The Labor enquirer., 1886-12-11
The X. of l.. and the Anarchists.

? The General Assembly of Knights OF
Labor at Richmond, passed resolutions
as follows:
Resolved, That this General Assem-
bly, appeals for mercy for the seven men
of Chicago condemned TO be executed.
Resolved, That, while asking for
mercy for the condemned men, we
are not in sympathy with the acts of
the Anarchists or any attempt of indi-
viduals or associated bodies that teach
or practice violent infractions of the
law, believing that peaceful methods
are the surest and best means to secure
necessary reforms"
These resolutions, which seem to have
been passed for the purpose of etfecting
public opinion, seem to US to very lnad-
eeuatelY express the feeling of the work
ingmen of this country, and especially
members of labor organizations, in re-
gard to the Chicago Anarchists. The
second resolution is simply a defense
against an anticipated attack to be made
bv enemies of the order on account of
the first.
Now, instead of inviting an attack and
then defending against it by simple
disavowal, we think it would have been
better for this representative body Of
worklngmen to have asked for the par
don of the men in terms that would
leave no doubt about the position of
the order, by stating just what grounds
the demand-for it should have been a
demand, if ANYTHING, since 1t is justice
not mercy that should be claimed-was
based on. The grievance that American
workipgmen have in this case, is not
the conviction of these men-not even
their wrongful convictlon-by the jurv.
That was wrong done to individuals.
Innocent men may and often do suffer
without importing public interests or
rights. II that were all there were in
this case, the resolutions passed would
be we'll enough. But that is not the
reason that impelled the General AS
sembly to act at all in the matter. It
was, we believe, the declaration of
Judge Gary, in denying motion for
new trial, which was to the effect that
the essential part Of the case against
them was not the allegations that they
had something to d. with the throwing
of the fatal bomb, but that the! had
written articles or made speeches which
had tendency to cause similar crimes.
That he declared to be murder, and re-
fused the motion on that ground.
So these men are to be hanged, not for
killing anybody, but for writing or speak
ing something that mayor NAV not
have led to somebody being killed. If
this decision is not reversed, the Il!i-
nois court stands committed to a con-
struction of law that will permit per
son to be hanged for simply expressing
his honest opinions on public questions.
1t is this construction of law that the
General Assembly should have thrown
the weight of It's protest against. No
disclaimers of An .rchistlc opinions
would then have been necessary, for the
question is one of abstract right and JUS
tice under the law. Itmakes no differ
ence what these men may have written
or spoken, if they are hanged for ex-
psessing any kind of sentiments it will
be judicial murder. and hereafter no
honest mans life will be safe, Free
press, free speech. and all free instisu
tions, are threatened, and a protest
should 60 up from one end # the coun-
try to the other against the execution of
these men under circumstances that
will make precedent for the suppress
sion of popular liberty all over the
country.-Rockland Opiuion.