Part 8 (1/2)
But this is the first terrorist act in Ahly Yet they will know that an Anarchist committed the deed I will talk to them from the courtroom And my comrades at liberty will use the opportunity to the utht on the questions involved Such a deed must draw the attention of the world
This first act of voluntary Anarchist sacrifice will o martyrdom The latter was preeminently a lesson in capitalist justice The culedy of 1887 lacked the element of voluntary Anarchist self-sacrifice in the interests of the People In that distinctive quality e The leaven of growing oppression is at work It is for us, the Anarchists, to educate labor to its great mission Let the world learn of thethat beyond the cal of social protest--
”Quick, Ahlick! Plant it” So white flutters between the bars
Hastily I read the newspaper clipping Glorious! Who would have expected it? A soldier in one of the regiive ”three cheers for the man who shot Frick”
My soul overfloith beautiful hopes Such a wonderful spirit a the militia; perhaps the soldiers will fraternize with the strikers It is by no s have happened before After all, they are of the People, men Their interests are identical with those of the strikers, and surely they hate Frick, who is universally condeance This soldier--what is his naie They feared to respond to his cheers, especially because of the Colonel's presence But undoubtedly erous for the enemy to rely upon the Tenth Pennsylvania And in the other Hoiments, there must also be such noble Iamses They will not permit their comrade to be court-martialed, as the Colonel threatens Iams is not merely a ht to express his opinion regarding my deed If he had condemned it, he would not be punished May he not, then, voice a favorable sentiment? No, they can't punish hi the soldiers How iment, and demanded to knoho cheered for ”the assassin of Mr Frick,” as the imbecile put it Iams stepped out of the ranks, and boldly avowed his act He could have remained silent, or denied it
But he is evidently not like that cowardly steel-worker He even refused the Colonel's offer to apologize
Brave boy! He is the right material for a revolutionist Such ato the militia He should know for what purpose it is intended: a tool of capitalism in the enslavement of labor After all, it will benefit hihten hiive enerous of him to risk this act of friendshi+p The Warden has expressly interdicted the passing of newspapers to h the other prisoners are perainst noramus: he cannot even pronounce ”Anarchist” Yesterday he said to ood What do they want, anyhow?” I replied, angrily: ”First you say they are no good, then you ask what they want” He flushed ”Got no use for them, anyway” Such an imbecile! Not the least sense of justice--he conde the detectives Why does he insist I should plead guilty? I have repeatedly told hih I do not deny the act, I auilty, you'll get off easier You did it, so better plead guilty” In vain I strove to explain to hie the authority of your courts I a wisdouilty Take uilty”
Instinctively I sense so eyes of the Warden peer intently through the bars I feel hi now if he wishes But no torture shall draw froro The nah entleman in my office wishes to see you,” the Warden informs me
”Who is he?”
”A friend of yours, froh I don't care to see the man”
The Warden's suave insistence arouses my suspicions Why should he be so es, I have been told I decline the privilege But the Warden insists I refuse
Finally he orders uards lead me into the hallway They halt me at the head of a line of a dozen ned to the seventh place I notice that I alasses The Warden enters from an inner office, accompanied by three visitors They pass down the row, scrutinizing each face They return, their gaze fixed on the ers makes a motion as if to put his hand on the shoulder of the man on my left The Warden hastily calls the visitors aside They converse in whispers, then walk up the line, and pass slowly back, till they are alongside of er puts his hand fanize ht in front of the Telegraph building”[7]
[7] The building in which the offices of the Carnegie Company were located
”I never saw you before in my life”
”Oh, yes! You remember I spoke to you--”
”No, you did not,” I interrupt, impatiently
”Take hiainst the perfidious proceeding ”A positive identification,” the Warden asserts The detective had seenthe office of Mr Frick” Indignantly I deny the false state the conspiracy to involve e, and orders me deprived of exercise that afternoon
The Warden's role in the police plot is now apparent to h he is, familiarity with police methods has developed in hi its prey The good-natured s in the successful abuse of his wardenshi+p over unfortunate hus
This new appreciation of his character clarifies various incidents heretofore puzzling todetained at the office, I am sure It is ilected : it is now over a week since my arrest As a matter of due precaution, they would not communicate with me at once But two or three days would be sufficient to perfect a _Deckadresse_[8] Yet not a line has reacheddetained
[8] A ”disguise” address, to mask the identity of the correspondent
My reflections rouse bitter hatred of the Warden His infaainst the occupant of the next cell assumes a new aspect Undoubtedly the man is a spy; placed there by the Warden, evidently Little incidents, insignificant in therows to conviction as I review various circuhbor The questions I deeht of the Warden's role as volunteer detective The young negro was sent to the dungeon for warning ainst the spy in the next cell But the latter is never reported, notwithstanding his continual knocking and talking Specially privileged, evidently And the Warden, too, is hand-in-glove with the police I a of those letters he gave me yesterday They were postmarked Homestead, from a pretended striker They want to blow up the ood bombs are needed I should send them the addresses of my friends who kno to make effective explosives What a stupid trap! One of the epistles sought to involve some of the strike leaders in my act In another, John Most was ht with such chaff But I uard It is best I should decline to accept mail They withhold the letters of my friends, anyhow
Yes, I'll refuse all mail