The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-27
The Chicago Commune.

There are some differences of belief in
the prevailing tenets held by the.different
divisions, but the general principles
which underlie the several associations
have such marked similarity, that as to
the rest of the world they are essentially |
alike.
The principles Of communism as ex-
pressed and defined by one of their own
number may be briefly stated as follows:
Their philosophy is atheism, materialism,
''the negation of all religion; their political
programme is absolute individual liberty
"by means of the suppression Of govern
"ment, and the division of nationalities
into communes more or less federated;
their political economy consists essen
italy in the dispossession Of the present
holders Of capital, and in the assignment
''of money, land, and property to associ-
"atiops of workmen."
The Commune of Paris, Of which the
world has heard so much, and whose ex-
cesses. brutality, and bloodthirsty pro-
gramme was SO revolving to the common
sense of all mankind, was composed mostly
of Socialists, outlaws, and proletaires,rein-
forced from time to time by released con-
victs and foreign refugees-the red repub-
lican element Of other European countries.
During the French German war they
gained possession in Paris, for brief
period, of the reins Of government, but
were finally overcome, and it is said some
twenty-five thousand of their members
we're taken prisoners, the principal leaders
suffered capital punishment, and several
thousands of the common class were driven
out of the country. Many Of these are now in
the United States, aud though their num-
bers, considered merely as such, fare an in
significant proportion of the people at large,
they are still sufficiently numerous and
their associations are so openly defiant of
all our recognized ideas of social order and
good government that their presence is
sensibly felt, especially in cities with a
large element having similar sentiments
and tendencies. Their chief role in the
eyes Of the public is the pretence Of being
refugees and martyrs in a struggle for
liberty against oppression.
Their organizations and associations
invariably take on the characteristics
OF secret league" and the
press of Chicago is just now en-
gagged in uttering solemn warnings against
their Vaccinations in that city, and their
quasl-military preparations and company
drill. At the spring elections of the pres
ent year, they claim to haYe polled in Chi
eago 5000 votes, and the muttered threats
which are heard from time to time of their
evil intentions in regard to persons and
property are not calculated to inspire any
hopes Of future good resulting from theil
continued existence as organized bodies
Their presence, and the nature of thei
professed principles are a standing menac
to society; they become the nucleus arouu,
which gather all the vicious and wicke
elements Of the slums and alleys of tn
city; and when acting politically, find cor
genial associates and allies in the scr
heads, and the disaffected, soured, an
broken down politicians of other partie.
1t is this class of community who cor
stitute the lawless and goddess dregs, tb
vicious and reckless substratum, which
ever ready for violence, and always
hand to participate in riots and bloodshet
Their teachings and their proclivities al
the impulses and acts of the vilest an
most desperate Of the human specie
The riots of July last show their ''es
marks aud their dangerous interference
were at outs with their employel
on the question Of wages, and la
peacefully desisted from their customal
labor, the communists stepped 10 ar
precipitated collision, provoked cofli
with tho local authorities, and succecdt
by mob violence and the torch OF inceI
diaries IN destroying millions Of propert
They bat repeated here on a subo
dina.e scale the fearful and diabolic
scenes of the Infatuated commune Of Pal
in the throes and agony of devastatil
war, Processing to act in the sacred mar
OF Liberty they prOfane the mar
aud destroy its conditions; clail
ing to act in behalf of Z
interests of the people their policy ten
to reduce society to the lowest depths
ruin, and to destroy or drive away veal
and responsibility; as a means of COVER
ment, their secret leagues" and "oa
bound as ;ociations" are odious and in co
travention Of human rights and progress
and as an engine of social strife and t
center Of destructive agencies and irl
spOnsble murderous mob rule, their orga
izations are abhorrent and destable to
intelligent and right minded citizens.
There is but one way to deal with COZ
muuism of this dangerous and turbue
disorganiziDg character. At every attem
made to carry their wild projects IL
execution through violence and lawlessne
they should be mercilessy depressed
the strong hand of lawfully constltut
authority. Any class of people incapaI
OF approaching the blessings of order a
due administration of law under repr
sentative form of government should
forcibly compelled to submit to the ma
dates of the law on every occasion OF
sistance or outbreak.
=
Will Senator COnkling speak3