The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1917-07-28

WI members OF pollklcal parry
lAe set out to conduct peaceable
O and orderly parade through
certain streets Of Boston,
Mass. They had banners bearing
placards inscribed with their senti-
ments, and carried the American flag.
The demonstration was exceptionally
peaeeable from the fact that 1t was
a protest against war In general as
well as against the present war In
particular.
1t so happened that these pacifsts
were neither Republicans such as
have Senator LaFollette for their
spokesman, nor party Democrats such
az rejoice in the non-resistance teach
inps of Mr.. Bryan. They were
Socialists, but nevertheless as con-
sistent In their ill-timed pacifism as
members Of other parties who cry for
peace after war has actually begun.
Whether wise or unwise in their
rontention, or in the manner and
time Of its agitation, the pGrdders
vere proceeding in legal and orderly
manner to assemble and declare their
convictions. Had they proceeded, free
from molestaton, no damage would
have resulted, they would assuredly
have derived some satisfaction from
expressions Of their protest, and some
Of what was ranking within might
have worked itself painlessly out Of
the system.
But some 80 to 80 uniformed menu
bers of the army, navy, marine corps,
and national guard were so incensed
at the appearance of the paraders and
their banners that they mobbed the
marchers, seized their banners, de-
stroyed their placards, and INDUCED
IN all the offensive lawlessness that
is commonly called rioting. Not satls-
fed with attacks upon the procession'
ths mob invaded the Socialists head
quarters and looted tho premises, de.
stro,rino furniture and fittings as wea
as laroe quantities Of literature.
Il was much like the frenzied at
tack perpetrated by ten thousand
Knights Of Columbus and other no,
maniyts upon q peaceable speaker and
others at the city Of Haverhill in the
same state some time ago. In fact
the connection is somewhat close as
shaIl be seen; but neither ofcnse Is
nh0rocdble to tho decent majority OF
tho Massachusetts, Commonwealth. 2;
for the worthy people OF havermll
promptly repudiated the act OF their
hoodlurn population; and such DIS,
tinpuished representatives Of the cfvil
and military authority as Governor
Mccall and Rear-Admiral Bowles
have made statements showing that
real fighting men and real civilians OF
the Old Bay State do not cottttendnce
sudh conduct.
An idea of how the rioting was re,
garded by the civilized population Of
Boston may be gathered from the fol,
lowing timely and pointed editorial
leader which appeared IN the Boston
Journal on the day after the disgrace
full scene:
A SORRY DAT IN BOSTON
A d.sp diseraes 10 Bcstsa and 3 Sorrl
stain to the American uniforn-thst ID
ma iudxmsnt Of the risting yesterday Il
eur streets and h that historic park dsdi
Gated TO the cause sf Liberty.
A parade Of klvili&A 9nsn hHA women with
In thsir rights and within the law was at
talked b. American soldiers and sailors. In
noesnt citizens were injured, private propert
was destroyed. The frss streets and the pub
lie park were taken in possession By the uni
formed men. and the rights Of the civilian
were denied. iH
And this ia Boston. o. 8. A4-And IN
pear whsa the nation has besn urged to Civ
its blood to "maks the world safe for de
nocraeyi"
80 q
The Socialists. . Political party existing b
law, were having one Of their customary pa
rades. With the Amsriesa hag they carrie
their usual banners. bearing their party In
scriptisns.
And then along comes . crowd, dressed b
the proudsst rsgalis Of ths United State.
and attacks the persons and the liberties 0
ths parsdsEs. including both men and wsmsr
In PARK square. under the shadow Of Ahra
ham Lineslns statue, . second crowd break
Into and plumbers the Socialist hsadcusrterI
burning furniture and attinsu IN the street.