The Washington times., 1922-01-15

Inc Hlgn Prlest nuns out Ve-
hement hand.
"Not this mani Liberate Barab-
bas! The people want Barabbasl"
A Pharisee standing o couple OF
steps lower-by trade q basket
maker, by reputation q saint
caught the name, and, tossing up
his arms. cried at the top of his
voice;
.Barabbasl Ask for the release
Of Barabbasl"
'Barabbas!" shouted several
voices at the foot of the steps.
David had heard the name before
all tho city knew 1t. The man
belonged to the Zealots-the irrec-
onciiable, fanatic patriots who re-
garded the payment Of taxes and
tribute to Rome as a betrayal OF
Coo. There had been an anthem
tile riot In the lower town and he
had killed o Roman centurion.
"Barabbas!" A hundred voices
took It up.
"Give us Barabbasi" :
"Barabbasl Barabbas!" shouted
the crowd as though 1t had one
throat.
The Governo. puckered his fore
head, looking annoyed. After about
q minute the clsmor died down.
"If I release Barabbas"-his edu.
Gated We. with its unmlstakable
patti iciah infection was noticeably
raised, as though he were really
anxious for Il to carry as far as
possible-"what shall be Gone with
this uanf"
There was q pause-like the
pause before q suspended wave
breal Q. II was one Of those mo-
ments when the units of a gathering
merge spiritually in a unanimous
mob-consciouspess that thinks with
D single brain.
"Crucify hint" The wave broke
with q crash. The two words leaped
simultaneously from the lips of the
High Priest, the Pharisaical and
sanity bas' "t-maker, the Saddu-
Gees. Levites, good-for-nothings and
Temple hanS1rson.
The Governor raised his hand .or
= have told you already that the
man IL harmless-I have examined
him myself: I will scourge him and
let him Co."
mo! Cruelty him-crucify him!
The c.oss!"
The High Priest was purple in
tho face. The features Of the goat
bearded basket-maker were distort.
ed like o furious mask worn by an
actor In. q Greek tragedy.
The crowd-made up Of salaried
priests whose venialities had been
exposed to the people who supported
them, OF Rabbis smarting from tho
open charges OF hypocrisy. Of Tenn
pie hucksters who had been twics
bundled out of the Court OF the Gen
tiles bag and baggage, Of slum-bred
offscourings ready TO yelp Death"
for the mere excitement OF the
thing-swayed a yard nearer to the
foot Of the marble steps.
It's composite, unanimous brain
was blood-suffused. Rage-whether
its slight roots be self.interest. dam
aged vanity, diminished profits OF
tUt thCllctntutlAht vi thV uCbNbS'
ate-is the strongest becauseT the
simplest mob-emotion, intoxicating
as strong drink, Is a delicious aban
Comment Of Individual conscious
ness. $3.50.
Cruelty him. 4: ..,
Hands-some ring jevelled. some
bleached by c0ntinual ceremonial
washing, some natural as a mon
key's-reacheds towsrd the raised
platform. 80"
The mob rocked like the mole
enclosed waters Of a bay that, is
shaken by an Earthquake; and II
was augmented from moment tc
moment as stragglers. infected by
the spreading excitement, gathered
Upon its frir ges, giving tongue with
the rest. The whole forecourt
from the steps Of the tribunal to
the outer gate, seethed.
The Governors secretary glanced
up furuvely from beneath his light
eyebrows. He was divide between
nervousness and the habit OF self
effacement.
The captain Of the Governors
guard came forward a few steps
saluted and asked some question.
The Governor made an irritable,
inconclusive gesture. Then he