The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-11-15
Anniversary Of the Hanging Of the Chicago An.
archiSfs.

The anniversary OF the hanging of the an
archists was observed by their Chicago SYM
pathizers, but not within the limits of the
city. Police regulations prevented any pro-
cession or flying of red bunting, and there
was no outbreak OF any kind. About five
thousand people. men, women and children,
gathered individually at the depot, and two
big trains carried them to Waldheim ceme-
terry. On the way to the cemetery
the crowd resembled anything rather
than people bent upon a melancholy errand.
Joking and chatting was the order of the day
oil the way out. None of the persons
who gained notoriety through connec-
ton with the ana rchists trial were present,
except Spies sister Gretchen and the daugh-
ters of George Engel. One thing was an un-
qualified success-ths floral tributes were of
the most elaborate character, and included
contributions from thirteen different socie-
ties. Among the flowers blood-red ribbons
were conspicuous. and the inscriptions ac-
companying them where such as For Free
dom and Right" ITO the Pioneers of Truth
and justice" and ITO the Martyrs, Our
Thanks" The first speech was by Robert
Retzel of Detroit. Compared with the rant
ings heard year ago on the same spot his
remarks were tame. In fact, there was not
single incendiary phrase in his entire
speech. Then fifty children from the social
Ist Sunday school OF the city sang in childish
mechanical fashion a hymn in praise of the
martyrs" When the sound ofthe children s
voices had ceased the chairman George SchiI-
ling) proceeded to that which was to be the
central attraction and attention, n letter
from Albert r. Parsons to his children, ad-
dressed to them with request that it should
not be opened or read until the first anniver-
sary of his execution. Perfect quiet came
over the assembly as the letter was read, as
follows
Dungeon No. Z, Cook County Jail, Chicago,
III, Nov. 8, 1887. To my darling, precious
little children, Albert r. Parsons, Jr. and his
sister, Lulu Ida Parsons: AS l write this
word blot out your name with tear. We
never meet again. Oh, my children, how
deeply, dearly your father loves YOU. We
show our love by living for our loved ones
We also prove our love by dying, when neces-
sary, for them. OF my life and the cause of
my unnatural and cruel death you will learn
from others. Your father was a self offered
sacrifice on the altar of liberty and happi-
ness. To you leave the legacy of an hon
est name, and duty we'll done. Preserve it.
emulate 1t, be true to yourselves and you
cannot, then be false to Others Beindustri-
Gus and sober. Your mother-oh, she is the
grandest. noblest of women-love, honor and
obey her. My children, my precious ones,
request you to read this parting message on
each recurring anniversary of my death in
remembrance of him who dies not alone for
you, but for the children yet unborn. Bless
you, my dariings farewell Your father,
ALBERT Parsons
The letter was something of a disappoint-
ment to the listeners. There was no ap-
proach to any of the usual catchwords of
the revolutionists. 1t was too plain and
fatherlike. Hence the effect was not nota.
ble