The Rise and Fall of Anarchy in America: From its Incipient Stage to the First Bomb Thrown in Chicago — John Shaqi
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
As the trial progressed public interest in the development of the
Anarchist plot to overthrow law and order increased. The courtroom
would not hold half of the people that applied for admission, and
hundreds were turned away. Scattered throughout the courtroom were
numerous red flags and banners of the Lehr und Wehr Verein and the
various Anarchist groups. Detective James Bonfield was recalled to
identify the flags and banners found at the _Arbeiter Zeitung_ office.
They were as follows: "In the Absence of Law all Men are Free";
"Every Government is a Conspiracy against the People"; "Down with
all Laws"; "Fifteenth Section Boys Stick together"; "Proletarians of
all Countries, unite"; "International Working People's Association of
Chicago. Presented by the Socialistic Women's Society July 16, 1875".
Saturday, July 31, the state introduced more translations from the
_Arbeiter Zeitung_. The paper of January 6, under the caption of "A New
Military Law," contained the following editorials: "After the adoption
of the law and its working we have learned a lesson. The vote of 1881
has shown that we are stronger than ever. There exists to-day an
invisible network of Socialistic forces. We are stronger than ever."
On January 22, 1886, an editorial asked: "How can the eight-hour day be
brought about? Why, every clear-headed man can see that the result can
be obtained by no other means than armed force."
The next day it was said: "The rottenness of our social institutions
cannot be covered up with whitewash. Capital sucks its force out of the
labor of the working men. The misery has become unbearable. Let us not
treat with our enemies on May 1. Therefore, comrades, arm to the teeth.
We want to demand our rights on May 1."
Regarding the riot in London, a meeting was held at the Twelfth street
Turner hall, Neebe presiding; Fielden the orator, and his speech and
the proceedings were reported under date of February 15. Fielden said:
"The time is not so far distant when the down-trodden in Chicago will
rise like their brothers in London, and march up Michigan avenue, the
red flag at their head." Schwab spoke, calling on the people to rally
around the red flag of revolution. An editorial on February 17 said:
"Hundreds and thousands of reasons indicate that force will bring about
a successful termination in the struggle for liberty." April 10 it was
said: "What happened yesterday in East St. Louis may happen in Chicago.
It is high time to be prepared to complete the ammunition and be ready."
On April 22 Spies wrote: "Working men, arm yourselves. May 1 is close
at hand." Six days later he said: "What Anarchists predicted six months
ago has been realized now. The power of the manufacturers must be met
with armed working men. The logic of facts requires this. Arms are more
necessary now than ever. It is time to arm yourselves. Whoever has not
money sell your watch and buy firearms. Patience has been preached--the
working men have had too much of patience."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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