The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-12
ANARCHISTS CELEBRATE
The First Anniversary Of the
Hanging of their Leaders.
A LETTER FROM PARSONS,
Written TO his Children Just Before
his Exccutton-No Inccndtary
Talk Indulscd m-5,OOo Reds
ut the Martyrs Graves.

CHICAGO, Nov. 1.-THE first anniver-
sary OF the hanging OF the Anarchists
was observed to-day by the Chicago
sympathizers, but not within the limits
OF the city. Police regulations prevented
a procession ortlying OF red bunting, and
there was no outbreak OF any kind.
About 5000 people-men, women aud
children-gathered Individually at the
depot and two big trains carried them to
Waldheim cemetery.
On the way to the cemetery the crowd
resembled anything rather than people
bent on a melancholy crrand. Joking
and chatting was the order OF the day all
the way out. None OF the persons who
gained notoriety through connection
with the anarchists trial were present
except Spies sister, Gretchen, and the
daughters OF George Engel. The mud
in the country was as eitectual
US the police in the city in oper-
ating against any procession from
cars to the graves. One thing, however,
was an unqua lifted success. The floral
tributes were OF the most elaborate Char-
acter and included contributions from
thirteon different Turner societies.
Among the flowers blood red ribbons
we're conspicuous, and the Inscriptions
accompanying them were such as "For
Freedom and Right" 40 the Pioneers
OF Truth and Justice" and "To the
Martyrs, Our thanks"
The first speech was by Robert Retzel,
Of Detroit. Compared with the rantings
heard year ago on the same spot, his
remarks were tame, in fact, there was
not single incendiary phrase in his
entire speech. After his speech fifty
children from the Socialist Sunday
schools OF tho city sang in childish
mechanical fashion hymn in praise OF
the Martyrs" When the sound OF the
Childrens' voices had ceased, the
chairman, Schilling, proceeded to that
which was the centre Of attraction, and
read q letter from Albert Parsons to his
children, addressed TO them with Il
request that it should not be opened
and read until the first anniversary OF
his execution. Perfect quiet came over
Tie assembly as the letter was read as
follows:
DUNGEON No. Z, Cook County JAZZ, I
CHICAGO, Nov. o, 1887. !
To my darling, precious Hitle children, Albert II,
Parsoas, Jr, and his sitter Lulu Ida PGgoW;
AS Iwrite 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 for our loved ones. We also
prove our love by dying when necessary
for them.
OF my life and the cause OF my unnat-
ural and cruel death you will learn from
others. Your father is sell-oiTered
sacrifice on the altar OF liberty and hap
piness. To you leave the legacy OF an
honest name and duty well done. Pre-
serve it, emulate it, betrue to yourselves
and you cannot then be false to others.
Be industrious and sober and cheerful.
Your mother-oh, she is the grandest,
noblest OF women-love, honor and obey
her. My children, my precious ones, l
request yon 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 darlings,
farewell. Your father,
ALBERT PARSONS.
The letter was somewhat OF disdp.
pointment to the listeners. There was
no approach to any OF the usual catch
words of TIE revoIutionists. It was too
plain and fatherlike. William Holmes,
an old friend Of Parsons, then followed
in brief speech.
There was much talk OF war and of
soldiers and OF glory in the last speech,
which was delivered by Paul Grottkau,
an ex.editor OF several German Socialist
papers. His principal theme was the
slnallness of the working Glasses that
had allowed the Anarchists to be muir
dered. The hypocrisy and tyranny OF
the ruling classes" was one OF his favor
ite terms. A chorus Of 800 male voices
concluded the programme in a dirge-
like song that formed u fitting conclu-
ai0n IN Eha pnrnmnntnr