Peter Kropotkin, Reformer [excerpt]

     Last summer, just before the death of President McKinley, Kropotkin visited this country, and some have put upon him a share of the blame for the awful crime of last fall. It may be that a few were ignorant enough to misinterpret his teachings, but it is certain that Kropotkin would have desired no such thing. He sets forth no violent methods and shuns a criminal revenge. At one time in Paris he addressed a meeting of three thousand anarchists. They had their grievances and their just complaints, and they stood before the meeting with wild eyes and words of vengeance. When Kropotkin arose and, stretching forth his hand over the vast audience, said, “My friends,” a spirit of quiet and rest came over his hearers. All the blood-thirstiness went out of their hearts. When those men disbanded they felt soothed and held a quieter, stronger determination.