On the Vancouver Free Speech Fight 1909

Realizing the Ineffectiveness of Purely Academic and Theoretical Discussion City Officials of Vancouver Take to Clinch the Arguments of Socialist Street Speakers by “Propaganda of the Deed”

Everyone who has had experience along the line of arousing the workers to a realization of the slavish position they occupy in capitalist society and stirring them to action in defence of their own class interests, knows how difficult it is to attain results in any manner encouraging, through mere academic or theoretical discussion. Like the man from “Missouri,” the average workingman must be shown. He must have some concrete expression of a truth before he will accept it. Though speakers and writers galore may explain to him that government from top to bottom is a means whereby the ruling class enforces its domination and ownership of the working class, it must be demonstrated to him in such a manner that he can feel it before he will believe it. A few cracks over the head by a policeman’s baton, or a term in the “chaingang,” will afford more convincing argument than the combined verbosity and erudition of all the soapboxers that ever sawed the air.

Carrall street, in this city, around the vicinity of Hastings and Cordova has long been dedicated to the use of street speakers, street fakers and Salvation Army vaudeville. Peddlers of ointment for the body or balm for the soul, have been free to dispose of their wares, and he who fancied himself possessed of a message to be delivered to his fellows, either relating to mundane or heavenly matters, has been at liberty to get it off his chest at this favored spot. As far as we know, the only person who has felt particularly aggrieved over the doings around this particular locality is the master of the infernal regions, whom report hath it is much annoyed because of the raucous noises produced from the instruments manipulated by the S. A. vaudeville artists.

Evidently realizing the inefficiency of the Socialist propaganda carried on at this point, the city officials have recently taken the necessary measures to make it properly effective. In other words, they have suddenly become zealous and active in such “propaganda of the deed,” as will clinch the arguments of the soapbox orator and drive his truths home in the mind of the wage animal whose hide has hitherto been impervious to the shafts of argument and reason. Not long since six workingmen who were addressing the workers at the corner of Carrall and Hastings street were ordered to disperse themselves into circumjacent space. Refusing to do so, their names were taken by the cop delegated to open up the new propaganda. The next day they were summoned before the “beak.” One was fined five dollars. The others were dismissed for the reason that the magistrate was not sure of having made a correct guess as to the innocence or guilt of the first one. The matter was then passed up to the Supreme Court, where a similar guess was made to that of the police court. The five dollar fine was then paid. Also the costs of making both guesses.

The next individual with the gall to get up on that comer to speak to the workers was hauled into court and soaked $100. This time it being no guess but a sure thing, the chance was too good to be lost.

The next culprit was a Comrade who, after some other speakers had finished addressing a crowd, took occasion to seize the opportunity to announce a meeting the following Sunday night at the Cameraphone theatre. One of the city’s propagandists, a big, fat policeman, was promptly on hand and took the Comrade’s name. Rumor hath it that a summons is even now wandering around town in search of the culprit.

These arbitrary acts of the police authorities, coupled with a number of outrageous decisions relating particularly to juvenile offenders, dragged into the police court within recent months, resulted in the calling of a public meeting at the City Hall on Monday evening, May 17, for the purpose of calling attention to these matters. The hall was packed to the doors. A number of city “sleuths” were on hand to size up the proceedings, presumably for the purpose of reporting to the officials as to the success of the new propaganda. From the temper of the meeting, it would seem quite certain that their most sanguine expectations must have been realized.

At this meeting Comrade L. T. English announced that he would address a meeting on the street at the old corner on the following evening, either with or without the consent of the police. This announcement was greeted with an enthusiasm that portended that all hands would be there.

The meeting was held as promised. At least 1000 persons were present. A sergeant and four policemen made their appearance, and the speaker was ordered to stop speaking. This he refused to do. His name was then demanded. He promptly told the sergeant it was none of his business. The five of them thereupon waddled solemnly up the street like a flock of fat ducks. The meeting then went on without further interruption.

Whether the wise city officials will continue in their zeal to further the good work of showing to the workingmen of this city that they are merely the agents of the master class and kept for the sole purpose of holding the workers in subjection, we know not. But whatever they may in their wisdom see fit to do to further the good cause of educating the workers along the lines necessary to their deliverance from capitalist bondage, we shall welcome as worthy effort generously contributed to a good cause. If they push forward the “propaganda of the deed” as earnestly and zealously as we shall push forward the propaganda of the written and spoken word, that capitalist class that owns both city official and “wage plug” will speedily be put “hors de combat.”

Let the good work go on.

E. T. K.