The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-03-31
THE PARTISAN ANARCHISTS.

The anarchist excitement in Paris has
reached pitch that amounts to terror.
While there have been but three overt
acts, the people seem to he panic-stricken
by the threats of the anarchists to work
the destruction OF all houses where Judges
or police officials or ministers obnoxious
to the anarchical party lodge or dine,
and, in short, to destroy all who dare to
denounce the insane creatures who pose
as revolutionists, but whose methods are
those of the assassin and the coward.
An amazing feature of the situation is
that the newspapers find out the anarch-
lists and print interviews had with them,
but the police appear to be unable to
make arrests of the fends. The re-
porters explain that they procure these
statements under promise not to reveal
the anarchists. This is infamous in
itself. a contract of that character is
binding upon the honor of no just man.
Just what the anarchists desire is not
fully set forth in the dispatches. Their
general doctrines the public is familiar
with. But in France freedom is assured;
there is no oppression, no serious re-
preston of speech; no distress charge
able to the Government; no failure of
substantial justice; no famine; no more
than normal conditions of poverty; no
special assault upon anarchical doctrines
no political crisis; no measure pending
before council or chamber that the an
archists are particularly interested in.
Government has, it is true, offered re-
wards for the arrest of anarchists charged
with crimes; and it has instructed the po-
lice to watch the anarchical meetings
closely, and to warn violent anarchists of
the dangers of violating the public peace.
These things the foolish creatures who
compose the file of the anarchist party
are said to advance as excuses and to de-
nounce as harsh and tyrannical, and hence
their present activity. They demand Ii
cense to cut and kill, burn and level. take
and divide, and ali attempts to preserve
order and conserve property rights they
therefore look upon as aimed at them in
enmity.
The anarchist proposes to reform So
cietY by destroying all present condi-
tons, breaking up all present forms and
substituting an equality in government
and society without rules of law or social
regulations. By abolishing laws and
their agencies, they assume that they
can blot out human misery and bring all
people to common level of enjoyment
and of burden; of possessions and of
privileges.
The present outburst of violence in
Paris is but the sudden ebullition of the
passion for excitement and mystery that
invests the anarchist. He never w orks in
the open, his vain scheme of political and
social reform would crumble if it were
openly pushed. Its the mysterious power
of secrecy that gives it vigor and makes
its followers feared. The panic in Paris
will pass away in a short time, for the
anarchist never long follows up any
given line of activity. He is too volatile,
erratic and radical to be steadfast or long
persistent.
/. AS rule, rigor Of law, aimed against
cranks, revolutionists and agitators, is
bad, bad for country and dangerous to
liberty. But it may well be held that as
against the anarchist any shaft is we'll
aimed, and that he should be treated as
men treat ravenous wild beasts.