Eugene V. Debs 
Debs: His Life, Writings and Speeches, with a Department of Appreciations [PDF ebook] 
(Illustrated Edition)

Excerpt from Debs, His Life, Writings and Speeches: With a Department of Appreciations
Socialists are not hero-worshippers. We do not believe that occasionally 'great men have been created who have lifted the human race a notch higher or a degree forwarder. Neither do we put our faith in leaders.
We understand that the emancipation of the working class will not be granted by the generosity of the capitalist class, nor by the acumen and honesty of great leaders. Wage workers must trust in themselves. Their interests alone are at all times identical.