ThateveryactofpoliticalviolenceshouldnowadaysbeattributedtoAnarchistsisnotatallsurprising。YetitisafactknowntoalmosteveryonefamiliarwiththeAnarchistmovementthatagreatnumberofacts，forwhichAnarchistshadtosuffer，eitheroriginatedwiththecapitalistpressorwereinstigated，ifnotdirectlyperpetrated，bythepolice。
ForanumberofyearsactsofviolencehadbeencommittedinSpain，forwhichtheAnarchistswereheldresponsible，houndedlikewildbeasts，andthrownintoprison。LateritwasdisclosedthattheperpetratorsoftheseactswerenotAnarchists，butmembersofthepolicedepartment。ThescandalbecamesowidespreadthattheconservativeSpanishpapersdemandedtheapprehensionandpunishmentofthegang-leader，JuanRull，whowassubsequentlycondemnedtodeathandexecuted。Thesensationalevidence，broughttolightduringthetrial，forcedPoliceInspectorMomentotoexoneratecompletelytheAnarchistsfromanyconnectionwiththeactscommittedduringalongperiod。Thisresultedinthedismissalofanumberofpoliceofficials，amongthemInspectorTressols，who，inrevenge，disclosedthefactthatbehindthegangofpolicebombthrowerswereothersoffarhigherposition，whoprovidedthemwithfundsandprotectedthem。
ThisisoneofthemanystrikingexamplesofhowAnarchistconspiraciesaremanufactured。
ThattheAmericanpolicecanperjurethemselveswiththesameease，thattheyarejustasmerciless，justasbrutalandcunningastheirEuropeancolleagues，hasbeenprovenonmorethanoneoccasion。WeneedonlyrecallthetragedyoftheeleventhofNovember，1887，knownastheHaymarketRiot。
NoonewhoisatallfamiliarwiththecasecanpossiblydoubtthattheAnarchists，judiciallymurderedinChicago，diedasvictimsofalying，bloodthirstypressandofacruelpoliceconspiracy。HasnotJudgeGaryhimselfsaid:"NotbecauseyouhavecausedtheHaymarketbomb，butbecauseyouareAnarchists，youareontrial。"
TheimpartialandthoroughanalysisbyGovernorAltgeldofthatblotchontheAmericanescutcheonverifiedthebrutalfranknessofJudgeGary。ItwasthisthatinducedAltgeldtopardonthethreeAnarchists，therebyearningthelastingesteemofeverylibertylovingmanandwomanintheworld。
WhenweapproachthetragedyofSeptembersixth，1901，weareconfrontedbyoneofthemoststrikingexamplesofhowlittlesocialtheoriesareresponsibleforanactofpoliticalviolence。"LeonCzolgosz，anAnarchist，incitedtocommittheactbyEmmaGoldman。"
Tobesure，hasshenotincitedviolenceevenbeforeherbirth，andwillshenotcontinuetodosobeyonddeath？EverythingispossiblewiththeAnarchists。
Today，even，nineyearsafterthetragedy，afteritwasprovenahundredtimesthatEmmaGoldmanhadnothingtodowiththeevent，thatnoevidencewhatsoeverexiststoindicatethatCzolgoszevercalledhimselfanAnarchist，weareconfrontedwiththesamelie，fabricatedbythepoliceandperpetuatedbythepress。NolivingsouleverheardCzolgoszmakethatstatement，noristhereasinglewrittenwordtoprovethattheboyeverbreathedtheaccusation。
Nothingbutignoranceandinsanehysteria，whichhaveneveryetbeenabletosolvethesimplestproblemofcauseandeffect。
ThePresidentofafreeRepublickilled！Whatelsecanbethecause，exceptthattheATTENTATERmusthavebeeninsane，orthathewasincitedtotheact。
AfreeRepublic！Howamythwillmaintainitself，howitwillcontinuetodeceive，todupe，andblindeventhecomparativelyintelligenttoitsmonstrousabsurdities。AfreeRepublic！AndyetwithinalittleoverthirtyyearsasmallbandofparasiteshavesuccessfullyrobbedtheAmericanpeople，andtrampleduponthefundamentalprinciples，laiddownbythefathersofthiscountry，guaranteeingtoeveryman，woman，andchild"life，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。"Forthirtyyearstheyhavebeenincreasingtheirwealthandpowerattheexpenseofthevastmassofworkers，therebyenlargingthearmyoftheunemployed，thehungry，homeless，andfriendlessportionofhumanity，whoaretrampingthecountryfromeasttowest，fromnorthtosouth，inavainsearchforwork。Formanyyearsthehomehasbeenlefttothecareofthelittleones，whiletheparentsareexhaustingtheirlifeandstrengthforamerepittance。ForthirtyyearsthesturdysonsofAmericahavebeensacrificedonthebattlefieldofindustrialwar，andthedaughtersoutragedincorruptfactorysurroundings。Forlongandwearyyearsthisprocessofunderminingthenation’shealth，vigor，andpride，withoutmuchprotestfromthedisinheritedandoppressed，hasbeengoingon。Maddenedbysuccessandvictory，themoneypowersofthis"freelandofours"becamemoreandmoreaudaciousintheirheartless，crueleffortstocompetewiththerottenanddecayedEuropeantyranniesforsupremacyofpower。
InvaindidalyingpressrepudiateLeonCzolgoszasaforeigner。
TheboywasaproductofourownfreeAmericansoil，thatlulledhimtosleepwith，Mycountry，’tisofthee，Sweetlandofliberty。
WhocantellhowmanytimesthisAmericanchildhadgloriedinthecelebrationoftheFourthofJuly，orofDecorationDay，whenhefaithfullyhonoredtheNation’sdead？Whoknowsbutthathe，too，waswillingto"fightforhiscountryanddieforherliberty，"untilitdawneduponhimthatthosehebelongedtohavenocountry，becausetheyhavebeenrobbedofallthattheyhaveproduced；untilherealizedthatthelibertyandindependenceofhisyouthfuldreamswerebutafarce。PoorLeonCzolgosz，yourcrimeconsistedoftoosensitiveasocialconsciousness。UnlikeyourideallessandbrainlessAmericanbrothers，youridealssoaredabovethebellyandthebankaccount。Nowonderyouimpressedtheonehumanbeingamongalltheinfuriatedmobatyourtrial——anewspaperwoman——asavisionary，totallyoblivioustoyoursurroundings。Yourlarge，dreamyeyesmusthavebeheldanewandgloriousdawn。
Now，toarecentinstanceofpolice-manufacturedAnarchistplots。
Inthatbloodstainedcity，Chicago，thelifeofChiefofPoliceShippywasattemptedbyayoungmannamedAverbuch。ImmediatelythecrywassenttothefourcornersoftheworldthatAverbuchwasanAnarchist，andthatAnarchistswereresponsiblefortheact。
EveryonewhowasatallknowntoentertainAnarchistideaswascloselywatched，anumberofpeoplearrested，thelibraryofanAnarchistgroupconfiscated，andallmeetingsmadeimpossible。Itgoeswithoutsayingthat，asonvariouspreviousoccasions，Imustneedsbeheldresponsiblefortheact。EvidentlytheAmericanpolicecreditmewithoccultpowers。IdidnotknowAverbuch；infact，hadneverbeforeheardhisname，andtheonlywayIcouldhavepossibly"conspired"withhimwasinmyastralbody。But，then，thepolicearenotconcernedwithlogicorjustice。Whattheyseekisatarget，tomasktheirabsoluteignoranceofthecause，ofthepsychologyofapoliticalact。WasAverbuchanAnarchist？Thereisnopositiveproofofit。Hehadbeenbutthreemonthsinthecountry，didnotknowthelanguage，and，asfarasIcouldascertain，wasquiteunknowntotheAnarchistsofChicago。
Whatledtohisact？Averbuch，likemostyoungRussianimmigrants，undoubtedlybelievedinthemythicallibertyofAmerica。Hereceivedhisfirstbaptismbythepoliceman’sclubduringthebrutaldispersementoftheunemployedparade。HefurtherexperiencedAmericanequalityandopportunityinthevaineffortstofindaneconomicmaster。Inshort，athreemonths’sojourninthegloriouslandbroughthimfacetofacewiththefactthatthedisinheritedareinthesamepositiontheworldover。Inhisnativelandheprobablylearnedthatnecessityknowsnolaw——therewasnodifferencebetweenaRussianandanAmericanpoliceman。
ThequestiontotheintelligentsocialstudentisnotwhethertheactsofCzolgoszorAverbuchwerepractical，anymorethanwhetherthethunderstormispractical。Thethingthatwillinevitablyimpressitselfonthethinkingandfeelingmanandwomanisthatthesightofbrutalclubbingofinnocentvictimsinaso-calledfreeRepublic，andthedegrading，soul-destroyingeconomicstruggle，furnishthesparkthatkindlesthedynamicforceintheoverwrought，outragedsoulsofmenlikeCzolgoszorAverbuch。Noamountofpersecution，ofhounding，ofrepression，canstaythissocialphenomenon。
But，itisoftenasked，havenotacknowledgedAnarchistscommittedactsofviolence？Certainlytheyhave，alwayshoweverreadytoshouldertheresponsibility。Mycontentionisthattheywereimpelled，notbytheteachingsofAnarchism，butbythetremendouspressureofconditions，makinglifeunbearabletotheirsensitivenatures。Obviously，Anarchism，oranyothersocialtheory，makingmanaconscioussocialunit，willactasaleavenforrebellion。
Thisisnotamereassertion，butafactverifiedbyallexperience。
Acloseexaminationofthecircumstancesbearinguponthisquestionwillfurtherclarifymyposition。
LetusconsidersomeofthemostimportantAnarchistactswithinthelasttwodecades。Strangeasitmayseem，oneofthemostsignificantdeedsofpoliticalviolenceoccurredhereinAmerica，inconnectionwiththeHomesteadstrikeof1892。
DuringthatmemorabletimetheCarnegieSteelCompanyorganizedaconspiracytocrushtheAmalgamatedAssociationofIronandSteelWorkers。HenryClayFrick，thenChairmanoftheCompany，wasintrustedwiththatdemocratictask。HelostnotimeincarryingoutthepolicyofbreakingtheUnion，thepolicywhichhehadsosuccessfullypracticedduringhisreignofterrorinthecokeregions。Secretly，andwhilepeacenegotiationswerebeingpurposelyprolonged，Fricksupervisedthemilitarypreparations，thefortificationoftheHomesteadSteelWorks，theerectionofahighboardfence，cappedwithbarbedwireandprovidedwithloopholesforsharpshooters。Andthen，inthedeadofnight，heattemptedtosmugglehisarmyofhiredPinkertonthugsintoHomestead，whichactprecipitatedtheterriblecarnageofthesteelworkers。Notcontentwiththedeathofelevenvictims，killedinthePinkertonskirmish，HenryClayFrick，goodChristianandfreeAmerican，straightwaybeganthehoundingdownofthehelplesswivesandorphans，byorderingthemoutofthewretchedCompanyhouses。
Thewholecountrywasarousedovertheseinhumanoutrages。Hundredsofvoiceswereraisedinprotest，callingonFricktodesist，nottogotoofar。Yes，hundredsofpeopleprotested，——asoneobjectstoannoyingflies。OnlyonetherewaswhoactivelyrespondedtotheoutrageatHomestead，——AlexanderBerkman。Yes，hewasanAnarchist。
Hegloriedinthatfact，becauseitwastheonlyforcethatmadethediscordbetweenhisspirituallongingandtheworldwithoutatallbearable。YetnotAnarchism，assuch，butthebrutalslaughteroftheelevensteelworkerswastheurgeforAlexanderBerkman’sact，hisattemptonthelifeofHenryClayFrick。
TherecordofEuropeanactsofpoliticalviolenceaffordsnumerousandstrikinginstancesoftheinfluenceofenvironmentuponsensitivehumanbeings。
ThecourtspeechofVaillant，who，in1894，explodedabombintheParisChamberofDeputies，strikesthetruekeynoteofthepsychologyofsuchacts:
"Gentlemen，inafewminutesyouaretodealyourblow，butinreceivingyourverdictIshallhaveatleastthesatisfactionofhavingwoundedtheexistingsociety，thatcursedsocietyinwhichonemayseeasinglemanspending，uselessly，enoughtofeedthousandsoffamilies；aninfamoussocietywhichpermitsafewindividualstomonopolizeallthesocialwealth，whiletherearehundredsofthousandsofunfortunateswhohavenoteventhebreadthatisnotrefusedtodogs，andwhileentirefamiliesarecommittingsuicideforwantofthenecessitiesoflife。
"Ah，gentlemen，ifthegoverningclassescouldgodownamongtheunfortunates！Butno，theyprefertoremaindeaftotheirappeals。
Itseemsthatafatalityimpelsthem，liketheroyaltyoftheeighteenthcentury，towardtheprecipicewhichwillengulfthem，forwoebetothosewhoremaindeaftothecriesofthestarving，woetothosewho，believingthemselvesofsuperioressence，assumetherighttoexploitthosebeneaththem！Therecomesatimewhenthepeoplenolongerreason；theyriselikeahurricane，andpassawaylikeatorrent。Thenweseebleedingheadsimpaledonpikes。
"Amongtheexploited，gentlemen，therearetwoclassesofindividuals:Thoseofoneclass，notrealizingwhattheyareandwhattheymightbe，takelifeasitcomes，believethattheyareborntobeslaves，andcontentthemselveswiththelittlethatisgiventheminexchangefortheirlabor。Butthereareothers，onthecontrary，whothink，whostudy，andwho，lookingaboutthem，discoversocialiniquities。Isittheirfaultiftheyseeclearlyandsufferatseeingotherssuffer？Thentheythrowthemselvesintothestruggle，andmakethemselvesthebearersofthepopularclaims。
"Gentlemen，Iamoneoftheselast。WhereverIhavegone，Ihaveseenunfortunatesbentbeneaththeyokeofcapital。EverywhereI
haveseenthesamewoundscausingtearsofbloodtoflow，evenintheremoterpartsoftheinhabiteddistrictsofSouthAmerica，whereI
hadtherighttobelievethathewhowaswearyofthepainsofcivilizationmightrestintheshadeofthepalmtreesandtherestudynature。Well，thereeven，morethanelsewhere，Ihaveseencapitalcome，likeavampire，tosuckthelastdropofbloodoftheunfortunatepariahs。
"ThenIcamebacktoFrance，whereitwasreservedformetoseemyfamilysufferatrociously。Thiswasthelastdropinthecupofmysorrow。Tiredofleadingthislifeofsufferingandcowardice，I
carriedthisbombtothosewhoareprimarilyresponsibleforsocialsufferings。
"Iamreproachedwiththewoundsofthosewhowerehitbymyprojectiles。Permitmetopointoutinpassingthat，ifthebourgeoishadnotmassacredorcausedmassacresduringtheRevolution，itisprobablethattheywouldstillbeundertheyokeofthenobility。Ontheotherhand，figureupthedeadandwoundedonTonquin，Madagascar，Dahomey，addingtheretothethousands，yes，millionsofunfortunateswhodieinthefactories，themines，andwhereverthegrindingpowerofcapitalisfelt。Addalsothosewhodieofhunger，andallthiswiththeassentofourDeputies。Besideallthis，ofhowlittleweightarethereproachesnowbroughtagainstme！
"Itistruethatonedoesnoteffacetheother；but，afterall，arewenotactingonthedefensivewhenwerespondtotheblowswhichwereceivefromabove？IknowverywellthatIshallbetoldthatI
oughttohaveconfinedmyselftospeechforthevindicationofthepeople’sclaims。Butwhatcanyouexpect！Ittakesaloudvoicetomakethedeafhear。Toolonghavetheyansweredourvoicesbyimprisonment，therope，riflevolleys。Makenomistake；theexplosionofmybombisnotonlythecryoftherebelVaillant，butthecryofanentireclasswhichvindicatesitsrights，andwhichwillsoonaddactstowords。For，besureofit，invainwilltheypasslaws。Theideasofthethinkerswillnothalt；justas，inthelastcentury，allthegovernmentalforcescouldnotpreventtheDiderotsandtheVoltairesfromspreadingemancipatingideasamongthepeople，soalltheexistinggovernmentalforceswillnotpreventtheReclus，theDarwins，theSpencers，theIbsens，theMirbeaus，fromspreadingtheideasofjusticeandlibertywhichwillannihilatetheprejudicesthatholdthemassinignorance。Andtheseideas，welcomedbytheunfortunate，willflowerinactsofrevoltastheyhavedoneinme，untilthedaywhenthedisappearanceofauthorityshallpermitallmentoorganizefreelyaccordingtotheirchoice，whenweshalleachbeabletoenjoytheproductofhislabor，andwhenthosemoralmaladiescalledprejudicesshallvanish，permittinghumanbeingstoliveinharmony，havingnootherdesirethantostudythesciencesandlovetheirfellows。
"Iconclude，gentlemen，bysayingthatasocietyinwhichoneseessuchsocialinequalitiesasweseeallaboutus，inwhichweseeeverydaysuicidescausedbypoverty，prostitutionflaringateverystreetcorner，——asocietywhoseprincipalmonumentsarebarracksandprisons，——suchasocietymustbetransformedassoonaspossible，onpainofbeingeliminated，andthatspeedily，fromthehumanrace。
Hailtohimwholabors，bynomatterwhatmeans，forthistransformation！Itisthisideathathasguidedmeinmyduelwithauthority，butasinthisduelIhaveonlywoundedmyadversary，itisnowitsturntostrikeme。
"Now，gentlemen，tomeitmatterslittlewhatpenaltyyoumayinflict，for，lookingatthisassemblywiththeeyesofreason，Icannothelpsmilingtoseeyou，atomslostinmatter，andreasoningonlybecauseyoupossessaprolongationofthespinalmarrow，assumetherighttojudgeoneofyourfellows。
"Ah！gentlemen，howlittleathingisyourassemblyandyourverdictinthehistoryofhumanity；andhumanhistory，initsturn，islikewiseaverylittlethinginthewhirlwindwhichbearsitthroughimmensity，andwhichisdestinedtodisappear，oratleasttobetransformed，inordertobeginagainthesamehistoryandthesamefacts，averitablyperpetualplayofcosmicforcesrenewingandtransferringthemselvesforever。"
WillanyonesaythatVaillantwasanignorant，viciousman，oralunatic？Wasnothismindsingularlyclear，analytic？NowonderthatthebestintellectualforcesofFrancespokeinhisbehalf，andsignedthepetitiontoPresidentCarnot，askinghimtocommuteVaillant’sdeathsentence。
Carnotwouldlistentonoentreaty；heinsistedonmorethanapoundofflesh，hewantedVaillant’slife，andthen——theinevitablehappened:PresidentCarnotwaskilled。OnthehandleofthestilettousedbytheATTENTATERwasengraved，significantly，VAILLANT！
SantaCaseriowasanAnarchist。Hecouldhavegottenaway，savedhimself；butheremained，hestoodtheconsequences。
Hisreasonsfortheactaresetforthinsosimple，dignified，andchildlikemannerthatoneisremindedofthetouchingtributepaidCaseriobyhisteacherofthelittlevillageschool，AdaNegri，theItalianpoet，whospokeofhimasasweet，tenderplant，oftoofineandsensitivetexturetostandthecruelstrainoftheworld。
"GentlemenoftheJury！Idonotproposetomakeadefense，butonlyanexplanationofmydeed。
"SincemyearlyyouthIbegantolearnthatpresentsocietyisbadlyorganized，sobadlythateverydaymanywretchedmencommitsuicide，leavingwomenandchildreninthemostterribledistress。Workers，bythousands，seekforworkandcannotfindit。Poorfamiliesbegforfoodandshiverwithcold；theysufferthegreatestmisery；thelittleonesasktheirmiserablemothersforfood，andthemotherscannotgivethem，becausetheyhavenothing。Thefewthingswhichthehomecontainedhavealreadybeensoldorpawned。Alltheycandoisbegalms；oftentheyarearrestedasvagabonds。
"IwentawayfrommynativeplacebecauseIwasfrequentlymovedtotearsatseeinglittlegirlsofeightortenyearsobligedtoworkfifteenhoursadayforthepaltrypayoftwentycentimes。Youngwomenofeighteenortwentyalsoworkfifteenhoursdaily，foramockeryofremuneration。Andthathappensnotonlytomyfellowcountrymen，buttoalltheworkers，whosweatthewholedaylongforacrustofbread，whiletheirlaborproduceswealthinabundance。
Theworkersareobligedtoliveunderthemostwretchedconditions，andtheirfoodconsistsofalittlebread，afewspoonfulsofrice，andwater；sobythetimetheyarethirtyorfortyyearsold，theyareexhausted，andgotodieinthehospitals。Besides，inconsequenceofbadfoodandoverwork，theseunhappycreaturesare，byhundreds，devouredbypellagra——adiseasethat，inmycountry，attacks，asthephysicianssay，thosewhoarebadlyfedandleadalifeoftoilandprivation。
"Ihaveobservedthatthereareagreatmanypeoplewhoarehungry，andmanychildrenwhosuffer，whilstbreadandclothesaboundinthetowns。Isawmanyandlargeshopsfullofclothingandwoolenstuffs，andIalsosawwarehousesfullofwheatandIndiancorn，suitableforthosewhoareinwant。And，ontheotherhand，Isawthousandsofpeoplewhodonotwork，whoproducenothingandliveonthelaborofothers；whospendeverydaythousandsoffrancsfortheiramusement；whodebauchthedaughtersoftheworkers；whoowndwellingsoffortyorfiftyrooms；twentyorthirtyhorses，manyservants；inaword，allthepleasuresoflife。
"IbelievedinGod；butwhenIsawsogreataninequalitybetweenmen，IacknowledgedthatitwasnotGodwhocreatedman，butmanwhocreatedGod。AndIdiscoveredthatthosewhowanttheirpropertytoberespected，haveaninterestinpreachingtheexistenceofparadiseandhell，andinkeepingthepeopleinignorance。
"Notlongago，VaillantthrewabombintheChamberofDeputies，toprotestagainstthepresentsystemofsociety。Hekillednoone，onlywoundedsomepersons；yetbourgeoisjusticesentencedhimtodeath。Andnotsatisfiedwiththecondemnationoftheguiltyman，theybegantopursuetheAnarchists，andarrestnotonlythosewhohadknownVaillant，buteventhosewhohadmerelybeenpresentatanyAnarchistlecture。
"Thegovernmentdidnotthinkoftheirwivesandchildren。Itdidnotconsiderthatthemenkeptinprisonwerenottheonlyoneswhosuffered，andthattheirlittleonescriedforbread。Bourgeoisjusticedidnottroubleitselfabouttheseinnocentones，whodonotyetknowwhatsocietyis。Itisnofaultoftheirsthattheirfathersareinprison；theyonlywanttoeat。
"Thegovernmentwentonsearchingprivatehouses，openingprivateletters，forbiddinglecturesandmeetings，andpracticingthemostinfamousoppressionsagainstus。Evennow，hundredsofAnarchistsarearrestedforhavingwrittenanarticleinanewspaper，orforhavingexpressedanopinioninpublic。
"GentlemenoftheJury，youarerepresentativesofbourgeoissociety。
Ifyouwantmyhead，takeit；butdonotbelievethatinsodoingyouwillstoptheAnarchistpropaganda。Takecare，formenreapwhattheyhavesown。"
Duringareligiousprocessionin1896，atBarcelona，abombwasthrown。Immediatelythreehundredmenandwomenwerearrested。
SomewereAnarchists，butthemajorityweretradeunionistsandSocialists。Theywerethrownintothatterriblebastille，Montjuich，andsubjectedtomosthorribletortures。Afteranumberhadbeenkilled，orhadgoneinsane，theircasesweretakenupbytheliberalpressofEurope，resultinginthereleaseofafewsurvivors。
ThemanprimarilyresponsibleforthisrevivaloftheInquisitionwasCanovasdelCastillo，PrimeMinisterofSpain。Itwashewhoorderedthetorturingofthevictims，theirfleshburned，theirbonescrushed，theirtonguescutout。PracticedintheartofbrutalityduringhisregimeinCuba，Canovasremainedabsolutelydeaftotheappealsandprotestsoftheawakenedcivilizedconscience。
In1897CanovasdelCastillowasshottodeathbyayoungItalian，Angiolillo。Thelatterwasaneditorinhisnativeland，andhisboldutterancessoonattractedtheattentionoftheauthorities。
Persecutionbegan，andAngiolillofledfromItalytoSpain，thencetoFranceandBelgium，finallysettlinginEngland。Whiletherehefoundemploymentasacompositor，andimmediatelybecamethefriendofallhiscolleagues。OneofthelatterthusdescribedAngiolillo:
"HisappearancesuggestedthejournalistratherthanthediscipleofGuttenberg。Hisdelicatehands，moreover，betrayedthefactthathehadnotgrownupatthe’case。’Withhishandsomefrankface，hissoftdarkhair，hisalertexpression，helookedtheverytypeofthevivaciousSoutherner。AngiolillospokeItalian，Spanish，andFrench，butnoEnglish；thelittleFrenchIknewwasnotsufficienttocarryonaprolongedconversation。However，AngiolillosoonbegantoacquiretheEnglishidiom；helearnedrapidly，playfully，anditwasnotlonguntilhebecameverypopularwithhisfellowcompositors。
Hisdistinguishedandyetmodestmanner，andhisconsiderationtowardshiscolleagues，wonhimtheheartsofalltheboys。"
Angiolillosoonbecamefamiliarwiththedetailedaccountsinthepress。HereadofthegreatwaveofhumansympathywiththehelplessvictimsatMontjuich。OnTrafalgarSquarehesawwithhisowneyestheresultsofthoseatrocities，whenthefewSpaniards，whoescapedCastillo’sclutches，cametoseekasyluminEngland。There，atthegreatmeeting，thesemenopenedtheirshirtsandshowedthehorriblescarsofburnedflesh。Angiolillosaw，andtheeffectsurpassedathousandtheories；theimpetuswasbeyondwords，beyondarguments，beyondhimselfeven。
SenorAntonioCanovasdelCastillo，PrimeMinisterofSpain，sojournedatSantaAgueda。Asusualinsuchcases，allstrangerswerekeptawayfromhisexaltedpresence。Oneexceptionwasmade，however，inthecaseofadistinguishedlooking，elegantlydressedItalian——therepresentative，itwasunderstood，ofanimportantjournal。Thedistinguishedgentlemanwas——Angiolillo。
SenorCanovas，abouttoleavehishouse，steppedontheveranda。
SuddenlyAngiolilloconfrontedhim。Ashotrangout，andCanovaswasacorpse。
ThewifeofthePrimeMinisterrusheduponthescene。"Murderer！
Murderer！"shecried，pointingatAngiolillo。Thelatterbowed。
"Pardon，Madame，"hesaid，"Irespectyouasalady，butIregretthatyouwerethewifeofthatman。"
CalmlyAngiolillofaceddeath。Deathinitsmostterribleform——forthemanwhosesoulwasasachild’s。
Hewasgarroted。Hisbodylay，sun-kissed，tillthedayhidintwilight。Andthepeoplecame，andpointingthefingerofterrorandfear，theysaid:"There——thecriminal——thecruelmurderer。"
Howstupid，howcruelisignorance！Itmisunderstandsalways，condemnsalways。
AremarkableparalleltothecaseofAngiolilloistobefoundintheactofGaetanoBresci，whoseATTENTATuponKingUmbertomadeanAmericancityfamous。
Brescicametothiscountry，thislandofopportunity，whereonehasbuttotrytomeetwithgoldensuccess。Yes，hetoowouldtrytosucceed。Hewouldworkhardandfaithfully。Workhadnoterrorsforhim，ifitwouldonlyhelphimtoindependence，manhood，self-respect。
ThusfullofhopeandenthusiasmhesettledinPaterson，NewJersey，andtherefoundalucrativejobatsixdollarsperweekinoneoftheweavingmillsofthetown。Sixwholedollarsperweekwas，nodoubt，afortuneforItaly，butnotenoughtobreatheoninthenewcountry。
Helovedhislittlehome。HewasagoodhusbandanddevotedfathertohisBAMBINA，Bianca，whomheadored。Heworkedandworkedforanumberofyears。Heactuallymanagedtosaveonehundreddollarsoutofhissixdollarsperweek。
Brescihadanideal。Foolish，Iknow，foraworkingmantohaveanideal，——theAnarchistpaperpublishedinPaterson，LAQUESTIONE
SOCIALE。
Everyweek，thoughtiredfromwork，hewouldhelptosetupthepaper。Untillaterhourshewouldassist，andwhenthelittlepioneerhadexhaustedallresourcesandhiscomradeswereindespair，Brescibroughtcheerandhope，onehundreddollars，theentiresavingsofyears。Thatwouldkeepthepaperafloat。
Inhisnativelandpeoplewerestarving。Thecropshadbeenpoor，andthepeasantssawthemselvesfacetofacewithfamine。TheyappealedtotheirgoodKingUmberto；hewouldhelp。Andhedid。
ThewivesofthepeasantswhohadgonetothepalaceoftheKing，heldupinmutesilencetheiremaciatedinfants。Surelythatwouldmovehim。Andthenthesoldiersfiredandkilledthosepoorfools。
Bresci，atworkintheweavingmillatPaterson，readofthehorriblemassacre。Hismentaleyebeheldthedefencelesswomenandinnocentinfantsofhisnativeland，slaughteredrightbeforethegoodKing。
Hissoulrecoiledinhorror。Atnightheheardthegroansofthewounded。Somemayhavebeenhiscomrades，hisownflesh。Why，whythesefoulmurders？
ThelittlemeetingoftheItalianAnarchistgroupinPatersonendedalmostinafight。Brescihaddemandedhishundreddollars。Hiscomradesbegged，imploredhimtogivethemarespite。Thepaperwouldgodowniftheyweretoreturnhimhisloan。ButBresciinsistedonitsreturn。
Howcruelandstupidisignorance。Brescigotthemoney，butlostthegoodwill，theconfidenceofhiscomrades。Theywouldhavenothingmoretodowithonewhosegreedwasgreaterthanhisideals。
Onthetwenty-ninthofJuly，1900，KingUmbertowasshotatMonzo。
TheyoungItalianweaverofPaterson，GaetanoBresci，hadtakenthelifeofthegoodKing。
Patersonwasplacedunderpolicesurveillance，everyoneknownasanAnarchisthoundedandpersecuted，andtheactofBresciascribedtotheteachingsofAnarchism。AsiftheteachingsofAnarchisminitsextremestformcouldequaltheforceofthoseslainwomenandinfants，whohadpilgrimedtotheKingforaid。Asifanyspokenword，eversoeloquent，couldburnintoahumansoulwithsuchwhiteheatasthelifebloodtricklingdropbydropfromthosedyingforms。
Theordinarymanisrarelymovedeitherbywordordeed；andthosewhosesocialkinshipisthegreatestlivingforceneednoappealtorespond——evenasdoessteeltothemagnet——tothewrongsandhorrorsofsociety。
Ifasocialtheoryisastrongfactorinducingactsofpoliticalviolence，howarewetoaccountfortherecentviolentoutbreaksinIndia，whereAnarchismhashardlybeenborn。Morethananyotheroldphilosophy，Hinduteachingshaveexaltedpassiveresistance，thedriftingoflife，theNirvana，asthehighestspiritualideal。YetthesocialunrestinIndiaisdailygrowing，andhasonlyrecentlyresultedinanactofpoliticalviolence，thekillingofSirCurzonWylliebytheHindu，MadarSolDhingra。
Ifsuchaphenomenoncanoccurinacountrysociallyandindividuallypermeatedforcenturieswiththespiritofpassivity，canonequestionthetremendous，revolutionizingeffectonhumancharacterexertedbygreatsocialiniquities？Canonedoubtthelogic，thejusticeofthesewords:
"Repression，tyranny，andindiscriminatepunishmentofinnocentmenhavebeenthewatchwordsofthegovernmentofthealiendominationinIndiaeversincewebeganthecommercialboycottofEnglishgoods。
ThetigerqualitiesoftheBritisharemuchinevidencenowinIndia。
TheythinkthatbythestrengthoftheswordtheywillkeepdownIndia！Itisthisarrogancethathasbroughtaboutthebomb，andthemoretheytyrannizeoverahelplessandunarmedpeople，themoreterrorismwillgrow。Wemaydeprecateterrorismasoutlandishandforeigntoourculture，butitisinevitableaslongasthistyrannycontinues，foritisnottheterroriststhataretobeblamed，butthetyrantswhoareresponsibleforit。Itistheonlyresourceforahelplessandunarmedpeoplewhenbroughttothevergeofdespair。
Itisnevercriminalontheirpart。Thecrimelieswiththetyrant。"*——
*THEFREEHINDUSTAN——
Evenconservativescientistsarebeginningtorealizethatheredityisnotthesolefactormouldinghumancharacter。Climate，food，occupation；nay，color，light，andsoundmustbeconsideredinthestudyofhumanpsychology。
Ifthatbetrue，howmuchmorecorrectisthecontentionthatgreatsocialabuseswillandmustinfluencedifferentmindsandtemperamentsinadifferentway。AndhowutterlyfallaciousthestereotypednotionthattheteachingsofAnarchism，orcertainexponentsoftheseteachings，areresponsiblefortheactsofpoliticalviolence。
Anarchism，morethananyothersocialtheory，valueshumanlifeabovethings。AllAnarchistsagreewithTolstoyinthisfundamentaltruth:
iftheproductionofanycommoditynecessitatesthesacrificeofhumanlife，societyshoulddowithoutthatcommodity，butitcannotdowithoutthatlife。That，however，nowiseindicatesthatAnarchismteachessubmission。Howcanit，whenitknowsthatallsuffering，allmisery，allills，resultfromtheevilofsubmission？
HasnotsomeAmericanancestorsaid，manyyearsago，thatresistancetotyrannyisobediencetoGod？AndhewasnotanAnarchisteven。
Iwouldsaythatresistancetotyrannyisman’shighestideal。Solongastyrannyexists，inwhateverform，man’sdeepestaspirationmustresistitasinevitablyasmanmustbreathe。
Comparedwiththewholesaleviolenceofcapitalandgovernment，politicalactsofviolencearebutadropintheocean。Thatsofewresististhestrongestproofhowterriblemustbetheconflictbetweentheirsoulsandunbearablesocialiniquities。
Highstrung，likeaviolinstring，theyweepandmoanforlife，sorelentless，socruel，soterriblyinhuman。Inadesperatemomentthestringbreaks。Untunedearshearnothingbutdiscord。Butthosewhofeeltheagonizedcryunderstanditsharmony；theyhearinitthefulfillmentofthemostcompellingmomentofhumannature。
Suchisthepsychologyofpoliticalviolence。
PRISONS:ASOCIALCRIMEANDFAILURE
In1849，FeodorDostoyevskywroteonthewallofhisprisoncellthefollowingstoryofTHEPRIESTANDTHEDEVIL:
"’Hello，youlittlefatfather！’thedevilsaidtothepriest。
’Whatmadeyouliesotothosepoor，misledpeople？Whattorturesofhelldidyoudepict？Don’tyouknowtheyarealreadysufferingthetorturesofhellintheirearthlylives？Don’tyouknowthatyouandtheauthoritiesoftheStatearemyrepresentativesonearth？Itisyouthatmakethemsufferthepainsofhellwithwhichyouthreatenthem。Don’tyouknowthis？Well，then，comewithme！’
"Thedevilgrabbedthepriestbythecollar，liftedhimhighintheair，andcarriedhimtoafactory，toanironfoundry。Hesawtheworkmenthererunningandhurryingtoandfro，andtoilinginthescorchingheat。Verysoonthethick，heavyairandtheheataretoomuchforthepriest。Withtearsinhiseyes，hepleadswiththedevil:’Letmego！Letmeleavethishell！’
"’Oh，mydearfriend，Imustshowyoumanymoreplaces。’Thedevilgetsholdofhimagainanddragshimofftoafarm。Thereheseesworkmenthreshingthegrain。Thedustandheatareinsufferable。
Theoverseercarriesaknout，andunmercifullybeatsanyonewhofallstothegroundovercomebyhardtoilorhunger。
"Nextthepriestistakentothehutswherethesesameworkerslivewiththeirfamilies——dirty，cold，smoky，ill-smellingholes。Thedevilgrins。Hepointsoutthepovertyandhardshipswhichareathomehere。
"’Well，isn’tthisenough？’heasks。Anditseemsasifevenhe，thedevil，pitiesthepeople。ThepiousservantofGodcanhardlybearit。Withupliftedhandshebegs:’Letmegoawayfromhere。Yes，yes！Thisishellonearth！’
"’Well，then，yousee。Andyoustillpromisethemanotherhell。
Youtormentthem，torturethemtodeathmentallywhentheyarealreadyallbutdeadphysically！Comeon！Iwillshowyouonemorehell——onemore，theveryworst。’
"Hetookhimtoaprisonandshowedhimadungeon，withitsfoulairandthemanyhumanforms，robbedofallhealthandenergy，lyingonthefloor，coveredwithverminthatweredevouringtheirpoor，naked，emaciatedbodies。
"’Takeoffyoursilkenclothes，’saidthedeviltothepriest，’putonyouranklesheavychainssuchastheseunfortunateswear；liedownonthecoldandfilthyfloor——andthentalktothemaboutahellthatstillawaitsthem！’
"’No，no！’answeredthepriest，’Icannotthinkofanythingmoredreadfulthanthis。Ientreatyou，letmegoawayfromhere！’
"’Yes，thisishell。Therecanbenoworsehellthanthis。Didyounotknowit？Didyounotknowthatthesemenandwomenwhomyouarefrighteningwiththepictureofahellhereafter——didyounotknowthattheyareinhellrighthere，beforetheydie？’"
ThiswaswrittenfiftyyearsagoindarkRussia，onthewallofoneofthemosthorribleprisons。Yetwhocandenythatthesameapplieswithequalforcetothepresenttime，eventoAmericanprisons？
Withallourboastedreforms，ourgreatsocialchanges，andourfar-reachingdiscoveries，humanbeingscontinuetobesenttotheworstofhells，whereintheyareoutraged，degraded，andtortured，thatsocietymaybe"protected"fromthephantomsofitsownmaking。
Prison，asocialprotection？Whatmonstrousmindeverconceivedsuchanidea？Justaswellsaythathealthcanbepromotedbyawidespreadcontagion。
AftereighteenmonthsofhorrorinanEnglishprison，OscarWildegavetotheworldhisgreatmasterpiece，THEBALLADOFREADINGGOAL:
Thevilestdeeds，likepoisonweeds，Bloomwellinprisonair；
ItisonlywhatisgoodinManThatwastesandwithersthere。
PaleAnguishkeepstheheavygate，AndtheWarderisDespair。
Societygoesonperpetuatingthispoisonousair，notrealizingthatoutofitcancomenaughtbutthemostpoisonousresults。
Wearespendingatthepresent$3，500，000perday，$1，000，095，000peryear，tomaintainprisoninstitutions，andthatinademocraticcountry，——asumalmostaslargeasthecombinedoutputofwheat，valuedat$750，000，000，andtheoutputofcoal，valuedat$350，000，000。ProfessorBushnellofWashington，D。C。，estimatesthecostofprisonsat$6，000，000，000annually，andDr。G。FrankLydston，aneminentAmericanwriteroncrime，gives$5，000，000，000annuallyasareasonablefigure。Suchunheard-ofexpenditureforthepurposeofmaintainingvastarmiesofhumanbeingscageduplikewildbeasts！*——
*CRIMEANDCRIMINALS。W。C。Owen——
Yetcrimesareontheincrease。ThuswelearnthatinAmericatherearefourandahalftimesasmanycrimestoeverymillionpopulationtodayasthereweretwentyyearsago。
Themosthorribleaspectisthatournationalcrimeismurder，notrobbery，embezzlement，orrape，asintheSouth。LondonisfivetimesaslargeasChicago，yetthereareonehundredandeighteenmurdersannuallyinthelattercity，whileonlytwentyinLondon。
NorisChicagotheleadingcityincrime，sinceitisonlyseventhonthelist，whichisheadedbyfourSoutherncities，andSanFranciscoandLosAngeles。Inviewofsuchaterribleconditionofaffairs，itseemsridiculoustoprateoftheprotectionsocietyderivesfromitsprisons。
Theaveragemindisslowingraspingatruth，butwhenthemostthoroughlyorganized，centralizedinstitution，maintainedatanexcessivenationalexpense，hasprovenacompletesocialfailure，thedullestmustbegintoquestionitsrighttoexist。Thetimeispastwhenwecanbecontentwithoursocialfabricmerelybecauseitis"ordainedbydivineright，"orbythemajestyofthelaw。
Thewidespreadprisoninvestigations，agitation，andeducationduringthelastfewyearsareconclusiveproofthatmenarelearningtodigdeepintotheverybottomofsociety，downtothecausesoftheterriblediscrepancybetweensocialandindividuallife。
Why，then，areprisonsasocialcrimeandafailure？Toanswerthisvitalquestionitbehoovesustoseekthenatureandcauseofcrimes，themethodsemployedincopingwiththem，andtheeffectsthesemethodsproduceinriddingsocietyofthecurseandhorrorofcrimes。
First，astotheNATUREofcrime:
HavelockEllisdividescrimeintofourphases，thepolitical，thepassional，theinsane，andtheoccasional。Hesaysthatthepoliticalcriminalisthevictimofanattemptofamoreorlessdespoticgovernmenttopreserveitsownstability。Heisnotnecessarilyguiltyofanunsocialoffense；hesimplytriestooverturnacertainpoliticalorderwhichmayitselfbeanti-social。
Thistruthisrecognizedallovertheworld，exceptinAmericawherethefoolishnotionstillprevailsthatinaDemocracythereisnoplaceforpoliticalcriminals。YetJohnBrownwasapoliticalcriminal；soweretheChicagoAnarchists；soiseverystriker。
Consequently，saysHavelockEllis，thepoliticalcriminalofourtimeorplacemaybethehero，martyr，saintofanotherage。Lombrosocallsthepoliticalcriminalthetrueprecursoroftheprogressivemovementofhumanity。
"Thecriminalbypassionisusuallyamanofwholesomebirthandhonestlife，whounderthestressofsomegreat，unmeritedwronghaswroughtjusticeforhimself。"*——
*THECRIMINAL，HavelockEllis——
Mr。HughC。Weir，inTHEMENACEOFTHEPOLICE，citesthecaseofJimFlaherty，acriminalbypassion，who，insteadofbeingsavedbysociety，isturnedintoadrunkardandarecidivist，witharuinedandpoverty-strickenfamilyastheresult。
AmorepathetictypeisArchie，thevictiminBrandWhitlock’snovel，THETURNOFTHEBALANCE，thegreatestAmericanexposeofcrimeinthemaking。Archie，evenmorethanFlaherty，wasdriventocrimeanddeathbythecruelinhumanityofhissurroundings，andbytheunscrupuloushoundingofthemachineryofthelaw。ArchieandFlahertyarebutthetypesofmanythousands，demonstratinghowthelegalaspectsofcrime，andthemethodsofdealingwithit，helptocreatethediseasewhichisunderminingourentiresociallife。
"Theinsanecriminalreallycannomorebeconsideredacriminalthanachild，sinceheismentallyinthesameconditionasaninfantorananimal。"*——
*THECRIMINAL——
Thelawalreadyrecognizesthat，butonlyinrarecasesofaveryflagrantnature，orwhentheculprit’swealthpermitstheluxuryofcriminalinsanity。Ithasbecomequitefashionabletobethevictimofparanoia。Butonthewholethe"sovereigntyofjustice"stillcontinuestopunishcriminallyinsanewiththewholeseverityofitspower。ThusMr。EllisquotesfromDr。Richter’sstatisticsshowingthatinGermany，onehundredandsixmadmen，outofonehundredandforty-fourcriminalinsane，werecondemnedtoseverepunishment。
Theoccasionalcriminal"representsbyfarthelargestclassofourprisonpopulation，henceisthegreatestmenacetosocialwell-being。"Whatisthecausethatcompelsavastarmyofthehumanfamilytotaketocrime，topreferthehideouslifewithinprisonwallstothelifeoutside？Certainlythatcausemustbeanironmaster，wholeavesitsvictimsnoavenueofescape，forthemostdepravedhumanbeinglovesliberty。
Thisterrificforceisconditionedinourcruelsocialandeconomicarrangement。Idonotmeantodenythebiologic，physiologic，orpsychologicfactorsincreatingcrime；butthereishardlyanadvancedcriminologistwhowillnotconcedethatthesocialandeconomicinfluencesarethemostrelentless，themostpoisonousgermsofcrime。Grantedeventhatthereareinnatecriminaltendencies，itisnonethelesstruethatthesetendenciesfindrichnutritioninoursocialenvironment。
Thereiscloserelation，saysHavelockEllis，betweencrimesagainstthepersonandthepriceofalcohol，betweencrimesagainstpropertyandthepriceofwheat。HequotesQueteletandLacassagne，theformerlookinguponsocietyasthepreparerofcrime，andthecriminalsasinstrumentsthatexecutethem。Thelatterfindthat"thesocialenvironmentisthecultivationmediumofcriminality；
thatthecriminalisthemicrobe，anelementwhichonlybecomesimportantwhenitfindsthemediumwhichcausesittoferment；EVERY
SOCIETYHASTHECRIMINALSITDESERVES。"*——
*THECRIMINAL——
Themost"prosperous"industrialperiodmakesitimpossiblefortheworkertoearnenoughtokeepuphealthandvigor。Andasprosperityis，atbest，animaginarycondition，thousandsofpeopleareconstantlyaddedtothehostoftheunemployed。FromEasttoWest，fromSouthtoNorth，thisvastarmytrampsinsearchofworkorfood，andalltheyfindistheworkhouseortheslums。Thosewhohaveasparkofself-respectleft，preferopendefiance，prefercrimetotheemaciated，degradedpositionofpoverty。
EdwardCarpenterestimatesthatfive-sixthsofindictablecrimesconsistinsomeviolationofpropertyrights；butthatistoolowafigure。Athoroughinvestigationwouldprovethatninecrimesoutoftencouldbetraced，directlyorindirectly，tooureconomicandsocialiniquities，tooursystemofremorselessexploitationandrobbery。Thereisnocriminalsostupidbutrecognizesthisterriblefact，thoughhemaynotbeabletoaccountforit。
Acollectionofcriminalphilosophy，whichHavelockEllis，Lombroso，andothereminentmenhavecompiled，showsthatthecriminalfeelsonlytookeenlythatitissocietythatdriveshimtocrime。A
MilanesethiefsaidtoLombroso:"Idonotrob，Imerelytakefromtherichtheirsuperfluities；besides，donotadvocatesandmerchantsrob？"Amurdererwrote:"Knowingthatthree-fourthsofthesocialvirtuesarecowardlyvices，Ithoughtanopenassaultonarichmanwouldbelessignoblethanthecautiouscombinationoffraud。"
Anotherwrote:"Iamimprisonedforstealingahalfdozeneggs。
Ministerswhorobmillionsarehonored。PoorItaly！"AneducatedconvictsaidtoMr。Davitt:"Thelawsofsocietyareframedforthepurposeofsecuringthewealthoftheworldtopowerandcalculation，therebydeprivingthelargerportionofmankindofitsrightsandchances。Whyshouldtheypunishmefortakingbysomewhatsimilarmeansfromthosewhohavetakenmorethantheyhadarightto？"Thesamemanadded:"Religionrobsthesoulofitsindependence；
patriotismisthestupidworshipoftheworldforwhichthewell-beingandthepeaceoftheinhabitantsweresacrificedbythosewhoprofitbyit，whilethelawsoftheland，inrestrainingnaturaldesires，werewagingwaronthemanifestspiritofthelawofourbeings。Comparedwiththis，"heconcluded，"thievingisanhonorablepursuit。"*——
*THECRIMINAL——
Verily，thereisgreatertruthinthisphilosophythaninallthelaw-and-moralbooksofsociety。
Theeconomic，political，moral，andphysicalfactorsbeingthemicrobesofcrime，howdoessocietymeetthesituation？
Themethodsofcopingwithcrimehavenodoubtundergoneseveralchanges，butmainlyinatheoreticsense。Inpractice，societyhasretainedtheprimitivemotiveindealingwiththeoffender；thatis，revenge。Ithasalsoadoptedthetheologicidea；namely，punishment；
whilethelegaland"civilized"methodsconsistofdeterrenceorterror，andreform。Weshallpresentlyseethatallfourmodeshavefailedutterly，andthatwearetodaynonearerasolutionthaninthedarkages。
Thenaturalimpulseoftheprimitivemantostrikeback，toavengeawrong，isoutofdate。Instead，thecivilizedman，strippedofcourageanddaring，hasdelegatedtoanorganizedmachinerythedutyofavenginghiswrongs，inthefoolishbeliefthattheStateisjustifiedindoingwhathenolongerhasthemanhoodorconsistencytodo。Themajesty-of-the-lawisareasoningthing；itwouldnotstooptoprimitiveinstincts。Itsmissionisofa"higher"nature。
True，itisstillsteepedinthetheologicmuddle，whichproclaimspunishmentasameansofpurification，orthevicariousatonementofsin。Butlegallyandsociallythestatuteexercisespunishment，notmerelyasaninflictionofpainupontheoffender，butalsoforitsterrifyingeffectuponothers。
Whatistherealbasisofpunishment，however？Thenotionofafreewill，theideathatmanisatalltimesafreeagentforgoodorevil；ifhechoosesthelatter，hemustbemadetopaytheprice。
Althoughthistheoryhaslongbeenexploded，andthrownuponthedustheap，itcontinuestobeapplieddailybytheentiremachineryofgovernment，turningitintothemostcruelandbrutaltormentorofhumanlife。Theonlyreasonforitscontinuanceisthestillmorecruelnotionthatthegreatertheterrorpunishmentspreads，themorecertainitspreventativeeffect。
Societyisusingthemostdrasticmethodsindealingwiththesocialoffender。Whydotheynotdeter？AlthoughinAmericaamanissupposedtobeconsideredinnocentuntilprovenguilty，theinstrumentsoflaw，thepolice，carryonareignofterror，makingindiscriminatearrests，beating，clubbing，bullyingpeople，usingthebarbarousmethodofthe"thirddegree，"subjectingtheirunfortunatevictimstothefoulairofthestationhouse，andthestillfoulerlanguageofitsguardians。Yetcrimesarerapidlymultiplying，andsocietyispayingtheprice。Ontheotherhand，itisanopensecretthatwhentheunfortunatecitizenhasbeengiventhefull"mercy"ofthelaw，andforthesakeofsafetyishiddenintheworstofhells，hisrealCalvarybegins。Robbedofhisrightsasahumanbeing，degradedtoamereautomatonwithoutwillorfeeling，dependententirelyuponthemercyofbrutalkeepers，hedailygoesthroughaprocessofdehumanization，comparedwithwhichsavagerevengewasmerechild’splay。
ThereisnotasinglepenalinstitutionorreformatoryintheUnitedStateswheremenarenottortured"tobemadegood，"bymeansoftheblackjack，theclub，thestraightjacket，thewater-cure，the"hummingbird"anelectricalcontrivancerunalongthehumanbody，thesolitary，thebullring，andstarvationdiet。Intheseinstitutionshiswillisbroken，hissouldegraded，hisspiritsubduedbythedeadlymonotonyandroutineofprisonlife。InOhio，Illinois，Pennsylvania，Missouri，andintheSouth，thesehorrorshavebecomesoflagrantastoreachtheoutsideworld，whileinmostotherprisonsthesameChristianmethodsstillprevail。Butprisonwallsrarelyallowtheagonizedshrieksofthevictimstoescape——prisonwallsarethick，theydullthesound。Societymightwithgreaterimmunityabolishallprisonsatonce，thantohopeforprotectionfromthesetwentiethcenturychambersofhorrors。
Yearafteryearthegatesofprisonhellsreturntotheworldanemaciated，deformed，willless，ship-wreckedcrewofhumanity，withtheCainmarkontheirforeheads，theirhopescrushed，alltheirnaturalinclinationsthwarted。Withnothingbuthungerandinhumanitytogreetthem，thesevictimssoonsinkbackintocrimeastheonlypossibilityofexistence。Itisnotatallanunusualthingtofindmenandwomenwhohavespenthalftheirlives——nay，almosttheirentireexistence——inprison。IknowawomanonBlackwell’sIsland，whohadbeeninandoutthirty-eighttimes；andthroughafriendIlearnthatayoungboyofseventeen，whomhehadnursedandcaredforinthePittsburgpenitentiary，hadneverknownthemeaningofliberty。Fromthereformatorytothepenitentiaryhadbeenthepathofthisboy’slife，until，brokeninbody，hediedavictimofsocialrevenge。Thesepersonalexperiencesaresubstantiatedbyextensivedatagivingoverwhelmingproofoftheutterfutilityofprisonsasameansofdeterrenceorreform。
Well-meaningpersonsarenowworkingforanewdepartureintheprisonquestion，——reclamation，torestoreoncemoretotheprisonerthepossibilityofbecomingahumanbeing。Commendableasthisis，I
fearitisimpossibletohopeforgoodresultsfrompouringgoodwineintoamustybottle。Nothingshortofacompletereconstructionofsocietywilldelivermankindfromthecancerofcrime。Still，ifthedulledgeofoursocialconsciencewouldbesharpened，thepenalinstitutionsmightbegivenanewcoatofvarnish。Butthefirststeptobetakenistherenovationofthesocialconsciousness，whichisinaratherdilapidatedcondition。Itissadlyinneedtobeawakenedtothefactthatcrimeisaquestionofdegree，thatweallhavetherudimentsofcrimeinus，moreorless，accordingtoourmental，physical，andsocialenvironment；andthattheindividualcriminalismerelyareflexofthetendenciesoftheaggregate。
Withthesocialconsciousnessawakened，theaverageindividualmaylearntorefusethe"honor"ofbeingthebloodhoundofthelaw。Hemayceasetopersecute，despise，andmistrustthesocialoffender，andgivehimachancetoliveandbreatheamonghisfellows。
Institutionsare，ofcourse，hardertoreach。Theyarecold，impenetrable，andcruel；still，withthesocialconsciousnessquickened，itmightbepossibletofreetheprisonvictimsfromthebrutalityofprisonofficials，guards，andkeepers。Publicopinionisapowerfulweapon；keepersofhumanprey，even，areafraidofit。
Theymaybetaughtalittlehumanity，especiallyiftheyrealizethattheirjobsdependuponit。
Butthemostimportantstepistodemandfortheprisonertherighttoworkwhileinprison，withsomemonetaryrecompensethatwouldenablehimtolayasidealittleforthedayofhisrelease，thebeginningofanewlife。
Itisalmostridiculoustohopemuchfrompresentsocietywhenweconsiderthatworkingmen，wageslavesthemselves，objecttoconvictlabor。Ishallnotgointothecrueltyofthisobjection，butmerelyconsidertheimpracticabilityofit。Tobeginwith，theoppositionsofarraisedbyorganizedlaborhasbeendirectedagainstwindmills。
Prisonershavealwaysworked；onlytheStatehasbeentheirexploiter，evenastheindividualemployerhasbeentherobberoforganizedlabor。TheStateshaveeithersettheconvictstoworkforthegovernment，ortheyhavefarmedconvictlabortoprivateindividuals。Twenty-nineoftheStatespursuethelatterplan。TheFederalgovernmentandseventeenStateshavediscardedit，ashavetheleadingnationsofEurope，sinceitleadstohideousoverworkingandabuseofprisoners，andtoendlessgraft。
RhodeIsland，theStatedominatedbyAldrich，offersperhapstheworstexample。Underafive-yearcontract，datedJuly7th，1906，andrenewableforfiveyearsmoreattheoptionofprivatecontractors，thelaboroftheinmatesoftheRhodeIslandPenitentiaryandtheProvidenceCountyJailissoldtotheReliance-SterlingMfg。Co。attherateofatriflelessthan25centsadayperman。ThisCompanyisreallyagiganticPrisonLaborTrust，foritalsoleasestheconvictlaborofConnecticut，Michigan，Indiana，Nebraska，andSouthDakotapenitentiaries，andthereformatoriesofNewJersey，Indiana，Illinois，andWisconsin，elevenestablishmentsinall。
TheenormityofthegraftundertheRhodeIslandcontractmaybeestimatedfromthefactthatthissameCompanypays621/2centsadayinNebraskafortheconvict’slabor，andthatTennessee，forexample，gets$1。10adayforaconvict’sworkfromtheGray-DudleyHardwareCo。；Missourigets70centsadayfromtheStarOverallMfg。
Co。；WestVirginia65centsadayfromtheKraftMfg。Co。，andMaryland55centsadayfromOppenheim，Oberndorf&Co。，shirtmanufacturers。Theverydifferenceinpricespointstoenormousgraft。Forexample，theReliance-SterlingMfg。Co。manufacturesshirts，thecostoffreelaborbeingnotlessthan$1。20perdozen，whileitpaysRhodeIslandthirtycentsadozen。Furthermore，theStatechargesthisTrustnorentfortheuseofitshugefactory，chargesnothingforpower，heat，light，orevendrainage，andexactsnotaxes。Whatgraft！
Itisestimatedthatmorethantwelvemilliondollars’worthofworkingmen’sshirtsandoverallsisproducedannuallyinthiscountrybyprisonlabor。Itisawoman’sindustry，andthefirstreflectionthatarisesisthatanimmenseamountoffreefemalelaboristhusdisplaced。Thesecondconsiderationisthatmaleconvicts，whoshouldbelearningtradesthatwouldgivethemsomechanceofbeingself-supportingaftertheirrelease，arekeptatthisworkatwhichtheycannotpossiblymakeadollar。Thisisthemoreseriouswhenweconsiderthatmuchofthislaborisdoneinreformatories，whichsoloudlyprofesstobetrainingtheirinmatestobecomeusefulcitizens。
Thethird，andmostimportant，considerationisthattheenormousprofitsthuswrungfromconvictlaborareaconstantincentivetothecontractorstoexactfromtheirunhappyvictimstasksaltogetherbeyondtheirstrength，andtopunishthemcruellywhentheirworkdoesnotcomeuptotheexcessivedemandsmade。
Anotherwordonthecondemnationofconvictstotasksatwhichtheycannothopetomakealivingafterrelease。Indiana，forexample，isaStatethathasmadeagreatsplurgeoverbeinginthefrontrankofmodernpenologicalimprovements。Yet，accordingtothereportrenderedin1908bythetrainingschoolofits"reformatory，"135
wereengagedinthemanufactureofchains，207inthatofshirts，and255inthefoundry——atotalof597inthreeoccupations。Butatthisso-calledreformatory59occupationswererepresentedbytheinmates，39ofwhichwereconnectedwithcountrypursuits。Indiana，likeotherStates，professestobetrainingtheinmatesofherreformatorytooccupationsbywhichtheywillbeabletomaketheirlivingwhenreleased。Sheactuallysetsthemtoworkmakingchains，shirts，andbrooms，thelatterforthebenefitoftheLouisvilleFancyGroceryCo。Broommakingisatradelargelymonopolizedbytheblind，shirtmakingisdonebywomen，andthereisonlyonefreechainfactoryintheState，andatthatareleasedconvictcannothopetogetemployment。Thewholethingisacruelfarce。
If，then，theStatescanbeinstrumentalinrobbingtheirhelplessvictimsofsuchtremendousprofits，isitnothightimefororganizedlabortostopitsidlehowl，andtoinsistondecentremunerationfortheconvict，evenaslabororganizationsclaimforthemselves？Inthatwayworkingmenwouldkillthegermwhichmakesoftheprisoneranenemytotheinterestsoflabor。Ihavesaidelsewherethatthousandsofconvicts，incompetentandwithoutatrade，withoutmeansofsubsistence，areyearlyturnedbackintothesocialfold。Thesemenandwomenmustlive，forevenanex-convicthasneeds。Prisonlifehasmadethemanti-socialbeings，andtherigidlycloseddoorsthatmeetthemontheirreleasearenotlikelytodecreasetheirbitterness。Theinevitableresultisthattheyformafavorablenucleusoutofwhichscabs，blacklegs，detectives，andpolicemenaredrawn，onlytoowillingtodothemaster’sbidding。Thusorganizedlabor，byitsfoolishoppositiontoworkinprison，defeatsitsownends。Ithelpstocreatepoisonousfumesthatstifleeveryattemptforeconomicbetterment。Iftheworkingmanwantstoavoidtheseeffects，heshouldINSISTontherightoftheconvicttowork，heshouldmeethimasabrother，takehimintohisorganization，andWITHHISAIDTURNAGAINSTTHESYSTEMWHICHGRINDSTHEMBOTH。
Last，butnotleast，isthegrowingrealizationofthebarbarityandtheinadequacyofthedefinitesentence。Thosewhobelievein，andearnestlyaimat，achangearefastcomingtotheconclusionthatmanmustbegivenanopportunitytomakegood。Andhowishetodoitwithten，fifteen，ortwentyyears’imprisonmentbeforehim？Thehopeoflibertyandofopportunityistheonlyincentivetolife，especiallytheprisoner’slife。Societyhassinnedsolongagainsthim——itoughtatleasttoleavehimthat。Iamnotverysanguinethatitwill，orthatanyrealchangeinthatdirectioncantakeplaceuntiltheconditionsthatbreedboththeprisonerandthejailerwillbeforeverabolished。
Outofhismouthared，redrose！
Outofhisheartawhite！