Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial evidence book. People's Exhibit 72.
Fäckel (Newspaper) article, "Now or Never," 1886 May 2
3 p.
Introduced into evidence during testimony of Eugene Seeger (Vol. K p. 701-720), 1886 July 31.
Transcript of translation of article.
Peoples' Exhibit, 72. page 72.
May 2nd.
Die Fackel. (Local Columns).
Now or never.
The Mortal Enemies Cross Swords:
"To be or not to be, that is the question".
The extortioners stoop to every means.
Workmen, do likewise!
The most modest demands of the Bees of Labor Insolently refused by the Drones!
Numberless Strikes!
Cowards and doleful Knights aggravate the Fight.
They drive away men of courage and indulge in compromises.
The first twenty four hours of the battle are passed. Let us, so far as it is possible, cast a glance back upon the battle-ground; let us view the positions of the savagely contending forces.
Fanatics and imbeciles fancied that a demand so modest as the one the oppressed have made of their oppressors would not meet with any serious opposition. How it is now? Has it come to pass as we have always predicted. The proprietor class makes no consessions, only yields to force. That there
is sometimes found an extortioner who forms an exception to this rule does not alter the fact. In such cases there are, as a rule, special interests involved which have a determining influence on the individual.
Even where the workmen were willing to accept a corresponding reduction of wages with the introduction of the eight hour system they were mostly refused. "No, ye dogs, you must work ten hours; that's the way we want it, we, your bosses". Something like this was the answer of the majority translated into intelligible language.
In the face of this fact it is pitiful and disgusting, but more than that, it is treacherous to warn the strikers against energetic uncompromising measures.
Everything depends upon quick and immediate action. The tactics of the bosses are to gain time; the tactics of the strikers must be to grant them no time. By Monday or Tuesday the conflict must have reached its highest intensity, else the success will be doubtful. Within a week the fire, the enthusiasm, will be gone, and then the bosses will celebrate victories.
It is treacherous, moreover, when here and there shop-organizations and others enter into compromises. In being satisfied with nine hours they render the introduction of the eight hour system in other establishments an absolute
impossibility. They are worse than "scabs".
The number of strikers has materially increased since yesterday. The feeling among the radical labor organizations is an encouraging one and the situation is generally hopeful.