireandnobandnow,buttherewasasignout,announcingameeting,andastreamofpeoplepouringinthroughtheentrance.
InaflashJurgishaddecidedthathewouldchanceitoncemore,andsitdownandrestwhilemakinguphismindwhattodo.
Therewasnoonetakingtickets,soitmustbeafreeshowagain.
Heentered.Therewerenodecorationsinthehallthistime;buttherewasquiteacrowdupontheplatform,andalmosteveryseatintheplacewasfilled.
Hetookoneofthelast,farintherear,andstraightwayforgotallabouthissurroundings.
WouldElzbietathinkthathehadcometospongeoffher,orwouldsheunderstandthathemeanttogettoworkagainanddohisshare?
Wouldshebedecenttohim,orwouldshescoldhim?
Ifonlyhecouldgetsomesortofajobbeforehewent—ifthatlastbosshadonlybeenwillingtotryhim!
—ThensuddenlyJurgislookedup.Atremendousroarhadburstfromthethroatsofthecrowd,whichbythistimehadpackedthehalltotheverydoors.
Menandwomenwerestandingup,wavinghandkerchiefs,shouting,yelling.
Evidentlythespeakerhadarrived,thoughtJurgis;whatfoolstheyweremakingofthemselves!
Whatweretheyexpectingtogetoutofitanyhow—whathadtheytodowithelections,withgoverningthecountry?
Jurgishadbeenbehindthescenesinpolitics.
Hewentbacktohisthoughts,butwithonefurtherfacttoreckonwith—thathewascaughthere.
Thehallwasnowfilledtothedoors;andafterthemeetingitwouldbetoolateforhimtogohome,sohewouldhavetomakethebestofitoutside.
Perhapsitwouldbebettertogohomeinthemorning,anyway,forthechildrenwouldbeatschool,andheandElzbietacouldhaveaquietexplanation.
Shealwayshadbeenareasonableperson;andhereallydidmeantodoright.
Hewouldmanagetopersuadeherofit—andbesides,Marijawaswilling,andMarijawasfurnishingthemoney.
IfElzbietawereugly,hewouldtellherthatinsomanywords.
SoJurgiswentonmeditating;untilfinally,whenhehadbeenanhourortwointhehall,therebegantoprepareitselfarepetitionofthedismalcatastropheofthenightbefore.
Speakinghadbeengoingonallthetime,andtheaudiencewasclappingitshandsandshouting,thrillingwithexcitement;andlittlebylittlethesoundswerebeginningtoblurinJurgis’sears,andhisthoughtswerebeginningtoruntogether,andhisheadtowobbleandnod.
Hecaughthimselfmanytimes,asusual,andmadedesperateresolutions;butthehallwashotandclose,andhislongwalkandisdinnerweretoomuchforhim—intheendhisheadsankforwardandhewentoffagain.
Andthenagainsomeonenudgedhim,andhesatupwithhisoldterrifiedstart!Hehadbeensnoringagain,ofcourse!Andnowwhat?
Hefixedhiseyesaheadofhim,withpainfulintensity,staringattheplatformasifnothingelseeverhadinterestedhim,orevercouldinteresthim,allhislife.
Heimaginedtheangryexclamations,thehostileglances;heimaginedthepolicemanstridingtowardhim—reachingforhisneck.Orwashetohaveonemorechance?
Weretheygoingtolethimalonethistime?Hesattrembling;waiting—
Andthensuddenlycameavoiceinhisear,awoman’svoice,gentleandsweet,“Ifyouwouldtrytolisten,comrade,perhapsyouwouldbeinterested.”
Jurgiswasmorestartledbythatthanhewouldhavebeenbythetouchofapoliceman.
Hestillkepthiseyesfixedahead,anddidnotstir;buthisheartgaveagreatleap.Comrade!Whowasitthatcalledhim“comrade”?
Hewaitedlong,long;andatlast,whenhewassurethathewasnolongerwatched,hestoleaglanceoutofthecornerofhiseyesatthewomanwhosatbesidehim.
Shewasyoungandbeautiful;sheworefineclothes,andwaswhatiscalleda“lady.”Andshecalledhim“comrade”!
Heturnedalittle,carefully,sothathecouldseeherbetter;thenhebegantowatchher,fascinated.
Shehadapparentlyforgottenallabouthim,andwaslookingtowardtheplatform.
Amanwasspeakingthere—Jurgisheardhisvoicevaguely;butallhisthoughtswereforthiswoman’sface.
Afeelingofalarmstoleoverhimashestaredather.Itmadehisfleshcreep.
Whatwasthematterwithher,whatcouldbegoingon,toaffectanyonelikethat?
Shesatasoneturnedtostone,herhandsclenchedtightlyinherlap,sotightlythathecouldseethecordsstandingoutinherwrists.
Therewasalookofexcitementuponherface,oftenseeffort,asofonestrugglingmightily,orwitnessingastruggle.
Therewasafaintquiveringofhernostrils;andnowandthenshewouldmoistenherlipswithfeverishhaste.
Herbosomroseandfellasshebreathed,andherexcitementseemedtomounthigherandhigher,andthentosinkawayagain,likeaboattossinguponoceansurges.Whatwasit?Whatwasthematter?
Itmustbesomethingthatthemanwassaying,upthereontheplatform.Whatsortofamanwashe?
Andwhatsortofthingwasthis,anyhow?”
—SoallatonceitoccurredtoJurgistolookatthespeaker.
Itwaslikecomingsuddenlyuponsomewildsightofnature—amountainforestlashedbyatempest,ashiptossedaboutuponastormysea.
Jurgishadanunpleasantsensation,asenseofconfusion,ofdisorder,ofwildandmeaninglessuproar.
Themanwastallandgaunt,ashaggardashisauditorhimself;athinblackbeardcoveredhalfofhisface,andonecouldseeonlytwoblackhollowswheretheeyeswere.
Hewasspeakingrapidly,ingreatexcitement;heusedmanygestures—hespokehemovedhereandthereuponthestage,reachingwithhislongarmsasiftoseizeeachpersoninhisaudience.
Hisvoicewasdeep,likeanorgan;itwassometime,however,beforeJurgisthoughtofthevoice—hewastoomuchoccupiedwithhiseyestothinkofwhatthemanwassaying.
Butsuddenlyitseemedasifthespeakerhadbegunpointingstraightathim,asifhehadsingledhimoutparticularlyforhisremarks;andsoJurgisbecamesuddenlyawareofhisvoice,trembling,vibrantwithemotion,withpainandlonging,withaburdenofthingsunutterable,nottobecompassedbywords.
Tohearitwastobesuddenlyarrested,tobegripped,transfixed.
“Youlistentothesethings,”themanwassaying,“andyousay,‘Yes,theyaretrue,buttheyhavebeenthatwayalways.’
Oryousay,‘Maybeitwillcome,butnotinmytime—itwillnothelpme.’
Andsoyoureturntoyourdailyroundoftoil,yougobacktobegroundupforprofitsintheworld-widemillofeconomicmight!
Totoillonghoursforanother’sadvantage;toliveinmeanandsqualidhomes,toworkindangerousandunhealthfulplaces;towrestlewiththespectersofhungerandprivation,totakeyourchancesofaccident,disease,anddeath.
Andeachdaythestrugglebecomesfiercer,thepacemorecruel;eachdayyouhavetotoilalittleharder,andfeeltheironhandofcircumstancecloseuponyoualittletighter.
Monthspass,yearsmaybe—andthenyoucomeagain;andagainIamheretopleadwithyou,toknowifwantandmiseryhaveyetdonetheirworkwithyou,ifinjusticeandoppressionhaveyetopenedyoureyes!
Ishallstillbewaiting—thereisnothingelsethatIcando.
ThereisnowildernesswhereIcanhidefromthesethings,thereisnohavenwhereIcanescapethem;thoughItraveltotheendsoftheearth,Ifindthesameaccursedsystem—Ifindthatallthefairandnobleimpulsesofhumanity,thedreamsofpoetsandtheagoniesofmartyrs,areshackledandboundintheserviceoforganizedandpredatoryGreed!
AndthereforeIcannotrest,Icannotbesilent;thereforeIcastasidecomfortandhappiness,healthandgoodrepute—andgooutintotheworldandcryoutthepainofmyspirit!
ThereforeIamnottobesilencedbypovertyandsickness,notbyhatredandobloquy,bythreatsandridicule—notbyprisonandpersecution,iftheyshouldcome—notbyanypowerthatisupontheearthorabovetheearth,thatwas,oris,orevercanbecreated.
IfIfailtonight,Icanonlytrytomorrow;knowingthatthefaultmustbemine—thatifoncethevisionofmysoulwerespokenuponearth,ifoncetheanguishofitsdefeatwereutteredinhumanspeech,itwouldbreakthestoutestbarriersofprejudice,itwouldshakethemostsluggishsoultoaction!
Itwouldabashthemostcynical,itwouldterrifythemostselfish;andthevoiceofmockerywouldbesilenced,andfraudandfalsehoodwouldslinkbackintotheirdens,andthetruthwouldstandforthalone!
ForIspeakwiththevoiceofthemillionswhoarevoiceless!
Ofthemthatareoppressedandhavenocomforter!
Ofthedisinheritedoflife,forwhomthereisnorespiteandnodeliverance,towhomtheworldisaprison,adungeonoftorture,atomb!
WiththevoiceofthelittlechildwhotoilstonightinaSoutherncottonmill,staggeringwithexhaustion,numbwithagony,andknowingnohopebutthegrave!
Ofthemotherwhosewsbycandlelightinhertenementgarret,wearyandweeping,smittenwiththemortalhungerofherbabes!
Ofthemanwholiesuponabedofrags,wrestlinginhislastsicknessandleavinghislovedonestoperish!
Oftheyounggirlwho,somewhereatthismoment,iswalkingthestreetsofthishorriblecity,beatenandstarving,andmakingherchoicebetweenthebrothelandthelake!
Withthevoiceofthose,whoeverandwherevertheymaybe,whoarecaughtbeneaththewheelsoftheJuggernautofGreed!
Withthevoiceofhumanity,callingfordeliverance!
OftheeverlastingsoulofMan,arisingfromthedust;breakingitswayoutofitsprison—rendingthebandsofoppressionandignorance—gropingitswaytothelight!”
Thespeakerpaused.Therewasaninstantofsilence,whilemencaughttheirbreaths,andthenlikeasinglesoundtherecameacryfromathousandpeople.
ThroughitallJurgissatstill,motionlessandrigid,hiseyesfixeduponthespeaker;hewastrembling,smittenwithwonder.
Suddenlythemanraisedhishands,andsilencefell,andhebeganagain.
“Ipleadwithyou,”hesaid,“whoeveryoumaybe,providedthatyoucareaboutthetruth;butmostofallIpleadwithworking-man,withthosetowhomtheevilsIportrayarenotmeremattersofsentiment,tobedalliedandtoyedwith,andthenperhapsputasideandforgotten—towhomtheyarethegrimandrelentlessrealitiesofthedailygrind,thechainsupontheirlimbs,thelashupontheirbacks,theironintheirsouls.
Toyou,working-men!
Toyou,thetoilers,whohavemadethisland,andhavenovoiceinitscouncils!
Toyou,whoselotitistosowthatothersmayreap,tolaborandobey,andasknomorethanthewagesofabeastofburden,thefoodandsheltertokeepyoualivefromdaytoday.
ItistoyouthatIcomewithmymessageofsalvation,itistoyouthatIappeal.
Iknowhowmuchitistoaskofyou—Iknow,forIhavebeeninyourplace,Ihavelivedyourlife,andthereisnomanbeforemeheretonightwhoknowsitbetter.
Ihaveknownwhatitistobeastreet-waif,abootblack,livinguponacrustofbreadandsleepingincellarstairwaysandunderemptywagons.
Ihaveknownwhatitistodareandtoaspire,todreammightydreamsandtoseethemperish—toseeallthefairflowersofmyspirittrampledintothemirebythewild-beastpowersofmylife.
Iknowwhatisthepricethataworking-manpaysforknowledge—Ihavepaidforitwithfoodandsleep,withagonyofbodyandmind,withhealth,almostwithlifeitself;andso,whenIcometoyouwithastoryofhopeandfreedom,withthevisionofanewearthtobecreated,ofanewlabortobedared,IamnotsurprisedthatIfindyousordidandmaterial,sluggishandincredulous.
ThatIdonotdespairisbecauseIknowalsotheforcesthataredrivingbehindyou—becauseIknowtheraginglashofpoverty,thestingofcontemptandmastership,‘theinsolenceofofficeandthespurns.’
BecauseIfeelsurethatinthecrowdthathascometometonight,nomatterhowmanymaybedullandheedless,nomatterhowmanymayhavecomeoutofidlecuriosity,orinordertoridicule—therewillbesomeonemanwhompainandsufferinghavemadedesperate,whomsomechancevisionofwrongandhorrorhasstartledandshockedintoattention.
Andtohimmywordswillcomelikeasuddenflashoflightningtoonewhotravelsindarkness—revealingthewaybeforehim,theperilsandtheobstacles—solvingallproblems,makingalldifficultiesclear!
Thescaleswillfallfromhiseyes,theshackleswillbetornfromhislimbs—hewillleapupwithacryofthankfulness,hewillstrideforthafreemanatlast!
Amandeliveredfromhisself-createdslavery!
Amanwhowillnevermorebetrapped—whomnoblandishmentswillcajole,whomnothreatswillfrighten;whofromtonightonwillmoveforward,andnotbackward,whowillstudyandunderstand,whowillgirdonhisswordandtakehisplaceinthearmyofhiscomradesandbrothers.
Whowillcarrythegoodtidingstoothers,asIhavecarriedthemtohim—pricelessgiftoflibertyandlightthatisneitherminenorhis,butistheheritageofthesoulofman!Working-men,working-men—comrades!openyoureyesandlookaboutyou!
Youhavelivedsolonginthetoilandheatthatyoursensesaredulled,yoursoulsarenumbed;butrealizeonceinyourlivesthisworldinwhichyoudwell—tearofftheragsofitscustomsandconventions—beholditasitis,inallitshideousnakedness!Realizeit,realizeit!
RealizethatoutupontheplainsofManchuriatonighttwohostilearmiesarefacingeachother—thatnow,whileweareseatedhere,amillionhumanbeingsmaybehurledateachother’sthroats,strivingwiththefuryofmaniacstoteareachothertopieces!
Andthisinthetwentiethcentury,nineteenhundredyearssincethePrinceofPeacewasbornonearth!
Nineteenhundredyearsthathiswordshavebeenpreachedasdivine,andheretwoarmiesofmenarerendingandtearingeachotherlikethewildbeastsoftheforest!
Philosophershavereasoned,prophetshavedenounced,poetshaveweptandpleaded—andstillthishideousMonsterroamsatlarge!
Wehaveschoolsandcolleges,newspapersandbooks;wehavesearchedtheheavensandtheearth,wehaveweighedandprobedandreasoned—andalltoequipmentodestroyeachother!
WecallitWar,andpassitby—butdonotputmeoffwithplatitudesandconventions—comewithme,comewithme—realizeit!
Seethebodiesofmenpiercedbybullets,blownintopiecesbyburstingshells!
Hearthecrunchingofthebayonet,plungedintohumanflesh;hearthegroansandshrieksofagony,seethefacesofmencrazedbypain,turnedintofiendsbyfuryandhate!
Putyourhanduponthatpieceofflesh—itishotandquivering—justnowitwasapartofaman!
Thisbloodisstillsteaming—itwasdrivenbyahumanheart!AlmightyGod!
andthisgoeson—itissystematic,organized,premeditated!
Andweknowit,andreadofit,andtakeitforgranted;ourpaperstellofit,andthepressesarenotstopped—ourchurchesknowofit,anddonotclosetheirdoors—thepeoplebeholdit,anddonotriseupinhorrorandrevolution!
“OrperhapsManchuriaistoofarawayforyou—comehomewithmethen,comeheretoChicago.
Hereinthiscityto-nighttenthousandwomenareshutupinfoulpens,anddrivenbyhungertoselltheirbodiestolive.Andweknowit,wemakeitajest!
Andthesewomenaremadeintheimageofyourmothers,theymaybeyoursisters,yourdaughters;thechildwhomyouleftathometonight,whoselaughingeyeswillgreetyouinthemorning—thatfatemaybewaitingforher!
To-nightinChicagotherearetenthousandmen,homelessandwretched,willingtoworkandbeggingforachance,yetstarving,andfrontinginterrortheawfulwintercold!
TonightinChicagothereareahundredthousandchildrenwearingouttheirstrengthandblastingtheirlivesintheefforttoearntheirbread!
Thereareahundredthousandmotherswhoarelivinginmiseryandsqualor,strugglingtoearnenoughtofeedtheirlittleones!
Thereareahundredthousandoldpeople,castoffandhelpless,waitingfordeathtotakethemfromtheirtorments!
Thereareamillionpeople,menandwomenandchildren,whosharethecurseofthewage-slave;whotoileveryhourtheycanstandandsee,forjustenoughtokeepthemalive;whoarecondemnedtilltheendoftheirdaystomonotonyandweariness,tohungerandmisery,toheatandcold,todirtanddisease,toignoranceanddrunkennessandvice!
Andthenturnoverthepagewithme,andgazeupontheothersideofthepicture.
Thereareathousand—tenthousand,maybe—whoarethemastersoftheseslaves,whoowntheirtoil.
Theydonothingtoearnwhattheyreceive,theydonotevenhavetoaskforit—itcomestothemofitself,theironlycareistodisposeofit.
Theyliveinpalaces,theyriotinluxuryandextravagance—suchasnowordscandescribe,asmakestheimaginationreelandstagger,makesthesoulgrowsickandfaint.
Theyspendhundredsofdollarsforapairofshoes,ahandkerchief,agarter;theyspendmillionsforhorsesandautomobilesandyachts,forpalacesandbanquets,forlittleshinystoneswithwhichtodecktheirbodies.
Theirlifeisacontestamongthemselvesforsupremacyinostentationandrecklessness,inthedestroyingofusefulandnecessarythings,inthewastingofthelaborandthelivesoftheirfellowcreatures,thetoilandanguishofthenations,thesweatandtearsandbloodofthehumanrace!
Itisalltheirs—itcomestothem;justasallthespringspourintostreamlets,andthestreamletsintorivers,andtheriversintotheoceans—so,automaticallyandinevitably,allthewealthofsocietycomestothem.
Thefarmertillsthesoil,theminerdigsintheearth,theweavertendstheloom,themasoncarvesthestone;theclevermaninvents,theshrewdmandirects,thewisemanstudies,theinspiredmansings—andalltheresult,theproductsofthelaborofbrainandmuscle,aregatheredintoonestupendousstreamandpouredintotheirlaps!
Thewholeofsocietyisintheirgrip,thewholelaboroftheworldliesattheirmercy—andlikefiercewolvestheyrendanddestroy,likeraveningvulturestheydevourandtear!
Thewholepowerofmankindbelongstothem,foreverandbeyondrecall—dowhatitcan,striveasitwill,humanitylivesforthemanddiesforthem!
Theyownnotmerelythelaborofsociety,theyhaveboughtthegovernments;andeverywheretheyusetheirrapedandstolenpowertointrenchthemselvesintheirprivileges,todigwideranddeeperthechannelsthroughwhichtheriverofprofitsflowstothem!—Andyou,workingmen,workingmen!
Youhavebeenbroughtuptoit,youplodonlikebeastsofburden,thinkingonlyofthedayanditspain—yetisthereamanamongyouwhocanbelievethatsuchasystemwillcontinueforever—isthereamanhereinthisaudiencetonightsohardenedanddebasedthathedareriseupbeforemeandsaythathebelievesitcancontinueforever;thattheproductofthelaborofsociety,themeansofexistenceofthehumanrace,willalwaysbelongtoidlersandparasites,tobespentforthegratificationofvanityandlust—tobespentforanypurposewhatever,tobeatthedisposalofanyindividualwillwhatever—thatsomehow,somewhere,thelaborofhumanitywillnotbelongtohumanity,tobeusedforthepurposesofhumanity,tobecontrolledbythewillofhumanity?
Andifthisisevertobe,howisittobe—whatpoweristherethatwillbringitabout?
Willitbethetaskofyourmasters,doyouthink—willtheywritethecharterofyourliberties?
Willtheyforgeyoutheswordofyourdeliverance,willtheymarshalyouthearmyandleadittothefray?
Willtheirwealthbespentforthepurpose—willtheybuildcollegesandchurchestoteachyou,willtheyprintpaperstoheraldyourprogress,andorganizepoliticalpartiestoguideandcarryonthestruggle?
Canyounotseethatthetaskisyourtask—yourstodream,yourstoresolve,yourstoexecute?
Thatifeveritiscarriedout,itwillbeinthefaceofeveryobstaclethatwealthandmastershipcanoppose—inthefaceofridiculeandslander,ofhatredandpersecution,ofthebludgeonandthejail?
Thatitwillbebythepowerofyournakedbosoms,opposedtotherageofoppression!
Bythegrimandbitterteachingofblindandmercilessaffliction!
Bythepainfulgropingsoftheuntutoredmind,bythefeeblestammeringsoftheunculturedvoice!
Bythesadandlonelyhungerofthespirit;byseekingandstrivingandyearning,byheartacheanddespairing,byagonyandsweatofblood!
Itwillbebymoneypaidforwithhunger,byknowledgestolenfromsleep,bythoughtscommunicatedundertheshadowofthegallows!
Itwillbeamovementbeginninginthefar-offpast,athingobscureandunhonored,athingeasytoridicule,easytodespise;athingunlovely,wearingtheaspectofvengeanceandhate—buttoyou,theworking-man,thewage-slave,callingwithavoiceinsistent,imperious—withavoicethatyoucannotescape,whereverupontheearthyoumaybe!
Withthevoiceofallyourwrongs,withthevoiceofallyourdesires;withthevoiceofyourdutyandyourhope—ofeverythingintheworldthatisworthwhiletoyou!
Thevoiceofthepoor,demandingthatpovertyshallcease!
Thevoiceoftheoppressed,pronouncingthedoomofoppression!
Thevoiceofpower,wroughtoutofsuffering—ofresolution,crushedoutofweakness—ofjoyandcourage,borninthebottomlesspitofanguishanddespair!
ThevoiceofLabor,despisedandoutraged;amightygiant,lyingprostrate—mountainous,colossal,butblinded,bound,andignorantofhisstrength.
Andnowadreamofresistancehauntshim,hopebattlingwithfear;untilsuddenlyhestirs,andafettersnaps—andathrillshootsthroughhim,tothefarthestendsofhishugebody,andinaflashthedreambecomesanact!
Hestarts,heliftshimself;andthebandsareshattered,theburdensrolloffhim—herises—towering,gigantic;hespringstohisfeet,heshoutsinhisnewbornexultation—”
Andthespeaker’svoicebrokesuddenly,withthestressofhisfeelings;hestoodwithhisarmsstretchedoutabovehim,andthepowerofhisvisionseemedtolifthimfromthefloor.
Theaudiencecametoitsfeetwithayell;menwavedtheirarms,laughingaloudintheirexcitement.
AndJurgiswaswiththem,hewasshoutingtotearhisthroat;shoutingbecausehecouldnothelpit,becausethestressofhisfeelingwasmorethanhecouldbear.
Itwasnotmerelytheman’swords,thetorrentofhiseloquence.
Itwashispresence,itwashisvoice:avoicewithstrangeintonationsthatrangthroughthechambersofthesoulliketheclangingofabell—thatgrippedthelistenerlikeamightyhandabouthisbody,thatshookhimandstartledhimwithsuddenfright,withasenseofthingsnotofearth,ofmysteriesneverspokenbefore,ofpresencesofaweandterror!
Therewasanunfoldingofvistasbeforehim,abreakingofthegroundbeneathhim,anupheaving,astirring,atrembling;hefelthimselfsuddenlyameremannolonger—therewerepowerswithinhimundreamedof,thereweredemonforcescontending,agelongwondersstrugglingtobeborn;andhesatoppressedwithpainandjoy,whileatinglingstoledownintohisfingertips,andhisbreathcamehardandfast.
ThesentencesofthismanweretoJurgislikethecrashingofthunderinhissoul;afloodofemotionssurgedupinhim—allhisoldhopesandlongings,hisoldgriefsandragesanddespairs.
Allthathehadeverfeltinhiswholelifeseemedtocomebacktohimatonce,andwithonenewemotion,hardlytobedescribed.
Thatheshouldhavesufferedsuchoppressionsandsuchhorrorswasbadenough;butthatheshouldhavebeencrushedandbeatenbythem,thatheshouldhavesubmitted,andforgotten,andlivedinpeace—ah,trulythatwasathingnottobeputintowords,athingnottobebornebyahumancreature,athingofterrorandmadness!
“What,”askstheprophet,“isthemurderofthemthatkillthebody,tothemurderofthemthatkillthesoul?”
AndJurgiswasamanwhosesoulhadbeenmurdered,whohadceasedtohopeandtostruggle—whohadmadetermswithdegradationanddespair;andnow,suddenly,inoneawfulconvulsion,theblackandhideousfactwasmadeplaintohim!
Therewasafallinginofallthepillarsofhissoul,theskyseemedtosplitabovehim—hestoodthere,withhisclenchedhandsupraised,hiseyesbloodshot,andtheveinsstandingoutpurpleinhisface,roaringinthevoiceofawildbeast,frantic,incoherent,maniacal.
Andwhenhecouldshoutnomorehestillstoodthere,gasping,andwhisperinghoarselytohimself:“ByGod!ByGod!ByGod!”
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