New-York tribune., 1886-08-22
ROMB THROWERS.

Bombs have no honest or lawful use. The
man who explodes them is not the only
sinner He who carries or keeps them,
seeking an opportunity to murder by means
of them the man who makes them, know
ing that they can be used for no lawful
or honest purpose; the man who counsels
their procurement or use, no matter on what
pretext, all are equally partakers In crime, and
for them all American justice has the hangmans
moose. Such is the verdict at Chicago; not
mere conviction of individuals, but de-
iberate verdict that each and every step
toward the use of bomb is a step toward muir
der. This trial would miss much of the most
valuable fruit which should repay for all Its
sacrifices and its delays if this feature of its re-
suit should be overlooked. The explosive is a
cowardy weapon, for it is one which no man
will ever use who has any confidence in the
Justice of his cause. 1t is criminal
weapon, for it can be used only by
those who know that the laws of free country,
administered by free and upright men, would
hang them for the deed they want to do 1t is
the weapon of fiend, who is willing to slaugh-
ter many with whom he has no quarrel in order
to reach one whom he hates. Because it cannot
possibly be employed in any other than an In
famous way, for any other than an infamous
purpose, it is well that the instigator, the
maker the carrier and the user of the bomb
should hang on one gallows.
Certain Anarchists profess to believe that the
verdict of the Chicago jury was attained by
improper influences. WrOng-headed and base
as these enemies of society are. it can hardly
be r,dited that they really believe whatthey as
sert. On the contrary. the men who utter SLAM
der so wicked need to be marked themselves as
persons unfit to live In civilized society. For
no man has any right to share in the protection
or the benefits which society cOnfers. who does
not clearly realize that the bomb murderer is
the personal enemy of every decent citizen, and
ought to be put out of the way one kills
poisonous snakes. Political and social thco-
ries have nothing to do with this matter A
man may believe just what he likes about the
Justice or wisdom of existing laws or social ar
rangements. But if he attempts to change the
existing order of things by methods which IN
volve primarily the murder OF unoflending
persons, and finally the overthrow of all the
institutions that separate civilized com
munity from the wild beasts, he is fit only for
the eallOws.
| 1t isa wholesome thing that public opinion
found full and vigorous expression in Chicago
during the progress of the trial and hen the
verdict became known to the people of that
city. There was no mstaking the temper of
the crowd which gathered about the court
building. Its cheers told the Anarchists
that they were hated, and the merci-
less punishment of their crime was de-
manded with even more intense feeling
by the honest working people of Chicago than
by any capitalist or employer. This fact alone
should teach the Anarchist that no other jury
could be expected to excuse his crime. The
"plain people," who compose the great body of
| the population and from whom uries are drawn
know that their own lives and personal rights
are safe only because the laws are faithfully
enforced. The Anarchist who is the enemy of
law, is therefore the enemy of all that the hon
est citizen holds dearest and is most ready to
defend with his life. Nothing but the enforce
ment of just laws stands between the thief and
the earnings of every honest worker. Moth
ing but the enforcement of just laws
stands between the brutality of any
ruflian or the private vengeance of any
foe and the life Of decent citizen.
Nothing but the enforcement of just laws pro-
tects against lust or violence his home and
family. These truths the rich realize less
keenly than the poor. 1t is not the capitalist
or the millionaire whom the Anarchist has
most to fear, but the PLAIN people, the homes
workingmen, who know that just laws alone
defend them in their most precious interests
and rights