Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-10-28

Gov. John T. Altgeld appeared orig
inslly in the St. Louis Republic re-
Gently. 1t was written by William
M. Glenn, for some time well
known newspaper man OF Springfield
and son Of Judge j. J. Glenn. of Mon
m nth. He details in the sketch the
governors explanation to him Of the
facts and motives that led 70 the par
d Of the so-called anarchists. We
print the sketch in full as follows:
One of the most striking characters
In american politics today is Gov.
John p Al.geld, of Illinois. And il
10 doubtful il there ever was a man
In American politics who has been
more widely misrepresented or more
upjus,ly abused.
lhe very mention of his name in
almost any place in the civil I'D
world outside OF Illinois will bring
forth shower of anathemas. So
vicious and general has the misrep
reeentation been that his name 10
many places has become Synonymous
with anarchy. Many people believe
him to be an anarchist, and that be
would glory in revolution and des-
truction.
But they are very badly mistaken.
He is not an anarchist. There never
lived more just man or man of
more kindly and sympathetic nature
Although he is tternly exscting with
himself, he IS always quick to dis
cover extenuating qualities in cases
where the shortcomings Of others arr
coAcerned.
by an intimate friend the governo,
is described as "a calm, reeourceful.
silent man, of indomitabfs industry
and of keen perceptions.
1t was the pardoning Of the So
called Chicago anarchists that frs,
attracted worldwide attention to
Gov. Altgeld.. and 1t was that &C,
which aroused the wrath of civiliza-
tion against him. He was denounced
and maligned by newspapers and
magazines and statesmen and patriots
the world over.
"Iknew it would come" he said to
me one afternoon as We were talking
together in his library. Il dreaded
it rs no man ever dreaded anything
before. But I had q sworn duty to
perform. l could not shirk it and
maintain my self respect. l signed
the pardon of those men because
knew that a great wrong had been
done.
ut was a short time after had
been elected governor when the petit.
ton for the pardon OF the so-called
anarchists was presented. I knew
that I could have passed it over and
there would have been nothing said.
felt that such action would be an
easy way out Of the difficulty. But
to have done that would have been
worse than cowardly.
''In order that I might make no
mistake, I sent to Ottawa and had
the entire Transcripts Of the case sent
to me. There WAS q large dry goods
box full Of it. shut myself up aud
for nearly four months poured over
the evidence. examined all the
laws ond opinions that had ever been
made which had any bearing ON the
case.
at was then that l became coz
WINGED that a terrible wrong had
been done. l became convinced that
those men had been tried by a
packed jury on public clamor. There
was no evidences whatever to show
that they were guilty of the crime
charged. 1t was Shown positively
that none Of the accused had thrown
the bomb. 1t was not known who
did throw it. Consequently it was
impossible to connect the defendants
or anybody else with the act.
''In examining the law on the sub.
jet I found that the supreme court
It the state had laid down q rule OF
law in regard to the competency Of
Juries which was directly the oppo-
site laid down in tho anarchist case.
Tho men for whom pardon WAS
asked were poor and practically
fricndless. To pardon them seemed
to involve ruin to myself, with i'm.
possibility Of gain.
81 signed tue pardon and the storm
came. 1t was just what thought
would be. At times the abuse was
so severe that it seemed almost mora
than l could endure. But had the
satisfaction OF knowing / had done
right. that had performed nv
duty. felt confident that some day.
probably long after my death, the
world would realize the truth and
give me credit for having done an
act Of justice to mankind"
This account of the pardoninp of
the so-called anarchists WAS given in
private conversation year ago with
no thought on the governors par.
that it would ever be published. 1t
shows that he is . man who has the
courage of his convictions. Though
often and often stung to the quick
by the abuse and criticism OF the
world. he pursued the even tenor OF
his way unmoved and undisturbed
Aud those who have taken the trouble
to look into the facts in connection
with the anarchists trial and who have
read the governors reasons for par
doning the three men have almost
without exception agreed that his
act was justified.
It IL not strange that Gov. AltReld