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
