The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-01

The Anarchist Scare In Europe and Its
Absence IN America-Trades Unions.

Tho Anarchist Scare In Europe and Its
Absence IN America-Trades Unions.
SEATTLE. April %, 1892
To THE EDITOR: Tho recent trial and convic-
ton Of Anarchists Rsvachol and simon at Paris,
the consequent panic and the excitement now
prevailing all over Europe crowd my mind
with thoughts and reflections dark enough to
depress the most cheerful spirit Yet at times
I feel an enthusiasm coming over me that al
most prompts me to cry out aloud, SO that the
whole world might hear me, "Thank God that
the United States Of America il free from these
terrible convulsions;" and. what Is of more Joy
to me, and ought to be to every lover of our re-
public, is the fact that far it 10 yet within our
power to keep these convulsions out OF our
midst forever
am aware that the average American would
rather read q clever description OF baseball
game or a horse race, than be burdened with
pessimistic thoughts of possible danger; yet,
calm reflection will soon teach that it il pru-
dent for US to look to the causes that agitate
Europe, and draw conclusions therefrom that
will enable us to maintain . republic in fact as
well az in name.
During the whole of this and next week no
soldier in active service on the European CONT
nent will be permitted to more than half un-
dress at taps. In every barracks strong guard
will be kept in light marching order, night and
day, ready to respond to the sound OF the bugle
at moments notice, and set every engine
OF destruction known to civilization in motion
to destroy innocent and guilty alike; to demol-
ish, il need be, labor and the accumulation of
centuries. All these preparations are make in
anticipation Of the first OF May. The first day
OF the month, when nature opens her bountiful
storehouse to man and beast alike; when the
green, smiling fields invite all creation to re-
1oice; the very day that the whole world well
comes, Europe breads. With what effrontery
must Europe have violated the laws Of God and
nature to be thus severely punished
Yet even ], though young man, can remem-
Der to have welcomed that day. The May pic
mics OF Dy youth are yet vivid in my memory.
Strange that this changing of the first day of
May from one Of universal rejoicing into one of
general mourning should not even have been
planned on the Continent 1t was In the winter
OF 1880 that listened to course of lectures,
or rather harsngues. delivered by John Most in
the east of London, wherein he advocated the
adoption OF the 1st of May a. Q day of general
agitation.
John Most, or a. he ID known in this country,
Herr Most, was then not yet an anarchist,
though very bitter socialist He managed to
cross the path of the Iron Chancellor in Ger
many and felt the strength of that iron viii. to
Its utmost severity. Thrice was he Imprisoned,
and his treatment there was SO severe that upon
his release the third time he concluded to shake
the dust OF his fatherlsnd from his heels n
know that the impression prevails that Most was
expelled from Germany, but 1t is not true. The
policy of expulsion had not than been adopted
by Bismarck
Most came to London and edited & socialistic
German weekly. Like its editor, 1t was bitter
and scurrilous Strange, It had considerable
circulation among both English and German
workingmen the paper was printed in both
languages). At last his day came On the
Saturday following the assassination of Alexan-
der II. he published leading article captioned,
"Endlich," cat Last) The frat part OF the
article expressed the opinion Of nearly every
thinking man in Europe, for the entire world
was watching intently that unique struggle be-
tween the GEAR and nihilists. That the end must
come was . foregone conclusion. Whatever
may have been the virtues of Alexander IL.
however many may have been the kind acts
that ennobled his life, it IL nevertheless true
that his policy could lead to nothing but fatal
end. Not thought did Alexander give to the
removal Of the cause of agitation. But the en-
tire power of that vast empire was concentrated
toward destroying the sgitators He failed
Had he looked to history for instruction he
could have observed innumerable instances
where persecution never did destroy.
Most, however, went further Instead OF
drawing moral lesson from the deplorable oc-
currence he penne1 the most dastardly, passion
ate appeal for murder and bloodshed that ever
all over the world initiate their oppressed breth-
rem In Russia and start out on a general mas
sacre. Most was tried, convicted and sentenced
to eighteen months hard labor.
That portion OF the English press, In opposi-
ton to the Gladstonian administration, then in
power, attempted to make political capital out
OF it. In Most's arrest they pretended to see an
Infringement of the liberty Of the press. English
haters of the Russian government sought to
harrass Gladstone by making 1t appear that he
arrested Most at the demand OF the Russian
embassy ct the Court Of St. James However,
Gladstone, like the wise statesman that he 10,
paid no attention to such slurs, but devoted his
time and energy to the removal Of the cause Of
the agitation.
A single remark that Most made to me will
perhaps best illustrate his character. It was on
Sunday night, after one Of his lectures, that
he accompanied me to Poplar, where then
lived. He wanted me to tell him my opinion OF
his plan to make the LIST of May day Of agita-
ton.
"1f you can show me-" said I, show this would
educate the masses I shall approve Of your
scheme; otherwise l won't"
His retort more, perhaps, than anything else,
saved me from anarchy and crime.
at is not the brain Of the masses. but their
muscles, that we DESIRE, was his reply.
Imet Most again In New York, In 1854, full
fiedged anarchist, and have no doubt be con-
tributed his share toward bringing about the
Hsymarket riot in 1855
Yet all the frantic eff orts Of Most and his Fix
did not avail anarchy TO obtain q foothold in
this country. Is 1t well for us to inquire why
not? ID 1t not prudent to search for the causes
that protect US from those fnhuman monsters,
and thus be In position to known our own
strength and true conditions? Some will say
natural conditions are in our favor; that the
system of our govern ment Is also point in our
favor. To an extent that 10 true; yet, 1t would
be folly to claim that these facts alone are q
match against anarchy.
France, too, is in q sense q favored nation;
she also has q republican form OF government
true. not quite SO Democratic as ours, yot q re-
public. Artificial conditions favor her to a
greater extent than do natural conditions favor
US. An eminent writer says that France seems
to be destined to supply the world with luxuries
and art Frances exports, in proportion to
bulk, bring her more gold than do those OF any
other country. Again, metaphoricaly speaking,
France is the dumping ground for American
gold. The wealthy, not only OF the United States,
but OF the entire American continent, deem il a
religious duty to worship once q year at
the Partisan shrine, and surely they pay for it
good gold coin. Yet France Is the very hotbed
OF anarchy. Paris, the city that wishes to be
recognized as the leading European metropolis
In fashion and literature, cowardly submits to
the command of q common cutthroat Judge
and Jury are cowed into saving the lives Of
men who boasted, in the presence OF the court
that they killed an old man for the sake of get
ting his money.
II we look across the channel we see london,
the wealthiest city on the globe, subject to the
same commissions. A few clever socialist have
repeatedly succeeded in creating bread riots in
that proud city.
Thus it is discernible that to some other factor
than those mentioned must be attributed our
frNr nv h0i "a dua IN