第4章　

ForwhocansaybywhatstrangewayChristbringshiswilltolight，SincethebarrenstaffthepilgrimboreBloomedinthegreatPope’ssight。

PATRIOTISM:AMENACETOLIBERTY

Whatispatriotism？Isitloveofone’sbirthplace，theplaceofchildhood’srecollectionsandhopes，dreamsandaspirations？Isittheplacewhere，inchildlikenaivety，wewouldwatchthefleetingclouds，andwonderwhywe，too，couldnotrunsoswiftly？Theplacewherewewouldcountthemilliardglitteringstars，terror-strickenlesteachone"aneyeshouldbe，"piercingtheverydepthsofourlittlesouls？Isittheplacewherewewouldlistentothemusicofthebirds，andlongtohavewingstofly，evenasthey，todistantlands？Ortheplacewherewewouldsitatmother’sknee，enrapturedbywonderfultalesofgreatdeedsandconquests？Inshort，isitloveforthespot，everyinchrepresentingdearandpreciousrecollectionsofahappy，joyous，andplayfulchildhood？

Ifthatwerepatriotism，fewAmericanmenoftodaycouldbecalledupontobepatriotic，sincetheplaceofplayhasbeenturnedintofactory，mill，andmine，whiledeafeningsoundsofmachineryhavereplacedthemusicofthebirds。Norcanwelongerhearthetalesofgreatdeeds，forthestoriesourmotherstelltodayarebutthoseofsorrow，tears，andgrief。

What，then，ispatriotism？"Patriotism，sir，isthelastresortofscoundrels，"saidDr。Johnson。LeoTolstoy，thegreatestanti-patriotofourtimes，definespatriotismastheprinciplethatwilljustifythetrainingofwholesalemurderers；atradethatrequiresbetterequipmentfortheexerciseofman-killingthanthemakingofsuchnecessitiesoflifeasshoes，clothing，andhouses；atradethatguaranteesbetterreturnsandgreaterglorythanthatoftheaverageworkingman。

GustaveHerve，anothergreatanti-patriot，justlycallspatriotismasuperstition——onefarmoreinjurious，brutal，andinhumanethanreligion。Thesuperstitionofreligionoriginatedinman’sinabilitytoexplainnaturalphenomena。Thatis，whenprimitivemanheardthunderorsawthelightning，hecouldnotaccountforeither，andthereforeconcludedthatbackofthemmustbeaforcegreaterthanhimself。Similarlyhesawasupernaturalforceintherain，andinthevariousotherchangesinnature。Patriotism，ontheotherhand，isasuperstitionartificiallycreatedandmaintainedthroughanetworkofliesandfalsehoods；asuperstitionthatrobsmanofhisself-respectanddignity，andincreaseshisarroganceandconceit。

Indeed，conceit，arrogance，andegotismaretheessentialsofpatriotism。Letmeillustrate。Patriotismassumesthatourglobeisdividedintolittlespots，eachonesurroundedbyanirongate。

Thosewhohavehadthefortuneofbeingbornonsomeparticularspot，considerthemselvesbetter，nobler，grander，moreintelligentthanthelivingbeingsinhabitinganyotherspot。Itis，therefore，thedutyofeveryonelivingonthatchosenspottofight，kill，anddieintheattempttoimposehissuperiorityuponalltheothers。

Theinhabitantsoftheotherspotsreasoninlikemanner，ofcourse，withtheresultthat，fromearlyinfancy，themindofthechildispoisonedwithblood-curdlingstoriesabouttheGermans，theFrench，theItalians，Russians，etc。Whenthechildhasreachedmanhood，heisthoroughlysaturatedwiththebeliefthatheischosenbytheLordhimselftodefendHIScountryagainsttheattackorinvasionofanyforeigner。Itisforthatpurposethatweareclamoringforagreaterarmyandnavy，morebattleshipsandammunition。ItisforthatpurposethatAmericahaswithinashorttimespentfourhundredmilliondollars。Justthinkofit——fourhundredmilliondollarstakenfromtheproduceofthePEOPLE。Forsurelyitisnottherichwhocontributetopatriotism。Theyarecosmopolitans，perfectlyathomeineveryland。WeinAmericaknowwellthetruthofthis。ArenotourrichAmericansFrenchmeninFrance，GermansinGermany，orEnglishmeninEngland？AnddotheynotsquanderwithcosmopolitangracefortunescoinedbyAmericanfactorychildrenandcottonslaves？

Yes，theirsisthepatriotismthatwillmakeitpossibletosendmessagesofcondolencetoadespotliketheRussianTsar，whenanymishapbefallshim，asPresidentRooseveltdidinthenameofHIS

people，whenSergiuswaspunishedbytheRussianrevolutionists。

Itisapatriotismthatwillassistthearch-murderer，Diaz，indestroyingthousandsoflivesinMexico，orthatwillevenaidinarrestingMexicanrevolutionistsonAmericansoilandkeepthemincarceratedinAmericanprisons，withouttheslightestcauseorreason。

But，then，patriotismisnotforthosewhorepresentwealthandpower。Itisgoodenoughforthepeople。ItremindsoneofthehistoricwisdomofFrederictheGreat，thebosomfriendofVoltaire，whosaid:"Religionisafraud，butitmustbemaintainedforthemasses。"

Thatpatriotismisratheracostlyinstitution，noonewilldoubtafterconsideringthefollowingstatistics。Theprogressiveincreaseoftheexpendituresfortheleadingarmiesandnaviesoftheworldduringthelastquarterofacenturyisafactofsuchgravityastostartleeverythoughtfulstudentofeconomicproblems。Itmaybebrieflyindicatedbydividingthetimefrom1881to1905intofive-yearperiods，andnotingthedisbursementsofseveralgreatnationsforarmyandnavypurposesduringthefirstandlastofthoseperiods。FromthefirsttothelastoftheperiodsnotedtheexpendituresofGreatBritainincreasedfrom$2，101，848，936to$4，143，226，885，thoseofFrancefrom$3，324，500，000to$3，455，109，900，thoseofGermanyfrom$725，000，200to$2，700，375，600，thoseoftheUnitedStatesfrom$1，275，500，750to$2，650，900，450，thoseofRussiafrom$1，900，975，500to$5，250，445，100，thoseofItalyfrom$1，600，975，750to$1，755，500，100，andthoseofJapanfrom$182，900，500to$700，925，475。

Themilitaryexpendituresofeachofthenationsmentionedincreasedineachofthefive-yearperiodsunderreview。Duringtheentireintervalfrom1881to1905GreatBritain’soutlayforherarmyincreasedfourfold，thatoftheUnitedStateswastripled，Russia’swasdoubled，thatofGermanyincreased35percent。，thatofFranceabout15percent。，andthatofJapannearly500percent。Ifwecomparetheexpendituresofthesenationsupontheirarmieswiththeirtotalexpendituresforallthetwenty-fiveyearsendingwith1905，theproportionroseasfollows:

InGreatBritainfrom20percent。to37；intheUnitedStatesfrom15to23；inFrancefrom16to18；inItalyfrom12to15；inJapanfrom12to14。Ontheotherhand，itisinterestingtonotethattheproportioninGermanydecreasedfromabout58percent。to25，thedecreasebeingduetotheenormousincreaseintheimperialexpendituresforotherpurposes，thefactbeingthatthearmyexpendituresfortheperiodof1901-5werehigherthanforanyfive-yearperiodpreceding。Statisticsshowthatthecountriesinwhicharmyexpendituresaregreatest，inproportiontothetotalnationalrevenues，areGreatBritain，theUnitedStates，Japan，France，andItaly，intheordernamed。

Theshowingastothecostofgreatnaviesisequallyimpressive。

Duringthetwenty-fiveyearsendingwith1905navalexpendituresincreasedapproximatelyasfollows:GreatBritain，300percent。；

France60percent。；Germany600percent。；theUnitedStates525percent。；Russia300percent。；Italy250percent。；andJapan，700percent。WiththeexceptionofGreatBritain，theUnitedStatesspendsmorefornavalpurposesthananyothernation，andthisexpenditurebearsalsoalargerproportiontotheentirenationaldisbursementsthanthatofanyotherpower。Intheperiod1881-5，theexpenditurefortheUnitedStatesnavywas$6。20outofeach$100appropriatedforallnationalpurposes；theamountroseto$6。60forthenextfive-yearperiod，to$8。10forthenext，to$11。70forthenext，andto$16。40for1901-5。Itismorallycertainthattheoutlayforthecurrentperiodoffiveyearswillshowastillfurtherincrease。

Therisingcostofmilitarismmaybestillfurtherillustratedbycomputingitasapercapitataxonpopulation。Fromthefirsttothelastofthefive-yearperiodstakenasthebasisforthecomparisonsheregiven，ithasrisenasfollows:InGreatBritain，from$18。47to$52。50；inFrance，from$19。66to$23。62；inGermany，from$10。17to$15。51；intheUnitedStates，from$5。62to$13。64；inRussia，from$6。14to$8。37；inItaly，from$9。59to$11。24，andinJapanfrom86centsto$3。11。

Itisinconnectionwiththisroughestimateofcostpercapitathattheeconomicburdenofmilitarismismostappreciable。Theirresistibleconclusionfromavailabledataisthattheincreaseofexpenditureforarmyandnavypurposesisrapidlysurpassingthegrowthofpopulationineachofthecountriesconsideredinthepresentcalculation。Inotherwords，acontinuationoftheincreaseddemandsofmilitarismthreatenseachofthosenationswithaprogressiveexhaustionbothofmenandresources。

Theawfulwastethatpatriotismnecessitatesoughttobesufficienttocurethemanofevenaverageintelligencefromthisdisease。Yetpatriotismdemandsstillmore。Thepeopleareurgedtobepatrioticandforthatluxurytheypay，notonlybysupportingtheir"defenders，"butevenbysacrificingtheirownchildren。Patriotismrequiresallegiancetotheflag，whichmeansobedienceandreadinesstokillfather，mother，brother，sister。

Theusualcontentionisthatweneedastandingarmytoprotectthecountryfromforeigninvasion。Everyintelligentmanandwomanknows，however，thatthisisamythmaintainedtofrightenandcoercethefoolish。Thegovernmentsoftheworld，knowingeachother’sinterests，donotinvadeeachother。Theyhavelearnedthattheycangainmuchmorebyinternationalarbitrationofdisputesthanbywarandconquest。Indeed，asCarlylesaid，"Warisaquarrelbetweentwothievestoocowardlytofighttheirownbattle；thereforetheytakeboysfromonevillageandanothervillage；stickthemintouniforms，equipthemwithguns，andletthemlooselikewildbeastsagainsteachother。"

Itdoesnotrequiremuchwisdomtotraceeverywarbacktoasimilarcause。LetustakeourownSpanish-Americanwar，supposedlyagreatandpatrioticeventinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates。HowourheartsburnedwithindignationagainsttheatrociousSpaniards！

True，ourindignationdidnotflareupspontaneously。Itwasnurturedbymonthsofnewspaperagitation，andlongafterButcherWeylerhadkilledoffmanynobleCubansandoutragedmanyCubanwomen。Still，injusticetotheAmericanNationbeitsaid，itdidgrowindignantandwaswillingtofight，andthatitfoughtbravely。

Butwhenthesmokewasover，thedeadburied，andthecostofthewarcamebacktothepeopleinanincreaseinthepriceofcommoditiesandrent——thatis，whenwesoberedupfromourpatrioticspree——itsuddenlydawnedonusthatthecauseoftheSpanish-Americanwarwastheconsiderationofthepriceofsugar；or，tobemoreexplicit，thatthelives，blood，andmoneyoftheAmericanpeoplewereusedtoprotecttheinterestsofAmericancapitalists，whichwerethreatenedbytheSpanishgovernment。Thatthisisnotanexaggeration，butisbasedonabsolutefactsandfigures，isbestprovenbytheattitudeoftheAmericangovernmenttoCubanlabor。WhenCubawasfirmlyintheclutchesoftheUnitedStates，theverysoldierssenttoliberateCubawereorderedtoshootCubanworkingmenduringthegreatcigarmakers’strike，whichtookplaceshortlyafterthewar。

Nordowestandaloneinwagingwarforsuchcauses。ThecurtainisbeginningtobeliftedonthemotivesoftheterribleRusso-Japanesewar，whichcostsomuchbloodandtears。AndweseeagainthatbackofthefierceMolochofwarstandsthestillfiercergodofCommercialism。Kuropatkin，theRussianMinisterofWarduringtheRusso-Japanesestruggle，hasrevealedthetruesecretbehindthelatter。TheTsarandhisGrandDukes，havinginvestedmoneyinCoreanconcessions，thewarwasforcedforthesolepurposeofspeedilyaccumulatinglargefortunes。

Thecontentionthatastandingarmyandnavyisthebestsecurityofpeaceisaboutaslogicalastheclaimthatthemostpeacefulcitizenishewhogoesaboutheavilyarmed。Theexperienceofevery-daylifefullyprovesthatthearmedindividualisinvariablyanxioustotryhisstrength。Thesameishistoricallytrueofgovernments。Reallypeacefulcountriesdonotwastelifeandenergyinwarpreparations，withtheresultthatpeaceismaintained。

However，theclamorforanincreasedarmyandnavyisnotduetoanyforeigndanger。Itisowingtothedreadofthegrowingdiscontentofthemassesandoftheinternationalspiritamongtheworkers。ItistomeettheinternalenemythatthePowersofvariouscountriesarepreparingthemselves；anenemy，who，onceawakenedtoconsciousness，willprovemoredangerousthananyforeigninvader。

Thepowersthathaveforcenturiesbeenengagedinenslavingthemasseshavemadeathoroughstudyoftheirpsychology。Theyknowthatthepeopleatlargearelikechildrenwhosedespair，sorrow，andtearscanbeturnedintojoywithalittletoy。Andthemoregorgeouslythetoyisdressed，thelouderthecolors，themoreitwillappealtothemillion-headedchild。

Anarmyandnavyrepresentsthepeople’stoys。Tomakethemmoreattractiveandacceptable，hundredsandthousandsofdollarsarebeingspentforthedisplayofthesetoys。ThatwasthepurposeoftheAmericangovernmentinequippingafleetandsendingitalongthePacificcoast，thateveryAmericancitizenshouldbemadetofeeltheprideandgloryoftheUnitedStates。ThecityofSanFranciscospentonehundredthousanddollarsfortheentertainmentofthefleet；LosAngeles，sixtythousand；SeattleandTacoma，aboutonehundredthousand。Toentertainthefleet，didIsay？Todineandwineafewsuperiorofficers，whilethe"braveboys"hadtomutinytogetsufficientfood。Yes，twohundredandsixtythousanddollarswerespentonfireworks，theatreparties，andrevelries，atatimewhenmen，women，andchildrenthroughthebreadthandlengthofthecountrywerestarvinginthestreets；whenthousandsofunemployedwerereadytoselltheirlaboratanyprice。

Twohundredandsixtythousanddollars！Whatcouldnothavebeenaccomplishedwithsuchanenormoussum？Butinsteadofbreadandshelter，thechildrenofthosecitiesweretakentoseethefleet，thatitmayremain，asoneofthenewspaperssaid，"alastingmemoryforthechild。"

Awonderfulthingtoremember，isitnot？Theimplementsofcivilizedslaughter。Ifthemindofthechildistobepoisonedwithsuchmemories，whathopeisthereforatruerealizationofhumanbrotherhood？

WeAmericansclaimtobeapeace-lovingpeople。Wehatebloodshed；

weareopposedtoviolence。Yetwegointospasmsofjoyoverthepossibilityofprojectingdynamitebombsfromflyingmachinesuponhelplesscitizens。Wearereadytohang，electrocute，orlynchanyone，who，fromeconomicnecessity，willriskhisownlifeintheattemptuponthatofsomeindustrialmagnate。YetourheartsswellwithprideatthethoughtthatAmericaisbecomingthemostpowerfulnationonearth，andthatitwilleventuallyplantherironfootonthenecksofallothernations。

Suchisthelogicofpatriotism。

Consideringtheevilresultsthatpatriotismisfraughtwithfortheaverageman，itisasnothingcomparedwiththeinsultandinjurythatpatriotismheapsuponthesoldierhimself，——thatpoor，deludedvictimofsuperstitionandignorance。He，thesaviorofhiscountry，theprotectorofhisnation，——whathaspatriotisminstoreforhim？

Alifeofslavishsubmission，vice，andperversion，duringpeace；alifeofdanger，exposure，anddeath，duringwar。

WhileonarecentlecturetourinSanFrancisco，IvisitedthePresidio，themostbeautifulspotoverlookingtheBayandGoldenGatePark。Itspurposeshouldhavebeenplaygroundsforchildren，gardensandmusicfortherecreationoftheweary。Insteaditismadeugly，dull，andgraybybarracks，——barrackswhereintherichwouldnotallowtheirdogstodwell。Inthesemiserableshantiessoldiersareherdedlikecattle；heretheywastetheiryoungdays，polishingthebootsandbrassbuttonsoftheirsuperiorofficers。Here，too，Isawthedistinctionofclasses:sturdysonsofafreeRepublic，drawnupinlinelikeconvicts，salutingeverypassingshrimpofalieutenant。

Americanequality，degradingmanhoodandelevatingtheuniform！

Barracklifefurthertendstodeveloptendenciesofsexualperversion。ItisgraduallyproducingalongthislineresultssimilartoEuropeanmilitaryconditions。HavelockEllis，thenotedwriteronsexpsychology，hasmadeathoroughstudyofthesubject。

Iquote:"Someofthebarracksaregreatcentersofmaleprostitution……Thenumberofsoldierswhoprostitutethemselvesisgreaterthanwearewillingtobelieve。Itisnoexaggerationtosaythatincertainregimentsthepresumptionisinfavorofthevenalityofthemajorityofthemen……OnsummereveningsHydeParkandtheneighborhoodofAlbertGatearefullofguardsmenandothersplyingalivelytrade，andwithlittledisguise，inuniformorout……InmostcasestheproceedsformacomfortableadditiontoTommyAtkins’pocketmoney。"

Towhatextentthisperversionhaseatenitswayintothearmyandnavycanbestbejudgedfromthefactthatspecialhousesexistforthisformofprostitution。ThepracticeisnotlimitedtoEngland；

itisuniversal。"SoldiersarenolesssoughtafterinFrancethaninEnglandorinGermany，andspecialhousesformilitaryprostitutionexistbothinParisandthegarrisontowns。"

HadMr。HavelockEllisincludedAmericainhisinvestigationofsexperversion，hewouldhavefoundthatthesameconditionsprevailinourarmyandnavyasinthoseofothercountries。Thegrowthofthestandingarmyinevitablyaddstothespreadofsexperversion；thebarracksaretheincubators。

Asidefromthesexualeffectsofbarracklife，italsotendstounfitthesoldierforusefullaborafterleavingthearmy。Men，skilledinatrade，seldomenterthearmyornavy，buteventhey，afteramilitaryexperience，findthemselvestotallyunfittedfortheirformeroccupations。Havingacquiredhabitsofidlenessandatasteforexcitementandadventure，nopeacefulpursuitcancontentthem。

Releasedfromthearmy，theycanturntonousefulwork。Butitisusuallythesocialriff-raff，dischargedprisonersandthelike，whomeitherthestruggleforlifeortheirowninclinationdrivesintotheranks。These，theirmilitarytermover，againturntotheirformerlifeofcrime，morebrutalizedanddegradedthanbefore。Itisawell-knownfactthatinourprisonsthereisagoodlynumberofex-soldiers；whileontheotherhand，thearmyandnavyaretoagreatextentsuppliedwithex-convicts。

Ofalltheevilresults，Ihavejustdescribed，noneseemstomesodetrimentaltohumanintegrityasthespiritpatriotismhasproducedinthecaseofPrivateWilliamBuwalda。Becausehefoolishlybelievedthatonecanbeasoldierandexercisehisrightsasamanatthesametime，themilitaryauthoritiespunishedhimseverely。

True，hehadservedhiscountryfifteenyears，duringwhichtimehisrecordwasunimpeachable。AccordingtoGen。Funston，whoreducedBuwalda’ssentencetothreeyears，"thefirstdutyofanofficeroranenlistedmanisunquestionedobedienceandloyaltytothegovernment，anditmakesnodifferencewhetherheapprovesofthatgovernmentornot。"ThusFunstonstampsthetruecharacterofallegiance。Accordingtohim，entranceintothearmyabrogatestheprinciplesoftheDeclarationofIndependence。

Whatastrangedevelopmentofpatriotismthatturnsathinkingbeingintoaloyalmachine！

InjustificationofthismostoutrageoussentenceofBuwalda，Gen。

FunstontellstheAmericanpeoplethatthesoldier’sactionwasa"seriouscrimeequaltotreason。"Now，whatdidthis"terriblecrime"reallyconsistof？Simplyinthis:WilliamBuwaldawasoneoffifteenhundredpeoplewhoattendedapublicmeetinginSanFrancisco；and，oh，horrors，heshookhandswiththespeaker，EmmaGoldman。Aterriblecrime，indeed，whichtheGeneralcalls"agreatmilitaryoffense，infinitelyworsethandesertion。"

Cantherebeagreaterindictmentagainstpatriotismthanthatitwillthusbrandamanacriminal，throwhimintoprison，androbhimoftheresultsoffifteenyearsoffaithfulservice？

Buwaldagavetohiscountrythebestyearsofhislifeandhisverymanhood。Butallthatwasasnothing。Patriotismisinexorableand，likeallinsatiablemonsters，demandsallornothing。Itdoesnotadmitthatasoldierisalsoahumanbeing，whohasarighttohisownfeelingsandopinions，hisowninclinationsandideas。No，patriotismcannotadmitofthat。ThatisthelessonwhichBuwaldawasmadetolearn；madetolearnatarathercostly，thoughnotatauseless，price。Whenhereturnedtofreedom，hehadlosthispositioninthearmy，butheregainedhisself-respect。Afterall，thatisworththreeyearsofimprisonment。

AwriteronthemilitaryconditionsofAmerica，inarecentarticle，commentedonthepowerofthemilitarymanoverthecivilianinGermany。Hesaid，amongotherthings，thatifourRepublichadnoothermeaningthantoguaranteeallcitizensequalrights，itwouldhavejustcauseforexistence。IamconvincedthatthewriterwasnotinColoradoduringthepatrioticregimeofGeneralBell。Heprobablywouldhavechangedhismindhadheseenhow，inthenameofpatriotismandtheRepublic，menwerethrownintobull-pens，draggedabout，drivenacrosstheborder，andsubjectedtoallkindsofindignities。NoristhatColoradoincidenttheonlyoneinthegrowthofmilitarypowerintheUnitedStates。Thereishardlyastrikewheretroopsandmilitiadonotcometotherescueofthoseinpower，andwheretheydonotactasarrogantlyandbrutallyasdothemenwearingtheKaiser’suniform。Then，too，wehavetheDickmilitarylaw。Hadthewriterforgottenthat？

Agreatmisfortunewithmostofourwritersisthattheyareabsolutelyignorantoncurrentevents，orthat，lackinghonesty，theywillnotspeakofthesematters。AndsoithascometopassthattheDickmilitarylawwasrushedthroughCongresswithlittlediscussionandstilllesspublicity，——alawwhichgivesthePresidentthepowertoturnapeacefulcitizenintoabloodthirstyman-killer，supposedlyforthedefenseofthecountry，inrealityfortheprotectionoftheinterestsofthatparticularpartywhosemouthpiecethePresidenthappenstobe。

OurwriterclaimsthatmilitarismcanneverbecomesuchapowerinAmericaasabroad，sinceitisvoluntarywithus，whilecompulsoryintheOldWorld。Twoveryimportantfacts，however，thegentlemanforgetstoconsider。First，thatconscriptionhascreatedinEuropeadeep-seatedhatredofmilitarismamongallclassesofsociety。

Thousandsofyoungrecruitsenlistunderprotestand，onceinthearmy，theywilluseeverypossiblemeanstodesert。Second，thatitisthecompulsoryfeatureofmilitarismwhichhascreatedatremendousanti-militaristmovement，fearedbyEuropeanPowersfarmorethananythingelse。Afterall，thegreatestbulwarkofcapitalismismilitarism。Theverymomentthelatterisundermined，capitalismwilltotter。True，wehavenoconscription；thatis，menarenotusuallyforcedtoenlistinthearmy，butwehavedevelopedafarmoreexactingandrigidforce——necessity。Isitnotafactthatduringindustrialdepressionsthereisatremendousincreaseinthenumberofenlistments？Thetradeofmilitarismmaynotbeeitherlucrativeorhonorable，butitisbetterthantrampingthecountryinsearchofwork，standinginthebreadline，orsleepinginmunicipallodginghouses。Afterall，itmeansthirteendollarspermonth，threemealsaday，andaplacetosleep。Yetevennecessityisnotsufficientlystrongafactortobringintothearmyanelementofcharacterandmanhood。Nowonderourmilitaryauthoritiescomplainofthe"poormaterial"enlistinginthearmyandnavy。Thisadmissionisaveryencouragingsign。ItprovesthatthereisstillenoughofthespiritofindependenceandloveoflibertyleftintheaverageAmericantoriskstarvationratherthandontheuniform。

Thinkingmenandwomentheworldoverarebeginningtorealizethatpatriotismistoonarrowandlimitedaconceptiontomeetthenecessitiesofourtime。Thecentralizationofpowerhasbroughtintobeinganinternationalfeelingofsolidarityamongtheoppressednationsoftheworld；asolidaritywhichrepresentsagreaterharmonyofinterestsbetweentheworkingmanofAmericaandhisbrothersabroadthanbetweentheAmericanminerandhisexploitingcompatriot；

asolidaritywhichfearsnotforeigninvasion，becauseitisbringingalltheworkerstothepointwhentheywillsaytotheirmasters，"Goanddoyourownkilling。Wehavedoneitlongenoughforyou。"

Thissolidarityisawakeningtheconsciousnessofeventhesoldiers，they，too，beingfleshofthefleshofthegreathumanfamily。A

solidaritythathasproveninfalliblemorethanonceduringpaststruggles，andwhichhasbeentheimpetusinducingtheParisiansoldiers，duringtheCommuneof1871，torefusetoobeywhenorderedtoshoottheirbrothers。IthasgivencouragetothemenwhomutiniedonRussianwarshipsduringrecentyears。Itwilleventuallybringabouttheuprisingofalltheoppressedanddowntroddenagainsttheirinternationalexploiters。

TheproletariatofEuropehasrealizedthegreatforceofthatsolidarityandhas，asaresult，inauguratedawaragainstpatriotismanditsbloodyspectre，militarism。ThousandsofmenfilltheprisonsofFrance，Germany，Russia，andtheScandinaviancountries，becausetheydaredtodefytheancientsuperstition。Noristhemovementlimitedtotheworkingclass；ithasembracedrepresentativesinallstationsoflife，itschiefexponentsbeingmenandwomenprominentinart，science，andletters。

Americawillhavetofollowsuit。Thespiritofmilitarismhasalreadypermeatedallwalksoflife。Indeed，Iamconvincedthatmilitarismisgrowingagreaterdangerherethananywhereelse，becauseofthemanybribescapitalismholdsouttothosewhomitwishestodestroy。

Thebeginninghasalreadybeenmadeintheschools。EvidentlythegovernmentholdstotheJesuiticalconception，"Givemethechildmind，andIwillmouldtheman。"Childrenaretrainedinmilitarytactics，thegloryofmilitaryachievementsextolledinthecurriculum，andtheyouthfulmindspervertedtosuitthegovernment。

Further，theyouthofthecountryisappealedtoinglaringposterstojointhearmyandnavy。"Afinechancetoseetheworld！"criesthegovernmentalhuckster。Thusinnocentboysaremorallyshanghaiedintopatriotism，andthemilitaryMolochstridesconqueringthroughtheNation。

TheAmericanworkingmanhassufferedsomuchatthehandsofthesoldier，State，andFederal，thatheisquitejustifiedinhisdisgustwith，andhisoppositionto，theuniformedparasite。

However，meredenunciationwillnotsolvethisgreatproblem。Whatweneedisapropagandaofeducationforthesoldier:anti-patrioticliteraturethatwillenlightenhimastotherealhorrorsofhistrade，andthatwillawakenhisconsciousnesstohistruerelationtothemantowhoselaborheoweshisveryexistence。

Itispreciselythisthattheauthoritiesfearmost。Itisalreadyhightreasonforasoldiertoattendaradicalmeeting。Nodoubttheywillalsostampithightreasonforasoldiertoreadaradicalpamphlet。Butthen，hasnotauthorityfromtimeimmemorialstampedeverystepofprogressastreasonable？Those，however，whoearnestlystriveforsocialreconstructioncanwellaffordtofaceallthat；

foritisprobablyevenmoreimportanttocarrythetruthintothebarracksthanintothefactory。Whenwehaveunderminedthepatrioticlie，weshallhaveclearedthepathforthatgreatstructurewhereinallnationalitiesshallbeunitedintoauniversalbrotherhood，——atrulyFREESOCIETY。

FRANCISCOFERRERANDTHEMODERNSCHOOL

Experiencehascometobeconsideredthebestschooloflife。Themanorwomanwhodoesnotlearnsomevitallessoninthatschoolislookeduponasadunceindeed。Yetstrangetosay，thatthoughorganizedinstitutionscontinueperpetratingerrors，thoughtheylearnnothingfromexperience，weacquiesce，asamatterofcourse。

TherelivedandworkedinBarcelonaamanbythenameofFranciscoFerrer。Ateacherofchildrenhewas，knownandlovedbyhispeople。

OutsideofSpainonlytheculturedfewknewofFranciscoFerrer’swork。Totheworldatlargethisteacherwasnon-existent。

OnthefirstofSeptember，1909，theSpanishgovernment——atthebehestoftheCatholicChurch——arrestedFranciscoFerrer。OnthethirteenthofOctober，afteramocktrial，hewasplacedintheditchatMontjuichprison，againstthehideouswallofmanysighs，andshotdead。InstantlyFerrer，theobscureteacher，becameauniversalfigure，blazingforththeindignationandwrathofthewholecivilizedworldagainstthewantonmurder。

ThekillingofFranciscoFerrerwasnotthefirstcrimecommittedbytheSpanishgovernmentandtheCatholicChurch。Thehistoryoftheseinstitutionsisonelongstreamoffireandblood。Stilltheyhavenotlearnedthroughexperience，noryetcometorealizethateveryfrailbeingslainbyChurchandStategrowsandgrowsintoamightygiant，whowillsomedayfreehumanityfromtheirperiloushold。

FranciscoFerrerwasbornin1859，ofhumbleparents。TheywereCatholics，andthereforehopedtoraisetheirsoninthesamefaith。

Theydidnotknowthattheboywastobecometheharbingerofagreattruth，thathismindwouldrefusetotravelintheoldpath。AtanearlyageFerrerbegantoquestionthefaithofhisfathers。HedemandedtoknowhowitisthattheGodwhospoketohimofgoodnessandlovewouldmarthesleepoftheinnocentchildwithdreadandaweoftortures，ofsuffering，ofhell。Alertandofavividandinvestigatingmind，itdidnottakehimlongtodiscoverthehideousnessofthatblackmonster，theCatholicChurch。Hewouldhavenoneofit。

FranciscoFerrerwasnotonlyadoubter，asearcherfortruth；hewasalsoarebel。Hisspiritwouldriseinjustindignationagainsttheironregimeofhiscountry，andwhenabandofrebels，ledbythebravepatriot，GeneralVillacampa，underthebanneroftheRepublicanideal，madeanonslaughtonthatregime，nonewasmoreardentafighterthanyoungFranciscoFerrer。TheRepublicanideal，——IhopenoonewillconfounditwiththeRepublicanismofthiscountry。

WhateverobjectionI，asanAnarchist，havetotheRepublicansofLatincountries，Iknowtheytowerhighabovethecorruptandreactionarypartywhich，inAmerica，isdestroyingeveryvestigeoflibertyandjustice。OnehasbuttothinkoftheMazzinis，theGaribaldis，thescoresofothers，torealizethattheireffortsweredirected，notmerelytowardstheoverthrowofdespotism，butparticularlyagainsttheCatholicChurch，whichfromitsveryinceptionhasbeentheenemyofallprogressandliberalism。

InAmericaitisjustthereverse。Republicanismstandsforvestedrights，forimperialism，forgraft，fortheannihilationofeverysemblanceofliberty。Itsidealistheoily，creepyrespectabilityofaMcKinley，andthebrutalarroganceofaRoosevelt。

TheSpanishrepublicanrebelsweresubdued。Ittakesmorethanonebraveefforttosplittherockofages，tocutofftheheadofthathydramonster，theCatholicChurchandtheSpanishthrone。Arrest，persecution，andpunishmentfollowedtheheroicattemptofthelittleband。Thosewhocouldescapethebloodhoundshadtofleeforsafetytoforeignshores。FranciscoFerrerwasamongthelatter。HewenttoFrance。

Howhissoulmusthaveexpandedinthenewland！France，thecradleofliberty，ofideas，ofaction。Paris，theeveryoung，intenseParis，withherpulsatinglife，afterthegloomofhisownbelatedcountry，——howshemusthaveinspiredhim。Whatopportunities，whatagloriouschanceforayoungidealist。

FranciscoFerrerlostnotime。Likeonefamishedhethrewhimselfintothevariousliberalmovements，metallkindsofpeople，learned，absorbed，andgrew。Whilethere，healsosawinoperationtheModernSchool，whichwastoplaysuchanimportantandfatalpartinhislife。

TheModernSchoolinFrancewasfoundedlongbeforeFerrer’stime。

Itsoriginator，thoughonasmallscale，wasthatsweetspirit，LouiseMichel。Whetherconsciouslyorunconsciously，ourowngreatLouisefeltlongagothatthefuturebelongstotheyounggeneration；

thatunlesstheyoungberescuedfromthatmindandsouldestroyinginstitution，thebourgeoisschool，socialevilswillcontinuetoexist。Perhapsshethought，withIbsen，thattheatmosphereissaturatedwithghosts，thattheadultmanandwomanhavesomanysuperstitionstoovercome。Nosoonerdotheyoutgrowthedeathlikegripofonespook，lo！theyfindthemselvesinthethralldomofninety-nineotherspooks。Thusbutafewreachthemountainpeakofcompleteregeneration。

Thechild，however，hasnotraditionstoovercome。Itsmindisnotburdenedwithsetideas，itshearthasnotgrowncoldwithclassandcastedistinctions。Thechildistotheteacherwhatclayistothesculptor。Whethertheworldwillreceiveaworkofartorawretchedimitation，dependstoalargeextentonthecreativepoweroftheteacher。

LouiseMichelwaspre-eminentlyqualifiedtomeetthechild’ssoulcravings。Wasshenotherselfofachildlikenature，sosweetandtender，unsophisticatedandgenerous。ThesoulofLouiseburnedalwaysatwhiteheatovereverysocialinjustice。ShewasinvariablyinthefrontrankswheneverthepeopleofParisrebelledagainstsomewrong。Andasshewasmadetosufferimprisonmentforhergreatdevotiontotheoppressed，thelittleschoolonMontmartrewassoonnomore。Buttheseedwasplanted，andhassincebornefruitinmanycitiesofFrance。

ThemostimportantventureofaModernSchoolwasthatofthegreat，youngoldman，PaulRobin。TogetherwithafewfriendsheestablishedalargeschoolatCempuis，abeautifulplacenearParis。

PaulRobinaimedatahigheridealthanmerelymodernideasineducation。Hewantedtodemonstratebyactualfactsthatthebourgeoisconceptionofheredityisbutamerepretexttoexemptsocietyfromitsterriblecrimesagainsttheyoung。Thecontentionthatthechildmustsufferforthesinsofthefathers，thatitmustcontinueinpovertyandfilth，thatitmustgrowupadrunkardorcriminal，justbecauseitsparentsleftitnootherlegacy，wastoopreposteroustothebeautifulspiritofPaulRobin。Hebelievedthatwhateverparthereditymayplay，thereareotherfactorsequallygreat，ifnotgreater，thatmayandwilleradicateorminimizetheso-calledfirstcause。Propereconomicandsocialenvironment，thebreathandfreedomofnature，healthyexercise，loveandsympathy，and，aboveall，adeepunderstandingfortheneedsofthechild——thesewoulddestroythecruel，unjust，andcriminalstigmaimposedontheinnocentyoung。

PaulRobindidnotselecthischildren；hedidnotgototheso-calledbestparents:hetookhismaterialwhereverhecouldfindit。Fromthestreet，thehovels，theorphanandfoundlingasylums，thereformatories，fromallthosegrayandhideousplaceswhereabenevolentsocietyhidesitsvictimsinordertopacifyitsguiltyconscience。Hegatheredallthedirty，filthy，shiveringlittlewaifshisplacewouldhold，andbroughtthemtoCempuis。There，surroundedbynature’sownglory，freeandunrestrained，wellfed，cleankept，deeplylovedandunderstood，thelittlehumanplantsbegantogrow，toblossom，todevelopbeyondeventheexpectationsoftheirfriendandteacher，PaulRobin。

Thechildrengrewanddevelopedintoself-reliant，libertylovingmenandwomen。Whatgreaterdangertotheinstitutionsthatmakethepoorinordertoperpetuatethepoor。CempuiswasclosedbytheFrenchgovernmentonthechargeofco-education，whichisprohibitedinFrance。However，Cempuishadbeeninoperationlongenoughtoprovetoalladvancededucatorsitstremendouspossibilities，andtoserveasanimpetusformodernmethodsofeducation，thatareslowlybutinevitablyunderminingthepresentsystem。

Cempuiswasfollowedbyagreatnumberofothereducationalattempts，——amongthem，byMadelaineVernet，agiftedwriterandpoet，authorofL’AMOURLIBRE，andSebastianFaure，withhisLARUCHE，*

whichIvisitedwhileinParis，in1907——

*THEBEEHIVE——

SeveralyearsagoComradeFaureboughtthelandonwhichhebuilthisLARUCHE。Inacomparativelyshorttimehesucceededintransformingtheformerwild，uncultivatedcountryintoabloomingspot，havingalltheappearanceofawellkeptfarm。Alarge，squarecourt，enclosedbythreebuildings，andabroadpathleadingtothegardenandorchards，greettheeyeofthevisitor。Thegarden，keptasonlyaFrenchmanknowshow，furnishesalargevarietyofvegetablesforLA

RUCHE。

SebastianFaureisoftheopinionthatifthechildissubjectedtocontradictoryinfluences，itsdevelopmentsuffersinconsequence。

Onlywhenthematerialneeds，thehygieneofthehome，andintellectualenvironmentareharmonious，canthechildgrowintoahealthy，freebeing。

Referringtohisschool，SebastianFaurehasthistosay:

"Ihavetakentwenty-fourchildrenofbothsexes，mostlyorphans，orthosewhoseparentsaretoopoortopay。Theyareclothed，housed，andeducatedatmyexpense。Tilltheirtwelfthyeartheywillreceiveasound，elementaryeducation。Betweentheageoftwelveandfifteen——theirstudiesstillcontinuing——theyaretobetaughtsometrade，inkeepingwiththeirindividualdispositionandabilities。

AfterthattheyareatlibertytoleaveLARUCHEtobeginlifeintheoutsideworld，withtheassurancethattheymayatanytimereturntoLARUCHE，wheretheywillbereceivedwithopenarmsandwelcomedasparentsdotheirbelovedchildren。Then，iftheywishtoworkatourplace，theymaydosounderthefollowingconditions:Onethirdoftheproducttocoverhisorherexpensesofmaintenance，anotherthirdtogotowardsthegeneralfundsetasideforaccommodatingnewchildren，andthelastthirdtobedevotedtothepersonaluseofthechild，asheorshemayseefit。

"Thehealthofthechildrenwhoarenowinmycareisperfect。Pureair，nutritiousfood，physicalexerciseintheopen，longwalks，observationofhygienicrules，theshortandinterestingmethodofinstruction，and，aboveall，ouraffectionateunderstandingandcareofthechildren，haveproducedadmirablephysicalandmentalresults。

"Itwouldbeunjusttoclaimthatourpupilshaveaccomplishedwonders；yet，consideringthattheybelongtotheaverage，havinghadnopreviousopportunities，theresultsareverygratifyingindeed。

Themostimportantthingtheyhaveacquired——araretraitwithordinaryschoolchildren——istheloveofstudy，thedesiretoknow，tobeinformed。Theyhavelearnedanewmethodofwork，onethatquickensthememoryandstimulatestheimagination。Wemakeaparticularefforttoawakenthechild’sinterestinhissurroundings，tomakehimrealizetheimportanceofobservation，investigation，andreflection，sothatwhenthechildrenreachmaturity，theywouldnotbedeafandblindtothethingsaboutthem。Ourchildrenneveracceptanythinginblindfaith，withoutinquiryastowhyandwherefore；nordotheyfeelsatisfieduntiltheirquestionsarethoroughlyanswered。Thustheirmindsarefreefromdoubtsandfearresultantfromincompleteoruntruthfulreplies；itisthelatterwhichwarpthegrowthofthechild，andcreatealackofconfidenceinhimselfandthoseabouthim。

"Itissurprisinghowfrankandkindandaffectionateourlittleonesaretoeachother。TheharmonybetweenthemselvesandtheadultsatLARUCHEishighlyencouraging。Weshouldfeelatfaultifthechildrenweretofearorhonorusmerelybecausewearetheirelders。

Weleavenothingundonetogaintheirconfidenceandlove；thataccomplished，understandingwillreplaceduty；confidence，fear；andaffection，severity。

"Noonehasyetfullyrealizedthewealthofsympathy，kindness，andgenerosityhiddeninthesoulofthechild。Theeffortofeverytrueeducatorshouldbetounlockthattreasure——tostimulatethechild’simpulses，andcallforththebestandnoblesttendencies。Whatgreaterrewardcantherebeforonewhoselife-workistowatchoverthegrowthofthehumanplant，thantoseeitsnatureunfolditspetals，andtoobserveitdevelopintoatrueindividuality。MycomradesatLARUCHElookfornogreaterreward，anditisduetothemandtheirefforts，evenmorethantomyown，thatourhumangardenpromisestobearbeautifulfruit。"*——

*MOTHEREARTH，1907——

Regardingthesubjectofhistoryandtheprevailingoldmethodsofinstruction，SebastianFauresaid:

"Weexplaintoourchildrenthattruehistoryisyettobewritten，——thestoryofthosewhohavedied，unknown，intheefforttoaidhumanitytogreaterachievement。"*——

*Ibid——

FranciscoFerrercouldnotescapethisgreatwaveofModernSchoolattempts。Hesawitspossibilities，notmerelyintheoreticform，butintheirpracticalapplicationtoevery-dayneeds。HemusthaverealizedthatSpain，morethananyothercountry，standsinneedofjustsuchschools，ifitisevertothrowoffthedoubleyokeofpriestandsoldier。

WhenweconsiderthattheentiresystemofeducationinSpainisinthehandsoftheCatholicChurch，andwhenwefurtherremembertheCatholicformula，"ToinculcateCatholicisminthemindofthechilduntilitisnineyearsofageistoruinitforeverforanyotheridea，"wewillunderstandthetremendoustaskofFerrerinbringingthenewlighttohispeople。Fatesoonassistedhiminrealizinghisgreatdream。

Mlle。Meunier，apupilofFranciscoFerrer，andaladyofwealth，becameinterestedintheModernSchoolproject。Whenshedied，sheleftFerrersomevaluablepropertyandtwelvethousandfrancsyearlyincomefortheSchool。

Itissaidthatmeansoulscanconceiveofnaughtbutmeanideas。

Ifso，thecontemptiblemethodsoftheCatholicChurchtoblackguardFerrer’scharacter，inordertojustifyherownblackcrime，canreadilybeexplained。ThustheliewasspreadinAmericanCatholicpapers，thatFerrerusedhisintimacywithMlle。Meuniertogetpossessionofhermoney。

Personally，Iholdthattheintimacy，ofwhatevernature，betweenamanandawoman，istheirownaffair，theirsacredown。Iwouldthereforenotloseawordinreferringtothematter，ifitwerenotoneofthemanydastardlyliescirculatedaboutFerrer。Ofcourse，thosewhoknowthepurityoftheCatholicclergywillunderstandtheinsinuation。HavetheCatholicpriestseverlookeduponwomanasanythingbutasexcommodity？Thehistoricaldataregardingthediscoveriesinthecloistersandmonasterieswillbearmeoutinthat。How，then，aretheytounderstandtheco-operationofamanandawoman，exceptonasexbasis？

Asamatteroffact，Mlle。MeunierwasconsiderablyFerrer’ssenior。

Havingspentherchildhoodandgirlhoodwithamiserlyfatherandasubmissivemother，shecouldeasilyappreciatethenecessityofloveandjoyinchildlife。ShemusthaveseenthatFranciscoFerrerwasateacher，notcollege，machine，ordiploma-made，butoneendowedwithgeniusforthatcalling。

Equippedwithknowledge，withexperience，andwiththenecessarymeans；aboveall，imbuedwiththedivinefireofhismission，ourComradecamebacktoSpain，andtherebeganhislife’swork。OntheninthofSeptember，1901，thefirstModernSchoolwasopened。ItwasenthusiasticallyreceivedbythepeopleofBarcelona，whopledgedtheirsupport。InashortaddressattheopeningoftheSchool，Ferrersubmittedhisprogramtohisfriends。Hesaid:"Iamnotaspeaker，notapropagandist，notafighter。Iamateacher；Ilovechildrenaboveeverything。IthinkIunderstandthem。Iwantmycontributiontothecauseoflibertytobeayounggenerationreadytomeetanewera。"

HewascautionedbyhisfriendstobecarefulinhisoppositiontotheCatholicChurch。Theyknewtowhatlengthsshewouldgotodisposeofanenemy。Ferrer，too，knew。But，likeBrand，hebelievedinallornothing。HewouldnoterecttheModernSchoolonthesameoldlie。Hewouldbefrankandhonestandopenwiththechildren。

FranciscoFerrerbecameamarkedman。FromtheveryfirstdayoftheopeningoftheSchool，hewasshadowed。Theschoolbuildingwaswatched，hislittlehomeinMangatwaswatched。Hewasfollowedeverystep，evenwhenhewenttoFranceorEnglandtoconferwithhiscolleagues。Hewasamarkedman，anditwasonlyaquestionoftimewhenthelurkingenemywouldtightenthenoose。

Itsucceeded，almost，in1906，whenFerrerwasimplicatedintheattemptonthelifeofAlfonso。Theevidenceexoneratinghimwastoostrongevenfortheblackcrows；*theyhadtolethimgo——notforgood，however。Theywaited。Oh，theycanwait，whentheyhavesetthemselvestotrapavictim——

*Blackcrows:TheCatholicclergy——

Themomentcameatlast，duringtheanti-militaryuprisinginSpain，inJuly，1909。Onewillhavetosearchinvaintheannalsofrevolutionaryhistorytofindamoreremarkableprotestagainstmilitarism。Havingbeensoldier-riddenforcenturies，thepeopleofSpaincouldstandtheyokenolonger。Theywouldrefusetoparticipateinuselessslaughter。Theysawnoreasonforaidingadespoticgovernmentinsubduingandoppressingasmallpeoplefightingfortheirindependence，asdidthebraveRiffs。No，theywouldnotbeararmsagainstthem。

ForeighteenhundredyearstheCatholicChurchhaspreachedthegospelofpeace。Yet，whenthepeopleactuallywantedtomakethisgospelalivingreality，sheurgedtheauthoritiestoforcethemtobeararms。ThusthedynastyofSpainfollowedthemurderousmethodsoftheRussiandynasty，——thepeoplewereforcedtothebattlefield。

Then，andnotuntilthen，wastheirpowerofenduranceatanend。

Then，andnotuntilthen，didtheworkersofSpainturnagainsttheirmasters，againstthosewho，likeleeches，haddrainedtheirstrength，theirverylife-blood。Yes，theyattackedthechurchesandthepriests，butifthelatterhadathousandlives，theycouldnotpossiblypayfortheterribleoutragesandcrimesperpetratedupontheSpanishpeople。

FranciscoFerrerwasarrestedonthefirstofSeptember，1909。

UntilOctoberfirst，hisfriendsandcomradesdidnotevenknowwhathadbecomeofhim。OnthatdayaletterwasreceivedbyL’HUMANITE，fromwhichcanbelearnedthewholemockeryofthetrial。Andthenextdayhiscompanion，SoledadVillafranca，receivedthefollowingletter:

"Noreasontoworry；youknowIamabsolutelyinnocent。TodayIamparticularlyhopefulandjoyous。ItisthefirsttimeIcanwritetoyou，andthefirsttimesincemyarrestthatIcanbatheintheraysofthesun，streaminggenerouslythroughmycellwindow。You，too，mustbejoyous。"

HowpatheticthatFerrershouldhavebelieved，aslateasOctoberfourth，thathewouldnotbecondemnedtodeath。Evenmorepatheticthathisfriendsandcomradesshouldoncemorehavemadetheblunderincreditingtheenemywithasenseofjustice。Timeandagaintheyhadplacedfaithinthejudicialpowers，onlytoseetheirbrotherskilledbeforetheirveryeyes。TheymadenopreparationtorescueFerrer，notevenaprotestofanyextent；nothing。"Why，itisimpossibletocondemnFerrer；heisinnocent。"ButeverythingispossiblewiththeCatholicChurch。Isshenotapracticedhenchman，whosetrialsofherenemiesaretheworstmockeryofjustice？

OnOctoberfourthFerrersentthefollowinglettertoL’HUMANITE:

ThePrisonCell，Oct。4，1909。

MydearFriends——Notwithstandingmostabsoluteinnocence，theprosecutordemandsthedeathpenalty，basedondenunciationsofthepolice，representingmeasthechiefoftheworld’sAnarchists，directingthelaborsyndicatesofFrance，andguiltyofconspiraciesandinsurrectionseverywhere，anddeclaringthatmyvoyagestoLondonandPariswereundertakenwithnootherobject。

Withsuchinfamousliestheyaretryingtokillme。

ThemessengerisabouttodepartandIhavenottimeformore。

Alltheevidencepresentedtotheinvestigatingjudgebythepoliceisnothingbutatissueofliesandcalumniousinsinuations。Butnoproofsagainstme，havingdonenothingatall。

FERRER。

Octoberthirteenth，1909，Ferrer’sheart，sobrave，sostaunch，soloyal，wasstilled。Poorfools！Thelastagonizedthrobofthathearthadbarelydiedawaywhenitbegantobeatahundredfoldintheheartsofthecivilizedworld，untilitgrewintoterrificthunder，hurlingforthitsmaledictionupontheinstigatorsoftheblackcrime。Murderersofblackgarbandpiousmien，tothebarofjustice！

DidFranciscoFerrerparticipateintheanti-militaryuprising？

Accordingtothefirstindictment，whichappearedinaCatholicpaperinMadrid，signedbytheBishopandalltheprelatesofBarcelona，hewasnotevenaccusedofparticipation。TheindictmentwastotheeffectthatFranciscoFerrerwasguiltyofhavingorganizedgodlessschools，andhavingcirculatedgodlessliterature。Butinthetwentiethcenturymencannotbeburnedmerelyfortheirgodlessbeliefs。Somethingelsehadtobedevised；hencethechargeofinstigatingtheuprising。

InnoauthenticsourcesofarinvestigatedcouldasingleproofbefoundtoconnectFerrerwiththeuprising。Butthen，noproofswerewanted，oraccepted，bytheauthorities。Therewereseventy-twowitnesses，tobesure，buttheirtestimonywastakenonpaper。TheyneverwereconfrontedwithFerrer，orhewiththem。

IsitpsychologicallypossiblethatFerrershouldhaveparticipated？

Idonotbelieveitis，andherearemyreasons。FranciscoFerrerwasnotonlyagreatteacher，buthewasalsoundoubtedlyamarvelousorganizer。Ineightyears，between1901-1909，hehadorganizedinSpainonehundredandnineschools，besidesinducingtheliberalelementofhiscountrytoorganizethreehundredandeightotherschools。Inconnectionwithhisownschoolwork，Ferrerhadequippedamodernprintingplant，organizedastaffoftranslators，andspreadbroadcastonehundredandfiftythousandcopiesofmodernscientificandsociologicworks，nottoforgetthelargequantityofrationalisttextbooks。Surelynonebutthemostmethodicalandefficientorganizercouldhaveaccomplishedsuchafeat。

Ontheotherhand，itwasabsolutelyproventhattheanti-militaryuprisingwasnotatallorganized；thatitcameasasurprisetothepeoplethemselves，likeagreatmanyrevolutionarywavesonpreviousoccasions。ThepeopleofBarcelona，forinstance，hadthecityintheircontrolforfourdays，and，accordingtothestatementoftourists，greaterorderandpeaceneverprevailed。Ofcourse，thepeopleweresolittlepreparedthatwhenthetimecame，theydidnotknowwhattodo。InthisregardtheywerelikethepeopleofParisduringtheCommuneof1871。They，too，wereunprepared。Whiletheywerestarving，theyprotectedthewarehouses，filledtothebrimwithprovisions。TheyplacedsentinelstoguardtheBankofFrance，wherethebourgeoisiekeptthestolenmoney。TheworkersofBarcelona，too，watchedoverthespoilsoftheirmasters。

Howpatheticisthestupidityoftheunderdog；howterriblytragic！

But，then，havenothisfettersbeenforgedsodeeplyintohisflesh，thathewouldnot，evenifhecould，breakthem？Theaweofauthority，oflaw，ofprivateproperty，hundredfoldburnedintohissoul，——howishetothrowitoffunprepared，unexpectedly？

CananyoneassumeforamomentthatamanlikeFerrerwouldaffiliatehimselfwithsuchaspontaneous，unorganizedeffort？Wouldhenothaveknownthatitwouldresultinadefeat，adisastrousdefeatforthepeople？Andisitnotmorelikelythatifhewouldhavetakenpart，he，theexperiencedENTREPRENEUR，wouldhavethoroughlyorganizedtheattempt？Ifallotherproofswerelacking，thatonefactorwouldbesufficienttoexonerateFranciscoFerrer。Butthereareothersequallyconvincing。

Fortheverydateoftheoutbreak，Julytwenty-fifth，FerrerhadcalledaconferenceofhisteachersandmembersoftheLeagueofRationalEducation。Itwastoconsidertheautumnwork，andparticularlythepublicationofEliseeReclus’greatbook，L’HOMMEET

LATERRE，andPeterKropotkin’sGREATFRENCHREVOLUTION。Isitatalllikely，isitatallplausiblethatFerrer，knowingoftheuprising，beingapartytoit，wouldincoldbloodinvitehisfriendsandcolleaguestoBarcelonaforthedayonwhichherealizedtheirliveswouldbeendangered？Surely，onlythecriminal，viciousmindofaJesuitcouldcreditsuchdeliberatemurder。

FranciscoFerrerhadhislife-workmappedout；hehadeverythingtoloseandnothingtogain，exceptruinanddisaster，werehetolendassistancetotheoutbreak。Notthathedoubtedthejusticeofthepeople’swrath；buthiswork，hishope，hisverynaturewasdirectedtowardanothergoal。

InvainarethefranticeffortsoftheCatholicChurch，herlies，falsehoods，calumnies。Shestandscondemnedbytheawakenedhumanconscienceofhavingoncemorerepeatedthefoulcrimesofthepast。

FranciscoFerrerisaccusedofteachingthechildrenthemostblood-curdlingideas，——tohateGod，forinstance。Horrors！

FranciscoFerrerdidnotbelieveintheexistenceofaGod。Whyteachthechildtohatesomethingwhichdoesnotexist？Isitnotmorelikelythathetookthechildrenoutintotheopen，thatheshowedthemthesplendorofthesunset，thebrilliancyofthestarryheavens，theawe-inspiringwonderofthemountainsandseas；thatheexplainedtotheminhissimple，directwaythelawofgrowth，ofdevelopment，oftheinterrelationofalllife？InsodoinghemadeitforeverimpossibleforthepoisonousweedsoftheCatholicChurchtotakerootinthechild’smind。

IthasbeenstatedthatFerrerpreparedthechildrentodestroytherich。Ghoststoriesofoldmaids。Isitnotmorelikelythathepreparedthemtosuccorthepoor？Thathetaughtthemthehumiliation，thedegradation，theawfulnessofpoverty，whichisaviceandnotavirtue；thathetaughtthedignityandimportanceofallcreativeefforts，whichalonesustainlifeandbuildcharacter。

Isitnotthebestandmosteffectivewayofbringingintotheproperlighttheabsoluteuselessnessandinjuryofparasitism？

Last，butnotleast，Ferrerischargedwithunderminingthearmybyinculcatinganti-militaryideas。Indeed？HemusthavebelievedwithTolstoythatwarislegalizedslaughter，thatitperpetuateshatredandarrogance，thatiteatsawaytheheartofnations，andturnsthemintoravingmaniacs。

However，wehaveFerrer’sownwordregardinghisideasofmoderneducation:

"Iwouldliketocalltheattentionofmyreaderstothisidea:Allthevalueofeducationrestsintherespectforthephysical，intellectual，andmoralwillofthechild。Justasinsciencenodemonstrationispossiblesavebyfacts，justsothereisnorealeducationsavethatwhichisexemptfromalldogmatism，whichleavestothechilditselfthedirectionofitseffort，andconfinesitselftothesecondingofitseffort。Now，thereisnothingeasierthantoalterthispurpose，andnothingharderthantorespectit。

Educationisalwaysimposing，violating，constraining；therealeducatorishewhocanbestprotectthechildagainsthis(theteacher’s)ownideas，hispeculiarwhims；hewhocanbestappealtothechild’sownenergies。

"Weareconvincedthattheeducationofthefuturewillbeofanentirelyspontaneousnature；certainlywecannotasyetrealizeit，buttheevolutionofmethodsinthedirectionofawidercomprehensionofthephenomenaoflife，andthefactthatalladvancestowardperfectionmeantheovercomingofrestraint，——allthisindicatesthatweareintherightwhenwehopeforthedeliveranceofthechildthroughscience。

"Letusnotfeartosaythatwewantmencapableofevolvingwithoutstopping，capableofdestroyingandrenewingtheirenvironmentswithoutcessation，ofrenewingthemselvesalso；men，whoseintellectualindependencewillbetheirgreatestforce，whowillattachthemselvestonothing，alwaysreadytoacceptwhatisbest，happyinthetriumphofnewideas，aspiringtolivemultiplelivesinonelife。Societyfearssuchmen；wethereforemustnothopethatitwilleverwantaneducationabletogivethemtous。

"Weshallfollowthelaborsofthescientistswhostudythechildwiththegreatestattention，andweshalleagerlyseekformeansofapplyingtheirexperiencetotheeducationwhichwewanttobuildup，inthedirectionofaneverfullerliberationoftheindividual。

Buthowcanweattainourend？Shallitnotbebyputtingourselvesdirectlytotheworkfavoringthefoundationofnewschools，whichshallberuledasmuchaspossiblebythisspiritofliberty，whichweforefeelwilldominatetheentireworkofeducationinthefuture？

"Atrialhasbeenmade，which，forthepresent，hasalreadygivenexcellentresults。Wecandestroyallwhichinthepresentschoolanswerstotheorganizationofconstraint，theartificialsurroundingsbywhichchildrenareseparatedfromnatureandlife，theintellectualandmoraldisciplinemadeuseoftoimposeready-madeideasuponthem，beliefswhichdepraveandannihilatenaturalbent。Withoutfearofdeceivingourselves，wecanrestorethechildtotheenvironmentwhichenticesit，theenvironmentofnatureinwhichhewillbeincontactwithallthatheloves，andinwhichimpressionsoflifewillreplacefastidiousbook-learning。Ifwedidnomorethanthat，weshouldalreadyhavepreparedingreatpartthedeliveranceofthechild。

"Insuchconditionswemightalreadyfreelyapplythedataofscienceandlabormostfruitfully。

"Iknowverywellwecouldnotthusrealizeallourhopes，thatweshouldoftenbeforced，forlackofknowledge，toemployundesirablemethods；butacertitudewouldsustainusinourefforts——namely，thatevenwithoutreachingouraimcompletelyweshoulddomoreandbetterinourstillimperfectworkthanthepresentschoolaccomplishes。Ilikethefreespontaneityofachildwhoknowsnothing，betterthantheworld-knowledgeandintellectualdeformityofachildwhohasbeensubjectedtoourpresenteducation。"*——

*MOTHEREARTH，December，1909