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Title: Notes [Jan, 1890]
Author: Freedom Press (London)
Date: January, 1890
Language: en
Source: Freedom: A Journal of Anarchist Socialism, Vol. 4, No. 38, online source http://www.revoltlib.com/?id=3067, retrieved on April 14, 2020.

Freedom Press (London)

Notes [Jan, 1890]

Comrade Samuel Pearson writes:—It seems to me that the late strikes have

a greater tendency towards Anarchy than, considering the circumstances,

might have been expected. The great dock strike was not initiated by any

middle-class influence. It started without any previous Organization, a

fine example of personal initiative, and, although it ended in a

compromise, it taught the workers what determination, and courage can

do. Strikes are now the order of the day, and in my opinion every,

revolutionist should encourage them, for they teach the workers to trust

to themselves and show up the politicians in their true colors. The

Government has plainly shown that in the event of strikes becoming

serious, to the extent of damaging trade or interfering with commerce,

they would be willing to use the power they possess an the side of the

masters. No doubt the workers will be first to use force either against

the police or blacklegs, thus turning public sympathy and giving the

police an excuse for batoning the heads of the strike". Ought we not to

point out to the workers that the blacklegs we the product of a bad

system I Although social pressure must be used to these men and we are

forced to treat them as social lepers unworthy of the companionship of

honest men, they am but the tools of our real enemy, private property,

and the police are but the hirelings of the Government. Should we not

teach the workers if they do use force, to use it only in self-defense I

Again attempts are sure to be made by political tricksters to lead the

workers away by some political dodge. Already we hear the leaders

talking of labor centralization, labor leagues and parliamentary

parties. This is more dangerous to the workers thin an the force the

Government can use, and it is plainly the duty of every Anarchist to

prevent as far as possible then men having anything to do with the

workers. The workers have been tricked and fooled so often, that I

believe the Anarchist propaganda will soon spread among the men. It is

evident that strikes getting numerous every day, and the workers if left

to themselves won find they an on the right track. Let us then use what

power and energy we have to point out to the workers that it is not by

trusting to leaders or looking to parliament, but by trusting to

themselves and free Organization without centralization, that they can

hope to conquer the forces arrayed against them.

---

The West End International Working Men's Progressive Society is the

title of an Anarchist group just formed in London, its members

consisting of Jew" workers employed in, and living near, Tottenham Court

Road. On December 21st this group held an enthusiastic meeting at the

Autonomie Club, which was addressed by Tom Pearson (Freedom Group),

Wess, Katan, and Feigenbaum.