The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-22
Wednesday. May "a. 1873.
The Commune L. St. Louis.

The late demonstration by the commune
or socialists 10 st. Louis was certainly an
imposing affair as regards the number who
formed the procession.
It is stated that the societies marched
four and eight abreast and the column was
nearly or quite mile in length.
The numerical strength Of the display,
great as it was, is said to have fallen far
short of the actual number of those who
are either members or active sympathizers.
1t is claimed that many who belong to the
different branches of the communists
refralned from joining in the public display
from prudential reasons. fearing the effect
upon their business relations or employ
ment. knowing they would probably be
observed and marked.
The general assemblage was held at
Lindell park, where the gathering amount
ed to twelve or fifteen thousand people, and
where speeches were delivered. Although
trouble was anticipated by many, and a
large police force was detailed to preserve
order, no outbreak occurred, anG the more
turbulent spirits contented themselves
with uttering and applauding socialistiC
sentiments. During the speeches, shouts
of Revolution! Revolution were raised by
some OF the holder enthusiasts but nc
nearer approach was made to acts of open
violence.
The broadcast commune principles were
advocated and we're received with tumult-
uous applause. The merely marching in
procession, and even the large display Of
numerical strength significant as they may
seem, are comparatively nothing when
considered by themselves, but taken in
connection with the nature Of the doctrines
proclaimed and the sentiments of the
speakers which were so loudly applauded
and cheered, such proceedings are not
without significance and portent which
cannot pass unheedeG among the thinking
people of the country. As an illustration
of our remarks we append some of the
utterances Of one of their principal speak
ers:
The flag of communism is looked upon
'as a red spectre by the moneyed classes.
They tremble at the very sight Of it;
they think that it means robbery, blood
':shed, rapine, murder, and incendiarism.
They are mistaken; it means unity,
liberty, fraternity, equity. The platform
''of the socialists is easily told, and they
ARE not ashamed of it. The earth is large
enough for all the people on it; it is large
enough to give to every man as much as
"he needs for his own existence and that
''of his family. Man lives here forty, fifty.
sixty, aud eighty years; he brings nothing
with him when he enters the world. and
''he takes nothing with him when he leaves
ut. This is true of all men; all are on an
equally at birth and at death; but the
equality disappears altogether in life A
small portion of the people are not
satisfied with their share of the earth's
riches; they must have more, aud they
take more. They are not content with
twenty, thirty, or forty acres of land, but
must have ten thousand acres, anC
deprive large number of their friends o
"even enough to build house on" A
this point the shout of Revolution wa
raised, and the excitement baffled de
scriptiop. Walster told his hearers, tha
1.-THE time of the workingmen had com
"and that their wrongs were now to b
"righted; all that was necessary was 70
them to stand together for their rights
and capital must go down. He predicts
that in brief space of time all men wou
stand on equality as regarded property
and the government would guarante
Just wages and compensation to ever
man for his labor" In the differer
speeche the prospect of bloodshed wa
freely referred to, and the socialists wer
told by their leaders that their principle
were to be put in force regardless
consequences