The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-07

"ANARCHISM," by Paul Eltzbacher; translated by Steven T. byington; Ben 1amin R. Tucker. New York; BIT pages; $l.27
 Here we have the gospel of anarchy as set forth by its acknowledged po- tentates, the book a rather dry and dreary one for readers who want en- tertainment but somewhat enlivened with Its excellent portraits of the apostles of the anarchistic variety. The views of each of the leaders are succinctly and quite clearly set forth so that any seeking information on the subject will get 1t authoritatively from the fountain head.
 Dr. Eltzbacher gives first his own discussion on anarchy and then has seven chapters of classified quotations from anarchist leaders. These, con veniently arranged, are reprint of what the anarchists themselves have said on the cardinal points of an archistic thought and are fairly con sidered by MT. Byington as the part that most readers of the book will take the deepest interest in. The anarchistic leaders thus quoted from are Goodwin, Proudhon, Stirner, Bak- win, Kropotkin, Tucker and Tolstoi. The two concluding chapters are de- voted to further consideration of ''The Anarchistic Teachings" and "Anarchism and Its Species" In the final round up Is the statement that 1t Is essential to fair understanding of anarchistic teachings that they should be examined as to their sound ness or unsoundness, with courage composure and impartiality, not wan dering about aimlessly or trying to light 1t up with the lantern of dog matism, but by keeping the eye fixed upon the guiding star of criticism And finally and lastly, whether beside this it is requisite to oppose anarchism or at least one or another of Ats species by especial instrument talities of power whether in par ticular crime committed for the realization of anarchistio teach ings is more serious misdeed than any political or even ordinary crime---as to this the legislators of each country must decide with view to the special conditions existing therein"
 There is an extensive preface by tho translator of the book. Steven T. By ington of Ballardsvale, Mass, ir which the virtues and excellencies oi Dr. Eltzbacher's book are set fortf coupled with some loving and tender criticism of his work, the faults sci forth not being glarlng and not real | ly impairing the real merit or force of Dr. Eltzbacher's asseverations ant interpretations. A selection here ant there from the translator's difinifec and careful estimate of the Doctor: work are as follows:
 The collection of quotations whici form three-fourths of the book botl on bulk and importance is as mucf the best part as 1t is the biggest. Her. the prime necessity is impartiality anC \ Eltzbacher has attained this as per fectly as can be expected of any man Positively, one comes to the ent of all this without knowing whethe Eltzbacher is himself an anarchist O not; 1t is not until we come to the las dozen pages of the book that he let his opposition to anarchism becom evident. Next to impartiality, if no even before it we need intelligence il our compiler; and we have if. Fev men, even inside the movement woul' have been more successful than Eltz bacher in picking out the importan parts of the anarchist doctrines am the quotations which will show thes .I important parts as they are. Nor than this. he has except in three o four points, made it as accurate as | even useful for ordinary reading; h has overlooked nothing but what hi readers would have been sure to over look if he had presented it. As gun Is advertised to shoot as straigh as any man can hold, so Eltzbache has, with three or four exception: told his story as straight as any ma with ordinary attention can read Tn net result is that we have been tn most complete and accurate presenta ton of anarchism that has ever bee given or ever will be in so short space. If any one wants a fuller c more trustworthy account he wi positively have to go direct to tn writings of the anarchists themselves nowhere else can he find anything s good as Elt7hacher. Withal this mai part of the book is decidedly reada bel"
 Having said what has been jus quoted the translator proceeds {