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Life of Albert Parsons

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p85

which the despoiler dwells. Oh, friends, this is horrible, and ye who profit by it, ye wear the brand of Cain upon your hearts."

(The crowd swayed to and fro and it could be seen that they were deeply moved, nearly all present being Bourgeoisie.)

The speaker called the name of Martin Pauliski, who stepped up beside him. "This man," said the speaker," has worked for the Studebakers' wages and carriage factory for eight years. Exposure, bad food, and overwork has brought on rheumatism. He was unable to work and was discharged over a year ago. His wife, when the family was freezing last winter, went to the Studebakers and obtained a cord of wood. Not long after the sick man was told to come and work. He did so, and when his labor had paid for the wood he was turned adrift again to starve and freeze. These men are but samples of capitalistic lepers. There are hundreds of such victims in this town. His exploiter, Studebaker, is worth ten million dollars. Olliver is a millionaire. He has over a hundred little shanties that cost him about $200 each. He rents these to his workmen for $5 per month, and this makes each house and lot pay for itself every three years. He, with Studebaker, each gave $500 toward the erection of a church, where these, their victims, were taught that they must be content with that station in life to which it had pleased God to call them."

(The bourgeoisie audience were becoming impatient. Small knots of men went now and then to one side and held a subdued consultation. The time for the emuete had arrived.)

At this juncture a man in police uniform stepped up behind the speaker, laid his hand on his shoulder and said: "Sir, if you continue to incite the people, I will arrest you." At this signal the profit-mongers, rage-takers, and usury-gatherers around sent up a shot of exultation and cries were made: "Knock him off!" "Hit him!" "Pull him down!" "String him up!" "Rotten egg him!" etc., etc., making a perfect pandemonium of threats and insults. The speaker asked the officer who he was and what was his name, and was answered: "It is none of your business, sir." The speaker turned to the turbulent crowed and told them they, not the workingmen, were the breeders of riots and revolution. They drove the workers to desperation and despair. He asked the authorities why they didn't arrest those men who were disturbing the meeting and threatening the speaker

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