“On the 1917 Conscription Election. 1917” in “Class Warrior”
On the 1917 Conscription Election 1917
Excerpts of a speech by Kingsley in Victoria’s Knights of Pythias Hall on 10 November 1917, in support of Labor candidates Albert Wells and Joseph Taylor in the 1917 federal “conscription election.”
Nothing Good but Reign of Socialism
“First Grand Rally and Organization” Meeting Hears Three “Grouchy” Speakers; Collects $34; Closes; Nothing Else Done.
Three speakers, each with a determined “grouch” against things in general and everything in particular, addressed the “First Grand Rally and Organization” meeting held on Saturday night at the K. of P. Hall. These were A. S. Wells, a candidate for Victoria City; J. Taylor, a candidate for Nanaimo; and E. T. Kingsley, editor of the B. C. Federationist, Vancouver. At the commencement, E. J. Herron, chairman, said they would be open to answer questions after the speakers had finished.
But when, at 10.30, that time arrived, and he inquired for questions, none were asked, the chairman considering this a sign of satisfaction. Another interpretation was that the audience was glad to get a chance to get away. after the very long remarks, lasting one and a half hours, Mr. Kingsley had seen fit to make in his indignation at the ruling classes. A collection of $34.10 was made at half-time, but there was no mention of any organization work.
Both Are “Pious”
E. T. Kingsley’s very lengthy speech was an uncompromising and bitter attack, not even as comparatively moderate as those which had previously been heard, in which he hit all and sundry. He said it was an appeal to “the men and women who did the world’s work, and were ready to do all and dare all for the cause of democracy and human liberty.” Mr. Kingsley’s home is in Vancouver, and, in connection with one of the Tribunal Board’s there, he alluded to Judge Grant and Prof. Odium as “two most insufferable hypocrites, although both pious,” adding that if any two worse could be found he would give thirty cents for the Federation campaign “right then.”
The following are some of Mr. Kingsley’s remarks:
- “No war for liberty has ever been fought. They have all arisen out of quarrels over shares of products.”
- “This war has been paid for by the men, women and children who were living in 1914—and some of whom are living yet. Wealth never did pay for war, and never could. Neither can any people who live after us pay for it. The accumulated wealth of the world consists only of figures in bank balances.”
- “The loss of the spawn of the upper classes is not so great as that of the workers, which is a fact in which I console myself.”
- “I do not want to discourage anyone else as to contributing to the Victory Loan, but wherever there is a government on the top of the earth financially sound it is not necessary for that government to go out and negotiate loans, for if its bonds are good its treasury notes are good. In the last analysis, of course, they will all go bankrupt.”
“Band of Political Rogues”
“If you elect the bunch at Ottawa, stick to them, and you will have them to the end of time.”
“The War-time Election Act has been placed on the Statute Book by the greatest band of political rogues unhung. They are not a ‘Win the War’ party, but a ‘Win the Election’ party.”
“The enumerators may make out any old list they like.”
“I would not advise anyone to go contrary to the law, but I would consider it a joke if anyone—say down at Halifax—asked for his name to be put on at the last minute, and then, if it wasn’t put on, got vexed and went out and smashed some windows.”
“Forgot” to Register
“Thousands have ‘forgotten’ to register, and in the United States 50 per cent of drafters are still running wild in the bush. I do not want to encourage them, for if there is anything in which I am a sticker it is in upholding the law, and the law is the edict of the master to determine the conduct of the slaves.”
“There is only one place for progressive men and women, and that is to seize the reins of political power. All should register their kick against this iniquitous thing. I freely admit there are thousands of men among the Liberals and Conservatives just as honest and sincere as the workers, but they have been led away by Borden, Sifton and others.”
“Always the term ‘Government’ abnegates the term ‘democracy.’ This war is lost to the ruling classes of all the world, now, and there is nothing on earth that can bring the war to a conclusion except the class of the great producers of wealth. The fundamental crime is universal slavery.”
—“Nothing Good but Reign of Socialism,” Victoria Daily Times, 12 Nov. 1917, 17. See also “Labor Federation Candidates Speak,” Victoria Daily Times, 24 Nov. 1917, 13; “Federation Nominee Is Not to Withdraw,” Victoria Daily Times, 26 Nov. 1917, 11.
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