The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-10-22
Tacoma
OUR BROTHERS BLOOD
GRIFFITH UNTO US

The entire civilized world stands
aghast at the political execution OF
Prof. Ferrer by the Spanish government
Used as the world is to stories OF
Spanish cruelty, this latest instance of
injustice and tyranny has aroused the
press and people Of all countries to one
mighty protest.
The Seattle Star draws an analogy
between capitalist hatred in Spain and
capitalist injustice in milder form in
this country, and we reproduce it in
this column for the benefit of our read
ers who may not have seen the fearless
Seattle daily:
Common people of these United
States, wherein all men are born free,
sit up and take notice! And, as you read
what appears herein, keep the case of
your Samuel Gompers well in mind
Spain, poor monarchial Spain, the
degenerate Spain wherein millions suf-
fer, toll and starye to support in lux
ury a class created through the divine
right Of kings had a champion. He
was an editor and a professor by name
Francisco Ferrer. He voiced the APP
peals and needs of the common people.
He dared to maintain that the common
people We're entitled to God given rights
such as equality before the law, justice,
freedom in the pursuit Of happiness,
and freedom Of thought and speech.
For these things the titled class
hatred Ferrer, just as the corporation
class hates Sam Gompers, for freedom
of thought and speech means freedom
from privileged class
Last July there was a revolutionary
outbreak in Barcelona. Common moth
ers OF common sons objected to contri-
buting their children as powder food to
preserve the interests of the titled class
in Morocco, and there was bloody riot
ing. That outbreak was instructive. 1t
showed the common people that, with
courage, they might be free.
"The class seized Ferrer, professor of
freedom. They charged him with in
citing revolution against the privileged
class, just as they charge Gompers with
contempt Of court They locked up this
so-called grand old 'Tolstoi of Spain
in Mont--uicA fortress. where Tor de
cades offenders against the class have
rotted, whence patriots Of true soul
have been led to death. often and often.
and which has well earned the name,
'Bastile Of Spain
They tried Ferer All humane
Europe pronounces that trial farce.
1t was by court-martial Did they give
him hearing before a jury Of his
peers? No No more than they did
Gompers They condemned him secret
ly. On October l3 last the privileged
class led him out, stood him up against
a wall and shot him. The only thing
for class to do with courage. patriotism
and progress is to kill Otherwise it
grows, elevates mems minds, strength
ems mems hearts and kills class, exc
eutes and buries monarchy, title, 'di-
vine right So they butchered Ferrer
brainiest, bravesr noblest man Span
had. But his soul viii 90 marching on.
The United States class viii not
shoot Gompers. But that doesn't mat
ter The musket isn't the principle.
Listen to what Gompers said, upon his
return to Washington from Europe the
other night
"'The imposition OF a fine OF one cent
or OF Imprisonment for one hour for
the utterance OF onscientious belief
and the faith that is within US is
denial of free speech and Of free
press
'When human freedom Is at stake,
what matters it whether the class aims
at you leaden bullet or a penny fine?
The principle is the thing Is there much
difference between Ferrer dead with
,all in his heart and Gompers jailed
" a class that free speech and free
,ress will killY"