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Show THE ANARCHIST OUTCRY AGAINST RELIGION (From the Baltimore Sun.) In the public demonstrations in European countries against the Spanish Span-ish government because Francisco Ferrer Fer-rer was put to death by the decree of a military court a sinister note has been sounded here and there. Some of the men who are conspicuous in these demonstrations are trying to persuade the people that Ferrer was a victim of religion. Hence the cry has been raised in France, in Italy, in Germany of "Down with religion." It would be an evil day for the world if this cry should ever prevail, if the masses of the people ' should ever lend willing ears to the wicked and senseless teachings teach-ings of the enemies of religion. Religion had nothing to do with the death of Francisco Ferrer. The court-martial court-martial which condemned him was not guided by the principles of religion or by the civil laws, which, in so far as they make for justice and mercy, am-body am-body the vital principles of religion. The Spanish government had proclaimed pro-claimed martial law in Barcelona. The army, the instrument of secular authority, au-thority, was supreme. Ferrer was the victim of militarism, unrestrained by constitutional guarantees and wholly disassociated from religion. In giving the army a free hand to deal with Ferrer the Spanish government committed com-mitted one of those blunders which have been described as worse than a crime. The dispatches from Madrid state that King Alfonso is incensed because be-cause his cabinet did not give him the opportunity to Intervene in behalf of Ferrer. Perhaps the king would have pardoned him or have commuted the death sentence to one of imprisonment, with the purpose of setting him free ultimately. ul-timately. Justice and mercy go handj in hand with religion and piety. If King Alfonso had been enabled to determine de-termine Ferrer's fate according to the cardinal tenets of religion, Ferrer would not have been shot in the fortress fort-ress of Montjulch. The cry of "Down with religion!" which has been heard in the last few days in the capitals of Europe would bave a melancholy significance indeed if it voiced the sentiments of the masses of the old world. It reflects, however, the views of a comparatively limited element of Europeans. Upon religion rests the civilization of the world. It is the foundation of eternal Justice, progress, humanity. It is the hope, the consolation, the inspiration of mankind. The cry of "Down with religion!" is the cry of the anarchist, of the man who, whether he realizes it os not, is the worst enemy of humanity. humani-ty. Governments may blunder and outrage out-rage the world's sense of justice in administering ad-ministering the secular affairs of the nations, but the people will cling to their religion because it is essential to their happiness and to their welfare and to their spiritual well-being. The world cannot do without religion. It is indispensable to every human being be-ing who feels that he has within himself him-self the spark divine. It satisfies every aspiration of the soul. It makes for a higher standard of living and of conduct con-duct than any other force or influence of which man is cognizant. And because be-cause the world needs religion and recognizes its absolute dependence upon it, the anarchist cry of "Down with religion!" re-ligion!" which has been raised in Europe, Eu-rope, will evoke the sorrow and th-3 condemnation of every man and woman wom-an conscious of the blessings which religion re-ligion has brought to the world and will continue to bring until the earth is no more. |