New-York tribune., 1897-08-20
DEBS AND ANGIOLILLO.

The Social Democracy" organized by Eu-
gene w. Debs as existing in Chicago, Is report
ed TO have approved formally the assassination
OF CanOvas del Castillo. and to have censured
the President of the United States for sending
a message Of sympathy to the Spanish Govern
rnPnt II Is not surprising. That branch OF the
Social Democracy appears to be led by those
people who speak Of the Haymarket murdercrs
as martyrs: and indeed. the whole organlza-
ton was founded and is directed by man who
ganed whatever nOtorety ho possesses by DEFY
ing the Government Of the United States. by
refusing 10 obey the dccrccs of the courts or
Justice. and by advising his followers to arm
themselves for the maintenance of their illegal
position. But since Debsism is thus, by its own
declaration. identified afrcsh not only with So
calism, but with Anarchy, 1t is of passing IN
terest TO review the plea put forth by the mill
tant promoter Of Debsism who was on Monday
condemned to death by Spanish court martial.
Anglollo declared that he had no accomplice.
that he was not deputed or commanded to do
the murder by any organization. but that he did
it of his own voliton, through desire for ven
Ccance for the death of the Anarchists who com
mitted the Corpus Christi outrage at Barcelona.
Let us see what that outrage was, and wha; call
there was for vengeance Some years ago an
Anarchist named Franchi exploded a BOMB in
a Barcelona theatre killing and wOundiEs LOT
of people-not kings and prime ministers and
aristocrats but the common people for whose
welfare Debsites profess to be so soliciious. For
that he and one Borras. his acconlplicc, were
put to death Borrass widow then went 10 al
other Anarchist named Ascllary. and offered to
reward him with her love if he would avergc
He got number Of others to assist him. But
he personally threT a bomb into Corpus
Christi procession and thus killed fifteen ana
wounded fifty persons-nOt kings and prime
ministers and aristOcrats. but the common pco-
pie who are supposedly so dear TO the DcbSite
heart. For that deed Aschery ard his accom-
plices were put to death. For their doarh An
giolo took vengeance by numbering CanovaS.
And for that act of murder the Social Dcmoc-
racy" Of Eugene v DcbS applaudS Angiolillo as
hero.
II is we'll 10 understand thes" things Just aS
they are whole people may be justified in
rising in revolution against an unacccptabl"
ruler, and even in putting him 10 death. if need
he. to secure their freedom from oppression.
For n few 10 coDsplre together and asSassinatc
n ruler when they know the people will not ap-
prove the deed nor profit by II. and another ruler
of exactly the same type Will succeed 10 the
place. is wanton murder pure and simple. For
one or few 10 Kill not king or Il prime MIN
Ster but a lot of men. women and children or
the common people. is n Grim" worthy of only
a Nero or a Caligula Vet such exactly was
the crime committed at Barcelona on Cor
pus Christi Day. and such wantOn murder as
we have described was the crime committed by
AngiolillO. And upon those crimes the Social
Democracy" of Eugene '. DebS places the for
mai mark OF lis approval. 1t is indeed well to
understand these things: even 10 understand
why Dcbs advised each one OF his followers to
"buy a gun