The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-12-16
ANARCHY IN LONDON.

ANARCHY IN LONDON.
London, above all cities of the world,
IS the refuge and hiding place of polit-
ical plotters and conspirators, says the
Inter Ocean, The British govern
ment is, and for at least century
has been, tolerant to degree wholly
incomprehensible to any continental
administration, and to a degree not
surpassed by that of the United States,
of all mere verbal effiorescences. 1t
is quite as safe to preach condempa-
tinn of kings and queens, of million
airs, of presidents, and of mayors, and
of all and singular the powers and
functions of modern civilization in
Londen as In Chicago. John Bull,
whatever his failings may be. is eagr
stickler for freedom of speech. The
London police daily endure such an
amount of "chaffing" and abuse FROM
the lips of street arabs and of the adult
proletariat as would PROVOKE Chicago
patrolman to the use of his club. But
''thus far and no farther shalt thou
go" is rule of action from the enforce
ment of which the authorities never
shrink.
By all odds the most popular pre-
mier that Great Britain has had dur
ing the presen. century was Palmers-
ton. But even his ministry was upset
by the storm of indignation aroused by
his attempt to placate Napoleon III.
by the surrender of political refugees,
some of whom had openly advocated
thearmed rebellion against his Majesty.
John Bull sturdily protested that
every msn's mouth is his personal
property to be used as he pleases, pro-
vided that his use of it does not seri-
ously injure someone else. But when
Orsini threw his bomb, London was as
active as Paris in search of supposed
accessories of the crime. It would
have gone i'll with any of Orsini's coll
leagues had he been found in London.
Thus there has been extreme toler-
ance toward the anarchists In London.
They have been allowed to assemble in
the public squares and to denounce all |
forms of government as forms of tyr
amy. No one has interfered when
they vihfed Gladstone, hooted at the
queen, or demanded radical changes in
the constitution. The English have a
well-grounded belief that their pre-
miers, their monarchs and their con-
stitution can resist great deal of wind
But when, emboldened by tolerance of
their wordy attacks upon the theory of
law, they proposed to assemble to de-
wise means for its, forcible overthrow,
the authorities interposed. 1t was, as
all firm interpretations of authority are.
successful The anarchists were routed
by the police without the aid of the
military, and it is to be kept in mind
that the London police do not carry
revolvers; clubs are their only weap-
ons.
Behind this statement of facts lies a
lesson of the strength Of free govern
ments. In Spain, where free speech
is not tolerated, bombs did deadly
work. In London, where liberty verges
On license, handful of police suppress
an overt attempt at violence.
The reason is plain. Free speech
cenvinces the mass of the people Of
the absurdity of anarchistic theories;
it also convinces the professional agi-
tators of the weakness of their cause
in the forum of the people. The peo-
pie, after tolerating absurditles of
speech, grow reso!ute in suppressing
violence of action. Behind the police
stands the army, and behind both, the I
people, who are resolved to defend the
avs that they themselves have made.