The very moment a workingman begins to do his own thinking he understands the paramount issue, parts company with the capitalist politician and falls… - Eugene V. Debs

Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation.

I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.

This assemblage is exceedingly good to look upon. I wish it were possible for me to give you what you are giving me this afternoon. What I say here amounts to but little; what I see here is exceedingly important. You workers in Ohio, enlisted in the greatest cause ever organized in the interest of your class, are making history today in the face of threatening opposition of all kinds—history that is going to be read with profound interest by coming generations.