Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial evidence book. People's Exhibit 69.
Arbeiter-Zeitung (Newspaper) article, "Editorial," 1886 Apr. 28
2 p.
Introduced into evidence during testimony of Eugene Seeger (Vol. K p. 701-720), 1886 July 31.
Transcript of translation of article.
Peoples' Exhibit. 69. page 69.
April 28th,1886.
Arbeiter Zeitung.
Editorial on second page, headed "Editorial".
What anarchists have predicted months ago have realized now. In quiet times the shackles of law were forged. To apply them in tempestous times. From dusty garrets they have fetched their musty law books and so by a practical application of American liberty, tried to build a wall against the stream of the laborers movement.
Well, after you have erected protecting walls in the shape of laws, we will have to break them. The theory of the homeopath "like cures like" is applicable here. The power of the associate manufacturers and their State must be met by labor associations. The police and soldiers who fight for that power must be met by armed armies of working men, the logic of facts require this; arms are more necessary in our times than anything else. Whoever has no money, sell his watch and chain to buy firearms for the amount realized. Stones and sticks will not avail against the hired assassins of the extortionists. It is time to arm yourselves.
What a modest demand, the introduction of the eight hour day, and yet a corps of madmen could not demean themselves worse than the capitalistic extortioners. They continually threaten with their diciplined police and their strong militia and those are not empty threats indeed. This is proved by
the history of the last few years. It is a nice thing, this patience, and the laborer, alas, has too much of this article, but one must not indulge in a too frivilous play with it. If you go far that his patience will cease, then it will be no longer a question of the eight hour day but a question of emancipation from wage slavery".