New-York tribune., 1902-01-15
RECORDER ON ANARCHY.
DOES NOT THINK LAWS WILL REPRESs
IT-VIEWS OF DR.. ABBOTT AND
EDMUND WETMORE


Recorder Gor made a short speech on anarchy
before the Nineteenth Century Club last night. 1t
was at the January meeting OF the club. The
topic for the evening was What Shall We Do
with Anarchy and Anarchists?"
The Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott had dealt with the
subject from the scholars point of view
Edmund Wetmore delivered address in which
he made recommendations in regard to the treat
ment of anarchists
recorder Gof was late in arriving. and was the
last speaker. He began by pointing out the fact
that the other side-the anarchists side-had no
representation at the meeting and had not
mad an opportunity to state their point of view In
oFoer TO deal fairly with the anarchists the Re-
coroer said it would be necessary try think of
anarchy as the anarchists think of It,
The Recorder, in jocular manner suggested
that Emma Goldman ought to have been invited
to take part in the discourse Of the evening
for US who are gathered here in this well ap-
POINTED and beautifully decorated chamber under
'he glare OF these electric lights, it is perfectly
proper 10 agree that anarchy is abornina BILE" said
the recorder, with just slight touch of sarcasm
IN MS tones I'VE would be false to our surround
ihSs II we did not We are all we'll dressed and
pretty wen TO do financially and it's only natural
Tor us to take the position of the party in poses
sion
1t Is IN the same manner to-day that the Brit
iSh' standing on the property which they have
corIscated from the Beers, say to the con-
quered as the preceding speaker said Set your
you as l would brgand on the road
l think we assume little too much If we make
Ihe mistake TO congratulate ourselves the pres
ent state OF our society and position in 1t.
Inc aristocracy and nobility of France took the
same position before the Revolution in regard to
what they called their rights But was 1t not their
lives which caused their revoiution-the mobiles
who amused themselves in luxury and wealth
while the people starved? Who We're the anarch-
lists? The people or they?
Anarchy is madness Its theories are srhversive
OF law and order In practice they lead to murder
and plu;idef, and no right thinking ad-
vocate them.
If look back to the time following the as
sassination of President Mckinley and the hectic
excitement which prevailed then, we must confess
that If ever anarchistic tendencies were oppressed
II was then One man-and he wore the rarb that
indicates the messenger of the Prince of Peace
even suggested that at the execution of Czolgosz
against whom all this storm of feeling was direct
ed all the power houses of the United States
should be connected with the electric chair in
order to make the execution a popular ore.
Recorder Goff pointed that in the efforts to
devise legislation for repressing anarchy there
a grave danger Of going to the other extreme
You cannot extirpate IDEAS by legislation" the
recorder continued Laws never made men and
women virtuous. 1t may restrain them for a time.
do not endeaVor 10 repress idea. II the idea is
right IL will triumph, nevertheless and the re-
pressive methods Will only prove much fuel to
feed the flame. If wrong, ideas will die of them
selves. In dealing with anarchy. let remember
that If our government is founded on righteous
ness then anarchy is a craze and this craze will
pass. as other in the worlds history"
There was very little applause-hardly any-as
Recorder Gon down. 1t was evident that the
impression created was not one OF unmixed salts
faction.
DR.. Abbott, who the first speaker. af-
ter broadly defining the doctrines of assassna-
ton, Anarchy and Socialism. which. he said. as
disseminated in the public mind. had been wrongly
associated with another. pointed how. the
present day. complete Anarchy obtained in at least
one realm, that Of religion, and that neither Teig-
ion nor the State had suffered by IT.
In religion you have absolute freedom" said
DR.. Abbott. You may worship you please or not
at ALL Has the State suffered? Has religion suf-
fered? Not at all Though have religious An
archy to-day. religion Is better. higher and purer
than in the Middle Ages. when men coerced
into certain forms OF worship"
~, Or: Abbott also declared that there, time
world and that legislation to govern industry had
been cen, a result result Of the former freedom.
Dr. Abbott, was that ali men We're entitled TO alb
rights for the purpose OF obtaining constitutional
aFfhy y Ism rs merely the present generation
contract was signed by their forefathers, who had
II deny absolutely. the postuiate that man has
ey aw e4Fp are P5rr into s World by
dences of a divine will, as the wonders of nature
But, as far as We are concerned. they might as
well be evidences of supreme Will. for 1t is
We were born into world governed by Jaw,
and we cannot help that any than we Scan
help being born into certain family. Only saw
ages seek 10 live with disregard to such laws.
Under a civilized system seek to take advan-
tage and profit by them.
The object Of government Is not make laws
but to find out what laws already exist No par
Lament, no congress, ruler, ever made a law.
All you can do is to find out what the great laws
of right and wrong that exist are. and apply them
TO the great problems of civic life
The theory OF unfettered self-government is an
unthinkable proposition as il is put into
concrete statement. What shall do with an
archy and anarchists? They are either criminal
or insane, and should be treated according the
laws and doctrines formulated for the treatment
OF such. What about the philosophical and,
we call them,. harmless. anarchists who found
their theories on apCtheosis of human nature?
Let me say that the only way to prevent the
theories OF anarchy from spreading is TO stihe them
In their every expression
The fundamental cause Of anarchy is the reac-
ton of unjust government II so in France.
Shall this in America? If legislators
in order enable the few to lead lives OF lux
urious leisure then shall have anarchy east
and west and north and south. But if the legisla-
tors true to their calling. and if journalism
would seek not to reflect, but to lead and direct
public opinion into proper channels. then anarchy
Will disappear as the morning mists before the
sun"
Mr. Wetmore urged a national penalty for as
sassination and drastic laws for the repression of
anarchy.
JUDGE SHIPHAN RESIGNS.