Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-09
Revolutionists.

In outspoken terms the radicals who
are supporting Sacco and Nanzettl
and deman hiding their release or re-
trial for murder denounce the present
form of Government in the United
States and call for clemency for these
men as a token of a change. In
protest to Gov. Fuller Of Massachu-
sets the alternative is offered of
peaceful revolution or a bloody one.
In other communications this same
choice is presented. One of the writer's
of a letter to President Lowell of Har'
ward, taking exceptions to his part IN
the report of the advisory committee
to Gov. Fuller. says:
It is upon men of your class ana
position that will rest the ineVltaoie
decision as to whether the coming
struggle for the reorganization OF So
ciety shall be hloodless and fertile or
inconceivahly bloody and destructive.
1t Is high time that you realize the
full extent Of the responsibility resting
upon your shoulders.
In other words, revolution is COM
Ing. assuredly. Will organized govern
ment yield quietly, or put up fight?
The highwayman presenting a gun
and demanding Your money or your
lifem is no different from these would
, be reyolutionists. Give up what you
have without struggle and you may
go ahead, alive, but bereft of your
valuables. Show the least sign OF
resistance and you will lose both val
uables and life.
The proletariat revolution in Russia
was conducted upon the same prin'
ciple Of stand and deliver" The pro-
posed American revolution is to be
similarly managed. Society is in for
a. change drastic, deep-seated
change-and must come across with
reform or be destroyed.
In this Sacco- Vanzetti matter there
is an opportunity for showdown of
the strength Of the radical forces.
That they are a small minority Of the
people is assured. But they make
much noise and give the impression of
great strength. They include numer-
Gus categories Of protestants against
the established order. Some are deep
red, some are pale pink, in their po-
litical compilations. When the pinch
comes, If ever it should come, doubt
less most Of those of the lighter-hued
agitators for a change would be found
on the side Of organized government,
leaving the die-hard extremists in the
lurch. But even IL all off-color citi-
zens-not to count the aliens-were
to assemble in a compact party of
revolution they would not make re-
spectacle percentage Of the population.
In the Sacco-Vanzetti case all of the
tints of radicalism are in voice or
action now, in protest against what
they contend. perhaps sincerely be.
lieve, to be a miscarriage Of justice.
Some Of them are throwing bombs.
fortunately without doing harm. Some
are engaged in brief strikes in express
sion Of sympathy with the condemned
men. Some are merely writing letters
or making speeches. They have been
saying, over and over again, that there
is certain to be a change in the social
order. Now is their opportunity to
say it pointedly, and they play with
the thought with wide variations.
II there is a change in the Ameri-
can system of Government it will be
effected through the ballot box, and
: not through physical conflict. And the
change will not be brought about by
means Of terrorism. Meanwhile, should
not those who are Illuminating against
the law in terms Of menace to the in
stitutions Of this country be given a
lesson in moderation? A few prosecu-
tons might clear the atmosphere.