Thousands of years ago the question was asked: "Am I my brother's keeper?" That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society. Eugene V. Debs More Quotes by Eugene V. Debs More Quotes From Eugene V. Debs 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. Eugene V. Debs different organization together The protection the government owes you and fails to provide, you are morally bound to provide for yourselves. Eugene V. Debs protection failing government Chicago is the product of modern capitalism, and, like other great commercial centers, is unfit for human habitation. Eugene V. Debs modern chicago cities I would not be a Moses to lead you into the Promised Land, because if I could lead you into it, someone else could lead you out of it. Eugene V. Debs moses land ifs The prison, above all others, should be the most human of institutions. Eugene V. Debs institutions prison should It is when you have done your work honestly, when you have contributed your share to the common fund that you begin to live. Eugene V. Debs volunteer done helping-others The general public knows practically nothing about the prison and appears to be little concerned about how it is managed and how prisoners are treated. Eugene V. Debs prison littles people The guns on the walls that surround the prison accurately, though unwittingly, index the true character of the penitentiary in our day. Eugene V. Debs wall gun character The people can have anything they want, the only problem is they do not want anything. Eugene V. Debs problem want people If the people would but analyze the human equation of a prison they might better account for the crimes that are visited upon them in cities, towns, and hamlets, ofttimes by men who graduated with an education and equipment for just that sort of retributive service from some penal institution. Eugene V. Debs cities men people A man should take to himself no discomfort from an opinion expressed or implied by his adversary, but it is difficult, and oftentimes humiliating to attempt to justify the kindness of one's friends. Eugene V. Debs opinion kindness men I do not oppose the insane asylum - but I abhor and condemn the cutthroat system that robs man of his reason, drives him to insanity and makes the lunatic asylum an indispensable adjunct to every civilized community. Eugene V. Debs community men insanity In the very progress of society, the prison has in the very nature of things undergone some improvement, but there are vast stretches yet to be covered before the prison becomes, if it ever does, an institution for the reclamation and rehabilitation of erring and unfortunate men and women. Eugene V. Debs progress-of-society doe men One glance proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that these unions (railroad craft unions) are exceedingly useful to the corporations; and to the extent that they serve the economic and political purposes of the corporations, they are the foes – and not the friends – of the working class. Eugene V. Debs political doubt class A prison is a cross section of society in which every human strain is clearly revealed. Eugene V. Debs prison humans crosses When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong. The minority are right. Eugene V. Debs It is better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it. Eugene V. Debs better you vote want
