The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-12
ANARCHY.
First Anniversary Of the Hanging.
Yesterdays Demonstration at the
Graves of the Anarchists.
It Takes tho Character ofa Hilarious
Picnic.
Reading of Posthumous Letter
From Albert Parsons.
II Dlaoppolnts tho Crowd, Being Simply
an AGectlonato Lotter to HIS
Children-A Fiery
Speech.

NlilCAGo, ILL.,, Nov. 1.-THE first an
niycrary Of the hanging Of tho Anarchists
was observed by the Chicago ympathzers
but not within the limits OF the city.
Police regulations prevented any process
sion or flying Of red bunting aud thero
was not an outbreak Of any kind About
| 5000 people, men women and children,
gathered individually ut the depot aud two
| big trains carried them to Waldheim
Cemetery.
On tho way TO tho cometary II ro-
sembled anything rather than people bent
on melancholy crrand. Joking and
chatting was the order OF the day all tho
way out. None Of the persons who gained
notoricty through connection with tho
Anarchists' trial were present, except
Spics's sister, Gretchen, and the daughters
of George Engcl. Mud in the country
was M ctlcctual rs the police In the city
in operating against any procession
from the city TO the graves and tho
chilly winds sweeping across the blcek
pralrics, encirclng Waldheim Cemetery,
added 10 the general discomfort. ono
thing, however, was an unqualified sue
cess the floral tributes were Of the most
elaborate character, and included con-
tributons from thirteen different Turner
societies. Among the flowers blood-rcd
ribbons were conspicuous, aud the inscrip-
tions accompanying them were such as:
"For Freedom and Right ''ro the Pio-
nccm Of Truth and Justice" aud "To tho
Martyrs, Our Thanks"
Tho iirt speech WIS 10y Robert Rctzel,
oi Detroit Compared with the mntings
heard n year ago ON the same spot his re-
marks were tame. In fuct there was not q
single nccndiury phrase Ia his cuiiro
speech lie dropped into poetry uuito
frequently. lie held that yclf ago. on
the graves oi the Anarchists, the monrners
were ut'oncc plaintiffs aud judges 1t was
not quite apparent to him how long tho
workug people would hc permitted TO
| bury their dead without the capitalistid
power bringing bnyoucis aud bloodshcd
among the graves. I'm this manner tho
speaker held forth for the better part OF
| hall an hour.
Children from tho Socialist Sunday
! schools Of the city sang la the childish,
mechanical fashion q hym In praise uf tho
Martyrs" When the sound Of the chill
drcn's voices had ceased, the chairman,
nrurgr Schllling, proceeded to that which
was tu DO the center Oi attraction and At
tcutiun, letter from Albert Il. Parsons TO
his children, addressed to them with "A re-
quest that Il should not be- opened or read
until the iirt anniycrlry Of his execution.
Perfect quiet camo over the assembly "a
the letter was read as follows
uUTNtFUN Nu tts.s fatVsTg TaU
"tuicsgo. H., Nov, y ivl
"My Darling Precious Litilr children. Aih,rt lar
sons. ir, aud H. ristcr. Lula Ida Parsons
"As write this word blot your names
With tear. We never meet again oh,
my children, how deeply, dearly your
father loves you. We show our love by
living ior our loved ones. We also prove
our love by dying, when necessary. for
them
"Oi my life aud tho cause Of my un-
natural aud cruel death YOU will learn
from others. Your father IL q scli-oiIcrcd
sacrifice on the altar of liberty and happi-
ness 10 you, ! leave tho legacy II an
honest name aud duty well done Pro
serve. emulate n, be- true 30 yourselves aud
Won cannot then be- false 90 Others. lle in
dustrious and sober aud cheerful Your
mother OH. she is the greatest, noblest OF
womon=loyc honor aud obey her MY
children, my precious ones, | request You
a. read this parting message on each rc-
curing anniversary of my death in ro-
mcmbmncc oi him Who dies, not aluno
i1r you, but iur the children yet unborn.
Bless YOU, my darlings, farewell. Your
father, ALnrRr r. Parsons"
Tho letter was something Of disap-
pointmcnt 10 the listeners. There was no
approach To any oi the usual catch words
~ Na.a.
intherlikC. Hence, tho effect wis not
notable. II WIS simply of sadness that
spread over the assembly o. be- soon lis
PEELED, however by the opening words Of
the speech which followed. The speaker,
William Holmes an old friend oi Parsons,
struck chord that had not yihratcd Tor
long time.
''Fhcnds aud Comrades" hc began
with animation that sounded like old
times ON the lake front, when the guups
were out la force aud the haungu.s Vcro
all Of the coming revolution Tho
effect on the crowd was instantaneous.
They all pricked up their can and ..toutd
eagerly, but they were again doomed 10
disappointment Tho speaker was modor-
ate IN his remarks until thc pJruuiiun was
reached. Something moro wU evidently
necessary 10 round out ihc speech with,
aud after comparing 'the movement Tor
the emancipation of labor to all sorts OF
shining objects, be- wound up by saying
that IL would "hamo like fire IN barr.cados
OF the city streets" The expression
caught the audience Half Of them lid
not understand the meaning oi the last
sentence. but the suggestion oi force in
the words "barncadcs' and "frc' aroused
bursts Of applause Tho speaker urged all
present 81 put their shoulders 10 We wheel
a,I k.tp a,,,f,pltsh tbp work for which