Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-27
DYNAMITE Atrocities

The attempt to blow up the Parliament
buildings in London calls attention anew
to the atrocious character of the work by
dynamite fends. These are not the
buildings which Guy Fawkes and his
accomplices attempted to destroy with
gunpowder, in 1905. The erection of the
present buildings was begun in 1910.
They constitute a vast pile. covering nine
statute acres. They contain 100 apart
ments, 100 staircases, and two miles of
passages or corridors. They are the finest
buildings in the world for the purposes
for which they were erected. Fortunate
ly they are not so damaged but that they
can be repaired and made as perfect as
before the explosions occurred.
But the vandalism of attempting to
wreck these magnificent buildings is one
of the least of things to be considered in
connection with such an affair. Of course
the object of the intended destruction was
to wreak vengeance upon the government
or frighten its members into change OF
policy in some respect ;-perhaps in rela-
ton to Ireland. But the blow fell not upon
the persons intended. but upon men, wo-
men and children utterly innocent of any
wrong towards the men who planned and
executed the devilish work or any political
wishes or projects with which they
were connected. And it is true
we believe of nearly all such desperate
and wholesale attempts to destroy persons
and property that the suffering and loss of
life occasioned fall upon others than those
intended by the perpetrators to feel the
blow.
The ultimate effect of such atrocities
will be to concentrate public sentiment
against them, and weaken the cause,
though it be essentially right, to further
which they are protessedly attempted.
The world must and will combine to stamp
out the race of dynamite fends. For if
they are not stamped out, but are permit
ted to continue their diabolical operations,
they may extend them against all govern
ments and even against private individu-
ais for alleged private wrongs. No gov
eminent will be safe from their attacks.
1t is Parliament that suffers to-day.
but it may be Congress next. 1t is public
wrong which furnishes the present pre-
text, but it may be alleged private wrong,
as in the recent case in Connecticut, that
arranges and prepares the instruments of
destruction. 1t is danger which menaces
civilized society everywhere, in America
as in England or Russia. 1t might destroy
tyrants and tyranny, but if at the same
it slaughtered innocence and tore down
the securities of persons and property
which the laws afford to mankind, the
evil which it would cause would be greater
than that which it would destroy.
We are pleased to see that Mr.. Ed
munds has introduced a bill in the Senate
aimed against this dynamite business. We
hope that or some other measure similar in
character and purpose will become law
before Congress adjourns. 1t is high
time that our government set its face
against the use of dynamite, as in the
recent instance at London,-though we
fancy that If the truth is discovered it will
be found that the base of operations in
this and in other instances which have
occurred in Europe, is on that hemisphere
and not upon this.
We sympathize with Ireland in her
wrongs. They are great and ought to be
redressed. But organized assassination
and dynamite fiends are not the means by
which the expressions of Ireland will be
lessened, but rather the means by which
they will be increased if possible.