JIM LARKIN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3509, 8 December 1913, Page 6

JIM LARKIN

THE DARLING OF DUBLIN

“CLARION” CHARACTER ' SKETCH.

Disquising myself as a representative of the'“'Clarion,” I breathed the magic word “Boots!” and in the twinkling of an eye X was ushered into the presence (writes R. B. Suth T ers in tlie “Clarion”). Before I could ejaculate “Eureka I'M-1 was clasped in the arms of a brawny ruffian, who whispered “Spur-r-rs!” with a voice as soft as the kiss of a filtered moonbeam. When I recovered I discovered, to my astonishment, -that it was not a brawny ruffian at all, merely a blueeyed broth of a boy, with as modest and shy a deportment as—as a ion” representative. I thought he was Larkin, but—- “ You ‘are’ Larkin?” I queried. “Lord, don’t you remember meeting me at the Clarion Cafe opening?” I said “Yes” not because I did, and not because I was there, for I was not; but this is the third time I have been reminded of my presence there by people who did* see me. I must have a- double. When you are confronted by a person ivho does not look as if he had enough ruffian in him to terrify a mouse, it seems unnecessary to ask how lie came to be such a terror. “Were you born a scoundrel, or is it due to environment?” I asked.. “I was a Socialist before I ' was born,” said Larkin, “and I’ve been one ever since.. I didn't- learn my Socialism from books, or pamphlets. I was distributed leaflets when I was thirteen. Hard facts made me a Socialist in life.” “You are an Irishman ?" I asked, with, reference to his Irish-American accent. “Born in Down,” he replied, “of poor and honest parents. \\ e were seven. Moved to Liverpool at an early age, and been working ever since. Been in all parts of the world, including South. America.” “Have you ever been in gaol?” I asked. “Of course. You remember the ease a- couple of years ago. I did three months out of the twelve, then I was released.” “There are certain persons, in Ireland who thifik you ought to b& locked up for life. AY hat have you done to deserve this distinction?” “Just a little propaganda,” said Larkin. “We’ve had five years organising the transport workers and general laborers, and we've done things. That’s alt the trouble. AYe've not cackled only. AYe've lifted tho men and women out,of the bog and put them on firm ground. Alen that didn’t dare to ask for a rise in wages the last twenty years have- got advances of four shillings a ,■ week. AYe've given the people a new hope. AA’e've made them see the folly of fighting each other over religious and political differences, and united them oti the basis of human need. AA'e're out to destroy the capitalist- system. We don’t hide our object. We're not out for higher wages. We're out for Socialism, and we’re ready to use any. and every method of attack, be it strikes or political means. AA.e’ve put nine men on the Town Council in Dublin, tv here a few years'ago tlie majority were publicans and slum owners. AYe -don’t forget the educational side of our ’work. A\ e have classes of all kinds for men, women, and children. AYe teach them to sing and to dance. We have our own park of sixteen acres, where they can learn to cultivate the earth. AYe are going to show them that it is possible to live without-the capitalist employer.” “And what is going to happen in Dublin?” I asked. “Are you going to win ?” “We’re going to win,” said Larkin, with-a- sudden flash in his eyes. “But if the supplies are not sufficient to enable the people to hold out ?” “Well, even if we went-' back we shouldn’t be beaten. It Would only be a temporary set-back. But the funds are coming in. This strike has done a wonderful thing for Labor in bringing the two sides of the movement together—Co-operation to the help of Trade Unionism. That’s the line to go-on. -The workers must realise that this fight is every working man's .and woman’s fight. Then we shall win, and in winning we shall win more than the paltry increases of wages the employers are kicking against.”

Afterwards 1 heard Larkin speak at the meeting in the Memorial- Hall, and learned solve more reasons why he is able to dupe so many Irishmen and women into rebellion against their evil conditions of life. It is because he is one of them, one who has gone through the null and lived and worked on the raw eug-e of life, and is able to speak to them in their own language and teach them the lessons of his and their own experiences, that he wields such influence over. them. He speaks from the heart, more than the head, and what he says is molten hot- with the sense of brotherhood and common humanity. No wonder Larkin is adored in Dublin. He has done great things in the last five years. Let us hope he will do still greater things in the next five.