The National tribune., 1886-10-14
SENTENCED TO DEATH.
Seven Chicago Anarchists to Be Hanged Dec. 5

Seven Chicago Anarchists 20 BE Hanged Dec. 8.
On Thursday of last week, the motion for
new trial having been overruled, the convicted
Chicago Anarchists were arraigned 10 receive
their sentences. Full liberty was given the
condemned men 10 talk, and as each in turn
was asked if he had anything 10 say why sem
tence should not be pronounced upon him he
responded with a prepared speech. These
speeches occupied two days, two or three of
them consuming several hours each. The men
boldly proclaimed their Anarchist doctrines,
affirming their devotion to the principles they
professed and their willingness TO die for them.
Saturday morning, when the speeches were
finished, the scene in the courtroom was
most impressive one. Judge Gary, who has
always been considered the coldest and hardest
man on the Bench, showed more emotion than
he was ever thought capable OF. His voice
faltered and he was much affected. The pris-
oners all took the sentence calmly and coolly,
except Schwab, who is n broken and nervous
man. He grew pale and gasped for breath.
The others had apparently long ago given up all
hope and knew what was coming. They have
made up their minds 10 die bravely in the hope
Of being looked upon hereafter as martyrs to
great cause. The closing scenes were watched
with the profoundest interest by the public,
and for more than an hour the street in front
Of the Court-h house was thronged by an eager
crowd, not one-tenth of whom could possibly
/
full force all over the courtroom, and there
was more than the ordinarily large attendance
of ladies.
Judge Gary was about to pronounce sentence,
when Capt. Black desired that a motion in ar
rest Of judgment should be entered. Mr.. Grin
nell having assured him that no merely tech
nical matters should interfere with the defend
ants rights, the court proceeded 10 execute the
solemn duty devolving upon him. In brief but
| impressiye words, and in tones which at any
time would have commanded respectful atten-
tion, Judge Gary gave fitting expression to the
sentence Of the court. His face worked con-
| yulsively when he began, and when he reached
the word hanged" he faltered, and could with
difficulty utter "till-you-are-dead!" !" The
last words were scarcely audible. The date
fixed was the Sd of December.
A deep hum arose and every spectator was
on his feet TO get glimpse of the prisoners.
Capt. Black arose 10 raise some technical point,
when silence was restored for a moment. When
the matter was decided the prisoners rose and
began slowly 10 walk out of the court room
with the bailiffs who had them in charge. The
| prisoners exhibited little emotion on hearing
the fatal words. As they rose Mrs. Parsons
came up and kissed her husband. Mrs. Ames
also kissed Parsons on the cheek. The relatives
of the other defendants wrung their hands, but
none of the women shed tear. They aimed
10 cheer up the copdemned men by show Of
fortitude The condemned men passed slowly
out of the court room 10 the Jail. Seven of the
prisoners-A. Il. Parsons, August Spies, Samuel
Fielden, Louis Lingg, George Engel, Michael
Schwab and Adolph Fischer-were sentenced
TO be hanged, and Oscar Neebe 10 undergo 10
years Imprisonment at hard labor.
daughter was born in West Polk street at
the same hour that its father, Samuel Fielden,
began giving reasons why sentence of death
should not be passed upon him. But few who
listened to Fielden's plea guessed the cause Of
the added bitterness in his bitter speech. The
knowledge of the scene being enacted at his
little home made his burden harder TO bear.
The mother was heartbrOken at the thought of
the improbability of her new born ever seeing
its father
The ArJeiter Zeitung the newspaper organ Of
the Anarchists, after saying that il was TO be
expected that Judge Gary would refuse the mo-
tion for new trial, said: "The first act OF the
play ended the Goth Of August, when the jury,
consisting of captalistic hirelings, declared the
defendants guilty. The second act came TO an
end yesterday when the puppet in the Judges
chair refused the Just demands of the defense,
and set the day of execution. How many acts
are TO come? How are they TO end? We can
not say. Shall we waste words on the partisan
conduct of the trial which violated every idea
of right and justice? Shall we speak of wit
nesses who were terrorized, abused by the police
and purchased2 Shall we say that the State
had not the least proof that our associates had
anything TO do with the bomb throwing? What
would be the use of it? The money-sack out
ranked labor in the court. That tells the whole
story. No, we will not waste a word upon the
the monstrosity Of this most shocking of all
trials, but what we will do is TO turn 10 you,
the working, struggling, freedom hungering
protelariat. We call on you 10 be united and
courageous in this bitter struggle, 10 hate and
condemn the existing injustice and tyranny.
Take heart. you men and women Of the people
Lay aside all little things-all which can hurt
and which are unworthy of our great cause
Shake of the old Adam of petty squabbles and
OF delay. BE men be heroines. Think of our
convicted associates; think Of those great and
noble men whose blood has flowed for freedom
and the welfare of mankind, and this will give
you courage and strength"
A Chicago dispatch, dated Sunday, Oct 10
says: At to-day's regular Sunday meeting o
the Central Labor Union the sentence of the
Anarchists was the chief topic of discussion
and various methods of raising funds will
which 10 carry the case 20 the Supreme COur
were considered. An Agitation Committee
, was finally appointed and instructed 10 go tC
! work at once and raise all the money possible
Thousand Of copies Of the speeches Of th'
doomed men were ordered printed, and will b.
scattered tbroug ghout the country