The Rise and Fall of Anarchy in America: From its Incipient Stage to the First Bomb Thrown in ChicagoMcLean, George N.
History
The Rise and Fall of Anarchy in America: From its Incipient Stage to the First Bomb Thrown in Chicago
McLean, George N.
Anarchists -- United States; Haymarket Square Riot, Chicago, Ill., 1886
"Do you know what the question was?"--"The question was: 'Would the
destruction of private property assist universal co-operation?' Fielden
replied: 'Neither I or any body else can tell what is going to be in a
hundred years from now, but this everybody knows: If private property
is done away with, it would insure a better state of things generally.
And we are trying all we can to teach the people the best way in which
to bring about this change.'"
"Who was present at that meeting?"--"Fielden, only. The next meeting
was January of this year, at Twelfth street Turner hall. Fielden and
Schwab were present. Fielden, referring to the troubles in Ireland,
said: 'If every Irishman would become a Socialist, he would have
a better opportunity to secure home-rule for Ireland. I want all
Irishmen to destroy all the private property they can lay their hands
on.' He also referred to other matters. What he said had reference to
Pinkerton's detective agency."
"What was it he said?"--"He said Pinkerton's detectives were a lot of
cold-blooded murderers, and the worst enemies the working men had, and
they were all in the pay of the capitalists."
"Is that all that was said there? Was that one of these ordinary
opening meetings?"--"It was."
"What else happened?"--"Schwab also addressed this meeting in German.
During his speech he was frequently applauded. The next meeting I
attended was January 14, at No. 106 Randolph Street."
"January of this year?"--"Yes, sir."
"What was said at this meeting?"--"Before the meeting commenced the
defendants, Fielden and Spies, had a conversation which I overheard."
"Where was that?"--"That was held in the hall near the door."
"State what you heard."--"Spies said to Fielden: 'Don't say very much
about that article on Anarchists in an afternoon paper. You simply need
to state that a reporter of the paper had an interview with me a few
days ago, but that most of the statements of the paper are lies.'"
"How was that conversation carried on?"--"It was carried on quietly and
was not meant for anybody else to hear."
Capt. Black objected to the last part of the answer, and succeeded in
having it stricken out.
"What was the tone of voice?"--"In whispers."
"When did they leave?"--"Spies further said: 'You must be careful in
your remarks. You don't know who might be amongst us to-night.' Spies
then went away and the meeting was called to order."
"By whom?"--"Fielden."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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