The San Francisco call., 1896-03-10

anarchist. Pietro Gori, defend the princi-
Piles of anarchy against number OF social
lst orators, all of whom were ready to
assert that anarchy was only another word
for confusion.
The most advanced sect of the anar-
chists could easily be distinguished by the
red they affected in their dress. Mrs. A.
Cafe, lady orator, who presided, was
almost clad in red; Gori wore pictur-
esque red drapery round his neck; his in
terpreter. Louis E. Feroni, also affected
red, as did number of the other anar-
chists, and at one point in the proceedings,
when Gori's eloquence had wrought up
his hearers to great applause, one enthusl-
astic lady threw him bouquet tied with
red ribbon.
The socialistic orators all disclaimed be-
ing present as representatives OF any lodge
or society. They simply attended on their
own account to defend the principles OF
socialism against the pernicIous lnroads
OF anarchy. They took the floor as occa-
sion offered and sought to combat, for the
most part in English Gori's oratorical fire.
works being in Italian. Some of the speak
ers became intensely eloquent, but the
drawback to really spirited argument
was that with one exception they did not
understand Gori and Gori did not un-
derstand them. L. Z. Feroni, the
poor Interpreter, struggled IN vain to trans
late the flow of eloquence to Gori when
the Americans were speaking, and to the
Americans when Gori was speaking, but
after two rounds he gave it up and let the
orators fight it out in the dark, so to speak.
L. Nathan, Gori's challenger, was the
first to take the flsor; he was limited, as all
the other speakers were supposed TO be, to
| fifteen minutes. GAS a socialist | attack
| anarchy" said Mr.. Nathan. "What do
we understand by anarchy? Disorder.
| Fraternity is another word for socialism,
| but what is anarchy going to do for us?
He recommended calmness and deliber-
alton. Nothing, he said, could be gained
by violence and disorder. These two
plaques of most popular movement in
| favor OF liberty must be put down before
Liberty could be enjoyed by those to whom
| it is now denied.
| Pietro Gori, who vas rapturously ap-
plauded, then took the floor and said: In
stead OF defending anarchy against So
clallsm, l find l have to defend it against
republlcanlsm, against monarchy, against
tyranny.
II expected arguments, and l find accu-
sations of fbomb-throwing.
There is no need for me to demonstrate
| TO you that the whole race of !aborers Is
robbed, cheated, pilfered, from birth to
death. The Government guarantees the
wealth of few to the detriment of the
many. When Signor Nathan comes be-
fore you to defend government he is really
only acting as any member OF the bour-
geoise class would. He is in accord with
all the prejudices, all the ignorance of to-
day.. He has accused us of throwing
bombs instead OF arguments; he has
brought murderOus accusations against
us. when it is the Governments themselves
| that give lessons of violence"
In illustrating this statement the
speaker reverted to the Governments of
Europe, which he referred to as systems of
organized brigandage. and gave as the
latest example the sending of thou
sands of Italian troops to be mas
sacred in Abyssinia, land those poor
Italian soldiers are only fraction OF the
victims that the military regime has made
in the last five years. 1t is not anarchists,
but governments that teach lessons. of
violence, and Mr.. Nathan upholds govern
ments."
Gori had been listened to with much
more attention than his adversary. As
! his time limit vas reached he yielded ths