| Publication information |
|
Source: Free Society Source type: magazine Document type: article Document title: “Comm nt” [sic] Author(s): Holmes, William Date of publication: 21 December 1902 Volume number: 9 Issue number: 51 Pagination: 2-3 (excerpt below includes only page 3) |
| Citation |
| Holmes, William. “Comm nt” [sic]. Free Society 21 Dec. 1902 v9n51: pp. 2-3. |
| Transcription |
| excerpt |
| Keywords |
| Helen Tufts; anarchists; McKinley assassination (personal response: anarchists); McKinley assassination (personal response: criticism); Kate Austin; anarchists (Caplinger Mills, MO). |
| Named persons |
| Kate Austin; Leon Czolgosz; Dyer D. Lum; Helen Tufts. |
| Notes |
|
Click here to
view an excerpt of the article by Helen Tufts that the comments below
are written in response to.
Click here to view the article by Kate Austin referenced below. |
| Document |
“Comm nt” [sic] [excerpt]
4. The comrade seems to infer here that the
article by our late comrade Kate Austin on Leon Czolgosz was written to commemorate
the anniversary of the martyrs’ death. This is absurd. Czolgosz was electrocuted
on October, 29, 1901 [sic], and it was to commemorate his death that the article
was written, which was published last October. Comrade Tufts has a right, of
course, to her opinion as to the insanity of Czolgosz, but why not allow the
same right of opinion to others, and the same right to express that opinion
as she claims for herself? In defending and eulogizing Czolgosz Kate Austin
revealed some of those remarkable traits of character which raised her far above
the ordinary level of her sex. Her tender heart ached for the misfortunes and
sufferings of the unfortunate young man, who, almost alone, had to bear the
maledictions of his enemies; and not being guided by motives of policy, as many
of us are, she wrote her true, honest convictions. As she is dead, let her and
her opinions rest in peace. But if this critic harbors the belief that the Chicago
martyrs, or any of them, would have unreservedly condemned Czolgosz on account
of his deed, I am sure she is in error. They might have condemned the deed itself
as unnecessary and unwise, but they certainly would not have shared this comrade’s
feelings of indignation and abhorrence against the man.
5. I think it is best not to be too sure that
no “sane mind” can believe that the cause of progress has been helped by the
deed of Czolgosz. It certainly has caused thousands of people to think very
deeply who never gave the subject of Anarchism any thought before. The fact
is that events like this are as milestones along the pathway of progress, marking
the way, and pointing out to the watchful student the means of man’s irresistible
march onward. I feel like repeating one of Dyer D. Lum’s favorite sayings, “Events
educate.” After all, how inscrutable are the ways of—providence. We can almost
join our Christian brethren in saying
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform.