ABSTRACT
Eugene Debs stands alone at the acme of the American socialist pyramid, a symbol of courage and dedication even to those not associated with the cause. Although other tiers contain the names of numerous victims of capitalist oppression, Debs's visage outshines all others. It is not surprising then that a fractured, minority political movement has sought to protect its one icon from vilification. Socialists, communists, and countless independent radicals have all lionized him in anecdotes, pamphlets, and full-scale biography.
