Debs' totally bombastic (and completely awesome) opening paragraph is a classic example of parallelism. In fact, it's so nice he does it twice.

"I said then, and I say now" is simple parallelism. But it's how he introduces the most often quoted and perfectly parallel part of the speech that shows off his oratorical chops:

[…] while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free. (2)

Dang, that's good.

Notice how clause begins with "while there is" and how he ends each clause with "I am." This parallel structure emphasizes beautifully his point that no matter how low the social group, Debs feels a kinship to that group. The repetition of the phrases and the descent into lower and lower groups skillfully draws the reader deeper and deeper into Debs' identification with the masses…and deeper and deeper into having insane levels of respect for Debs' speechifying skillz.