The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-09-29
Prof. ooIdwin smith and Ansrohism

Tint QlHCuatlOn w EloAs 'CHf
SMITH Of the subject Of anarchism. in
another column OF this page, Ia tenn
perats and philosophical. That u, 1t
IL OF the tone which all discussion OF
that Tremendous question should have.
Naturally, the crime OF CzoLoosz
provoked throughout civilization a cry
for tho union Of all Governments for
the purpose OF stamping out
chism" by violent measures. Even
some OF our own correspondents wcro
prepared TO 60 ahead with the destruc-
ton. though II involved the sacrifice
OF tho freedom 81 speech and OF III
press. for which this Republic especially
has contended from its very founda-
ton. when this specific guarantee" was
provided In the very first Amendment
! TO the Constitution ratified by The thir-
teen original StAtes IN iDi:
-o,uue.s snsli make no law rsspee,ins an sssso-
rsh n.n, Of religion OF prOhietrnx The free exercise
ur.oi. or sbrdg,ns the rs.don Of speech OF Of 'h'
u~ss or ,hs RICH, Of the people rsnsnLiy p~s~sely
20 assemble and 70 pssSasa ts o~o-srnnsni NJ .
redress Of unsvanoeA-
Measures for the prohibition Of Anar-
chistio teaching and discussion urged
recently with % much heat, creditable
a. the sentiment they express IL TO the
hearts OF those advocatin them. ara
thus made impossible without q radical
| change in the underlying principle OF
our whole political system.
As Mr.. GOODWIN SMITH begins nv
explaining. rebellion against the social
system OF civilization " no new expe-
renee. Neither does acceptance OF thu
theory Of anarchism imply necessarily
a murderous disposition. II may 10
merely the belief Of a kRoPoTKIN, Tor
instanoe-a man described by MIR GOLD
WIN SMITH as gentle "a Il lamb'-that
human nature " 30 good radically, that
TO exemplify is innocence IT only
needs release from the unnatural re-
straints of law and government. That
is a ~philosophic theory: and how with
out destroying freedom of speech ran
YOU destroy the philosopher who pro-
pound~ and advocates it? On the other
hand, il may well be asked. how can
YOU preserve law and government II
Won allow respect for them TO &c de-
stroyed by the systematic PRONUNCIATION
Of such a theory, Mankind are not
p~hiloeophic: If they were they would
recognize that the inequality OF which
they complain is in the natural order.
and not In any artificial order built up by
men. and that IL IL irremediable bv any
system possible for men t" construct
The distribution Of health, strength
and ability N unequal by natural law
and an approach TO greater equality
could only be made possible, even II II
could be- attained at all. by an arbitrary
restriction Of propagation which would
carry the interference of law with IN
dividual freedom To n vastly farther
extreme than civilization as now or
gsnized has ever dreamed Of attempting
The theory Of anarchism, therefore,
oven a. put forth by the gentle hIoror-
KIN. only e1asperates a discomfort Wit
conditions which by tho very opera
ton of that theory, in giving unchecked
freedom To individual impulses and
appetites, would be made the more
provocative Of discomfort.
But can the State FORBID a man t'
hold that theory under pain Of destruc'
ton ar. as some Of our correspondent
have advised, Punishment Ia som
r.mo,. ,.land OF the sea, TO be inhabited
only by those who share II with hin
II YOU ro on in that direction, how far
short 81 the theory 81 the Inquisitior
, will I, be possible for YOU 10 stop logi
, calIv, You can punish specific Offences
.,ains, Iaws for the protection 81 IN,
, public. hut, how can YOU Constitutional,
, nrevent discussion and agits'ion Ia GO
IA of government and lawf You cRi
n,ni.h the Anarchist who resorts q
= murder "a a means Of carrying out IN
,h.orv or seeks 10 incite Others IN muir
/ dor hut YOU cannot cut out KRororKIN''
,ongue or excise his brain without de
s,royinv the theory OF the whole politica
fabric civilization has built up.
|: a, GOODWIN SMITH, referring 10 tn
o,inion Of a distinguished correspondent
., the Iondon Times that anarchisr
a. dus On ",he ln.s Of tn. restrainin,