Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-10-20
Shooting of Revolutionist Gives Cause
of Liberty Great Impetus.
GOMPERS SENTENCE RECALLED
Action of Supreme Court in Citing
Labor Leaders is Significant.
BERLIN L1TERAT1 IS AROUSED
Goethe League Declares Execution
Was "Murder MasqueradinE in
Cloak of Justice'-Anarch-
lists Are Aroused.

WASHINGTON Oct. 19.-Resolutions
fiercely denouncing the murder Of Fran
cisco Ferrer. the Spanish revoIutionist
who recently was condemned by court
martial and shot to death at Barcelona,
were adopted at today's session of the
executive council of the American Fedora
tion Of Labor. After referring to the dead
revolutionist as a martyr" It was de-
clared that his martyrdOm had given the
cause of liberty great impetus, not only
in Spain and in European countries, but In
every land where human aspiration for
freedom seeks attainment.
I'VE in our own personal behalf. as well
rs IN the name of Americas workers and
the whole people," the resolutions declare,
express our intense indignation, horror
and our strongest protest against the
murder Of Francisco Ferrer by direction
of the Spanish government
Taken in connection with the action of
the supreme court of the District of Co
lumbia in sentencing President Gompers.
Secretary Morrison and John Mitchell of
the American Federation of Labor to serve
terms in jail for contempt of court, the
concluding paragraph of the resolution is
looked upon here as significant.
1t declares that 1--WE take this occasion
of the military murder OF a man whose
-real offense was speaking, writing and
teaching humanity to become more wise,
more free and more liberty-loving, to re-
mind the people of our country that the
| liberty of the citizen is only secure wher
trial by jury and in open court for any
alleged offense involving punishment /,
guaranteed"
The resolutions go on to declare tina
''the cause OF free speech, free press anC
free education has found in Ferrer anothe
martyr and more regrettable In an ag'
when civilization boasts of having replace,
the tortures and brutality of medievalisn
by toleration and freedom and enlighten
ment.''
The belief then is expressed that Prof
Ferrer will take rank with all those VIII
have done the greatest service for hu
manity.
"a noble company of martyrs and
cause in which a man might well give hi
life" the resolutions continue, did tyrann
require 1t. Like jefferson, Washington an
Lincoln of our own country, he lahore
and taught and suffered that the peopl
might have wisdom and be worthy OF free
| uNlIl, uSCldIlnB lHdl lHouBH SUI
fered the ultimate penalty of shameft
death at the hands of those who rule 1
the doctrine of the divine right of kings.
the belief is expressed that the sacrific
: was not in vain.
Murder MRsquernded as Justice.
BERLIN. Oct 19.-The Berlin branch {
: the Goethe league. which is composed {
, leading literary and university men, th
. evening adopted resolutions declaring this
/, Prof. Francisco Ferrer's execution was
: murder committed under the form OF la
and an insult to European civilization.
Women, chiefly socialists. held a hue
Indignation meeting tonight. The polio
had to close the doors to prevent the owe
crowding of the building. Resolution
!, adopted declare that the execution
: ! Ferrer was murder masquerading in Il
cloak OF Justice"
Anarchists to the number of 1000 all
: met to protest against the murder of o,
comrade, Ferrer." The police maintain'
Z a close watch at the meeting. but did n
interfere.