The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-02
is E. WASHINGTON ST.
Mr.. PARSONS'S GRIEVANCES.
The Anarchist Leader Tells Why He
Left Chicago, and Where He Went.
lie Complains that the Trial and Verdict Were
Influenced by Newspaper Pressure, and
Claims the Pressure Still Exists.

CHICAGO Sept 1.-The Journal this after
noon prints a long interview with the con-
demned Anarchist Parsons, respecting his de-
parture from the city. 'The day after the Hay
market meeting" said Parsons, II saw that
many people who did not even attend ii. were
being arrested and roughly handled and as I
didn't wish to court personal indignity. though9
would leave the city for awhile. Accordingly,
took midnight train and went to Elein. I
stayed there two days, putting up at boarding
house. without giving any name I then con-
eluded to go to Milwaukee, but on the way there
went to Waukesha. soon got job at painting
and carpentering and had very comfort
able time as long as I stayed there.
No one but myself was responsible for my re-
Surn and my appearance in court at the opening
OF the trial. thought [ could safely trust the
sober second thought of the community and the
love of fair play which, think is characteristic
of the American people,"
"What have you to say concerning the trial
and the verdictW
my first and gravest criticism on the trial is
that it was a trial by newspapers Your news
fairly enough, but the rest of them treated us
with monstrous Injustice. These newspapers
not only convicted US before trial, but COM
mented on the evidence as it was TAKEN"
have affected the jurors, he said: "Our convic-
tion did not depend entirely on the jury. but on
the Judge, the witnesses, the counsel and even
the bailiffs who summoned the jurors and the
very spectators. who with excited counte-
nances, crowded the court room and this path
way of the jury through the street No judge
on earth, however upright, could be unaffected
by this howl of the newspapers; no witness on
aarth could keep it from inspiring and coloring
his evidence. Indeed newspaper pressure ex-
A. d khav 1hn1A XNF fwv orA has
been quieted by the verdict but Is now seeking
10 influence the action of the Supreme Court.
For instance, the New York World, now loudly
proclaims that these men must not be permitted
10 escape, and the Indianapolis Journal demands
she incarceration and execution of our counsel.
So 1t goes.'
Concerning the verdict he says 1.-THE Jurors
we're sworn not to find us guilty, unless the evil
dence excluded every other theory except that of
cur guile, and on two pivotal points of the evi
dence the theory of our guilt was the least prob
able Of all. The first of these is the relations
of the Anarchists to the use of dynamite. There
Is a very general impression that they use dyna
mite for unlawful purposes, and that they are
the only people who have ever so used il. But
the truth is that it cannot be shown that in this
country, Anarchists have used it at all.
while it is plain matter of fact that it has been
used by dozen other classes of aeitators and
strikers; for instance. striking dry goods clerks
IN New York city, last year, blew
out a store front with it; striking miners
In the Hooking valley used it, and so
did strikers at Beverly, Mo. Only three months
ago judge was blown up with It in Canada
The car strikers in st. Louis used it, and finally
in Pennsylvania and Ohio, during the past year.
temperance people have blown up saloons with
at, and saloon keepers, in turn, have blown up
churches with it, But the American Socialists
and Anarchists have never yet hurt any body or
anything with dynamite, so far as know
"Have you any hope that the Supreme Court
will reverse it2'
Indeed l have. ! think that the list
Of errors which our counsel will be
able to present will be such
ahat 70 court can afford to ignore it If public
sentiment is again to be invoked for our destruc-
tion, there may bo some demonstrations of pub
lie sentiment in our favor, also, next time; but
even if the Supreme Court of the State should
not overturn the verdict, shall still have hope
that the United States courts will do SO, as the
general government is just as much bound to Sc
cure free speech and freedom the State of
Illinois is, and one of the instructions overrued
by Judge Gary will open the way of appeal all
the way up to the Supreme Court Of the United
States