jimmy is making the same anti-sectionalist argument that the populists made, and sam (who is usually relatively moderate) is making the argument that the socialists of the time were making, in opposition to it - that while violent revolt is necessary for actual change (do you know who else had guns? civil rights activists in the 60s.), you need an analysis, first.
and, indeed what happened? the populist faction (renamed "progressives") takes over the democratic party under wilson, and you get antisedition laws, and debs finds himself in jail.