Open Letter to Eugene V. Debs – Lucille Norman (1911)

_{Lucille (Lucia) Norman Guidero (step-daughter of Ricardo Flores Magón), left, and Mercedes Figueroa (daughter of Anselmo L. Figueroa), right}

From ‘ Regeneración’, English Section, August 12, 1911, Los Angeles, edited by William C. Owen

Dear Sir:

I have been reading your article, “The Crisis in Mexico,” in the “International Socialist Review,” wherein you disagree with Magon and others for using “direct action.”

You say the people must be organized, educated and so on, in order to gain their rights. It is just because they are not educated that they are not competent to vote; but they are educated enough to know that nothing will ever be accomplished by charlatan politicians. As long as these are elected to authority they will deceive the people, as the Socialists have done in France.

Furthermore, what will the people gain by the election of a Socialist government? Will these men produce any of life’s necessities? Then, will they not live at the expense of the people, as under the present system?

Again you say: “What would the masses, in their present ignorant and unorganized state, do with them — the land, factories, railroads, etc. — after having obtained them?” What would they do, indeed? What have they been doing? What have they done for centuries? Who works these things — the workers or the so-called owners? Would the workers starve and perish after creating their own production? So, how can you ask, Mr. Eugene Debs, “What would they do with them?”

You state also that the capitalists will protect their property with American soldiers. They surely will if the slaves of this country — especially the Socialists — keep dumb from fear, because “direct action” is being used, thus leaving to be crushed the only way of obtaining human rights.

Do not the Socialists’ principles teach that the people are the “law of earth” and the real power on earth? Then why do you describe the people as so humble and cowardly, and capitalism as the monstrous power that can crush the people’s movement at will?

You write that “the overthrow of Diaz will mean at least the right to organize the working class.”

The right to organize, and free press and free speech, are all a mockery. Free press! When “Regeneracion” is not allowed in that country! Free speech! When men are imprisoned for speaking against Madero!

The Mexican race would perish of hunger if it waited to gain its liberties by political action.

LUCILLE NORMAN