The gold leaf., 1909-11-04
Anarchist Outcry Against Religion.
Baltimore Sun


In the public demonstrations in
European countries against the
Spanish Government because Fran
cisco Ferrer was put to death by the
decree of a military court a sinister
note has been sounded here and
there. Some Of the men who are
conspicuous i'm these demonstrations
are trying to persuade the people
that Ferrer was victim of religion.
Hence the cry has been raised in
France. in Italy. in Germany of
"Down with religion!" 1t would be
an evil day for the world if this cry
should ever prevail, if the masses of
the people should ever lend willing
ears to the wicked and senseless teach
ings of the enemies of religion.
Religion had nothing to do with the
death of Francisco Ferrer. The court
martial which condemod him was not
guided by the principles OF religion
or by the civil laws, which, in so far
as they make for justice and mercy,
embody the vital principles OF reli-
gion. The Spanish Government had
proclaimed martial law in Barcelona.
The army, the instrument OF secular
authority, was supreme. Ferrer was
the victim of militarism, unrestrained
by constitutional guarantees and
wholly disassociatedf from religion. In
giving the army q free hand to deal
with Ferrer the Spanish Government
committed one of those blunders
which have been described as worse
than crime. Yesterday dispatches
from Madrid state that King Alfonso
is incensed because his Cabinet did
not give him the opportunity to in
tervene in behalf of Ferrer. Perhaps
the King would have pardoned him
to one of imprisonment, with the
purpose OF set ing him free ultimately.
Justice and mercy go hand in hand
With religion and piety. If King Al
fonso had been enabled to determine
Ferrer's fate according to the cardi-
nal tenets of religion, Ferrer would
not have been shot in the fortress of
Montjuich.
The cry OF "down with religion"
which has been heard in the last few
days in the capitals of Europe would
have a melancholy significance, in
deed, if it voiced the sentiment of the
masses of the Old World. It Itrefects,
however, the views of a comparative
ly limited element of Europeans
Upon religion rests the civilization of
the world. 1t is the foundation of
eternal justice, progress, humanity.
1t is the hope, the consolation, the
inspiration Of mankind. The cry of
down with religion" is the cry of
the anarchist. Of the man who,
| whether he realizes it or not, is the
worst enemy of humanity. Govern
ments may blunder and outrage the
| worlds sense of justice in administer
ing the secular affairs of the nations,
but the people will cling to their re-
| ligion, because it is essential to their
happiness and to their welfare and to
their spiritual well-being.
The world cannot do without re-
ligion. 1t is Indispensable to every
human being who feels that he has
within himself the spark divine. 1t
satisfies every aspiration Of the soul.
1t makes for a higher standard OF
living and of conduct than any other
force or influence of which man is
cognizant. And because the world
needs religion and recognizes it's alb
solute dependence upon it, the an
archist cry of "down with religion -
which has been raised in Europe, will
| evoke the sorrow and the condemna-
tion OF every man and woman con-
scious OF the blessings which religion
has brought to the world and will
continue to bring until the earth is
no more.