Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-13
THE ANARCHISTS.
The First Anniversary of the
Y Hanging in Chicago.
ALBERT r. PARSONS LETTER olsAP-
POINTS THE ASSEMBLY.


Flowers at Baltlmore-HOw Other Cities
Celebrated.
CHICAGO, Nov. 13-The first anniversary
OF the hanging OF the Anarchists was OBJ.
served Sunday by the Chicago sympathizerS,
but not within the limits Of the city. Police
regulations prevented any procession or fy-
ing Of red bunting, and there was no out
freak Of any kind About five thousand
people, men, women and children, gathered
individually at the depot, and two big trains
carried them to Waldheim cemetery.
The floral tributes were of the most elab-
crate character and included contributions
from thirteen different Turner societies
Among the flowers blood-red ribbons were
conspicuous, and the inscriptions accom-.
panying them were such as ''For Freedom
and Right" $40 the Pioneers of Truth and
Justice" and ITO the Martyrs, Our
Thanks
The first speech was by Robert Retzel, Of
Detroit. There was not single incendiary
phraze in his entire speech. Children from
the Socialist Sunday schools Of the city sang
in the childish, mechancical fashion, hymn
in praise Of the "Martyrs.n
When the sound Of the children's voices
had ceased the chairman, George Schilling,
proceeded to that which was TO be the center
or attraction and attention, a letter from
Albert r. Parsons to his children, addressed
TO them with a request that it should not be
opened or read until the first anniversary
Of his execution. Perfect quiet came over
the assembly ns tina letter was read, as fol-
lows:
DUNGEON No T. Cook COUNTY
JAIL, CHICAGO. Nov o, 1887
"To My Precious Darling Little Children,
Albert X. Parsons, Jr., and His Sister, Lulu
Edna Parsons:
"As | write this word, blot your names
with tear We never meet again. On;
my children how deeply, deeply, your papa
loves you. We show our love, by living for
our loved ones We also prove our love, by
dying when necessary for them OF my life
and the cause of my cruel death, you will
learn from Others. Your father is q self
offered sacrifice upon the altar of liberty,
aid happiness. To you leave the legacy OF
an honest name, and duty done. Preserve
it, circulate it. Be true to yourselves you
cannot then be false to others. Be sober, in
dustrious and cheerful. Your mother--ah,
she is the gTandest the noblest of women,
dove, honor and obey her.
"My children my precious ones, l request
you to read this parting message, on eacn re-
curing Anniversary of my death, in remem-
brance of him who dies not alone for you,
but for the children yet unborn Bless you,
my darling. Farewell. Your father,
"ALBERT II. PARSONS"
The letter was something of n disappoint-
ment to the listeners. There was no ap-
proach to any of the usual catch words Of
the revolutionists IL was too plain and
father like. Hence, the effect was not nota
BILE. 1t was simply one of sadness that spread
over the assembly, to be soon dispelled, how
ever by the opening words which followed
The speaker, William Holmes, an old friend
oF Parsons, struck chord that had not
Abrated for a long time.
"Friends and comrades" he began with
animation that sounded like old times on the
lake front, when the groups were out in
force and the harangues were all of the
coming revolution" The effect on the
crowd was instantaneous They all pricked
up their ears and lis tened eagerly. but they
were again doomed to disappointment. The
speaker was moderate in his remarks until
the peroration was reached. Something
more was evidently necessary to round out
the speech with, and after comparing 1.-THE
movement for the emancipation of labor in
all ssfts of shining bjects he wound up by
saying that it would flame like the fire in
the barricades of the city streets" The ex-
preston caught the audience.
Half OF them did not understand a 1.-THE of
speech or the meaning Of the last sentence,
but the suggestion of force in the words
''barricaden ard "fire" aroused a burst OF
applause. The speaker urged all present to
plttheir shoulders to the wheel and help ac-
ooAplish the work for which the five mar.
tyrs" had died.
Joseph Labadie, Of Michigan, who was tc
deliver the principal speech of the day,
failed to put in an appearance.
There was much talk of war; and soldiers,
and glory in the last speech, which was de.
livered by Paul Grottkau, an ex-editor OF
several Germ an Socialist papers.
A chorus Of 800 male voices concluded the
program in n dirge like song that formed
fitting conclusion to the ceremonies.