Channels, Spring 2017

P age 64 Schwartz • Inspiration or Distraction? different and dangerous. Despite this fundamental problem, Debs still ran a good race in Indiana, beating out the Democratic candidate to finish in second to the Republican frontrunner. Nevertheless, Debs had successfully returned to the fray. The question became whether or not he could bring the Party back together and cement its long-term significance with what strength he had left. There was no doubt about Debs’ continued popularity among American Socialism in general and within the Party in particular. In fact, it was perhaps during this twilight period in Debs’ career when he had the greatest personal appeal. More and more Debs became idolized, not for his success, but for his continued effort, which naturally turned analysis away from a political focus to a personal focus. One contemporary described Debs as “a great American whose extraordinary courage was the outgrowth of an unfailing humanity.” 64 Debs’ fame expanded beyond purely Socialist circles into a national audience, with a publication as prestigious as Time Magazine running a very positive story about his character. It contained an anecdote about a visit Debs paid to an obscure anarchist named Tom Mooney in jail and Debs’ kind, humble stooping to Mooney’s level. “I’d give you the shirt off my back, Tom” Debs said and gave Mooney a “big hug” and “a long kiss on the cheek.” 65 This sacrificial, unselfish character had worked within the Socialist Party for almost 25 years, creating a large degree of deference and respect for Debs. To some degree, a desire not to jeopardize this heroic standing lay behind some of Debs’ withdrawal from fractious Party politics, although at this point his venerable legendary status made him almost untouchably free from criticism. As one commentator noted, the Socialists had never been more disorganized or demoralized following the failures of 1916, but the Party was more confident than ever for the upcoming campaign of 1920. Debs was back, and he was “easily the biggest and warmest personality among the presidential candidates.” This personality would do “most of the Socialist Party campaigning.” 66 While his personality alone would not win an election, with such faith and support within the Party, it was not too late at this stage for Debs to achieve an internal Party unity and ideological strength that could provide the foundation for success in the future. Unfortunately, events in Russia intervened to create even more internal division and external resistance for the Socialist Party of America. As the Bolshevik Revolution occurred, the rump of the revolutionary left-wing of the Socialist Party of America was energized and inspired. Debs wrote, “From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet I am a Bolshevik and proud of it.” 67 When Moscow created the Third International, a proposed gathering for 64 Mussey, Henry Raymond. 1930. "A Great American." Nation 131, no. 3398: 206. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2016). 65 1923. "Mr.Debs' Heart." Time 2, no. 7: 7. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2016). 66 Gannett, Lewis S. 1920. "The Socialist Campaign." Nation 111, no. 2884: 401. Points of View Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2016). 67 Salvatore, Nick. 1982. Eugene V. Debs : citizen and socialist. n.p.: Urbana : University of Illinois Press, ©1982., 291.