The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-28
THE LIFE OF AN ANARCHIST.

HE LII Z OF AN NNf7HS -
It has been said that the manner in
which man spends his spare time IS
a very good criterion OF his character.
This is no more true OF the ordinary in
dividual than il is Of the anarchist. and
a representative Of this journal who has
been inquiriRg into the rastimes Of an
archists has learned some curious things,
SAYS the London Express
IL is a well known fact that the an
archist IS almost invariably an o1seour-
ing Of some other nationality than En-
glish or American. and IL is therefore
not d matter for surprise that he Is not
fond Of the more healthy forms OF ont
door sport His diseased mind could not
take an interest in anything Of health
ful character. and so the anarchist finds
his dearest pleasure in associating with
those OF his own kind in dark little
known cafes. there TO talk over possible
crimes and assassination and 70 vent
hate and bitterness upon all who through
industry and attention 70 honest toll or
duty have made their Circumstance COM
forable
It Is curious that the most bitter hatred
Of the anarchist is not reserved for the
nobility or the throne. but Tor the mid
die classes and the better laboring people
This may seem a curious statement 70
make in view Of the frequent sssassina-
tons of kings and presidents; but. &C
cordfng to the anarchists themselves,
these distinguished victims have been
killed not out of any hatred Of their
persons, but because they represent n
themselves the law-respectng system OF
which the bourgeoisie are the firm up
holders. BY striking the heads OF the
system they hope 10 strike terror into
the hearts Of the middle classes.
And so in their spare moments-of
which. by the way, anarchists have plen-
ty, being, as they are, essentially iourg-
ers. with little love for hard. honest work
they sit IN the dark coffee rooms which
they frequent. broOding over their sup
posed ills and Matching crimes against
those who uphold the laws and live de-
Gently and respectfully.
They have no outdoor pursuits such as
are dear 70 ordinary individuals. They
do not love the open country or the fresh
air. but they huddle together in their
dens.
There they gather nightly. The only
games they play are billiards and dice
throwing, and these they indulge in not
for the sport to be obtained but for the
opportunities for gambling which the
games offer. Such men, having an alb
horrence of work, possess the accompany
ing vice of desiring 10 secure money
without labor, and hence the frequency
of the dice in anarchist haunts.
II naturally follows that men who ha-
bitually sit up till the early hours of the
morning, who spend most OF their time in
small, underground or ul-ventilated
rooms. the atmosphere they breathe la
den with stale tobacco smoke. should be
unhealthy in their bodies, and as a con-
sequence their minds become more IN
healthy. Until at last they are fit sub
jects for the violent, wild discourses of
such women as Emma Goldman TO work
upon.
The elimination is a crime such as
that enacted at Buffalo, or, longer ago,
at Lyons.
OF course. there are some anarchists
who are Woodworking men. and such
men have before now committed crimes
as heinous as that of Czolgosz. But
these men are almost invariably weak
minded. and il is only by the constant
hearing of incendiary addresses advo-
eating the murder of rulers and govern
ors, that their minds become worked up
to a pitch of madness in which MUIR
der stands out as a praiseworthy ac-
ton.
Having no wholesome outdoor exercise
TO develop their bodies and occupy their
minds, these men are fit material upon
which the professional anarchist can
work, and they become the catspaws OF
men and women a hundred times more
criminal than themselves.
II the thousands OF foreigners living
in this country and America. where they
have no real foundation for their sup
posed grievances, could only be irduced
to take rational interest in such sports
as cricket, football, baseball. or even
systematic walking. we should hear less
of red anarchism and its diabOlical creed.
In America, the scene of the latest an
archist crime. even more freedom OF
speech and action is allowed to these
enemies Of society than in this country
Once a year q great anarchist gathering
and festival is held on Long Island, TO
which foreigners processing the creed Of
assassination flock from New York and
the larger citise and towns OF New Jer-
sey and adjoining states. Certainly, on
this occasion, they do spend day IN the
open air. but their sports are character
istic of the men and women.
Their chief delight on their holiday this
year, and one in which ii seems surpris-
ing they were allowed 70 indulge by the
authorities, was to take rife Practice at
targets made in tie form OF the rulers
most hateful 10 themselves.
The circular targets were marked upon
the breasts Of rough wooden efngies, and
the faces Of these dummies were painted
TO represent the Gar, the Kaiser. the
Austrian Emperor. the King OF italy.
the King of the Belgians. and other heads
Of states. Prizes were offered for the
best shots, and loud cheers were given
for any who could put bullet into
Vital spot on an effigy.
This shooting match took place In pub
lie without the slightest attempt ut Sc
crecy- Indeed. the anarchists made rath.
sr n boast OF this ingenious device for
venting their hatred upon the representa-
tivss Of constituted authority. The firing
was with rifles, and therefore IL could
not be said exactly that the anarchists
were seriously practicing 20 kin the SOW
ereigns at whose effieies thew shot. be-
cause rife practice IS no aid 10 accurate
revolver firing. But the effect OF such
sport upon the mind OF a weak and
young enthusiast may be wei irnagired,
and it would not be surprising 70 learn
that some OF the anarchists who have
fred at the Gar or other sovereigns IN
enigy and struck him in a vital spot
have developed since = desire 70 give
more reality TO their sport. The auarch-
lists although rot educated in the proper
sense OF the word. ara great readers.
their reading however, being confined 70
literature favorab bic TO their own tenets
and creed.
The Day is Dons.
The day is done. and the darkness