Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-03-08
SIBERIAN CRIMES.
SPEECHES THAT THE CAR
COULD NOT SUPPRESS.

SSoLC NSl OOT nGOO.
at is n Disgrace that this Russian
Monster is Alive, exclaims Pente.
c0st-"Lo0k Mt our own Siberias",
observes DE LeOn--Can Jim Blaine
Protest in the Name OF Ciyiliza-
tions viii America Make more
Effective Protest by Abolishing
her own Despots!
AT the call of the Socialist Labor party
the great hall of the Cooper Union was
again filled to oyerilowiug last Friday
evening. The object this time WIS to
denounce the atrocities recently commit
ted in Siberia by the Cars agents, q
report of which was published in our
previous issues. While the Russian
colony of this city was largely repre-
rented in the audience, many Of those
present belonged to other nationalilies.
That not few were native born Ame-
ricans was amply shown by the readi-
ness with which every well-timed ut
tenance of the English speakers was
understood and applauded.
On taking the chair V. A. Stoletchni
kof made brief speech in Russian.
There was, he said, no need of dilating
at length upon the crimes which it was
the purpose of this meeting to denounce.
The news which in spite Of autocratic
diligence had found its way to the Euro
pean and American newspapers had
reached every home and sent thrill Of
horror throughout the civilized world.
The names Of the Siberian martyrs
would be glorified long after the imperial
tyrant who was responsible for their
torture and death had been destroyed.
The Chairman then introduced Hugh
O. Pentecost, who was greeted with
eathusiastia and prolonged applause, A.
deep silence followed which the speaker
broke with the emphatic declaration
| that it was a dis grace to human nature
| that such a man as the Gar, who was
personally responsible for the Siberian
| atrocities, was alive. II was equally
| disgrace to human nature that he could
find men to do his bidding and perpe-
trate such horrors, and it was also dis
| grace to human nature that the rulers
| OF other nations should be on terms OF
amity with such a monster. Mr. Pente-
cost denounced also as shameful the
| proposed treaty of extradltlon with Rus
sla, by which political offenders would
| be surrendered to the Muscovite torturer.
| Officials so lost to the sense of free
dom, humanity and decency as to thus
| outrage and degrade their own country
| by making 1t the instrument OF Russian
despotism would forever be held in con-
tempt In America we have at least the
right to think and TO freely express our
opinions. We can Say and do what we
please, provided we do not assault
people or steal property-except 1t be
the property Of the poor man daughter
and applausel We should, therefore,
sympalhize heartily with men whose
only crime is to demand a measure Of
the liberty that Americans have gained
for themselves at the cost OF many
lives; with men who simply want to
know whether the Gar, that claims to
act in the name Of God, Is actually god
like in his treatment of the Russian
peolle We honor Washington we
forget that his hands were stained with
blood, and we cannot be too thankful
for the independence that he and his
war companions have wrested from a
British despot by rebellion and blood
she'd Likewise, Russia some day will
honor the men who are now fighting,
suffering and dying for liberty.
Prof. De Leon was received with
equal enthusiasm. He said in sub.
stance:
Why do our people feel indignant at
at the 0utrages reported from Siberia
Why do we hold indignation meetings to
record our protest against them. Ii
surely Is EOt because OF the deeds them
selves. WhlIe am speaking 1t Is more
than probable that misdeeds very much
like those perpetrated ia siberia are be-
ing perpetrated i'll more than one loca-
? lity OF this globe. We need no strain
ON our ina sinatiOn to cOnceiVe OF
such things. In Central Africa, in the
Selvas OF the Amaz0nes, in the Fiji Is
lands, men, women and children are con
, tinually maltreated, outraged, and
I brought to death. We do not feel IN.
dignant at such events; we read of them
with almost indifference, and never think
of protest Why is this? The reaon ii
that we look at these events effectively
, They take place independently of US
Neither directly, indirectly, or in any
O way are we participants in the doings oi
| tbe harharistns With regard To Sibe