Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-09-30
ANARCHIsM.

For Twenty Years 1t Has Strained the
Vigilance of Governments.
From Modern Culture.
The most exciting event in the United
States during the new century Is intimately
connected in the popular mind, whether cor
rectly or not, with this subject For twen-
ty years anarchy has strained the vigilance
of governments in their endeavor to detect
1t in given instances, since many Of the
most far-reaching crimes of the age have
been traced to this as their source. 1t Is no
hyperbole to say that at this moment the
powers are stirred as they have not been
for several years, In making provisions to
prevent its coming to the surface In the
shape of startling deeds Of violence, and
every day crowned heads and the republic
Of the United States are realizing the medi-
tation, Uneasy lies the head that wears a
crown"
The reader does not need to be very old
who remembers the first organized appear
ance Of what we term anarchism. Its pres
ent status furnishes apt illustration of
the radical change Of what is implied in
name for anarchism as 1t was taught by its
founder. in the middle of the last century,
was declared to be 1.-The true form Of the
state" This was Proudhon. the cele-
brated French writer on socialism By this
through education of effective municipal
government. Innocent in itself, it had,
however, the germ of the EXTREMIST social
ism. His famous paradox, la propriete,
c,est VOL" had in 1T the content Of the
philosophy of modern anarchy. Its leaven
was seen working in his editorship of Rep
resentat du People, which in 1S48 became
the most fiery sheet Of France His paper
was suppressed before the end of that year
for Its dangerous economic doctrines, but
the anarchy of our day must regard him as
Its father. Property is theft was terse,
catchy phrase, which then, as now caught
the ear of the impecunious masses. Wheth-
er, as some one has suggested, he was the
dupe of his own paradoxes or blind to the
logical result Of his socialistic claims, IT Is,
however, clear that before his death "a
Well-developed anarchist might be affirmed
of him.
Under the banner Of anarchism have been
committed some of the most heinous crimes
OF our generation. 1t lays it's secret con-
splracles against kings and emperors and
presidents and every representative of or
ganized government. It foments the direst
hatred between the masses and the classes
and openly proclaims war upon all that we
hold most sacred in the home, in society
and In the state. 1t Is an anti-social force
of slow and insidious growth developing in
the unframed intellects and undernourished
brains of the half-starved laboring and
peasant classes of southern and eastern
Europe. Driven from its natural habitat
by the wisely repressive laws of Euronean
governments, it takes refuge in free Ameri
ca, only to turn its blood-stained hand
against our institutions and the highest
person in our government
II remains to be seen whether the Anglo
saxon love OF fair play, righteous govern
ment and regard for the rights Of others.
which are the foundation of this republic
Will assert themselves as in part at least
the outcome OF the awful deed at Buffalo.