The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-09-02
Wilmington Is Saved!

ytions in Wilmington, definitely called
off the meeting Thursday, August
18th.
On Saturday the Evening Jour
nal" appeared with great scarehead
across the top of the front page: PO-
LICE RIOT STICKS TO HALT
SACCO RALLY. A prominent front
page story, continued on the second
page, covering in all about a column
and half, informed the good people
of Wilmington of the incredible agil-
ity of their police department and
particularly of its chief, Superinten-
dent of Police Black. The story, car
ried exclusively by the Evening
Journal was composed largely of
manifestos by Superintendent Black,
written for him in the vigorous prose
Of the Journals" star reporter.
Here are some succulent extracts
from this great human document:
Wilmington will not be made the
rendezvous of radicals from other
cities, and orders have been issued to
the police promptly to break up any
such gathering here"
Where there may be a few of the
radicals in this city, the. meeting for
tonight, according to information re-
ceived by this office, was to have been
held here, as the police of other cities
have forbidden such gatherings, and
the bulk Of those attending doubtless
would have been from other cities.'
1--WE believe in free speech and the
enjoyment of liberty by all so long
as that speech and liberty does not
incite to an outbreak among the rad
zeal element. :. believe it is far
better to halt this business right at
the start rather than wait for the
radicals to stir things up here as has
been done in other cities"
g. Wilmington will not be
made the dumping ground by the for
eigners who wish to come here and
upset our government"
The story then went on to say:
Superintendent of Police Black at
noon on learning that there was a
plan on foot to hold the meeting in
defiance of police, issued orders to
the police captains to hold themselves
in readiness for action.
"He also directed them to have
guard placed over every hall or pub
lie meeting place in the city to-
night.
we have plenty of riot sticks
| downstairs said Superintendent
Black, which have never been used.
If the mob insists on it l feel salts
fled that the police will be found
ready to use them where they will do
the most good
The next morning the Wilmington
"Star" printed a frontpage story
| from which it was evident that the
police had done their duty and had
saved the city from destruction. Only
one incident occurred. The guardians
of the law learned that a street meet
ing was being held after all. They
descended with riot sticks flying, only
to find it was meeting of the Ku
Klux Khan. The Khan is an honored
organization in Wilmington. Mis-
takes will happen.
The fact that the Sacco-Vanzetti
meeting had been called off two days
before didn't seem to fluster the in
trepid Superintendent Black. He had
remained staunch, and singlehandeo
had saved the city.
In the city of Wilmington there is
a creek called the Brandywine and
lovely quiet park that has been named
Brandywine Park. In an open space
there squat historic cannon, thrusting
meek nozzles into the placid summer
air. 1t was here that a rebel named
George Washington, leader of a
ragged, outlaw army, once fought the
Battle of Brandywine. But that was
before Superintendent Black was
elected to office.
Sacco and Vanzetti are dead. The
Du Points live on. And Wilmington
has been saved.
Will Superintendent of Police Black
be the next mayor of Wilmington?
Ask me another.