The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-27
A PROSTITUTION OF Executive oLEMENcY.

The pardon of Fielden, Neebe and
Schwab. the three Chicago Anarch-
lists now serving time in the Illinois
penitentiary, is a notable illustration of
the nervelessness of American justice.
We make history so fast that it is nec-
essary to recall the circumstances under
which these men were imprisoned.
They were three OF the eight persons
indicted for murder in connection with
the Haymarket riot in Chicago May 4.
1885. No event since the firing on Fort
Sumter caused more excitement
throughout the country or a more uni
versal demand for the vigorous enforce
ment of law than this dynamite murder
of Chicago policemen. There was
not an intelligent person in the
United States who did not know that
the atrocious murder was the cul-
minatiOn of the persistent teachings
and deep laid plans of band
was to attack. and. as far as possibly,
overthrow and destroy the institutions
of law and order. Their murderous at
tack ON the Chicago police was the first
step in their programme, and one which
they hoped and believed would precip-
itate revolution. In this they were
mistaken. The forces of law and order
were too strong for them. They could
murder a few men. but they could not
Overturn society. Eight of the ring
leaders were arrested, indicted for MUIR
der, tried and convicted. They were
not convicted of holding or propagating
vicious principles or making incendiary
speeches, but they were convicted of
murder. 1t is not a crime within the
purview of the law to be an Anarchist,
but no person can with impunity commit
murder in the name of anarchism.
The evidence at the trial showed be-
yOnd doubt that the murder of the
Chicago policemen was the direct
result of deliberate plot in which the
defendants were active participants.
After a trial in which every inch of
ground was stubbornly contested the
jury found all the defendants guilty,
and every honest American applauded
the verdict. The convicted men were
August Spies, Michael Schwab, Samuel
Fielder, Albert r. Parsons. Adolph
Fischer, George Engel, Louis Lingg
and Oscar w. Neebe, The case was APP
pealed to the Supreme Court, whore the
judgment of the Criminal Court was
affirmed. All the defendants were SEN
fenced to be hanged except Nee be, who
was sentenced to fifteen years. impris-
opment. The death sentence was exc
cuted on all except Lingg, who COM
mitted suicide, and Schwab and
Fielden, whose sentences were COM
muted to imprisonment for life.
In pardoning these men Governor
AltReld does what he can to reverse the
verdict passed upon them seven years
ago. No criminal trial ever excited as
much interest throughout the country
as that of the Anarchists did, and no
verdict was over more universally ap.
proved. Now comes Governor Altgeld
and says, in effect, that the defendants
were unjustly convicted. He cannot
consistently say that the men now par
doned have been sufficiently punished,
for two of them only escaped hanging
by a Communication of sentence, and the
third has served less than half his sem
tence. His act is strong argument in
favor of capital punishment. If these
men had been hanged with their fellow
convicts, as they deserved to be, the
ends of justice would not now be baked
by time serving executive who is,
doubtless, bidding for the support of
the class to which they belonged. His
action is fragrant prostitution of the
pardOniDg power.