The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-24
ANARCHISTS RALLYING.
THE DIsINTEGRATED REDS GRAD
UALLY REuNfTINa.
They Are Just Beginning to Recover
from the Shock Sustained at the
Haymarket Riot of May Q, 1904
A Traitor in Camp.

CnIcAGo, Ill.,, March 23. Referring to q
vague threat made yesterday by Otto
RcicheI, who was arrested at the instance
OF the Socialistic Publishing company, on
charge Of misappropriation Of funds,
that he would expose the secret meetings
of the anarchist groups in this city and
their plans, the Times this morning says:
Reports have been circulated among peo-
Pile interested in the labor movement, par.
ticularly the conservative ones, within the
last few weeks, to the effect that the an
archists are recognizing in this city and
renewing their plotting against the life and
property OF its citizens. The rumors have
become 80 general that they have even
reached the police department and the
speeches made ut recent celebration Of
the Paris commune were sufficiently vic
lent to lend some color TO the report. An
investigation shows that the rumors are in
part true, and in part exaggerated. The
fact is, that since the outbreak Of May 4,
1886, the anarchists have been compelled
10 hide their heads, and the persons whose
leadership they had assumed, by some
sort OF means, have been, and are still, re-
turning 10 the association Of those whom
they left few years ago, when the anarch-
list agitation in thiscity commenced When
the International Working Peoples associa-
tion was organized in this city FIVE or six
years ago, II drew its membership from
the socialistic labor party, which, since
that time until within a recent period, be-
came almost an empty name. The mas
sacre on the Haymarket brought about q
change. The groups" dispersed and the
International disappeared.
Recently the socialistic labor party has
been recognizing, and is once more quite
a numerous body OF men. The disin-
tegrating influence OF tho anarchists has
made them an object Of universal dislike
among the socialists who constituted the
socialisticlabor party and the International
in the carly Part OF lis existence. OF late,
however, there has been an attempt made
TO rally the scattered members Of the
groups that were scattered by tho Hay
market riot and the execution OF the lead
ers. The men who belonged TO the
groups at that time were, for the most
part, not anarchists. At all events, II they
were, they were cured Of their folly.
They do not want 20 admit their mistake
by joining the socialistic labor party,
which thoy once disrupted; but they
want TO reorganize, and have hit upon
plan that helps them out Of the difficulty.
There have been organized within the
past two months a number Of societies in
different parts OF the city, called either
debating societies or working peoples cdu-
cational societies, or some similar name.
These societies are devoted 10 the discus
sion OF economic and social questions.
The. lectures and discussions are entirely
socialistic. or, at least, extremely radical.
Tho object OF reorganizing the members
Of the dispersed groups Of the Interna-
tional In debating societies IL explained by
prominent socialists as an initial step to
ward bringing them back 10 the socialistic
labor party, and driving the ideas of dy-
Mantle aud poison out Of their heads
Even the name Of anarchist II avoided by
those who used 10 glory in II. except n few
who still believe in dynamite. fhe few
extremists. although still able 10 create a
deal OF infectious enthusiasm, by speeches
such m were made at the commune cele.
bration, are not regarded with favor by
the leaders in the new movement, who
say such talk and actions spoil their work
and rctard the advance of their cause.
One Of the most powerful causes that broke
up anarchisln in this city IL the political
abor move which developed considerable
strength nj some OF the late elections. II
Is 4 remarkable feature Of this movement
that some Of The most industrious workers
for the party arc those who formerly were
the most rabid anarchists.