The record-union., 1898-11-13
FOREIGN VIEWS OF ANARcHIsM

in front Of and pioneering the priests.
FOREIGN VIEWS OF ANARCHISM.
The Literary Digest" says that COM
mentators upon anarchism are founder
ing less of late, and now have clearer
definitions of the term as we'll as of
the psychological makeup of anarch-
lists. There is no doubt of that. There
has been a great deal of confusion
among papers, writer's and speakers
as to the real aims and doctrines of
anarchists. They are constantly
coupled by apparently well-informed
people with socialists, and as of like
belief and aims. whereas the two orders
are diametrically opposed.
The fact that there is growing up
| a better understanding of this order
of agitation will serve to make their
doctrines the more hideous and the i'm
practicability of their schemes more
distinct Thus the outlook of Lon
don emphasizes the fact that Bakunine,
the chief. though not the first Of an
archistic agitators, based his conten-
ton upon materialism. Neither God
nor Master was his cry. He rejected
authority of every kind. In his treatise
he declares the liberty of man to con-
sist solely in obedience to the laws of
nature, because he recognizes them
himself, not because they are imposed
upon him externally by any foreign
will, human or divine, collective or
individual
The Temps" Of Paris is quoted as
pointing out that there are dilettante
anarchists, who contend that the the
ory Of perfect freedom is consistent
with practicability; yet they ignore the
fact says Temps" that the majority
of men protesting anarchism are
coarse, brutal and ignorant, who will
not work, if they can help it, and who
The Madrid "Epoca" regards anarch-
lists as mediocre men, lacking in en-
ergy and ability, who want to stop all
progress due to healthy competition.
Assuredly, American experience veri-
fies 'Epoca's" judgment. That journal
adds that the Spanish type of anarch-
ist represents those whose ideal of So
ciety is. a state in which the man of
superior ability is kept subservient to
the inferior by the fear Of assassina-
ton.
Evidently the glamor of scientific an
archism is being dissipated among the
peoples of the world The claim that
the scientific anarchist is a person far
above the ordinary stripe is being
rudely, perhaps, but none the less GER
tainly, laid bare in its falsity. That
there are some superior minds among
anarchists is not to be denied. Has
| not James G.. Mcguire thundered
that truth in the halls of Congress? :?
But that proves only that sometimes
superior minds are misled and are
found consorting with gross and brutal
siderations of any subject.
Vance Thompson declares that the
| fountain of anarchy is found in the
philosophic and poetic dreams of a
coterie of Partisan men of letters.
These are, he says, responsible for the
bloody wretches who turn theory into
practice In the New York Criterion
he discusses this assertion at length,
and names Recluse as one of the
| learned men of the day, Prince Kropot-
kin as a great scientist, and Malatesta
and Louise Michel as building the
house of literary anarchy.
Within eight years, says Thompson.
the literature of anarchy has swelled
to great food, and he proceeds to
print long list of poets, essayists and
scholars in many lands, who have
contributed to it, adding that with the
young writer's of France anarchy is
the development of the idealism of the
day.
| That there is much in what he says
is no doubt true. From the harmless
anarchists, the literary dreamers, and
the idea1istic essayists. there is more
to be feared than from any other an
archistic sources. Sophistry, misdirected
sentimentality and perverted phiian-
thropy give us heavy crops of The
brutal anarchists. whose acts are re-
ally abhorred, though stimulated. by
the class of men referred to.
As to remedies for anarchEm there
are as many proposed as there are COM
mentators Perhaps the most logical
is that of Professor Bruck, who wrote
in 1894. suggesting that justice be done
the anarchist agitators by placing them
on an island from which they cannot
escape, Give them tools and arms
Leave them TO their own devices; no.
body need force them to work. They
wish to destroy modern civilization,
hence they cannot complain If they are
placed beyond the pale OF that civiliza-
tion.''
The Manchester Guardian" objects
to a sweeping persecution Of anarch.
lists because 1t would be anarchistic it
self. ard result in disaster and absurd
ity The Dublin Nation" finds IN Eng
lish Discrimination to adopt strong nea-
sGres against anarcaisnl. selfish fear