Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-11-25
knights on Dangerous Ground.

We last week stated that the obi
um of the crime committed by an
archists in the Newmarket massacre
on May 18th, had in a measure, but
all unjustly, attached to the labor
organizations. This fact is very
unpleasant to contemplate but an
effort to ignore or evade 1t is in no
measure a remedy. Only long
period Of dignity and continued en-
deayor TO sustain and enforce the
law could lift this burden imposed
upon the organization by force of
circumstances. But the order has
upon its rolls dangerous and law
less element that has not been disci-
plined. and which usurps the office Of
their eminent and we believe wise
and judicious commander. The tel
egraph OF yesterday conveyed reso-
lutions passed by Assembly So,
X. L., of Denver. Colo, expressing
the opinions that the seven anarch-
lists now under sentence of death in
Chicago were innocent of the crime
charged; that their conviction was
brought about by conspiracy on
the part Of the court, council and
attendants; that they were prose
cuted for no other reason than that
they were prominent in labor move
ments; condemning the sentence of
Judge Gary, and lastly asking exec
utiye clemency of the governor of
Illinois.
In Chicago there has been formed
the Anarchist Amnesty Association,
vehemently disclaiming the title OF
anarchists or communists, but which
nevertheless denounces the verdict OF
Judge Gary in the anarchists trial
and demands the Communication of
the sentence. The speakers at Il
meeting of this society Tuesday
evening were successful candidates
on the united labor ticket IN the
recent elections.
The immense power Of the great
body of laborers in the United States
is undisputed, indeed includes
the masses Of men who gain
a livelihood by toll, and their avow-
ed purposes are laudable and COM
snand the ENCOURAGEMENT Of all. But
the action of the X. of l.. assembly
and the Chicago organization above
named cannot receive the sanction
OF law abiding citizens and only
tend to reflect discredit and dishon-
or upon the order. While deeply
regretting the cost to human life
an execution of the sentence passed
upon the seven condemned anarch.
lists involves, citizens who are alive
to the welfare of America and Amer
lean citizenship could not wish to see
the sentence revoked or committed.
The anarchists have sustained, fos-
tered and advocated a theory that
threatens to dethrone American JUS
tice, which nothing but strict en-
forcement of existing laws can avert.
The spirit was tolerated and its
smothered flame in federation was
nursed, by the good people Of Chi
cago, until the crisis was precipitated
by the offenders, and now that they
have brought themselves within the
clutches of the law justice should not
be Inverted by sentiment and sym
pathy-humane, but without justifi-
cation in reason.
In passing these resolutions the
knights are on dangerous ground
because in interceding for the con,
demned and sentenced criminals they
bring upon the order universal a dis,
creditable responsibility that it car
ill afford, and which cannot be cas-,
off at will. Their united power il
becoming a recognized factor in pol
itics and their influence must be low
al to insure it continued support
The laboring men have wrong.
which their organization has beer
effected to remedy, but they mus
not expect support and endorsement
from the masses if they will assocl
ate themselves, in part or IN whole
with this disrupting clement. o
course it is but small portion o
that body pleading for the con
demned men, but it will be Difficult
for the public mind to make the dis
tinction the better major eiemen
would hope for, and lack Of publ,
confidence in the sincerity of thei
intentions or the ability OF the bette
part to WELD the mighty whole will
vitiste the influence the body il
striving to attain.