Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-07
American Radicals,

,.. american hAulC8lSs
Bomb explosions, occurring in sew.
eral cities at about the same time, are
attributed to the reaction of radical
sentiment against the denial Of elem.
ency to Sacco and Vanzetti. Probably
some, perhaps most, Of these outrages
are committed by fanatic partisans Of
the two men. But It is to be borne in
mind that there are always at hand a
certain number of unbalanced people,
on the border line of criminality, who
seize upon a time of public stress to
manifest their protests against social
conditions. They need no organiza-
ton to direct them, no concert Of pur-
pose to cause them to demonstrate. {"
: 1t must also be remembered that
bomb making is not particularly diff
cult. Anybody with a smattering of
knowledge Of chemistry. which may
he obtained from text books, can
manufacture an internal machine. :"
a small quantity of certain reagent,
"a bit OF illuminate. some iron filings,
perhaps, clockwork or some fuse
all Of which can be bought without
hindrance at the shops-and the mate
,Tials for a deadly continuance are at
hand. The disordered or crooked
mind supplies the inventive quality
and readily sees the opportunity.
=, Yet there are unquestionably at
work at this time certain radical peo-
lple who wish to see the social or
tganization Of this country destroyed.
They are perhaps tools Of the Moscow
Communists who are confessedly
working for the breaking down of
"capitalistic" governments everywhere
In the world. They are possibly indi.
'yiduals who have imbibed the poisoned
waters of anarchistic teaching and
care not in whose cause they operate
so long as they are striking at society.
81 1t is believed that a large percen-
tage Of these radicals are known to
the Government, through the investi.
cations Of the Department Of Justice.
Some Of them are open in their public
proclamation Of hostility. Others are
secretive In their views and hide be.
hind honest occupation. But IL a
roundup Of all the known anarchists
who hope to see the Government of
the United States destroyed were had.
there would be some thousands of
them in Jail.
1t may be the best policy not to ar
rest these fragrant enemies of peace
and order and law. but to keep them
under scrutiny. Arrest means open
warfare upon the cult of destruction.
Some day it will have to be waged.
Some day there must be a clearance Of
this menace. Possibly this present
outbreak of murderous radicaIism will
precipitate crisis that will require
@ definite attack upon these enemies
of society.
Every bomb that is exploded in So
called protest against the execution Of
Sacco and Vanzetti is in effect chal-
lenge flung by the radicals. Every
speech made at the mass meetings of
the disorderly elements in behalf of
clemency for the condemned men is
an invitation to the Government to
start the conflict of authority against
! license. Some Of the speakers at these
meetings doubtless hope to be arrest
ed, in order that they may pose as
martyrs in a cause.
-. Public alarm is not to be felt on
the score of the stability of American
{ institutions because a few bombs are
/ thrown and possibly a few lives may
Fbe lost. The fundamentals Of govern
ment in this country are secure.
eereater crises than this one have been
weathered. The important fact Of the
situation is that this present outburst
! is not in any sense a revolution in be.
half Of justice for two men who, after
a full and fair trial, have been con-
demned to die FOR brutal murder.
but more or less professional demon.
stration by hired agents Of an alien
Denomination Of Communists and by
their beguiled dupes who have been
taught that government Is wicked and
unjust and that 1t should be destroyed.
The insane asylum rather than the
| Jail is the proper place for them.