‘Patriotism—The Last Refuge of Scoundrels’ by Justus Ebert from The Industrial Worker. Vol. 4 No. 29. October 10, 1912.

Lawrence, Mass., Oct. 6. —Plans are being arranged to move the Syrian, Polish, Lithuanian and Italian members of the I.W.W. out of Lawrence, if the outrages against them continue. Following the general protest strike of last Monday these foreign members have been made the victims of police brutality and a rabid patriotism that is carefully fostered by the Woolen Trust in order to defeat the Ettor-Giovannitti defense movement.

The I.W.W. has advices from western Pennsylvania that several thousand positions may be secured in the steel and iron mills there. The threatened migration of the foreigners has frightened the mill corporations. They are pushed with orders and complain of a shortage of labor. Besides they face a prospective demand for more wages, in the advent of a still greater lack of labor.

Several thousand workers with their families are ready to go. —Ebert.

Lawrence, Mass., Oct. 6. —The I.W.W. here is threatened with a repetition of San Diego. The latter is openly advocated in the Lawrence Sun today. This paper, edited by one Jewitt, a friend of Billy Woods, prints a front page article on the work of the San Diego Vigilantes and urges the citizens of Lawrence to go and do likewise. Over this article there is picture of an eagle with out-spread wings extending across the page and entitled “American Eagle on the Wing.”

For the threatened onslaught on the I.W.W. is made, not in the name of Billy Woods’ profits, but in the name of patriotism, which, as Doctor Johnson well says, is the last refuge of the scoundrel. The threatened onslaught is carefully planned. It was first suggested over a week ago by Chas. Rushforth, editor of the Lawrence Critic, another Woolen Trust organ. He recalled the San Diego Vigilantes and dwelt on the necessity of organising a similar body in Lawrence.

The Memorial Parade of last Sunday and the General Protest Strike of last Monday provided the opportunity to branch the idea. The police committed savage brutalities on both occasions, with out any justification whatever. Press representatives from Boston who witnessed them declare they surpass those committed during the strike last winter.

Following these officially provoked disorders came an officially planned mass meeting at which the forcible expulsion of I.W.W. was advocated. This mass meeting was called on motion of the board of Aldermen. It was held ostensibly to promote a patriotic parade on Columbus Day; but was made the occasion to use the police-provoked disorders against the Industrial Workers and to inflame the populace against their leaders. At the mass meeting, Mayor Scanlon is reported in the press to have said “we will not countenance this Red Flag of anarchy in our midst. M Mr. Bradley, who acted as chairman, is quoted as saying, “The war of 1776 began this Union, the war of 1861 was to perpetuate this Union and the war of 1912 is to protect the interests of this Nation.” Postmaster Cox is quoted as follows:

“Men have come who have filled these people with riot and anarchy. Now, that business has got to stop, and it’s going to stop right now.”

Mr. Chandler, an associate judge, is. quoted as saying: “If the militia cannot put this down then I know where they can get others to help them,” and also, “I say to you, these people must be ejected—legally, if possible—but they must be ejected from our doors.” Mr. Chandler is again quoted as saying, “We are ready to assist in the annihilation of these malefactors.” John Menzie, the secretary of the Central Labor Union, is secretary of this “Citizens Committee.” Since the mass meeting the suggestions of the speakers have been openly developed, both in public and in the press of the city, until they have found expression in the article in the Sun already described.

American flags are displayed on all sides and the outbreak it comes will be made, not in the name of the Woolen Trust, but in that of the poor deluded patriotism which is now being used by the Woolen Trust’s friends, to do its dirty work.

William D. Haywood is indignant over a portrait of himself in the Boston Journal, showing him with an American flag pinned to the lapel of his coat. The picture is a fake. Bill says he would not wear an American flag at this juncture, when it is being used to promote the dirty work of the local mill corporations. He declares that his hide would rot on the end of a bayonet first before he had proved himself untrue to the spirit of the Industrial Workers of the World. The fake picture is denounced as an attempt to show cowardice on the part of the Industrial Workers who are not a bit scared by the recent wave of patriotism, manufactured in this city in order to defeat them.

Lawrence, Mass., Oct. 6, 1912. —The I.W.W. has not, up to the present time, been intimidated by this demonstration in favor of San Diego tactics. Despite the reports that they have left the city to avoid tar and feathers all the I.W.W. officers have remained on the job. They have collected the facts bearing on the situation and presented them to Governor Foss, with the statement that they will hold him responsible for any further official lawlessness against the I.W.W. and its members. The Governor has refused to act.

In addition the I.W.W. has given its statement to the Boston press, while Fred Moore presented it to the big Debs meeting in the Hub last night. Publicity will be given to the situation in the best manner possible.

The I.W.W. men here are guarding William D. Haywood against all possible harm. Word has been received that a detective has left New York City for the purpose of assassinating him. A man answering the description has been seen here twice.

Other means of self protection are being considered, though it is the belief of many that the Lawrence friends of the Woolen Trusts will not carry out their San Diego threat, as it is too raw to be excused or defended in any way. Time will tell.

JUSTUS EBERT, Central Building, Lawrence. Mass.

The Industrial Union Bulletin, and the Industrial Worker were newspapers published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) from 1907 until 1913. First printed in Joliet, Illinois, IUB incorporated The Voice of Labor, the newspaper of the American Labor Union which had joined the IWW, and another IWW affiliate, International Metal Worker.The Trautmann-DeLeon faction issued its weekly from March 1907. Soon after, De Leon would be expelled and Trautmann would continue IUB until March 1909. It was edited by A. S. Edwards. 1909, production moved to Spokane, Washington and became The Industrial Worker, “the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism.”

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iw/v4n29-w185-oct-10-1912-IW.pdf