Telegram-herald., 1886-12-25
What Doe Liberty Mean

GRAND RAPIDS Dec. 3. lSeO.
70 ihe Edilor q the TELEssAN HkEALD:
Isn't it about time that this broad. open
word liberty be defined, aud the deeds
done in the name of conscience be limited
I make this inquiry because / see that the
municipal council OF Paris and the ge neral
council Of the Seine have petitioned for the
pardon Of the Chicago anarchists. Also, in
an interview with Mr.. Johrir, one of the
most induential members Of the municipal
c0pncil. A. 70 what object the city OF Paris
had in interesting itself in the Chicago an
arch,sts condemned 70 death. He said
We believe they acted As men, according
20 their convictions. They may be right.
they may re wrong. but a. free, liberal Re
publican frenchmen. We can not see men
who act according 10 the dictates of their
own conscienCes condemned 10 death with
out protest. Liberty Of conscience is su-
Dreme'
What is the true inten. and meaning OF
the whole thing? Why IL il this. There Is
not a crime 50 black and diabOiical but il
masked in the disguise o. some Goxy,
scheme or theory free liberal republican
NJ ust approve ani Justify them and theirs.
Conscience is TO be every mans supreme
iaw and guide Hence. what right have
yOu or 7 To- question It's decision, although
THAT conscience may be distorted. warped
and dissipated by riding some pet HOBBY or
imaginary wrong ! believe that most of
the clashing. chatting and discOrd IN the
home. state and country. IS the result OF
this crying liberty, liberty. and then leav-
inr us meaning undeuned thus confusing
aud demOraliEng those who DO no. reason
Duf act by impulse We preach that liberty
of conscience is supreme, then shackle them
Vith balls AMI chains. ana let them wither
IN dungeon vaults. II 10 Is put into practice.
We give a permit then hang the victim for
using 10. We cry liberty for every man,
woman and child, :hen shoot them like
beasts because they take t. Talk about The
folhes and bufcneries Of the bsrbaric ages.
Talk about dirt eating hole living men.
They we're saints compared with this age,
Cor they burned and turned the thumb
screws on their enemy. but We shackle
shoot and hang men for doing just what
they have besuitOid 90 10. This is wrong.
th's Is devhsh. and there vill come a dsy
when assassination. robbery and ireaChery
will bssk in the iight OF day-Then clouds
of blood will hang in dsrkening folds over
the heads - every man. woman and child
Nes. when conscience will scamper and
death declare AT eternal sieep.
There are two kinds OF liberty. one kind
w'll ylve 'ifs. toe other viii Kill One will
drag person down a. low a. dirt. the other
vi i'm them as high as the heavens. one
il as hard heartiess snd crushing ss dyua-
mite. fhe other rs a. S0ff and tender as he
wo~i prsti.ed hy two lovers. inst born ia,o
fhsr srSt owe And The only hope for
svc-T man. woman and child is for them 70
use ne right and strsnris the life ont 81
fle false "a. The only hope for orr
homes. states ard country - 20 build On tie
n sar. and crash che false. + would a. soon
think of binding a lighthouse on 4 swell
ing hiiiow. pr castle 0r rolling cloud AZ
or a ti,sracter on a Slverv -ao0n1eam "a 20
think 0i rearing home A government ~
The destiny of every nan. woman aud
rnE5 a1 test arcai. w de-open nndef aei
word oertr sssef 11 every socialis Sc. c9m-
m1n, 81. anarchist dgis. tramp AL iosfsr s
conscience.
T r r-srrrR