Living My Life

by Emma Goldman
Volume two
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New York: Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1931.
Chapter 40
AT LAT !" !"#" INTALL"$ IN %&# N"! '&A#T"#. ("N AN$ )*++
,*t-.erald were *n char.e of the off*ce, #hoda of the ho/+e, wh*le a+ha and I took
care of the 0a.a-*ne. !*th each one 1/+2 *n h*+ own +phere, the d*fference+ *n
character and att*t/de had 0ore +cope for e3pre++*on w*tho/t 0/t/al *n4a+*4ene++. !e
all fo/nd 5,*t-*,5 a+ we called o/r new co6worker, a 0o+t char0*n. wo0an, and
#hoda al+o l*ked her, tho/.h +he often took del*.ht *n +hock*n. o/r ro0ant*c fr*end
12 her pepper2 7oke+ and +tor*e+.
(en wa+ happ2 to ha4e h*+ 0other w*th h*0. he had two +on+, 1/t her ent*re world
wa+ centred *n (en. 8er 0ental hor*-on wa+ 4er2 narrow9 +he wa+ /na1le e4en to read
or wr*te and felt no *ntere+t *n an2th*n. e3cept the l*ttle ho0e (en had 0ade for her.
In Ch*ca.o +he had l*4ed a0on. her pot+ and kettle+, /nto/ched 12 the +trea0 o/t+*de.
he lo4ed her +on and +he wa+ alwa2+ 0o+t pat*ent w*th h*+ 0ood+, no 0atter how
*rrat*onal the2 were. 8e wa+ her *dol who co/ld do no wron.. A+ to h*+ n/0ero/+
affa*r+ w*th wo0en, +he wa+ +/re *t wa+ the2 who led her ch*ld a+tra2. he had hoped
her +on wo/ld 1eco0e a +/cce++f/l doctor, hono/red, re+pected, and r*ch. In+tead he
had dropped h*+ pract*ce when he had 1arel2 1e./n *t, 5took /p 5 w*th a wo0an n*ne
2ear+ h*+ +en*or, and .ot h*0+elf *n4ol4ed w*th a dan.ero/+ lot of anarch*+t+. (en:+
0other wa+ alwa2+ re+pectf/l when +he 0et 0e, 1/t I co/ld +en+e her keen d*+l*ke.
I /nder+tood her 4er2 well: +he wa+ one of the 0*ll*on+ who+e 0*nd+ ha4e 1een
+t/nted 12 the l*0*tat*on+ of the*r l*4e+. 8er appro4al or d*+appro4al wo/ld ha4e
0attered l*ttle to 0e *f *t had not 1een that (en wa+ a+ 0adl2 o1+e++ed 12 h*+ 0other
a+ +he 12 h*0. 8e real*-ed how l*ttle there wa+ *n co00on 1etween the0. 8er att*t/de
and 0anner 7arred on h*0 and wo/ld dr*4e h*0 awa2 whene4er he ca0e to Ch*ca.o to
4*+*t her. Yet her hold wa+ 1e2ond h*+ control. he wa+ con+tantl2 on h*+ 0*nd, h*+
pa++*on for her a 0enace to h*+ lo4e for an2 other wo0an. 8*+ 0other6co0ple3 had
ca/+ed 0e 0/ch +/ffer*n. and e4en de+pa*r. Yet I lo4ed (en *n +p*te of all o/r
d*fference+. I lon.ed for peace and har0on2 w*th h*0. I wanted to +ee h*0 happ2 and
contented, and I con+ented to h*+ plan to 1r*n. h*+ 0other to New York.
he wa+ .*4en the 1e+t roo0 *n the ho/+e, +/ppl*ed w*th her own f/rn*t/re, +o a+ to
0ake her feel 0ore at ho0e. (en alwa2+ took h*+ 1reakfa+t alone w*th her, w*th no
one near to d*+t/r1 the*r *d2ll. At o/r co00on 0eal+ +he wa+ .*4en the +eat of hono/r
and treated 12 e4er21od2 w*th /t0o+t con+*derat*on. (/t +he felt *ll at ea+e, o/t of her
en4*ron0ent. he lon.ed for her old Ch*ca.o place and +he 1eca0e d*++at*+f*ed and
/nhapp2. Then, one /nfort/nate da2, (en 1e.an to read on+ and Lo4er+ 12 $. 8.
Lawrence. ,ro0 the 4er2 f*r+t pa.e he l*4ed *n the 1ook w*th h*+ 0other. 8e +aw *n *t
the +tor2 of h*0+elf and of her. The off*ce, o/r work, and o/r l*fe were 1lotted o/t. 8e
co/ld th*nk of noth*n. 1/t the +tor2 and h*+ 0other, and he 1e.an to *0a.*ne that I 666
and e4er2one el+e 666 wa+ treat*n. her 1adl2. 8e wo/ld ha4e to take her awa2, he
dec*ded9 he 0/+t .*4e /p e4er2th*n. and l*4e onl2 for h*+ 0other.
I wa+ *n the 0*d+t of 02 dra0a 0an/+cr*pt. There were lect/re+ on hand, a lar.e
/ndertak*n. for )other "arth, and the ca0pa*.n *n 1ehalf of ;. ). #an.el, Charle+
Cl*ne, and the*r I.!.!. co0rade+ arre+ted *n Te3a+ wh*le on the*r wa2 to )e3*co to
10<
part*c*pate *n the re4ol/t*on *n that co/ntr2. All of the 0en were )e3*can+ e3cept
Cl*ne, who wa+ an A0er*can. The2 had 1een attacked 12 an ar0ed po++e, and *n the
+k*r0*+h three of the )e3*can+ and a dep/t2 +her*ff had lo+t the*r l*4e+. Now fo/rteen
0en, *ncl/d*n. #an.el and Cl*ne, were awa*t*n. tr*al on char.e+ of 0/rder. =/1l*c*t2
wa+ needed to aro/+e the worker+ of the "a+t to the per*l of the +*t/at*on. I rea+oned, I
ar./ed, I pleaded w*th (en not to per0*t Lawrence:+ 1ook to ro1 h*0 of h*+ +en+e+.
(/t to no a4a*l. cene+ w*th (en 1eca0e 0ore fre>/ent and 4*olent. %/r l*fe wa+
da*l2 .row*n. 0ore *0po++*1le. A wa2 o/t had to 1e fo/nd. I co/ld not +hare 02
0*+er2 w*th an2one, lea+t of all w*th a+ha, who had fro0 the 1e.*nn*n. 1een
oppo+ed to the +che0e of the ho/+e and a l*fe w*th (en and h*+ 0other /nder the +a0e
roof.
The 1reak ca0e. (en had +tarted a.a*n the old pla*nt a1o/t h*+ 0other. I l*+tened *n
+*lence for a wh*le, and then +o0eth*n. +napped *n 0e. The de+*re +e*-ed 0e to 0ake
an end of (en a+ far a+ I wa+ concerned, to do +o0eth*n. that wo/ld +h/t o/t for e4er
e4er2 tho/.ht and e4er2 0e0or2 of th*+ creat/re who had po++e++ed 0e all the+e
2ear+. In 1l*nd f/r2 I p*cked /p a cha*r and h/rled *t at h*0. It wh*rled thro/.h +pace
and ca0e cra+h*n. down at h*+ feet.
8e 0ade a +tep toward+ 0e, then +topped and +tared at 0e *n wonder and fr*.ht.
5"no/.h?5 I cr*ed, 1e+*de 02+elf w*th pa*n and an.er. 5I:4e had eno/.h of 2o/ and
2o/r 0other. @o, take her awa2 666 toda2, th*+ 4er2 ho/r?5
8e walked o/t w*tho/t a word.
(en rented a +0all flat for h*+ 0other and went to l*4e w*th her. 8e 1e.an a.a*n
attend*n. to the off*ce. !e +t*ll had that 0/ch *n co00on, 1/t the re+t +ee0ed dead. I
fo/nd for.etf/lne++ *n 0ore *nten+*4e work. I lect/red +e4eral t*0e+ a week,
part*c*pated *n the ca0pa*.n for the I. !. !. 1o2+ arre+ted *n conne3*on w*th the
0*ner+: +tr*ke *n Canada, and at the +a0e t*0e cont*n/ed work*n. on 02 dra0a 1ook,
d*ctat*n. the 0an/+cr*pt to ,*t-*.
I had co0e to know her 1etter +*nce +he had 7o*ned the )other "arth .ro/p. he
wa+ a rare per+onal*t2, ca+t *n a .enero/+ +p*r*t/al 0o/ld. 8er father wa+ Ir*+h, 1/t on
her 0other:+ +*de +he ca0e fro0 A0er*can p*oneer +tock, the earl*e+t +ettler+ *n
!*+con+*n. ,ro0 the0 ,*t-* had *nher*ted her *ndependence and +elf6rel*ance. At the
a.e of f*fteen +he had 7o*ned the e4enth $a2 Ad4ent*+t+, def2*n. the *re of her father.
(/t her +earch for tr/th d*d not ter0*nate there. 8er *dea of @od, a+ +he often +a*d,
wa+ 0/ch 0ore 1ea/t*f/l and 0ore tolerant than the Ad4ent*+t concept*on. o one da2
+he +tood /p *n the 0*d+t of the rel*.*o/+ +er4*ce, anno/nced to the a++e01l2 that +he
had not fo/nd the tr/th a0on. the0, and walked o/t of the l*ttle co/ntr2 ch/rch and
o/t of the rank+ of the 1el*e4er+. he 1eca0e *ntere+ted *n free6tho/.ht and rad*cal
act*4*t*e+. oc*al*+0 d*+appo*nted her a+ 1e*n. e++ent*all2 another Ch/rch w*th new
do.0a+. 8er lar.e nat/re fo/nd .reater attract*on *n the freedo0 and +cope of
anarch*+t *dea+. I .rew to lo4e ,*t-* for her *nherent *deal*+0 and /nder+tand*n. +p*r*t,
and we .rad/all2 ca0e 4er2 clo+e to each other.
The clo+e of the 2ear wa+ at hand, and we had not 2et held a ho/+e6war0*n. *n o/r
new place. New Year:+ wa+ dec*ded /pon a+ the r*.ht 0o0ent for o/r part2 of fr*end+
109
and act*4e +/pporter+ of )other "arth to help k*ck o/t the %ld w*th all *t+ tro/1le and
pa*n and .a*l2 0eet the New no 0atter what *t 0*.ht 1r*n.. #hoda wa+ all e3c*te0ent
and +he worked hard and late to 0ake read2 for the fe+t*4e occa+*on. New Year:+ "4e
1ro/.ht the proce++*on of fr*end+, a0on. the0 poet+, wr*ter+, re1el+9 and (ohe0*an+
of 4ar*o/+ att*t/de, 1eha4*o/r, and ha1*t. The2 ar./ed a1o/t ph*lo+oph2, +oc*al
theor*e+, art, and +e3. The2 ate the del*c*o/+ th*n.+ #hoda had prepared and drank the
w*ne+ o/r .enero/+ Ital*an co0rade+ had +/ppl*ed. "4er21od2 danced and .rew .a2.
(/t 02 tho/.ht+ were w*th (en, who+e 1*rthda2 *t wa+. 8e wa+ th*rt26f*4e and I
near*n. fort26fo/r. That wa+ a tra.*c d*fference *n a.e. I felt lonel2 and /n/ttera1l2
+ad.
t*ll 2o/n. wa+ the new 2ear when the co/ntr2 1e.an to echo w*th new o/tra.e+
a.a*n+t la1o/r. The horror+ *n !e+t A*r.*n*a were followed 12 cr/elt*e+ *n the hop6
f*eld+ of !heatf*eld, Cal*forn*a, *n the 0*ne+ of Tr*n*dad, Colorado, and *n Cal/0et,
)*ch*.an. The pol*ce, the 0*l*t*a, and .an.+ of ar0ed c*t*-en+ were carr2*n. on a
re*.n of de+pot*+0.
In !heatf*eld twent26three tho/+and hop6p*cker+, who had co0e *n an+wer to a
new+paper ad4ert*+e0ent, fo/nd the0+el4e+ confronted 12 cond*t*on+ not decent e4en
for cattle. The2 were kept at work all da2 w*tho/t re+t or proper food, e4en w*tho/t
dr*nk*n.6water. To >/ench the*r th*r+t *n the +corch*n. heat the2 were co0pelled to
1/2 le0onade at f*4e cent+ a .la++ fro0 0e01er+ of the $/r+t fa0*l2, the owner+ of
the hop6f*eld. &na1le to end/re +/ch a +tate of affa*r+, the p*cker+ +ent a dele.ate to
$/r+t. The dele.ate wa+ a++a/lted and 1eaten /p, where/pon the 0en +tr/ck. The
local a/thor*t*e+, a*ded 12 the (/rn+ $etect*4e A.enc2, the C*t*-en+: All*ance, and
+/1+e>/entl2 the Nat*onal @/ard, terror*-ed the +tr*ker+. The2 1roke /p a .ather*n. of
the worker+ and opened f*re w*tho/t pro4ocat*on. Two 0en were k*lled and a n/01er
wo/nded9 the $*+tr*ct Attorne2 and a dep/t2 +her*ff al+o lo+t the*r l*4e+. )an2 of the
+tr*ker+ were p/t thro/.h the 5th*rd de.ree,5 one of the0, .r*lled w*tho/t +leep for
fo/rteen da2+ to e3tract a confe++*on, atte0pted +/*c*de. Another, who had lo+t h*+
ar0 *n the pol*ce attack, han.ed h*0+elf.
The late+t 4*ct*0 of the+e A0er*can (lack 8/ndred+ wa+ )other ;one+, a fa0o/+
nat*4e a.*tator. In tr/l2 t+ar*+t 0anner +he wa+ deported fro0 Tr*n*dad at the order of
@eneral Cha+e, who threatened to *0pr*+on her *nco0rn/n*cado *f +he dared to ret/rn.
In Cal/0et, )o2er, the pre+*dent of the !e+tern ,ederat*on of )*ner+, wa+ +hot *n the
1ack and dr*4en o/t of town. *0*lar happen*n.+ *n 4ar*o/+ part+ of the co/ntr2
dec*ded 0e to .*4e a lect/re deal*n. w*th the r*.ht of la1o/r to +elf6defence. The
#ad*cal L*1rar2 of =h*ladelph*a *n4*ted 0e to +peak on that +/17ect *n the La1or
Te0ple. (efore I reached the hall, the pol*ce dro4e e4er21od2 o/t and locked the
place. I del*4ered 02 talk none the le++, *n the >/arter+ of the #ad*cal L*1rar2, a+ well
a+ *n New York and *n a n/01er of other c*t*e+.
)2 relat*on w*th (en, wh*ch had .rown 0ore +tra*ned, f*nall2 1eca0e /n1eara1le.
(en wa+ no le++ /nhapp2 than I. 8e dec*ded to ret/rn w*th h*+ 0other to Ch*ca.o and
take /p the pract*ce of 0ed*c*ne a.a*n. I d*d not tr2 to deta*n h*0.
,or the f*r+t t*0e I wa+ to .*4e a f/ll co/r+e of lect/re+ on 5The oc*al *.n*f*cance
of the )odern $ra0a5 *n New York, 1oth *n "n.l*+h and *n Y*dd*+h. The (erkele2
Theatre on ,ort26fo/rth treet wa+ rented for the p/rpo+e. It wa+ d*+hearten*n. to +tart
110
o/t on an *0portant 4ent/re w*tho/t (en, for the f*r+t t*0e *n +*3 2ear+. 8*+ depart/re,
wh*ch had .*4en 0e a feel*n. of relea+e, now re+*+tle++l2 drew 0e to h*0. 8e wa+
e4er pre+ent *n 02 tho/.ht+, and 02 h/n.er for h*0 kept .row*n.. N*.ht+ I wo/ld
deter0*ne to c/t 02+elf loo+e once and for all and not e4en accept h*+ letter+. The
0orn*n. wo/ld f*nd 0e ea.erl2 +cann*n. 02 0a*l for the handwr*t*n. +o electr*f2*n.
*n *t+ effect on 0e. No 0an I had lo4ed had e4er +o paral2+ed 02 w*ll 1efore. I fo/.ht
a.a*n+t *t w*th all 02 +tren.th, 1/t 02 heart w*ldl2 called for (en.
I co/ld +ee fro0 h*+ letter+ that he wa+ .o*n. thro/.h the +a0e p/r.ator2 a+ I, and
that he al+o co/ld not free h*0+elf. 8e 2earned to ret/rn to 0e. 8*+ atte0pt to take /p
the pract*ce of 0ed*c*ne had fa*led9 I had 0ade h*0 +ee h*+ profe++*on *n a new l*.ht,
he wrote, and he felt how *nade>/ate *t wa+ to .*4e rel*ef. 8e knew that the poor
needed 1etter work*n.6 and l*4*n.6cond*t*on+9 the2 needed +/n+h*ne, fre+h a*r, and
re+t. !hat co/ld powder+ and p*ll+ do for the0B A .reat 0an2 ph2+*c*an+ real*-e that
the health of the*r pat*ent+ doe+ not depend on the*r pre+cr*pt*on+. The2 know the tr/e
re0ed2, 1/t the2 prefer to .row r*ch on the cred/l*t2 of the poor. 8e co/ld ne4er
a.a*n 1eco0e one of tho+e, (en wrote. I had +po*led h*0 for that. I and 02 work had
1eco0e too 4*tal a part of h*+ l*fe. 8e lo4ed 0e. 8e knew *t now 1etter than at an2
t*0e +*nce we had f*r+t 0et. 8e knew he had 1een *0po++*1le *n h*+ 1eha4*o/r *n New
York. 8e had ne4er felt free or at ea+e w*th 02 fr*end+. The2 had not +hown fa*th *n
h*0, and that had 0ade h*0 0ore anta.on*+t*c toward+ the0. And I, too, had +ee0ed
chan.ed when *n New York9 I 0ade h*0 feel *nfer*or to a+ha, and I wa+ 0ore cr*t*cal
of h*0 than when we were alone on to/r. !e 0/+t tr2 a.a*n, he pleaded9 we 0/+t .o
awa2, 7/+t 12 o/r+el4e+, on to/r. 8e wanted noth*n. el+e.
8*+ letter+ were l*ke a narcot*c. The2 p/t 02 1ra*n to +leep, 1/t the2 0ade 02 heart
1eat fa+ter. I cl/n. to the a++/rance of h*+ lo4e.
A.a*n, *n the w*nter, the co/ntr2 wa+ *n the throe+ of /ne0plo20ent. %4er a
>/arter of a 0*ll*on per+on+ were o/t of work *n New York, and other c*t*e+ were
+tr*cken *n no le++er de.ree. The +/ffer*n. wa+ a/.0ented 12 the e3traord*nar*l2
+e4ere weather. The paper+ 0*n*0*-ed the appall*n. +tate of affa*r+9 the pol*t*c*an+
and refor0er+ re0a*ned l/kewar0. A few pall*at*4e+ and the thread1are +/..e+t*on of
an *n4e+t*.at*on were all the2 co/ld offer to 0eet the w*de+pread 0*+er2.
The 0*l*tant ele0ent+ re+ol4ed /pon act*on. The anarch*+t+ and the I.!.!.:+
or.an*-ed the /ne0plo2ed and +ec/red con+*dera1le rel*ef for the0. At 02 (erkele2
Theatre lect/re+ and other 0eet*n.+ appeal+ for the 7o1le++ 0et w*th .enero/+
re+pon+e. (/t *t wa+ a 0ere drop *n the ocean of need.
Then an /ne3pected th*n. happened, wh*ch .a4e the +*t/at*on co0pell*n. p/1l*c*t2.
%/t of the rank+ of +tar4ed and fro-en h/0an*t2 the +lo.an ca0e to 4*+*t rel*.*o/+
*n+t*t/t*on+. The /ne0plo2ed, led 12 a 4*4*d 2o/th na0ed ,rank Tannen1a/0, 1e.an
a 0arch on the ch/rche+ of New York.
!e all had lo4ed ,rank for h*+ w*de6awakene++ and h*+ /na++/0*n. wa2+. 8e had
+pent 0/ch of h*+ free t*0e *n o/r off*ce, read*n. and help*n. *n the work connected
w*th )other "arth. 8*+ f*ne >/al*t*e+ held o/t the hope that ,rank wo/ld +o0e da2
pla2 an *0portant part *n the la1o/r +tr/..le. None of /+ had e3pected howe4er that
o/r +t/d*o/+, >/*et fr*end wo/ld +o >/*ckl2 re+pond to the call of the ho/r.
111
!hether o/t of fear or 1eca/+e of the real*-at*on of the +*.n*f*cance of the 0arch on
the ch/rche+, +e4eral of the0 .a4e +helter, food, and 0one2 to the 1and+ of
/ne0plo2ed. "01oldened 12 the*r +/cce++, one h/ndred and e*.ht26n*ne 7o1le++ 0en,
w*th ,rank at the*r head, went to one of the Cathol*c ch/rche+ *n the c*t2. In+tead of
rece*4*n. the0 w*th lo4*n.6k*ndne++ a pr*e+t at t. Alphon+/+ Ch/rch, t/rned tra*tor to
h*+ @od, who had co00anded that one .*4e all to the poor. In conn*4ance w*th two
detect*4e+ the pr*e+t trapped ,rank Tannen1a/0 and had h*0 and +e4eral of the
/ne0plo2ed arre+ted.
,rank wa+ conde0ned to +er4e a 2ear *n the pen*tent*ar2 and to pa2 a f*4e6h/ndred6
dollar f*ne, wh*ch 0eant an add*t*onal f*4e h/ndred da2+: *0pr*+on0ent. 8e 0ade a
+plend*d +tand, h*+ +peech *n h*+ own defence 1e*n. *ntell*.ent and def*ant.
The 0o+t o/tra.eo/+ a+pect of the Tannen1a/0 arre+t and con4*ct*on wa+ the
+*lence 0a*nta*ned 12 the +o6called +pon+or+ of the oppre++ed. Not a f*n.er d*d the
+oc*al*+t+ ra*+e to awaken the p/1l*c to the o14*o/+ con+p*rac2 on the part of the
a/thor*t*e+ and the t. Alphon+/+ Ch/rch to 50ake an e3a0ple 5 of ,rank
Tannen1a/0. The New York Call, a +oc*al*+t da*l2, +neered at the con4*cted 1o2+ and
e4en +a*d that ,rank Tannen1a/0 had de+er4ed a +pank*n..
The oc*al*+t =art2 and +o0e pro0*nent I.!.!. leader+ tr*ed to paral2+e the
act*4*t*e+ of the 7o1le++. Th*+ onl2 helped to *ncrea+e the -eal of the Conference of the
&ne0plo2ed, wh*ch con+*+ted of 4ar*o/+ la1o/r and rad*cal or.an*-at*on+. A 0a++
0eet*n. at &n*on >/are wa+ dec*ded /pon and the date f*3ed for )arch C1. Ne*ther
the oc*al*+t+ nor the I.!.!.:+ wo/ld part*c*pate. It wa+ a+ha who wa+ the act*4e
+p*r*t of the 0o4e0ent. 8e had a do/1le +hare to perfor0, a+ I wa+ hard at work
f*n*+h*n. 02 0an/+cr*pt, lect/r*n. fre>/entl2, and +/per4*+*n. o/r off*ce.
The 0a++ 0eet*n. wa+ lar.e and +p*r*ted9 *t re0*nded 0e of a +*0*lar e4ent *n the
+a0e place and for the +a0e p/rpo+e, the de0on+trat*on of A/./+t 1<93. Apparentl2
noth*n. had chan.ed +*nce then. Now a+ then cap*tal*+0 wa+ relentle++, the tate
cr/+h*n. e4er2 *nd*4*d/al and +oc*al r*.ht, and the Ch/rch *n lea./e w*th the0. Now
a+ then tho+e dar*n. to .*4e 4o*ce to the +/ffer*n. of the d/01 0/lt*t/de were
per+ec/ted and 7a*led, and the 0a++e+ too +ee0ed to ha4e re0a*ned a+ e4er *n the*r
+/10*++*4e helple++ne++. The tho/.ht wa+ depre++*n. and 0ade 0e want to r/n awa2
fro0 the +>/are. (/t I +ta2ed. I +ta2ed 1eca/+e deep down *n 0e there wa+ the
certa*nt2 that there *+ no +a0ene++ *n nat/re. "ternal chan.e, I knew, *+ for e4er at
work, l*fe alwa2+ *+ *n fl/3, new c/rrent+ flow*n. fro0 the dr*ed6/p +pr*n.+ of the old.
I +ta2ed, and I +poke to the h/.e crowd a+ I co/ld +peak onl2 when reall2 l*fted o/t of
02+elf.
I left the +>/are after 02 +peech, wh*le a+ha re0a*ned at the 0eet*n.. !hen he
ca0e ho0e, I learned that the de0on+trat*on had ended *n a parade /p ,*fth A4en/e,
the 4a+t a++e01l2 0arch*n. and carr2*n. a lar.e 1lack fla. a+ a +201ol of the*r re4olt.
It 0/+t ha4e 1een a 0enac*n. +*.ht to the dweller+ on ,*fth A4en/e no le++ than to the
pol*ce, for the latter d*d not *nterfere. The /ne0plo2ed 0arched all the wa2 to the
,errer Center, fro0 ,o/rteenth to %ne 8/ndred and e4enth treet, where the2 were
treated to a +/1+tant*al 0eal, .*4en to1acco and c*.arette+, and pro4*ded w*th
te0porar2 lod.*n.+.
11C
Th*+ de0on+trat*on wa+ the 1e.*nn*n. of a c*t26w*de ca0pa*.n for the /ne0plo2ed.
a+ha, who+e 4alo/r had endeared h*0 to e4er2one who knew a1o/t h*+ l*fe, wa+ *t+
or.an*-*n. and d*rect*n. *nfl/ence. In h*+ t*rele++ effort+ he had the +/pport of a lar.e
n/01er of o/r 2o/n. re1el+, who 4*.oro/+l2 worked w*th h*0.
)2 (erkele2 Theatre +er*e+ 1ro/.ht +o0e *ntere+t*n. and a0/+*n. e3per*ence+.
%ne wa+ the help I wa+ a1le to .*4e a +tranded .ro/p of !el+h pla2er+9 the other an
offer to .o on the 4a/de4*lle +ta.e. )2 dra0a lect/re+ afforded 0e free acce++ to the
theatre+, and th/+ I happened to attend the *n*t*al perfor0ance of a pla2 called
Chan.e, 12 ;. %. ,ranc*+, a !el+h dra0at*+t. It pro4ed to 1e the 0o+t powerf/l +oc*al
dra0a I had +een *n the "n.l*+h lan./a.e. The appall*n. cond*t*on+ of the !el+h
0*ner+ and the*r de+perate +tr/..le to wrench a few p*t*f/l penn*e+ fro0 the*r 0a+ter+
wa+ a+ 0o4*n. a+ Dola:+ @er0*nal. (e+*de+ th*+ the0e the pla2 al+o treated the a.e6
lon. +tr/..le 1etween the +t/11orn ac>/*e+cence of the old .enerat*on *n th*n.+ a+
the2 are and the 1old a+p*rat*on+ of the 2o/n.. Chan.e wa+ a +t*rr*n. work of +oc*al
+*.n*f*cance and *t wa+ 0a.n*f*centl2 *nterpreted 12 the !el+h .ro/p. No wonder that
0o+t re4*ewer+ da0ned the pla2. A fr*end *nfor0ed 0e that the !el+h tro/pe wa+
+tranded, and a+ked 0e to *ntere+t the rad*cal ele0ent *n *t+ 1ehalf.
At a +pec*al 0at*nEe perfor0ance, wh*ch I had helped to arran.e, I 0et a n/01er of
New York dra0at*+t+ and l*terat*. %ne 4er2 pop/lar pla2wr*.ht e3pre++ed +/rpr*+e that
+/ch an arch6de+tr/ct*on*+t a+ I +ho/ld care for creat*4e dra0a. I tr*ed to e3pla*n to
h*0 that anarch*+0 repre+ented the /r.e of e3pre++*on *n e4er2 pha+e of l*fe and art.
ee*n. h*+ /nco0prehend*n. look, I re0arked: 5"4en tho+e who onl2 th*nk the2 are
dra0at*+t+ w*ll ha4e opport/n*t2 *n a free +oc*et2. If the2 lack real talent, the2 w*ll
+t*ll ha4e other hono/ra1le profe++*on+ to choo+e fro0, l*ke +hoe0ak*n., for
*n+tance.5
After the perfor0ance 0an2 of tho+e pre+ent e3pre++ed the*r w*ll*n.ne++ to co0e to
the re+c/e of the +tranded pla2er+. I arran.ed to 1r*n. the 0atter al+o to the attent*on
of 02 /nda2 a/d*ence+ and 0ade an appeal *n )other "arth. The follow*n. /nda2
I del*4ered a lect/re on Chan.e. The ent*re !el+h co0pan2 were pre+ent a+ 02
./e+t+, and I +/cceeded *n aro/+*n. eno/.h *ntere+t to keep the*r theatre .o*n. for
+e4eral week+. Not the lea+t help to the0 were the ad4ance not*ce+ wh*ch o/r fr*end+
*n e4er2 c*t2 .a4e the0 when the2 were to/r*n. the co/ntr2.
At the clo+e of 02 dra0a co/r+e I wa+ approached 12 a repre+entat*4e of the
A*ctor*a Theatre, a 4a/de4*lle ho/+e owned 12 %+car 8a00er+te*n. 8e offered 0e an
en.a.e0ent to appear tw*ce a da2, na0*n. a tho/+and dollar+ a+ 02 appro3*0ate
weekl2 +alar2. I la/.hed *t off at f*r+t. The +/..e+t*on of .o*n. on the 4a/de4*lle +ta.e
d*d not appeal to 0e. (/t the 0an kept on /r.*n. the ad4anta.e+ of reach*n. lar.e
a/d*ence+ not to 0ent*on the 0one2 I wo/ld earn. I d*+0*++ed the propo+al a+
r*d*c/lo/+, 1/t .rad/all2 the *dea of the opport/n*t*e+ the 4ent/re wo/ld .*4e
pre4a*led /pon 0e. The po4ert2 of the /ne0plo2ed affected the rece*pt+ of o/r
0eet*n.+9 0o+t people co/ld not afford +/ch l/3/r*e+ a+ 1ook+ or lect/re+ now. The
hope that o/r new >/arter+ 0*.ht d*0*n*+h o/r e3pen+e+ had al+o fa*led to 0ater*al*-e.
e4eral week+ on the 4a/de4*lle +ta.e wo/ld free 0e fro0 the e4erla+t*n. econo0*c
.r*nd. The2 0*.ht .*4e 0e a 2ear to 02+elf, to c/t loo+e fro0 e4er21od2 and
e4er2th*n., a 2ear to dr*ft, to read 1ook+ for the*r *nherent 4al/e and not 0erel2 for
113
the /+e the2 0*.ht 1e to 02 lect/re+. Th*+ hope +*lenced all 02 o17ect*on+, and I went
to 8a00er+te*n:+.
The 0ana.er *nfor0ed 0e that he wo/ld ha4e to tr2 0e o/t f*r+t, to +ee what wa+
the draw*n. power of 02 na0e. !e went 1ack6+ta.e, where he *ntrod/ced 0e to
+o0e of the perfor0er+. It wa+ a 0otle2 crowd of dancer+, acro1at+, and 0en w*th
tra*ned do.+. 5I:ll ha4e to +andw*ch 2o/ *n,5 the 0ana.er +a*d. 8e wa+ not +/re
whether I wa+ to co0e on 1efore the h*.h k*cker or after the tra*ned do.+. At an2 rate
I co/ld not ha4e 0ore than ten 0*n/te+. ,ro0 1eh*nd the c/rta*n I watched the p*t*f/l
effort+ to a0/+e the p/1l*c, the horr*1le contort*on+ of the dancer, who+e fla112 1od2
wa+ laced *nto 2o/thf/l appearance, the cracked 4o*ce of the +*n.er, the cheap 7oke+ of
the f/nn2 0an, and the coar+e h*lar*t2 of the crowd. Then I fled. I knew I co/ld not
+tand /p *n +/ch an at0o+phere to plead 02 *dea+, not for all the 0one2 *n the world.
The la+t /nda2 at the (erkele2 Theatre wa+ t/rned *nto a .ala n*.ht. Leonard $.
A11ott pre+*ded, and a0on. the +peaker+ were the noted actre++ )ar2 haw, the f*r+t
to def2 A0er*can p/r*+t+ w*th her perfor0ance+ of @ho+t+ and of )r+. !arren:+
=rofe++*on9 ,ola La ,ollette, .*fted and frankl2 o/t+poken9 and @eor.e )*ddleton,
who had a 4ol/0e of one6act pla2+ to h*+ cred*t. The2 dwelt on what the dra0a 0eant
to the0, and what a powerf/l factor *t wa+ *n awaken*n. +oc*al con+c*o/+ne++ *n
people who 0*.ht not 1e reached *n an2 other wa2. The2 were 4er2 apprec*at*4e of
02 work, and I wa+ .ratef/l to the0 for 0ak*n. 0e feel that 02 effort+ had 1ro/.ht
+o0e of the A0er*can *ntell*.ent+*a *nto clo+er rapport w*th the +tr/..le of the
0a++e+. The e4en*n. +tren.thened 02 con4*ct*on that whate4er contr*1/t*on I had
0ade *n that d*rect*on had 1een d/e *n part to 02 ne4er ha4*n. per0*tted an2one to
5+andw*ch5 0e *n.
)2 (erkele2 lect/re+ 1ro/.ht 0e a 4al/a1le .*ft *n the for0 of 02 dra0a note+ *n
t2pewr*t*n.. teno.rapher+ had often tr*ed to take down 02 +peeche+, 1/t *n 4a*n. )2
del*4er2 wa+ too rap*d, the2 +a*d, e+pec*all2 when I wa+ carr*ed awa2 12 02 the0e. A
2o/n. 0an na0ed =a/l )/nter wa+ the f*r+t *n h*+ profe++*on to 1eat 02 flow of
word+ w*th h*+ +teno.raph*c +peed. 8e attended 02 ent*re +er*e+, for +*3 week+, and at
the end pre+ented 0e w*th 02 co/r+e *n perfectl2 t2pewr*tten +heet+.
=a/l:+ .*ft pro4ed to 1e of .reat 4al/e *n the preparat*on of 02 0an/+cr*pt of The
oc*al *.n*f*cance of the )odern $ra0a. Thank+ to *t the work wa+ le++ d*ff*c/lt
than the wr*t*n. of 02 e++a2+, tho/.h I had 1een *n a 0ore tran>/*l +tate of 0*nd then9
I +t*ll had hope+ of a har0on*o/+ l*fe w*th (en. L*ttle wa+ left of that hope now.
=erhap+ therefore I cl/n. 0ore tenac*o/+l2 to *t+ re0a*n*n. +hred+. (en:+ plead*n.
letter+ fro0 Ch*ca.o added f/el to the +0o/lder*n. f*re+ of 02 lon.*n.. After two
0onth+ I 1e.an to real*-e the w*+do0 of the #/++*an pea+ant +a2*n.: 5 If 2o/ dr*nk,
2o/:ll d*e, and *f 2o/ don:t dr*nk, 2o/:ll d*e. (etter dr*nk and d*e.5
To 1e awa2 fro0 (en 0eant +leeple++ n*.ht+, re+tle++ da2+, +*cken*n. 2earn*n.. To
1e near h*0 *n4ol4ed confl*ct and +tr*fe, da*l2 den*al of 02 pr*de. (/t *t al+o 0eant
ec+ta+2 and renewed 4*.o/r for 02 work. I wo/ld ha4e (en and .o w*th h*0 on to/r
a.a*n, I dec*ded. If the pr*ce wa+ h*.h, I wo/ld pa2 *t9 1/t I wo/ld dr*nk, I wo/ld
dr*nk?
a+ha had ne4er 1een 0ore tho/.htf/l and con+*derate than d/r*n. the 0onth+ of
114
02 +tr/..le to free 02+elf fro0 (en. 8e wa+ +t*0/lat*n.l2 helpf/l w*th the re4*+*on
of 02 dra0a 1ook9 *n fact, I let h*0 do 0o+t of *t h*0+elf. I felt the work +afe *n h*+
hand+: he wa+ +cr/p/lo/+l2 con+c*ent*o/+ a1o/t not chan.*n. the +p*r*t or tendenc2 of
02 wr*t*n.. !e al+o colla1orated on )other "arth. There were wonderf/l n*.ht+
when we wo/ld prepare cop2 for the pr*nter and dr*nk +tron. coffee to keep /+ .o*n.
t*ll the 1reak of da2. The2 1ro/.ht /+ clo+er to each other than we had 1een for a lon.
t*0e pa+t 666 not that an2th*n. co/ld e4er loo+en o/r co00on 1ond+ or affect o/r
fr*end+h*p, wh*ch had +tood the te+t of +o 0an2 f*re+.
$epend*n. /pon a+ha to read the proof+ of 02 1ook, and w*th ,*t-* *n char.e of
the off*ce, I co/ld now +tart on to/r. ,*t-* had pro4ed her+elf not onl2 4er2 eff*c*ent,
1/t a real fr*end a+ well, a 1ea/t*f/l +o/l, who+e *ntere+t *n o/r la1o/r+ 0ade 0e
a+ha0ed of 02 earl2 do/1t+ of her. a+ha had al+o real*-ed that h*+ for0er o17ect*on+
to the 5+tran.er5 were .ro/ndle++. The2 had 1eco0e fr*end+ and worked
har0on*o/+l2 to.ether. "4er2th*n. wa+ read2 for 02 depart/re.
)2 dra0a 1ook wa+ off the pre++, look*n. >/*te attract*4e *n *t+ +*0ple att*re. It wa+
the f*r+t "n.l*+h 4ol/0e of *t+ k*nd to po*nt o/t the +oc*al 0ean*n. of th*rt26two pla2+
12 e*.hteen a/thor+ of d*fferent co/ntr*e+. )2 onl2 re.ret wa+ that 02 own adopted
land had to 1e left o/t. I had tr*ed d*l*.entl2 to f*nd +o0e A0er*can dra0at*+t who
co/ld 1e placed alon.+*de the .reat "/ropean+, 1/t I co/ld d*+co4er no one.
Co00enda1le 1e.*nn*n.+ there were 12 "/.ene !alter, #achel Crother+, Charle+
Kle*n, @eor.e )*ddleton, and (/tler $a4enport. The dra0at*c 0a+ter, howe4er, wa+
not 2et *n +*.ht. 8e wo/ld no do/1t appear +o0e da2, 1/t 0eanwh*le I had to 1e
content w*th call*n. the attent*on of A0er*ca to the work+ of the fore0o+t pla2wr*.ht+
of "/rope and the +oc*al +*.n*f*cance of 0odern dra0at*c art.
At a lect/re *n Toledo a 4*+*t*n.6card had 1een left on 02 ta1le. It wa+ fro0 #o1ert
8enr*, who had re>/e+ted that I let h*0 know what lect/re+ I wa+ plann*n. to del*4er
*n New York. I had heard of 8enr*, had +een h*+ e3h*1*t*on+, and had 1een told that he
wa+ a 0an of ad4anced +oc*al 4*ew+. /1+e>/entl2, at a /nda2 lect/re *n New York,
a tall, well61/*lt 0an ca0e /p and *ntrod/ced h*0+elf a+ #o1ert 8enr*. 5I en7o2 2o/r
0a.a-*ne,5 he +a*d, 5e+pec*all2 the art*cle+ on !alt !h*t0an. I lo4e !alt, and I
follow e4er2th*n. that *+ wr*tten a1o/t h*0.5
I learned to know 8enr* a+ an e3cept*onal per+onal*t2, a free and .enero/+ nat/re.
8e wa+ *n fact an anarch*+t *n h*+ concept*on of art and *t+ relat*on to l*fe. !hen we
+tarted the ,errer e4en*n. cla++e+, he >/*ckl2 re+ponded to the *n4*tat*on to *n+tr/ct
o/r art +t/dent+. 8e al+o *ntere+ted @eor.e (ellow+ and ;ohn loan, and to.ether the2
helped to create a +p*r*t of freedo0 *n the art cla++ wh*ch pro1a1l2 d*d not e3*+t
an2where el+e *n New York at that t*0e.
Later #o1ert 8enr* a+ked 0e to +*t for 02 portra*t. I wa+ 4er2 1/+2 at the t*0e9
1e+*de+, +e4eral people had alread2 tr*ed to pa*nt 0e, w*th l*ttle +/cce++. 8enr* +a*d he
wanted to dep*ct the 5real "00a @old0an.5 5(/t wh*ch *+ the real oneB5 I a+ked9 5I
ha4e ne4er 1een a1le to /nearth her.5 8*+ 1ea/t*f/l +t/d*o *n @ra0erc2 =ark, far
re0o4ed fro0 the d*rt and no*+e of the c*t2, and the +weet ho+p*tal*t2 of )r+. 8enr*
were 1al0 to 0e. There were talk+ on art, l*terat/re, and l*1ertar*an ed/cat*on. 8enr*
wa+ well 4er+ed *n the+e +/17ect+9 he po++e++ed, 0oreo4er, /n/+/al *nt/*t*on for e4er2
+*ncere +tr*4*n.. $/r*n. tho+e *ll/0*nat*n. ho/r+ I learned of the art6+chool he had
11F
+tarted +o0e 2ear+ 1efore. 5The +t/dent+ are left ent*rel2 to the0+el4e+,5 he +a*d, 5to
de4elop whate4er *+ *n the0. I 0erel2 an+wer >/e+t*on+ or .*4e +/..e+t*on+ on the
+ol/t*on of the*r 0ore d*ff*c/lt pro1le0+.5 8e ne4er +o/.ht to *0po+e h*+ *dea+ on h*+
p/p*l+.
I wa+ nat/rall2 an3*o/+ to +ee the portra*t, 1/t, know*n. 8enr*:+ +en+*t*4ene++ a1o/t
+how*n. /nf*n*+hed work, I d*d not a+k for *t. I wa+ not *n New York when the
pa*nt*n. wa+ done, 1/t +o0e t*0e later 02 +*+ter 8elena wrote 0e that +he had +een *t
at an e3h*1*t*on *n #oche+ter. 5I +ho/ld not ha4e known *t wa+ 2o/ *f 2o/r na0e had
not 1een /nder *t,5 +he told 0e. e4eral other fr*end+ a.reed w*th her. I wa+ certa*n,
howe4er, that 8enr* had tr*ed to portra2 what he conce*4ed to 1e the 5real "00a
@old0an.5 I ne4er +aw the pa*nt*n., 1/t I pr*-ed the 0e0or2 of the +*tt*n.+, wh*ch
had .*4en 0e +o 0/ch of 4al/e.
Chapter 41
T8" T#AIN !A =""$IN@ T%!A#$ C8ICA@%. )Y 8"A#T !A
o/tw*n.*n. *t, all afl/tter w*th the 2earn*n. to 7o*n (en at la+t. I wa+ +ched/led to
del*4er twel4e lect/re+ and .*4e a dra0a co/r+e *n the c*t2. $/r*n. 02 +ta2 I ca0e
/pon the new l*terar2 p/1l*cat*on called the L*ttle #e4*ew, and +hortl2 afterward+ I
0et *t+ ed*tor, )ar.aret C. Ander+on. I felt l*ke a de+ert wanderer who /ne3pectedl2
d*+co4er+ a +trea0 of fre+h water. At la+t a 0a.a-*ne to +o/nd a note of re1ell*on *n
creat*4e endea4o/r? The L*ttle #e4*ew lacked clar*t2 on +oc*al >/e+t*on+, 1/t *t wa+
al*4e to new art for0+ and wa+ free fro0 the 0awk*+h +ent*0ental*t2 of 0o+t
A0er*can p/1l*cat*on+. It+ 0a*n appeal to 0e la2 *n *t+ +tron. and fearle++ cr*t*>/e of
con4ent*onal +tandard+, +o0eth*n. I had 1een look*n. for *n the &n*ted tate+ for
twent26f*4e 2ear+. 5!ho *+ th*+ )ar.aret Ander+onB5 I *n>/*red of the fr*end who had
+hown 0e a cop2 of the 0a.a-*ne. 5A char0*n. A0er*can .*rl,5 he repl*ed, 5and +he
*+ an3*o/+ to *nter4*ew 2o/.5 I told h*0 I d*d not care to 1e *nter4*ewed, 1/t that I d*d
want to 0eet the ed*tor of the L*ttle #e4*ew.
!hen )*++ Ander+on ca0e to 02 hotel, I went to the ele4ator to 0eet her. I wa+
+/rpr*+ed to +ee a ch*c +oc*et2 .*rl, and, th*nk*n. that I 0/+t ha4e 0*+/nder+tood the
na0e, I t/rned 1ack to 02 roo0. 5%h, )*++ @old0an,5 the .*rl called, 5I a0 )ar.aret
Ander+on?5 8er 1/tterfl2 appearance wa+ d*+appo*nt*n., +o rad*call2 d*fferent fro0
02 0ental p*ct/re of the L*ttle #e4*ew ed*tor. )2 tone wa+ cold a+ I a+ked her *nto
02 roo0, 1/t *t d*d not +ee0 to affect 02 4*+*tor *n the lea+t. 5I ca0e to *n4*te 2o/ to
02 place,5 +he +a*d *0pet/o/+l2, 57/+t to re+t and rela3 a l*ttle9 2o/ look +o t*red and
2o/ are alwa2+ +/rro/nded 12 +o 0an2 people.5 At her ho0e I wo/ld need to +ee no
one, +he ran on, I +ho/ld 1e ent*rel2 /nd*+t/r1ed and co/ld do a+ I plea+ed. 5Yo/ can
1athe *n the lake, take walk+, or 7/+t l*e perfectl2 +t*ll,5 +he coa3ed9 5I w*ll wa*t on 2o/
and pla2 for 2o/.5 he had a ta3* wa*t*n. for /+ to .o at once. I wa+ o4erwhel0ed 12
the word2 a4alanche and I felt re0or+ef/l at the fr*.*d recept*on I had .*4en the
.enero/+ .*rl.
In a lar.e apart0ent fac*n. Lake )*ch*.an I fo/nd, 1e+*de+ )*++ Ander+on, the
latter:+ +*+ter w*th her two ch*ldren, and a .*rl na0ed 8arr*et $ean. The ent*re
f/rn*t/re con+*+ted of a p*ano, p*ano6+tool, +e4eral 1roken cot+, a ta1le, and +o0e
k*tchen cha*r+. 8owe4er th*+ +tran.e 0Ena.e 0ana.ed to pa2 the /ndo/1tedl2 lar.e
11G
rent, there wa+ e4*dentl2 no 0one2 for an2th*n. el+e. In +o0e 02+ter*o/+ wa2,
tho/.h, )ar.aret Ander+on and her fr*end proc/red flower+, fr/*t, and da*nt*e+ for
0e.
8arr*et $ean wa+ a+ 0/ch a no4el t2pe to 0e a+ )ar.aret, 2et the two were
ent*rel2 /nl*ke. 8arr*et wa+ athlet*c, 0a+c/l*ne6look*n., re+er4ed, and +elf6con+c*o/+.
)ar.aret, on the contrar2, wa+ fe0*n*ne *n the e3tre0e, con+tantl2 1/11l*n. o4er w*th
enth/+*a+0. A few ho/r+ w*th her ent*rel2 chan.ed 02 f*r+t *0pre++*on and 0ade 0e
real*-e that /nderneath her apparent l*.htne++ wa+ depth and +tren.th of character to
p/r+/e whate4er a*0 *n l*fe +he 0*.ht choo+e. (efore lon. I +aw that the .*rl+ were
not act/ated 12 an2 +en+e of +oc*al *n7/+t*ce, l*ke the 2o/n. #/++*an *ntell*.ent+*a, for
*n+tance. tron.l2 *nd*4*d/al*-ed, the2 had 1roken the +hackle+ of the*r 0*ddle6cla++
ho0e+ to f*nd relea+e fro0 fa0*l2 1onda.e and 1o/r.eo*+ trad*t*on. I re.retted the*r
lack of +oc*al con+c*o/+ne++, 1/t a+ re1el+ for the*r own l*1erat*on )ar.aret Ander+on
and 8arr*et $ean +tren.thened 02 fa*th *n the po++*1*l*t*e+ of 02 adopted co/ntr2.
)2 4*+*t w*th the0 wa+ enterta*n*n. and re+tf/l. I wa+ happ2 to f*nd two 2o/n.
A0er*can wo0en who were +er*o/+l2 *ntere+ted *n 0odern *dea+. !e +pent o/r t*0e
talk*n. and d*+c/++*n.. In the e4en*n. )ar.aret wo/ld pla2 the p*ano and I wo/ld
+*n. #/++*an folk6+on.+ or relate to the .*rl+ +o0e ep*+ode+ of 02 l*fe.
)ar.aret:+ pla2*n. wa+ not that of a tra*ned: art*+t. There wa+ a certa*n or*.*nal and
4*1rant >/al*t2 *n *t, part*c/larl2 when no +tran.er+ were pre+ent. At +/ch 0o0ent+
+he wa+ a1le to .*4e f/ll e3pre++*on to all her e0ot*on and *nten+*t2. )/+*c +t*rred 0e
profo/ndl2, 1/t )ar.aret:+ pla2*n. e3erted a pec/l*ar effect, l*ke the +*.ht of the +ea,
wh*ch alwa2+ 0ade 0e /nea+2 and re+tle++. I had ne4er learned to +w*0 and I feared
deep water, 2et on the 1each I wo/ld 1e f*lled w*th a de+*re to reach o/t toward+ the
wa4e+ and 1eco0e +/10er.ed *n the*r e01race. !hene4er I heard )ar.aret pla2, I
wa+ o4erco0e 12 the +a0e +en+at*on and an /nea+2 cra4*n.. The da2+ +pent at her
ho0e on Lake )*ch*.an pa++ed all too >/*ckl2, 1/t d/r*n. the re+t of 02 +ta2 *n
Ch*ca.o )ar.aret and 5$ean+*e5 were ne4er awa2 fro0 02 +*de for 4er2 lon..
Thro/.h )ar.aret I 0et 0o+t of the contr*1/tor+ to the L*ttle #e4*ew, a0on. the0
(en 8echt, )a3well (odenhe*0, Cae+ar, Ale3ander Ka/n, Allen Tanner, and other+.
A1le wr*ter+ the2 were, 2et none of the0 po++e++ed the all6a1+or1*n. ardo/r and
dar*n. of )ar.aret Ander+on.
8arr*et )onroe, of the =oetr2 )a.a-*ne, and )a/r*ce (rowne, of the L*ttle
Theatre, 1elon.ed to the +a0e c*rcle. I wa+ part*c/larl2 *ntere+ted *n the new dra0at*c
e3per*0ent of )r. (rowne. 8e had talent and +*ncer*t2, 1/t he wa+ too do0*nated 12
the pa+t to 0ake the L*ttle Theatre an effect*4e *nfl/ence. The @reek dra0a and the
cla++*c+ were certa*nl2 of .reat 4al/e, I often told h*0, 1/t tho/.htf/l people were
nowada2+ +eek*n. dra0at*c e3pre++*on of the h/0an pro1le0+ of o/r own da2. A+ a
0atter of fact, no one *n Ch*ca.o o/t+*de of )r. (rowne:+ tro/pe and the*r +0all c*rcle
of adherent+ wa+ aware of the e3*+tence of the L*ttle Theatre. L*fe +*0pl2 pa++ed *t 12.
The .reater the p*t2, 1eca/+e )a/r*ce (rowne wa+ 4er2 0/ch *n earne+t a1o/t h*+
effort+.
%n th*+ 4*+*t *n Ch*ca.o I wa+ fort/nate to hear +o0e 4er2 f*ne 0/+*c. =erc2
@ra*n.er, Al0a @l/ck, )ar2 @arden, and Ca+al+ concerted *n the c*t2 d/r*n. 02 +ta2.
11H
/ch an arra2 of art*+t+ wa+ a rare treat.
Al0a @l/ck .r*pped 0e w*th her f*r+t tone+. 8er 8e1rew chant+ e+pec*all2 .a4e
f/ll +wa2 to the ran.e of her r*ch 4o*ce. The +orrow+ of +*3 tho/+and 2ear+ were 0ade
po*.nantl2 real 12 her e3>/*+*te +*n.*n..
)ar2 @arden I had +een on pre4*o/+ occa+*on+. %nce *n t. Lo/*+ +he had 1een
den*ed a theatre for her perfor0ance of alo0e, wh*ch the 0oral 1/+21od*e+ had
declared *ndecent. o0e reporter had called )ar2 @arden:+ attent*on to the +*0*lar*t2
of her f*.ht for free e3pre++*on to that of "00a @old0an, and )ar2 had +poken *n
h*.h pra*+e of 0e. he knew noth*n. a1o/t anarch*+0, +he had +a*d, or an2th*n. a1o/t
02 *dea+, 1/t +he ad0*red 02 +tand for freedo0. I wrote her 02 apprec*at*on. In repl2
+he a+ked 0e to let her know ne3t t*0e we happened to 1e *n the +a0e c*t2. Later, *n
=ortland, )ar2 had reco.n*-ed 0e *n the front row 7/+t a+ +o0e ad0*rer+ had
pre+ented her w*th a h/.e 1a+ket of ro+e+. tepp*n. to the ed.e of the +ta.e, +he
p*cked o/t the lar.e+t and redde+t one+ and threw the0 *nto 02 lap w*th an a*r2 k*++.
Year+ 1efore, *n 1900, when *n =ar*+, +he had del*.hted 0e 12 her render*n. of
Charpent*er:+ Lo/*+e and )a++enet:+ Tha*+. (/t ne4er had I +een her +o lo4el2 and
fa+c*nat*n. a+ *n the opera =ellEa+ et )El*+ande, wh*ch I attended *n the Ch*ca.o
A/d*tor*/0 w*th )ar.aret Ander+on. he wa+ 2o/th, naI4*tE, and the earth6+p*r*t
e3>/*+*tel2 1lended *nto one.
The .reate+t 0/+*cal e4ent d/r*n. 02 +ta2 *n Ch*ca.o wa+ the pla2*n. of the
pan*+h :cell*+t Ca+al+. I had alwa2+ lo4ed the :cello 1e+t, 1/t /nt*l I heard th*+
con7/ror, I had ./e++ed l*ttle of *t+ po++*1*l*t*e+. Ca+al:+ to/ch /nlocked *t+ trea+/re+,
0ade *t 4*1rate l*ke the h/0an +o/l and +*n. *n 4el4et tone+.
&ne3pectedl2 ca0e the +hock*n. new+ of the 0a++acre of worker+ *n L/dlow,
Colorado, of the +hoot*n. of +tr*ker+ and the 1/rn*n. of wo0en and ch*ldren *n the*r
tent+. $ra0a lect/re+ appeared tr*fl*n., w*th the fla0e+ of L/dlow r*+*n. to the +k2.
The coal60*ner+ *n +o/thern Colorado had 1een on +tr*ke for 0onth+. The Colorado
,/el and Iron Co0pan2, a #ockefeller co01*ne, appealed to the tate for 5protect*on5
wh*le at the +a0e t*0e the2 were +h*pp*n. th/.+ and ./n0en to the coal re.*on. The
0*ner+ were e4*cted fro0 the*r h/t+, wh*ch were on co0pan2 propert2. !*th the*r
w*4e+ and ch*ldren the2 p*tched tent+ and prepared for the lon. w*nter. The
#ockefeller *ntere+t+ pre4a*led /pon @o4ernor A00on to call o/t the 0*l*t*a to 5keep
order.5
Arr*4*n. *n $en4er w*th (en, I learned that the la1o/r leader+ wo/ld 1e .lad to
accept f/nd+ I 0*.ht ra*+e at 02 lect/re+, 1/t that the2 d*d not care to ha4e *t known
that the2 were *n an2 wa2 connected w*th 02 effort+. No 0ore enco/ra.e0ent d*d I
rece*4e fro0 o/r own co0rade+ *n L/dlow. The a/thor*t*e+ wo/ld not per0*t 0e to
co0e to the c*t2, the2 wrote, and *f I d*d .et there, the paper+ wo/ld procla*0 that I
wa+ 1eh*nd the +tr*ke. It wa+ pa*nf/l to know that I wa+ not wanted 12 the 4er2 people
for who0 I had worked all 02 l*fe.
,ort/natel2 I had an *ndependent for/0, )other "arth and 02 lect/re+. %n 02 own
platfor0 I +ho/ld 1e free to deno/nce the L/dlow cr*0e and po*nt o/t *t+ le++on to
la1o/r. !e +tarted o/r 0eet*n.+, and w*th*n two week+ I wa+ a1le to de0on+trate that
11<
a few 0*l*tant+ *01/ed w*th *deal*+0 co/ld foc/+ .reater attent*on on a pre++*n.
+oc*al *++/e than lar.e or.an*-at*on+ that lacked the co/ra.e to +peak o/t. )2 lect/re+
helped to t/rn the f/ll l*.ht of p/1l*c*t2 on L/dlow. L/dlow, !heatland, the *n4a+*on
of )e3*co 12 ,ederal troop+ 666 the2 were all +trea0+ fro0 the +a0e +o/rce. I
d*+c/++ed the0 1efore a/d*ence+ reach*n. *nto the tho/+and+, and we +/cceeded *n
ra*+*n. lar.e +/0+ for the 4ar*o/+ +tr/..le+.
%n o/r arr*4al *n $en4er we had fo/nd twent26+e4en I.!.!. 1o2+ *n 7a*l. The2 had
1een arre+ted a+ a re+/lt of a free6+peech ca0pa*.n and had 1een tort/red *n the
+weat61o3 for ref/+*n. to work on the rock6p*le. %/r effort+ *n the*r 1ehalf were
+/cce++f/l. %n the*r relea+e the2 0arched thro/.h the +treet+ w*th 1anner+ and +on.+
to o/r hall, where the2 were rece*4ed *n the +p*r*t of co0rade+h*p and +ol*dar*t2.
%ne of the *ntere+t*n. e3per*ence+ of 02 $en4er +ta2 wa+ 0eet*n. ;/l*a )arlowe
othern and @/+ta4e ,roh0an. !e d*+c/++ed 0odern pla2+. ,roh0an wa+ +/re the2
d*d not *ntere+t the theatre6.o*n. p/1l*c, and I ar./ed that New York had al+o another
p/1l*c, 0ore *ntell*.ent and apprec*at*4e than the one *n the ha1*t of flock*n. to
(roadwa2. That p/1l*c, I *n+*+ted, wo/ld +/pport a theatre .*4*n. the dra0a+ of I1+en,
tr*nd1er., 8a/pt0ann, haw, and the #/++*an+. I offered to pro4e that a repertor2
theatre, w*th pr*ce+ r/nn*n. fro0 f*ft2 cent+ to a dollar and a half, co/ld 1e 0ade +elf6
+/+ta*n*n.. )r. ,roh0an tho/.ht I wa+ an *0pract*cal opt*0*+t. 8e wa+ *ntere+ted,
howe4er, and he pro0*+ed to talk the 0atter o4er f/rther w*th 0e when we were 1oth
1ack *n New York.
I had +een )*++ )arlowe and othern *n The /nken (ell, 12 @erhart 8a/pt0ann.
I d*d not care for h*+ 8e*nr*ch, 1/t ;/l*a )arlowe a+ #a/tendele*n wa+ +/1l*0e, and
+he wa+ e>/all2 .reat a+ Kathar*na *n The Ta0*n. of the hrew and al+o a+ ;/l*et.
)*++ )arlowe 0/+t ha4e 1een near*n. fort2 at the t*0e. he wa+ rather hea42 for
2o/thf/l part+, 2et her +/per1 act*n. at no t*0e 1roke the *ll/+*on of #a/tendele*n, the
l*the, w*ld 0o/nta*n6+p*r*t, or the /n+oph*+t*cated naI4etE of ;/l*et, the ch*ld6wo0an.
othern wa+ +t*ff and /n*ntere+t*n., 1/t ;/l*a 0ade /p for 1oth 12 her char0, .race,
and /naffectedne++. he +ent flower+ to 02 lect/re+ and a k*ndl2 .reet*n. to 5ea+e the
ta+k of alwa2+ ha4*n. to 1e 1efore the p/1l*c.5 !ell +he knew how pa*nf/l *t often
wa+.
!h*le (en and I were 1/+2 w*th o/r 0eet*n.+ *n the !e+t, a+ha wa+ en.a.ed *n
+tren/o/+ act*4*t*e+ *n New York. !*th ,*t-*, Leonard $. A11ott, the co0rade+ of
anarch*+t .ro/p+, and the 2o/n. 0e01er+ of the ,errer chool he wa+ cond/ct*n. the
/ne0plo2ed 0o4e0ent and the ant*60*l*tar*+t ca0pa*.n. The*r per+*+tenc2 *n f*.ht*n.
for free +peech *n New York had re+/lted *n the repeated 1reak*n. /p of the*r
.ather*n.+ 12 0o/nted pol*ce, *n4ol4*n. *ncred*1le 1r/tal*t2 and 4*olence. (/t the*r
per+e4erance and def*ance of ar1*trar2 off*c*al re./lat*on+ *n the end *0pre++ed p/1l*c
op*n*on and the2 won the r*.ht of a++e01l2 *n &n*on >/are w*tho/t pol*ce
per0*++*on. ,ro0 a+ha:+ 1r*ef note+ I co/ld onl2 ./e++ what wa+ happen*n. *n New
York, 1/t +oon the new+paper+ were f*lled w*th acco/nt+ of the work of the Ant*6
)*l*tar*+t Lea./e, wh*ch a+ha had fo/nded, and the de0on+trat*on+ *n 1ehalf of the
L/dlow 0*ner+ held *n New York and *n Tarr2town, #ockefeller:+ c*tadel. It wa+
wonderf/l to 0e to +ee a+ha:+ old +p*r*t r*+*n. to the 1attle, and to o1+er4e h*+
e3traord*nar2 +k*ll *n or.an*-*n. and handl*n. the work.
119
The New York act*4*t*e+ re+/lted *n a n/01er of arre+t+, a0on. the0 that of (eck2
"del+ohn and +e4eral 1o2+ fro0 the ,errer chool. a+ha wrote that (eck2 had 1een
+plend*d at her tr*al, where +he had cond/cted her own defence. %n 1e*n. con4*cted
+he had declared a fort26e*.ht6ho/r h/n.er +tr*ke *n prote+t. It wa+ the f*r+t t*0e that a
pol*t*cal pr*+oner had done th*+ *n A0er*ca. I had alwa2+ known (eck2 to 1e 1ra4e,
tho/.h her lack of re+pon+*1*l*t2 and per+e4erance *n her per+onal l*fe had for 2ear+
1een a +o/rce of *rr*tat*on to 0e. I wa+ therefore 4er2 .lad to +ee her +how +/ch
+tren.th of character. It *+ often the e3cept*onal 0o0ent that d*+co4er+ /n+/+pected
>/al*t*e+.
L*1eral and rad*cal ele0ent+ *n New York were co6operat*n. *n prote+t a.a*n+t the
L/dlow 1/tcher2. The 5*lent =arade5 *n front of #ockefeller:+ off*ce, or.an*-ed 12
&pton *ncla*r and h*+ w*fe, and the 4ar*o/+ other de0on+trat*on+ were aro/+*n. the
"a+t to the appall*n. cond*t*on+ *n Colorado.
I ea.erl2 +canned the paper+ fro0 New York. I had no an3*et2 a1o/t a+ha, for I
knew how dependa1le and cool he wa+ *n t*0e+ of dan.er. (/t I lon.ed to 1e at h*+
+*de, *n 02 1elo4ed c*t2, to take part w*th h*0 *n tho+e +t*rr*n. act*4*t*e+. )2
en.a.e0ent+, howe4er, kept 0e *n the !e+t. Then ca0e the new+ of an e3plo+*on *n a
tene0ent ho/+e on Le3*n.ton A4en/e wh*ch co+t the l*4e+ of three 0en 666 Arth/r
Carron, Charle+ (er., and Karl 8an+on 666 and of an /nknown wo0an. The na0e+
were /nfa0*l*ar to 0e. The pre++ wa+ f*lled w*th the w*lde+t r/0o/r+. The 1o01, *t
wa+ reported, had 1een *ntended for #ockefeller, who0 the +peaker+ at the New York
0eet*n.+ had char.ed w*th d*rect re+pon+*1*l*t2 for the L/dlow 0a++acre+. The
pre0at/re e3plo+*on had pro1a1l2 +a4ed h*+ l*fe, the paper+ declared. a+ha:+ na0e
wa+ dra..ed *nto the ca+e, and the pol*ce were look*n. for h*0 and the owner of the
Le3*n.ton apart0ent, o/r co0rade Lo/*+e (er.er. !ord ca0e fro0 a+ha that the
three 0en who had lo+t the*r l*4e+ *n the e3plo+*on were co0rade+ who had worked
w*th h*0 *n the Tarr2town ca0pa*.n. The2 had 1een 1adl2 1eaten /p 12 the pol*ce at
one of the &n*on >/are de0on+trat*on+. The 1o01, 0*.ht ha4e 1een *ntended for
#ockefeller, a+ha wrote, 1/t *n an2 ca+e the 0en had kept the*r *ntent*on+ to
the0+el4e+, for ne*ther he nor an2one el+e knew how the e3plo+*on had occ/rred.
Co0rade+, *deal*+t+, 0an/fact/r*n. a 1o01 *n a con.e+ted tene0ent ho/+e? I wa+
a.ha+t at +/ch *rre+pon+*1*l*t2. (/t the ne3t 0o0ent I re0e01ered a +*0*l*ar e4ent *n
02 own l*fe. It ca0e 1ack w*th paral2+*n. horror. In 02 0*nd I +aw 02 l*ttle roo0 *n
=epp*:+ flat, on ,*fth treet, *t+ w*ndow61l*nd+ drawn, a+ha e3per*0ent*n. w*th a
1o01, and 0e watch*n.. I had +*lenced 02 fear for the tenant+, *n ca+e of an acc*dent,
12 repeat*n. to 02+elf that the end 7/+t*f*ed the 0ean+. !*th acc/+*n. clar*t2 I now
rel*4ed that ner4e6rack*n. week *n ;/l2 1<9C. In the -eal of fanat*c*+0 I had 1el*e4ed
that the end 7/+t*f*e+ the 0ean+? It took 2ear+ of e3per*ence and +/ffer*n. to
e0anc*pate 02+elf fro0 the 0ad *dea. Act+ of 4*olence co00*tted a+ a prote+t a.a*n+t
/n1eara1le +oc*al wron.+ 666 I +t*ll 1el*e4ed the0 *ne4*ta1le. I /nder+tood the +p*r*t/al
force+ c/l0*nat*n. *n +/ch Attentat+ a+ a+ha:+, (re+c*:+, An.*ol*llo:+, C-ol.o+-:+, and
tho+e of other+ who+e l*4e+ I had +t/d*ed. The2 had 1een /r.ed on 12 the*r .reat lo4e
for h/0an*t2 and the*r ac/te +en+*t*4ene++ to *n7/+t*ce. I had alwa2+ taken 02 place
w*th the0 a+ a.a*n+t e4er2 for0 of or.an*-ed oppre++*on. (/t tho/.h 02 +20path*e+
were w*th the 0an who prote+ted a.a*n+t +oc*al cr*0e+ 12 a re+ort to e3tre0e
0ea+/re+, I ne4erthele++ felt now that I co/ld ne4er a.a*n part*c*pate *n or appro4e of
1C0
0ethod+ that 7eopard*-ed *nnocent l*4e+.
I wa+ worr*ed a1o/t a+ha. 8e wa+ the +p*r*t of the tre0endo/+ ca0pa*.n *n the
"a+t, and I feared the pol*ce wo/ld *n4ol4e h*0 *n the*r dra.net. I wanted to ret/rn to
New York, 1/t h*+ letter+ held 0e 1ack. 8e wa+ perfectl2 +afe, he wrote, and there
were plent2 of people to help h*0 *n the work. 8e had +/cceeded *n o1ta*n*n. the
1od*e+ of the dead co0rade+ for cre0at*on, and he wa+ plann*n. a 0on+ter
de0on+trat*on at &n*on >/are. The a/thor*t*e+ def*n*tel2 declared *n the pre++ that no
p/1l*c f/neral wo/ld 1e per0*tted. All the rad*cal .ro/p+, *ncl/d*n. the I.!.!.,
rep/d*ated a+ha:+ *ntent*on. "4en (*ll 8a2wood warned h*0 to de+*+t fro0 h*+ plan
1eca/+e he wa+ 5+/re to ca/+e another ele4enth of No4e01er.5 (/t a+ha:+ .ro/p
ref/+ed to 1e terror*-ed. 8e p/1l*cl2 anno/nced that he wo/ld +tand re+pon+*1le for
an2th*n. that 0*.ht happen at the 0eet*n., on cond*t*on that no pol*ce off*cer+ 1e
per0*tted w*th*n the l*ne+ of the de0on+trat*on.
The p/1l*c f/neral took place *n +p*te of off*c*al proh*1*t*on. &n*on >/are +eethed
w*th a crowd of twent2 tho/+and people. At the la+t 0o0ent the pol*ce had dec*ded
not to per0*t a+ha, who wa+ to pre+*de at the de0on+trat*on, to reach the +>/are.
$etect*4e+ and reporter+ 1e+*e.ed o/r ho/+e. a+ha appeared on the front +toop to talk
to the0 and the2 a+ked to +ee the /rn conta*n*n. the cre0ated re0a*n+ of the
Le3*n.ton A4en/e 4*ct*0+. 8e +tepped 1ack *nto the ho/+e and then +l*pped o/t
thro/.h the 1ack and +o0e ne*.h1o/r*n. 2ard+. 8e had taken the preca/t*on to order a
red a/to0o1*le to wa*t for h*0 *n a near12 +treet. At a f/r*o/+ pace *t wa+ dr*4en to
&n*on >/are. ,or 1lock+ all approache+ to the +>/are were crowded. It +ee0ed
*0po++*1le to reach the platfor0. (/t 1efore a+ha co/ld open the door of the
0ach*ne, pol*ce off*cer+ 666 *n the*r e3c*te0ent /ndo/1tedl2 tak*n. the a/to0o1*le to
1e that of the ,*re Ch*ef 666 o1+e>/*o/+l2 cleared a lane for the a/to r*.ht thro/.h the
crowd to the 4er2 front of the platfor0. !hen a+ha +tepped o/t, the off*cer+ were
a0a-ed to +ee who *t wa+. 8e >/*ckl2 a+cended the platfor0. It wa+ too late for the
pol*ce to do an2th*n. w*tho/t ca/+*n. a 1lood 1ath.
Now the re0a*n+ of the dead co0rade+, a+ha wrote 0e, were depo+*ted *n a
+pec*all2 de+*.ned /rn *n the for0 of a clenched f*+t r*+*n. fro0 the depth+. The /rn
wa+ e3po+ed *n the off*ce of )other "arth, wh*ch had 1een decorated w*th wreath+
and red and 1lack 1anner+. Tho/+and+ pa++ed thro/.h o/r >/arter+ to pa2 the la+t
tr*1/te to Carron, (er., and 8an+on.
I wa+ happ2 to learn that the per*lo/+ +*t/at*on *n New York had ended +o
fa4o/ra1l2. (/t when I rece*4ed cop*e+ of the ;/l2 *++/e of )other "arth, I wa+
d*+0a2ed at *t+ content+. The &n*on >/are +peeche+ were p/1l*+hed there *n f/ll9
w*th the e3cept*on of a+ha:+ own addre++ and tho+e of Leonard $. A11ott and
"l*-a1eth @/rle2 ,l2nn, the haran./e+ were of a 0o+t 4*olent character. I had tr*ed
alwa2+ to keep o/r 0a.a-*ne free fro0 +/ch lan./a.e, and now the whole n/01er
wa+ f*lled w*th prattle a1o/t force and d2na0*te. I wa+ +o f/r*o/+ that I wanted the
ent*re *++/e thrown *nto the f*re. (/t *t wa+ too late9 the 0a.a-*ne had .one o/t to the
+/1+cr*1er+.
The per+*+tent effort+ of one 0an *n =ortland, %re.on, e3erted an *nfl/ence *n that
town that for *t+ potenc2 co/ld hardl2 1e e>/alled *n an2 other A0er*can c*t2. I refer
to 02 fr*end Charle+ "r+k*ne cott !ood. (2 po+*t*on he 1elon.ed to the /ltra6
1C1
con+er4at*4e +et, 2et he wa+ a0on. the 0o+t /nfl*nch*n. opponent+ of the +oc*al la2er
fro0 wh*ch he +pran.. It wa+ ow*n. to h*+ effort+ that the =/1l*c L*1rar2 wa+ .ranted
to +o dan.ero/+ a per+on a+ I wa+ con+*dered to 1e. )r. !ood pre+*ded at 02 f*r+t
lect/re, wh*ch wa+ on 5Intellect/al =roletar*an+,5 and h*+ pre+ence 1ro/.ht an
enor0o/+ a/d*ence.
=ortland wa+ *n the throe+ of a proh*1*t*on ca0pa*.n. )2 talk on 5A*ct*0+ of
)oral*t2,5 wh*ch to/ched on th*+ +/17ect, re+/lted *n an /proar. It wa+ one of the 0o+t
e3c*t*n. e4en*n.+ *n 02 p/1l*c career. The proh*1*t*on*+t+ and the pro6l*>/or*+t+
al0o+t ca0e to 1low+ on the occa+*on.
The follow*n. da2 a 0an called on )r. !ood and offered to 1/2 02 lect/re note+,
not the part deal*n. w*th the +/ppre++*on of +e3, 1/t the one where I had enlar.ed on
the r*.ht of .rown6/p+ to choo+e the*r dr*nk+. The caller repre+ented the aloon6
Keeper+: Lea./e, and h*+ or.an*-at*on wanted 02 note+ a+ propa.anda *n the*r ant*6
proh*1*t*on ca0pa*.n. )r. !ood *nfor0ed h*0 that he wo/ld +/10*t the offer to 0e,
1/t that I wa+ a 5>/eer creat/re5 and wo/ld pro1a1l2 not con+ent to ha4*n. onl2 half
of 02 lect/re p/1l*+hed. 5(/t +he w*ll 1e pa*d,5 the 0an cr*ed,5 and an2 pr*ce +he
want+?5 Needle++ to +a2, I decl*ned to appear a+ an a.ent of the aloon6Keeper+:
Lea./e.
The power of the )ontana copper6k*n.+, fa*thf/ll2 +/pported 12 the Cathol*c
Ch/rch, 0ade (/tte and other +0elt*n.6town+ *n the tate 1arren .ro/nd e3cept for
the +weet ho+p*tal*t2 of 02 fr*end+ Ann*e and A1e "del+tadt, the latter a 1rother of
o/r dead poet. The +2+te0 of e+p*ona.e had 1een perfected 12 the 1o++e+. The*r
e0plo2ee+ were +/rro/nded 12 +p*e+ not onl2 when at work, 1/t al+o *n the*r free
ho/r+. The 5+potter+5 do..ed e4er2 +tep of the 0en and 0ade deta*led report+ on the*r
1eha4*o/r. In con+e>/ence tho+e 0odern +la4e+ l*4ed *n fear of d*+plea+*n. the*r
0a+ter+ and lo+*n. the*r 7o1+. The +*t/at*on wa+ a..ra4ated 12 react*on *n the /n*on
rank+. The !e+tern ,ederat*on of )*ner+, lon. *n the control of corr/pt and
/n+cr/p/lo/+ off*c*al+, helped to +*lence the 4o*ce of la1o/r prote+t. (/t pre++/re fro0
a1o4e 1e.et+ re1ell*on. The 1reak had to co0e. The aro/+ed worker+ d2na0*ted the
&n*on 8all, dro4e the*r leader+ o/t of town, and or.an*-ed a new /n*on alon.
re4ol/t*onar2 l*ne+.
It wa+ a chan.ed at0o+phere that .reeted /+ on o/r arr*4al *n (/tte. No part*c/lar
effort+ were nece++ar2 to aro/+e *ntere+t *n 02 lect/re+. The people ca0e *n a 1od2
and openl2 de0on+trated the*r *ndependence. The2 fearle++l2 a+ked >/e+t*on+ and
part*c*pated *n the d*+c/++*on. If an2 5+potter+5 were *n the a/d*ence, the2 were
/nknown to the 0en, who wo/ld ha4e certa*nl2 .*4en the0 +hort +hr*ft.
Aer2 +*.n*f*cant al+o wa+ the pre+ence of 0an2 wo0en, e+pec*all2 at 02 lect/re on
5(*rth6control.5 ,or0erl2 the2 wo/ld not ha4e dared to *n>/*re a1o/t +/ch 0atter+
e4en pr*4atel29 now the2 +tood /p *n a p/1l*c a++e01l2 and frankl2 a4owed the*r
hatred of the*r po+*t*on a+ do0e+t*c dr/d.e+ and ch*ld61earer+. It wa+ an e3traord*nar2
0an*fe+tat*on, 0o+t enco/ra.*n. to 0e.
All thro/.h the 2ear+ no decent hall had 1een acce++*1le to /+ *n Ch*ca.o. I had
often 1een co0pelled to +peak *n dreadf/l place+, .enerall2 *n the rear of a +aloon.
That d*d not, howe4er, pre4ent the +o6called 1etter cla++ fro0 attend*n. 02 lect/re+.
1CC
Not rarel2 the +treet *n front of the hall wo/ld 1e l*ned w*th a/to0o1*le+, th/+
pro4*d*n. a chance for the !o11l*e+, and e4en for +o0e of 02 own co0rade+, to
prote+t a.a*n+t 02 5ed/cat*n. the 1o/r.eo*+*e.5 )2 la+t lect/re *n Ch*ca.o *n Apr*l
had 1een nearl2 1roken /p 12 a dr/nken 0an who had dr*fted *n fro0 the +aloon and
who *n+*+ted on tak*n. char.e of the proceed*n.+. At the clo+e of the 0eet*n. two
+tran.er+ left the*r 4*+*t*n.6card+ w*th (en. The2 a+ked h*0 to let the0 know when I
wo/ld ret/rn to Ch*ca.o and pro0*+ed to +ec/re an appropr*ate place for 02 f/t/re
lect/re+.
8a4*n. rece*4ed 0an2 pro0*+e+, few of wh*ch had e4er 1een f/lf*lled, I had l*ttle
fa*th *n th*+ one. Ne4erthele++ I wrote the +tran.er+ that I wo/ld 0eet the0 on 02 wa2
1ack fro0 the Coa+t. After lea4*n. (/tte I proceeded to Ch*ca.o, where I al+o
*ntended to 4*+*t )ar.aret Ander+on and $ean+*e. The 0en pro4ed to 1e a r*ch
ad4ert*+*n. a.ent and a +tock61roker? !e d*+c/++ed the 1e+t 0ean+ of or.an*-*n. a
+er*e+ of dra0a lect/re+ and *t wa+ dec*ded to +ec/re the ,*ne Art+ rec*tal hall. The
0en offered to f*nance the 4ent/re and I wondered wh2 the2 +ho/ld do *t, /nle++ *t 1e
that wealth2 ;ew+ lo4e to en.a.e *n 5/pl*ft5 work. I 0ade *t clear to the0 that I 0/+t
re0a*n a+ free to +peak *n the fa+h*ona1le place a+ *n the 1ack roo0 of a +aloon. It wa+
a.reed that I +ho/ld w*re 02 lect/re date+ later on.
!hen I arr*4ed *n New York I wa+ confronted w*th a +er*o/+ f*nanc*al +*t/at*on.
a+ha:+ act*4*t*e+ a0on. the /ne0plo2ed, to.ether w*th the ant*60*l*tar*+t and L/dlow
ca0pa*.n+, had +wallowed /p 0o+t of the f/nd+ I had +ent to o/r off*ce fro0 02 to/r.
!e co/ld not 0eet the o1l*.at*on+ of )other "arth, 0/ch le++ the e3pen+e of the
ho/+e, wh*ch *n 02 a1+ence had 1een t/rned *nto a free6for6all lod.*n.6 and feed*n.6
place. !e were *n de1t to o/r pr*nter and to the 0a*l*n.6ho/+e, and 0one2 wa+ owed
to e4er2 +tore6keeper *n the ne*.h1o/rhood. The +tra*n of the a.*tat*on he had carr*ed
on, the dan.er and the re+pon+*1*l*t2 he had faced, had left a+ha *n a h*.h6+tr/n. and
*rr*ta1le +tate. 8e wa+ +en+*t*4e to 02 cr*t*c*+0, and h/rt that I +ho/ld e4en 0ent*on
0one2 0atter+. I had hoped for re+t, har0on2, and peace after +*3 0onth+ of con+tant
lect/r*n. and the +tr/..le *n4ol4ed *n 02 to/r. In+tead I wa+ +wa0ped w*th new
care+.
I wa+ da-ed 12 the +*t/at*on and I felt 4er2 *nd*.nant w*th a+ha. "nt*rel2 a1+or1ed
*n h*+ own propa.anda, he had .*4en 0e no tho/.ht. 8e wa+ the re4ol/t*on*+t of old,
w*th the +a0e fanat*cal 1el*ef *n the Ca/+e. 8*+ +ole concern wa+ the 0o4e0ent, and I
wa+ to h*0 1/t a 0ean+ for *t. 8e wa+ noth*n. 0ore to h*0+elf than that9 how co/ld I
e3pect to 1e an2 0ore to h*0B
a+ha d*d not /nder+tand 02 re+ent0ent. 8e .rew *0pat*ent at 02 0ent*on*n.
0one2 0atter+. 8e had +pent o/r f/nd+ for the 0o4e0ent9 the latter wa+ 0ore
*0portant than 02 dra0a lect/re+, he +a*d. I +poke 1*tterl2 to h*0, tell*n. h*0 that
w*tho/t 02 dra0a lect/re+ he wo/ld ha4e had no 0ean+ to f*nance h*+ act*4*t*e+. The
cla+h 0ade /+ 1oth /nhapp2. a+ha w*thdrew *nto h*0+elf.
The onl2 one+ I co/ld t/rn to *n 02 0*+er2 were 02 dear nephew a3e and 02 old
fr*end )a3. (oth were 4er2 /nder+tand*n., 1/t ne*ther of the0 wa+ worldl2 eno/.h to
1e of 0/ch a++*+tance to 0e. I +ho/ld ha4e to face the +*t/at*on alone.
I dec*ded to .*4e /p o/r ho/+e and to declare 02+elf 1ankr/pt. )2 fr*end @*l1ert ".
1C3
#oe, to who0 I conf*ded 02 tro/1le+, la/.hed at 02 +tran.e not*on. 5(ankr/ptc2 *+
re+orted to 12 tho+e who want to .et o/t of pa2*n. de1t+,5 he +a*d9 5*t w*ll *n4ol4e 2o/
*n 2ear6lon. l*t*.at*on, and 2o/r cred*tor+ w*ll attach e4er2 penn2 2o/ 0ake to the end
of 2o/r da2+.5 8e offered to lend 0e 0one2, 1/t I co/ld not accept h*+ .enero+*t2.
Then a new *dea +tr/ck 0e. I wo/ld tell the pr*nter e3actl2 how I +tood. The frank
and open wa2 *+ alwa2+ the 1e+t, I dec*ded. )2 cred*tor+ pro4ed to 1e 4er2
acco00odat*n.. The2 lo+t no +leep o4er the 0one2 I owed the0, the2 +a*d9 I co/ld 1e
depended on to 0ake .ood. It wa+ f*nall2 arran.ed that I pa2 02 *nde1tedne++ *n
0onthl2 *n+tal0ent+. %/r 0a*l*n.6ho/+e e4en decl*ned 02 pro0*++or2 note+. 5=a2
what 2o/ can and when 2o/ can,5 the 0ana.er +a*d9 52o/r word *+ .ood eno/.h for
/+.5
I re+ol4ed to +tart fro0 the 1otto0 /p a.a*n9 to rent a +0all place 666 one roo0 for
an off*ce, the other for 02 l*4*n.6>/arter+ 666 and to accept e4er2 lect/re en.a.e0ent I
co/ld +ec/re, and pract*ce the +tr*cte+t econo02 *n order to keep /p )other "arth and
02 work. I w*red (en date+ for 02 dra0at*c co/r+e *n Ch*ca.o, and then I went o/t to
look for a new ho0e. It wa+ a d*+co/ra.*n. ta+k9 the Le3*n.ton A4en/e e3plo+*on and
the p/1l*c*t2 .*4en to a+ha:+ act*4*t*e+ were fre+h *n the p/1l*c 0*nd, and the
landlord+ were t*0*d. (/t at la+t I fo/nd a two6roo0 loft on %ne 8/ndred and
Twent26f*fth treet, and I +et to work to 0ake *t f*t for 02 /+e.
a+ha and ,*t-* ca0e to help 0e .et 02 new place *n order, 1/t o/r relat*on+ were
+tra*ned. Yet a+ha wa+ too deepl2 rooted *n 02 1e*n. to per0*t 0e to re0a*n an.r2
w*th h*0 4er2 lon.. There wa+ al+o +o0eth*n. el+e to chan.e 02 re+entf/l att*t/de.
The real*-at*on had co0e to 0e that *t wa+ not a+ha, 1/t I who wa+ at fa/lt. Not onl2
+*nce 02 ret/rn fro0 the la+t to/r, 1/t all thro/.h the e*.ht 2ear+ +*nce h*+ relea+e
fro0 pr*+on, *t wa+ I who had 1een re+pon+*1le for the 1reak+ that ca0e 1etween /+. I
had co00*tted a .reat wron. a.a*n+t h*0. In+tead of .*4*n. h*0 a chance to f*nd h*+
wa2 1ack to l*fe, after h*+ re+/rrect*on, I had 1ro/.ht h*0 *nto 02 at0o+phere, *nto an
en4*ron0ent that co/ld onl2 1e .all*n. to h*0. I had done th*+ *n the 0*+taken 1el*ef,
/+/al w*th 0other+, that the2 know 1e+t what *+ .ood for the*r ch*ldren9 fear*n. the
latter w*ll 1e cr/+hed *n the world o/t+*de, the2 de+peratel2 tr2 to +h*eld the0 fro0 the
e3per*ence+ +o e++ent*al to the*r .rowth. I had co00*tted the +a0e 0*+take *n re.ard
to a+ha. Not onl2 had I not /r.ed h*0 to la/nch o/t for h*0+elf, 1/t I had tre01led at
e4er2 +tep he 0ade, 1eca/+e I co/ld not +ee h*0 e3po+ed to new +/ffer*n. and
hard+h*p+. Yet I had +a4ed h*0 fro0 noth*n.9 I had onl2 awakened h*+ re+ent0ent.
=erhap+ he wa+ not e4en aware of *t, 2et *t wa+ alwa2+ there, 1reak*n. o/t *n one for0
or another. a+ha had alwa2+ wanted h*+ own work and h*+ own place. I had offered
h*0 e4er2th*n. one h/0an 1e*n. can .*4e to another, 1/t I had not helped h*0 to
what he wanted and needed 0o+t. There wa+ no 1l*nk*n. the hard fact. (/t now that
a+ha had fo/nd a wo0an who co/ld .*4e h*0 1oth lo4e and /nder+tand*n., *t wa+
02 opport/n*t2 to repa*r the wron. I had done h*0.
I wo/ld ena1le the0 to .o on a cro++6co/ntr2 to/r, I dec*ded. %nce a+ha reached
Cal*forn*a, he co/ld carr2 o/t h*+ drea0 of a paper of h*+ own.
,*t-* and a+ha ea.erl2 re+ponded to 02 +/..e+t*on for a to/r. I arran.ed w*th 02
2o/n. fr*end Anna (aron, who /+ed to do part6t*0e t2p*n. for /+, to take care of the
1/+*ne++ +*de of the )other "arth off*ce. )a3 and a3e were to look after the ed*tor*al
1C4
work of the 0a.a-*ne. There were al+o 8*ppol2te and other fr*end+ to help. a+ha felt
re7/4enated, and there wa+ no f/rther fr*ct*on 1etween /+.
%ne da2 02 fr*end (olton 8all called on 0e. I had worked hard and he no do/1t
not*ced 02 e3ha/+ted cond*t*on. 5!h2 not .o o/t to the l*ttle far0 *n %++*n*n.B5 he
+/..e+ted. 5Not for world+,5 I repl*ed, 5a+ lon. a+ 02 pe+t *+ there.5 5!hat pe+tB5 he
>/er*ed *n wonder. 5!h2, )*ck2, who0 for 2ear+ I ha4e tr*ed 4a*nl2 to e+cape.5 5Yo/
0ean 8er0an )*kha*lo4*tch, the t*0*d6look*n. fellow who /+ed to help *n the )other
"arth off*ce and the ,errer CenterB5 5The 4er2 one,5 I told h*09 5h*+ apparent t*0*d*t2
ha+ 1een 02 c/r+e for a lon. t*0e.5 $ear (olton looked h*+ 1lank +/rpr*+e. 5Tell 0e
a1o/t *t,5 he /r.ed.
I related the +tor2 to (olton. 8er0an had 1een a reader of )other "arth for a lon.
t*0e, had fa*thf/ll2 pa*d h*+ +/1+cr*pt*on, and often ordered l*terat/re. 8e l*4ed *n
(rookl2n, 1/t none of /+ had e4er 0et h*0. Then one da2 I rece*4ed a letter fro0
%0aha a+k*n. per0*++*on to arran.e 02 0eet*n.+ there. It wa+ fro0 8er0an. @lad
that +o0eone *n that c*t2 had offered to a++*+t, I w*red h*0 to .o ahead. %n 02 arr*4al
there I fo/nd o/r /nknown co0rade *n ra.+ and look*n. +tar4ed. (en helped h*0 and
we al+o proc/red h*+ relea+e when he wa+ locked /p for d*+tr*1/t*n. o/r hand1*ll+
anno/nc*n. 02 0eet*n.+. (efore I left the c*t2 I ena1led h*0 to 7o*n the pa*nter+:
/n*on and +ec/re a 7o1. In )*nneapol*+ three da2+ later we were /ne3pectedl2 faced
12 8er0an. 8e wanted to or.an*-e 02 0eet*n.+ alon. the ro/te, he declared. I
a++/red h*0 that I apprec*ated h*+ offer, 1/t that I alread2 had one 0ana.er9 two
wo/ld 1e too 0/ch to end/re. 8er0an +a*d noth*n. 0ore, 1/t when we reached the
ne3t town, he wa+ there, and a.a*n *n the ne3t and *n the ne3t. There wa+ no +hak*n.
h*0 off9 he wa+ e*ther ahead of /+ or at o/r rear. The proceed+ fro0 02 lect/re+ were
not +/ff*c*ent to pa2 h*+ ra*lroad fare, and I feared le+t 8er0an 0eet +o0e acc*dent
wh*le +teal*n. r*de+. 8e 1eca0e an add*t*onal worr2 and 1/rden. In eattle I co/ld not
+tand *t an2 0ore. 8e wo/ld f*nd a 7o1, he +a*d, *f I wo/ld +ec/re h*0 for a few
week+. I d*d, and he +ole0nl2 pro0*+ed to re0a*n *n eattle. !hen we ca0e to
pokane, who +ho/ld 0eet /+ 1/t 8er0an )*kha*lo4*tchB 8e d*d not l*ke the !e+t,
he declared, and had dec*ded to ret/rn to New York. ,or the re+t of o/r to/r 8er0an
+t/ck l*ke .l/e. 8e wa+ a .ood worker, read2 to do an2th*n. to help 02 0eet*n.+9 and
he wa+ +hrewd eno/.h to 0ake h*0+elf *nd*+pen+a1le to (en. I .a4e a +*.h of rel*ef
when we f*nall2 arr*4ed *n New York.
Noth*n. wa+ heard fro0 8er0an for +o0e t*0e. Then he +howed /p a.a*n, all *n
ra.+. 8e wa+ work*n. *n a la/ndr2, he told 0e, e*.hteen ho/r+ a da2 for f*4e dollar+ a
week. In the 0*d+t of h*+ +tor2 he fell to the floor *n a fa*nt. A h/rr*ed a.ree0ent w*th
a+ha and 8*ppol2te, to the effect that 8er0an co/ld earn h*+ keep 12 a++*+t*n. *n the
off*ce, +a4ed h*0 fro0 ret/rn*n. to the la/ndr2, and *nc*dentall2 al+o fro0 f/rther
fa*nt*n. +pell+. 8e wa+ an *ntell*.ent chap, 1/t fa0e affect+ +o0e people wor+e than
l*>/or. To/r*n. w*th /+, .ett*n. arre+ted, and +ee*n. h*+ na0e *n the paper+ had t/rned
8er0an:+ head. 8*+ cond*t*on 1eca0e wor+e after (en p/t h*0 /p a+ one of h*+ +tar+
at a ho1o 0eet*n.. 8er0an +hared hono/r+ w*th Ch/ck Connor, the Ch*natown
cele1r*t2, adak*ch* 8art0ann, of we*rd dance fa0e, 8/tch*n+ 8ap.ood, w*del2
known for h*+ 1ook+ on the /nderworld, Arth/r (/llard, *ntellect/al (ohe0*an and
.lo1e6trotter, (en #e*t0an, p+e/do6k*n. of 8o1oland, and other+ of the o4er6 and
/nderworld 0*l*e/.
1CF
8er0an, now chr*+tened )*ck2, del*4ered h*0+elf of an orat*on on that occa+*on,
+peak*n. w*th /nchallen.ed a/thor*t2 on tra0p*n. a+ a +/per*or art. 5"4er2where 2o/
are forced to +ell 2o/r la1o/r,5 he declared, 51/t on the open road 2o/ are free fro0
work. I ha4e pled.ed 02+elf to 1e the 0a+ter of 02 +o/l. #ather than work for a 1o++,
I w*ll let other+ work for 0e /nle++ I can choo+e 02 occ/pat*on.5 8e wa+ ha*led a+ a
hero and accepted 12 the fratern*t2 a+ one of the*r own.
The ne3t da2 the paper+ had wr*te6/p+ a1o/t )*ck2, 5the Ir*+h ;ew who had taken a
pled.e ne4er to work.5 )*ck2 walked on a*r, h*+ head held h*.h, h*+ che+t e3panded,
and look*n. the world conte0pt/o/+l2 *n the face. In o/r off*ce he w*+el2 refra*ned
fro0 fla/nt*n. h*+ fa0e 666 /nt*l (en and I went on to/r. Then he declared that he had
h*+ own l*fe to l*4e and .reat th*n.+ to perfor0. The 1o2+ pro0ptl2 told h*0 the2
co/ld not +/r4*4e +/ch *0portance *n the +a0e ho/+e.
In %0aha I wa+ faced 12 )*ck2 a.a*n. 8e wo/ld not 1e an e3pen+e, he a++/red 0e9
he onl2 wanted to 1e connected w*th 02 work. I co/ld not den2 h*0 that. )*ck2
cont*n/ed a+ 02 +hadow, e4er on 02 heel+, fro0 town to town. I ad0*tted h*+
per+e4erance, tho/.h he .ot on 02 ner4e+ fearf/ll2. 8*+ pre+ence 1eca0e all6
per4ad*n.. Then he 1e.an to .o++*p a1o/t 02 New York fr*end+ and part*c/larl2
a1o/t (en, who had 1een e+pec*all2 pat*ent w*th h*0. That 1roke the ca0el:+ 1ack,
and )*ck2 fled fro0 02 +*.ht.
!hen we were 1ack *n New York, (en 1ro/.ht the cheerf/l new+ that )*ck2 had
landed *n the c*t2 that 4er2 da2, half6+tar4ed and fro-en fro0 a lon. tra0p. 5#*. h*0
o/t, .*4e h*0 0one2, +helter, and food,5 I +a*d, 5onl2 don:t 1r*n. h*0 here9 h*+
attent*on+ are ent*rel2 too 0/ch for 0e.5 (en d*d a+ I a+ked, 1/t he ne4er +topped
talk*n. of poor )*ck2:+ pl*.ht, and on Chr*+t0a+ "4e he 1ro/.ht h*0 to 0e a+ a .*ft.
A +now6+tor0 wa+ ra.*n., and we had a +pare roo0. 8ow co/ld I +end the poor
creat/re awa2B
No +ooner d*d )*ck2 feel +ec/re than he a.a*n 1e.an to de0on+trate h*+
+/per*or*t2, cr*t*c*-*n., repr*0and*n., and +tra*n*n. e4er21od2:+ pat*ence to the
1reak*n.6po*nt. In ra.e one da2 he ra*+ed a cane a.a*n+t a3e, who had .rown t*red of
l*+ten*n. to h*+ 1ra..*n.. )2 pre+ence +a4ed )*ck2 fro0 the +o/nd thra+h*n. he
de+er4ed. I told h*0 cate.or*call2 that he wo/ld ha4e to f*nd another place. !hen we
ret/rned fro0 a 0eet*n. that n*.ht, we fo/nd o/r f/rnace +a1ota.ed and )*ck2 locked
*n h*+ roo0. 8e wa+ on a h/n.er +tr*ke, h*+ note on 02 de+k *nfor0ed 0e, and he
wo/ld keep *t /p /nt*l I wo/ld con+ent to h*+ re0a*n*n. *n the ho/+e. The 1o2+ offered
to throw h*0 1od*l2 *nto the +treet, 1/t I ref/+ed to let the0 do +o, hop*n. )*ck2
wo/ld chan.e h*+ 0*nd. ,o/r da2+ pa++ed, and he wa+ +t*ll locked *n. I took a pa*l of
water and re+ol/tel2 cl*01ed /p to h*+ roo0. 8e opened a+ +oon a+ he heard 02 4o*ce.
I told h*0 that *f he wo/ld not .et /p w*th*n f*4e 0*n/te+, I wo/ld .*4e h*0 a cold
+hower61ath. 8e 1e.an to weep and to char.e 0e w*th 1e*n. cr/el. 8e lo4ed 0e 0ore
than an2one el+e, he declared9 he wa+ 02 tr/e fr*end, 1/t now he 0/+t d*e, +*nce I
wo/ld not re>/*te h*+ affect*on. 8e wo/ld d*e r*.ht there, and I 0/+t help h*0 do +o.
The 1o2+ had +/..e+ted that )*ck2:+ prank+ were d/e to 7ealo/+2, and I had la/.hed
at the +*ll2 not*on. At la+t poor )*ck2:+ +ecret wa+ o/t? (/t I re0a*ned +tern. 5A n*ce
k*nd of lo4e *+ 2o/r+, to want to 1/rden 0e w*th 2o/r death,5 I +a*d9 5don:t 2o/ th*nk
there are worth*er ca/+e+ to .o to the electr*c cha*r forB5 I told h*0 to .et /p, take a
1ath, p/t on clean clothe+, and ha4e +o0e food9 later on we wo/ld dec*de on the 1e+t
1CG
wa2 for h*0 to co00*t +/*c*de. 8e a+ked per0*++*on to .o o/t on the far0 and I
.ladl2 con+ented. (/t, once there, he 1e.an pe+ter*n. 0e w*th letter+, two and three of
the0 e4er2 da2, co0pla*n*n. of cold and h/n.er and threaten*n. +/*c*de a.a*n.
5No do/1t )*ck2 know+ 2o/ ha4e a +*ck con+c*ence,5 (olton tea+ed 0e9 5and,
1e+*de+, con+*der h*+ /nre>/*ted lo4e,5 he added w*th a 0err2 tw*nkle *n h*+ e2e. 5(/t
I:ll .et h*0 off the far0 all r*.ht, and I pro0*+e not to lea4e h*0 de+t*t/te.5 (olton
wrote )*ck2 that he had 1een *nfor0ed of h*+ *llne++ and po4ert2, and that there/pon
he had not*f*ed the a/thor*t*e+ of the poorho/+e: an off*cer wo/ld call for h*0 *n a few
da2+. (2 ret/rn 0a*l (olton rece*4ed a repl2 fro0 )*ck2 to the effect that he wa+ no
pa/per, and that he had +a4ed eno/.h 0one2 to take h*0 to the Coa+t. )*ck2 left.
5Cle4er 0an, th*+ )*ck2,5 (olton co00ented, 51/t I d*dn:t know 2o/ co/ld 1e +o
ea+*l2 *0po+ed on.5
The l*ttle place at %++*n*n. wa+ at la+t free fro0 the pe+t, and I lon.ed for a 0/ch6
needed re+t. (/t *n the conf/+*on I had >/*te for.otten that 2o/n. $onald, the +on of
02 dear fr*end @ert*e Ao+e, wa+ l*4*n. *n the ho/+e that I wa+ .*4*n. /p. a+ha had
wr*tten 0e when I wa+ *n the !e+t that the 1o2 had co0e to h*0 w*th a letter fro0 h*+
0other, and that he had taken h*0 *n. @ert*e Ao+e wa+ an old re1el who0 I had 0et *n
1<9H, 1/t I had not +een her +on *n e*.hteen 2ear+. !hen I 0et h*0 a.a*n *n o/r ho/+e
he prod/ced on 0e a 4er2 d*+a.reea1le effect, wh*ch wa+ pro1a1l2 d/e to h*+ h*.h6
p*tched 4o*ce or to h*+ +h*ft*n. look, wh*ch +ee0ed to a4o*d 02 e2e+. (/t he wa+
@ert*e:+ +on, alone and o/t of work. 8e +ee0ed /nderno/r*+hed and he wa+
wretchedl2 dre++ed. I propo+ed that he .o o/t for a re+t to o/r l*ttle place *n %++*n*n..
8e told 0e that he had *ntended to ret/rn ho0e after the Tarr2town ca0pa*.n, 1/t he
wa+ wa*t*n. for h*+ 0other to +end h*0 the fare. 8e +ee0ed apprec*at*4e of 02 offer,
and the ne3t da2 he left for the far0.
In 02 new >/arter+ I took /p 02 act*4*t*e+ a.a*n. #ead7/+t0ent to the altered
cond*t*on+ *n4ol4ed 0an2 hard+h*p+, 1/t the2 were 0ade 0ore 1eara1le 12 the
pre+ence of 02 .ood fr*end tewart Kerr, who had a roo0 a1o4e 02 l*ttle off*ce. 8e
had for0erl2 +hared w*th /+ o/r apart0ent at C10 "a+t Th*rteenth treet9 of a
con+*derate and non6*n4a+*4e nat/re, tewart wa+ to/ch*n.l2 tho/.htf/l of 02 welfare
and 4er2 helpf/l *n n/0ero/+ wa2+. It wa+ co0fort*n. to ha4e h*0 a+ 02 ne*.h1o/r,
the two of /+ 1e*n. the onl2 tenant+ l*4*n. *n the l*ttle ho/+e.
I wa+ 1/+2 prepar*n. the new dra0a co/r+e I had pro0*+ed to del*4er *n Ch*ca.o
and a +er*e+ of lect/re+ on the war. Three 0onth+ had pa++ed +*nce *t+ o/t1reak *n
"/rope. %/t+*de of )other "arth and o/r ant*60*l*tar*+t ca0pa*.n *n New York I had
not 1een a1le to ra*+e 02 4o*ce *n the !e+t a.a*n+t the +la/.hter, e3cept on one
occa+*on, *n (/tte, when I had +poken fro0 an a/to0o1*le to a lar.e crowd and
deno/nced the cr*0*nal +t/p*d*t2 of war. I felt that 1/t for the +oc*al*+t 1etra2al of
the*r *deal+, the .reat cata+trophe wo/ld ha4e 1een *0po++*1le. In @er0an2 the part2
co/nted twel4e 0*ll*on adherent+. !hat a power to pre4ent the declarat*on of
ho+t*l*t*e+? (/t for a >/arter of a cent/r2 the )ar3*+t+ had tra*ned the worker+ *n
o1ed*ence and patr*ot*+0, tra*ned the0 to rel2 on parl*a0entar2 act*4*t2 and,
part*c/larl2, to tr/+t the*r +oc*al*+t leader+ 1l*ndl2. And how 0o+t of tho+e leader+ had
7o*ned hand+ w*th the Ka*+er? In+tead of 0ak*n. co00on ca/+e w*th the *nternat*onal
proletar*at, the2 had called /pon the @er0an worker+ to r*+e to the defence of 5the*r5
fatherland, the fatherland of the d*+*nher*ted and de.raded. In+tead of declar*n. the
1CH
.eneral +tr*ke and th/+ paral2+*n. war preparat*on+, the2 had 4oted the @o4ern0ent
0one2 for +la/.hter. The +oc*al*+t+ of the other co/ntr*e+, w*th certa*n nota1le
e3cept*on+, had followed the*r e3a0ple. No wonder, for the @er0an +oc*al de0ocrac2
had for decade+ 1een the pr*de and *n+p*rat*on of the +oc*al*+t+ thro/.ho/t the world.
)2 dra0a co/r+e /nder the a/+p*ce+ of 02 two wealth2 patron+ pro4ed to 1e a
0o+t d*+a.reea1le e3per*ence. )r. L., the ad4ert*+*n. .en*/+, had taken *t /pon
h*0+elf to 5ed*t5 the anno/nce0ent+ I had +ent. Indeed, he had chan.ed the*r ent*re
character, handl*n. the +/17ect+ of 02 lect/re+ a+ *f the2 had 1een chew*n.6./0 ad+.
Then happened +o0eth*n. to +hock the tender +en+*1*l*t*e+ of 02 patron+. )2 f*r+t
dra0a talk fell on No4e01er 10, a da2 of 0o0ento/+ *0portance to 0e. It had 1een
the la+t da2 on earth of 02 co0rade+ 0art2red *n Ch*ca.o twent26+e4en 2ear+ 1efore.
I *ntrod/ced 02 lect/re 12 contra+t*n. the chan.e+ *n the p/1l*c att*t/de toward+
anarch*+0 1etween 1<<H and 1914. The 4*+*on of o/r prec*o/+ dead wa+ 1efore 0e,
1ear*n. w*tne++ to the la+t prophec2 of A/./+t p*e+: 5%/r +*lence w*ll 1e 0ore
powerf/l than the 4o*ce+ 2o/ +tran.le toda2.5 In 1<<H Ch*ca.o:+ +ole an+wer to
anarch*+0 wa+ the .allow+9 *n 1914 *t wa+ ea.erl2 l*+ten*n. to the *dea+ for wh*ch
=ar+on+ and h*+ co0rade+ had d*ed. $/r*n. 02 1r*ef *ntrod/ct*on I +aw one of 02
1acker+ and h*+ fa0*l2, *n the f*r+t row, /nco0forta1l2 f*d.et*n. *n the*r +eat+9 +o0e
people *n the rear o+tentat*o/+l2 left the hall. &nconcernedl2 I went on w*th the
+/17ect of the e4en*n., 5The A0er*can $ra0a.5
/1+e>/entl2 02 1acker+ *nfor0ed (en that I had 50*++ed the opport/n*t2 of a
l*fet*0e.5 The2 had *nd/ced the 5wealth and *nfl/ence of Ch*ca.o5 to attend 02
lect/re+, 5the r*ch #o+enwald+ a0on. the0.5 The2 wo/ld ha4e helped to +ec/re 02
dra0a work for the re+t of 02 l*fe, and then 5"00a @old0an had to +po*l *n ten
0*n/te+ all that we had worked week+ to ach*e4e.5
I felt a+ *f I had 1een p/t /p on the 1lock for +ale. The *nc*dent had a 0o+t
depre++*n. effect on 0e. Tr2 a+ I wo/ld, I co/ld not .et 02 /+/al *nten+*t2 *nto 02
f/rther dra0a talk+. It wa+ d*fferent when I d*+c/++ed the war. In 02 own hall, /nder
no o1l*.at*on+ to an2one, I co/ld freel2 e3pre++ 02 a1horrence of +la/.hter and
frankl2 d*+c/++ whate4er pha+e of the +oc*al >/e+t*on I took /p. At the clo+e of 02
dra0a co/r+e we re*01/r+ed 02 5patron+5 for the*r o/tla2. I d*d not re.ret the
e3per*ence9 *t ta/.ht 0e that patrona.e *+ paral2+*n. to one:+ *nte.r*t2 and
*ndependence.
)2 +ta2 *n Ch*ca.o wa+ lent char0 12 02 two 2o/n. fr*end+ )ar.aret and
$ean+*e. (oth con+ecrated the0+el4e+ to 0e and t/rned the off*ce of the L*ttle
#e4*ew o4er to 02 need+. The .*rl+ were a+ poor a+ ch/rch 0*ce, ne4er +/re of the*r
ne3t 0eal, 0/ch le++ a1le to pa2 the pr*nter or the landlord. Yet there were alwa2+
fre+h flower+ on the de+k to cheer 0e. *nce the /nfor.etta1le da2+ I had +pent w*th
)ar.aret *n the +pr*n. when we had 1oth en7o2ed the ho+p*tal*t2 of )r. and )r+. #oe
at the*r ho0e *n =elha0 )anor, +o0eth*n. 4er2 new and prec*o/+ had .rown /p
1etween /+. Three week+ of al0o+t da*l2 a++oc*at*on w*th her, her f*ne /nder+tand*n.
and *nt/*t*on, had *ncrea+ed o/r 0/t/al affect*on.
Ch*ca.o had char0, 1/t I co/ld not l*n.er. %ther 4o*ce+ were call*n., call*n. 0e to
take /p the +tr/..le a.a*n. I +t*ll had a n/01er of c*t*e+ to co4er. a+ha and ,*t-* had
1C<
left on the*r lect/re to/r, and I wa+ /r.entl2 needed at ho0e.
Chapter 4C
8"L"NA AN$ %&# Y%&N@ ,%LK IN #%C8"T"# AL!AY (#%&@8T 0e
1ack to that c*t2 e4en when I d*d not ha4e to lect/re there. Th*+ 2ear there were
add*t*onal rea+on+ for 4*+*t*n. 02 ho0e town: an opport/n*t2 to +peak on the war, and
the .reat fa0*l2 e4ent of $a4*d 8och+te*n:+ f*r+t concert w*th the local +20phon2
orche+tra.
The A*ctor*a Theatre had 1een +ec/red for 02 lect/re 12 an anarch*+t work0an
known a+ $a+h/ta. An *deal*+t of the 1e+t t2pe, he had pa*d o/t of h*+ 0ea.re +a4*n.+
the ent*re e3pen+e of the 0eet*n. and he had /+ed all h*+ le*+/re to 0ake the lect/re
w*del2 known. 8*+ help 0eant *nf*n*tel2 0ore to 0e than the 5+ec/r*t2 for l*fe5
offered 12 the Ch*ca.o r*ch.
%n 02 arr*4al *n #oche+ter I fo/nd 02 people *n an3*o/+ +/+pen+e o4er $a4*d:+
forthco0*n. concert. !ell I knew how 02 +*+ter 8elena 2earned for the drea0+ and
a+p*rat*on+ of her own fr/+trated l*fe to 1e real*-ed *n her 2o/n.e+t +on. At the f*r+t
+*.n+ of h*+ talent 02 t*0*d +*+ter had de4eloped deter0*nat*on and +tren.th to def2
e4er2 d*ff*c/lt2 that 1e+et the 1elo4ed ch*ld:+ art*+t*c career. he dr/d.ed and +a4ed to
ena1le her ch*ldren, part*c/larl2 $a4*d, to ha4e the opport/n*t*e+ +he her+elf had 1een
depr*4ed of *n l*fe, and +he wa+ con+/0ed 12 a .reat lon.*n. to .*4e her+elf to the
/tter0o+t. %n 02 4*+*t+ +he wo/ld +o0et*0e+ po/r o/t her heart to 0e, ne4er
co0pla*n*n., 1/t onl2 re.rett*n. that +he wa+ a1le to do 5+o l*ttle5 for her dear one+.
Now the crown*n. 0o0ent of her +tr/..le had arr*4ed. $a4*d had ret/rned fro0
"/rope the f*n*+hed art*+t +he had +la4ed to help h*0 1eco0e. 8er heart tre01led for
h*+ tr*/0ph. The cold cr*t*c+, the /napprec*at*4e a/d*ence 666 what wo/ld her darl*n.:+
pla2*n. 0ean to the0B !o/ld the2 /nder+tand h*+ .en*/+B he ref/+ed +eat+ *n a 1o3.
5It 0*.ht d*+t/r1 h*0 to +ee 0e,5 +he +a*d. he wo/ld feel 0ore co0forta1le w*th
;aco1 *n the .aller2.
I had heard $a4*d *n New York and I knew how h*+ pla2*n. had *0pre++ed
e4er2one. 8e wa+ tr/l2 an art*+t. 8and+o0e and of .ood appearance, he 0ade a
+tr*k*n. f*./re on the platfor0. I felt no an3*et2 a1o/t h*+ #oche+ter en.a.e0ent. )2
+*+ter:+ e3c*te0ent, howe4er, had co00/n*cated *t+elf to 0e, and all d/r*n. the
concert 02 tho/.ht+ were w*th her who+e f*erce lo4e and hope were now 1e*n.
f/lf*lled. $a4*d:+ 4*ol*n char0ed the a/d*ence and he wa+ accla*0ed w*th an
enth/+*a+0 +eldo0 accorded a 2o/n. art*+t *n h*+ nat*4e town.
Arr*4*n. *n New York, I wa+ approached 12 the New+paper "nterpr*+e A++oc*at*on,
controlled 12 the cr*pp+68oward new+paper+, for an e++a2 on how the A0er*can
people co/ld help e+ta1l*+h peace on earth and .ood w*ll toward+ 0en. The +/17ect, *f
treated ade>/atel2, wo/ld ha4e re>/*red a 4ol/0e, 1/t I wa+ a+ked to 5keep *t down5
to a tho/+and word+. The opport/n*t2 to reach a lar.e a/d*ence, howe4er, wa+ too
4al/a1le to 0*++. In 02 art*cle I po*nted o/t that the f*r+t +tep to .ood w*ll de0and+ a
re4er+al of Chr*+t:+ co00and to 5render /nto Cae+ar the th*n.+ wh*ch are Cae+ar:+ and
1C9
/nto @od the th*n.+ that are @od:+.5 Cea+*n. to pa2 tr*1/te to de+pot+ *n hea4en and
on earth, I wrote, wo/ld tend toward+ peace a0on. 0en.
%n 02 ret/rn fro0 a +hort to/r I wa+ +/rpr*+ed to f*nd $onald Ao+e +t*ll *n New
York. 8e looked 0ore +ha112 than I had +een h*0 la+t, and tho/.h *t wa+ cold
$ece01er, he wa+ w*tho/t an o4ercoat. "4er2 da2 he ca0e to o/r off*ce and re0a*ned
for ho/r+ 5to war0 /p,5 a+ he +a*d. 5!hat a1o/t the 0one2 2o/ e3pectedB5 I a+ked
h*09 5d*d *t e4er co0eB5 8e had rece*4ed *t, he told 0e, 1/t he had 1een pro0*+ed a
.ood 7o1 *n New York and he had dec*ded to +ta2 on. Noth*n. had co0e of *t,
howe4er, and now h*+ fare wa+ /+ed /p and he had to wr*te ho0e for 0ore. It +o/nded
pla/+*1le 2et +o0ehow I wa+ not *0pre++ed. 8*+ con+tant pre+ence wa+ .ett*n. on 02
ner4e+.
oon report+ 1e.an to dr*ft *n that $onald wa+ +pend*n. 0one2 on dr*nk and that he
wa+ n*.htl2 treat*n. h*+ co0pan*on+. I tho/.ht at f*r+t that *t wa+ 0ere .o++*p9 the 1o2
apparentl2 co/ld not afford an o4ercoat9 where wo/ld he .et 0one2 for dr*nkB (/t the
report+ 1eca0e 0ore fre>/ent, and I .ot +/+p*c*o/+. I knew h*+ 0other @ert*e to 1e
too poor to +/pport her +on, a+ were al+o 0o+t of her fr*end+. !r*t*n. her wo/ld onl2
0ake her /nea+2, and I therefore co00/n*cated w*th +o0e of o/r fr*end+ *n the !e+t.
The2 *n4e+t*.ated the 0atter *n eattle, Taco0a, and the 8o0e Colon2, where @ert*e
l*4ed. No 0one2 wa+ 1e*n. +/ppl*ed to $onald fro0 an2 of tho+e place+. )2
apprehen+*on+ *ncrea+ed. hortl2 afterward+ $onald ca0e to tell 0e that h*+ fare had
arr*4ed at la+t and that he wa+ ret/rn*n. !e+t. I wa+ rel*e4ed and I felt al+o a l*ttle
a+ha0ed of 02 d*+tr/+t.
A week after $onald:+ depart/re we read a1o/t the arre+t of )atthew A. ch0*dt *n
New York and of $a4*d Caplan on =/.et o/nd. !e knew that the two 0en were
5wanted5 *n conne3*on w*th the Lo+ An.ele+ T*0e+ e3plo+*on. The 5.entle0en:+
a.ree0ent5 0ade 12 the tate of Cal*forn*a to refra*n fro0 f/rther pro+ec/t*on of
la1o/r 0en after the )cNa0ara confe++*on wa+ 1roken a.a*n. $onald Ao+e ca0e to
02 0*nd, and 02 old +/+p*c*on+ were re4*4ed. Aar*o/+ c*rc/0+tance+ po*nted to h*+
conne3*on w*th the arre+t of the 0en. It +ee0ed prepo+tero/+ to th*nk a ch*ld of @ert*e
Ao+e capa1le of treacher2, 2et I co/ld not free 02+elf fro0 the tho/.ht that $onald
wa+ +o0ehow re+pon+*1le for the arre+t+.
oon no roo0 wa+ left for do/1t. =roof+ +ent to /+ 12 dependa1le fr*end+ on the
Coa+t d*+clo+ed that $onald Ao+e wa+ *n the pa2 of $etect*4e !*ll*a0 ;. (/rn+ and
that he had 1etra2ed )atthew A. ch0*dt and $a4*d Caplan. The +on of o/r old
co0rade @ert*e, ra*+ed *n anarch*+t c*rcle+ and a ./e+t *n o/r ho/+e, t/rned ;/da+? It
wa+ a +ta..er*n. 1low, one of the wor+t I had rece*4ed *n 02 twent26f*4e 2ear+ of
p/1l*c l*fe.
The f*r+t +tep I dec*ded /pon wa+ a frank a4owal *n )other "arth of the fact+ *n the
ca+e and an e3planat*on of how $onald Ao+e had happened to l*4e *n o/r ho/+e. (/t *t
wo/ld cr/+h 02 dear fr*end @ert*e to learn that her own ch*ld wa+ a +p2? @ert*e had
1een +o happ2 that her +on wa+ now 5*n the r*.ht at0o+phere,5 and that he wo/ld take
/p the work for wh*ch +he had +pent her l*fe. I wondered how the clear6th*nk*n. and
o1+er4ant wo0an co/ld ha4e re0a*ned +o 1l*nd to the tr/e nat/re of her +on. he
ne4er wo/ld ha4e +ent h*0 to o/r ho/+e *f +he had had the +l*.hte+t *nkl*n. of h*+ tr/e
nat/re. I he+*tated to d*+clo+e the tr/th a1o/t $onald. Yet +ooner or later @ert*e wo/ld
130
ha4e to face the fact9 0oreo4er, there wa+ +o 0/ch *n4ol4ed *n $onald:+ relat*on to /+
and to o/r work that I co/ld not keep the 0atter /nder co4er. %/r people 0/+t 1e
warned a.a*n+t h*0, I f*nall2 dec*ded.
I wrote an art*cle for o/r 0a.a-*ne .*4*n. the whole h*+tor2 of the ca+e. (/t 1efore
*t wa+ +et /p, I rece*4ed the re>/e+t fro0 tho+e connected w*th the defence of ch0*dt
and Caplan to dela2 p/1l*+h*n. an2th*n. a1o/t $onald 1eca/+e he wa+ e3pected to
te+t*f2 at the tr*al. I had alwa2+ hated +/1terf/.e, 1/t I co/ld not *.nore the w*+he+ of
the people *n char.e of the defence of Caplan and ch0*dt.
The tenth ann*4er+ar2 of )other "arth wa+ approach*n.. It +ee0ed noth*n. +hort of
a 0*racle for o/r 0a.a-*ne to ha4e +/r4*4ed a whole decade. It had faced the
conde0nat*on of ene0*e+ and the /nfr*endl2 cr*t*c*+0 of well6w*+her+ and had had a
hard +tr/..le to keep al*4e. "4en 0o+t of tho+e who had helped at *t+ 1*rth had
e3pre++ed 0*+.*4*n.+ a1o/t *t+ cont*n/ed e3*+tence. The*r fear+ were not .ro/ndle++,
*n 4*ew of the reckle++ fo/nd*n. of the 0a.a-*ne. (l*++f/l *.norance of the p/1l*+h*n.
1/+*ne++, co01*ned w*th the r*d*c/lo/+ ne+t6e.. of two h/ndred and f*ft2 dollar+, how
co/ld an2one hope to +/cceed w*th +/ch a +tartB (/t 02 fr*end+ had o4erlooked the
0o+t *0portant factor+ *n the her*ta.e of )other "arth, a Y*dd*+h per+e4erance and a
1o/ndle++ enth/+*a+0. The+e had pro4ed to 1e +tron.er than .*lt6ed.ed +ec/r*t*e+,
lar.e *nco0e, or e4en pop/lar +/pport. ,ro0 the 4er2 1e.*nn*n. I had o/tl*ned for *t a
twofold p/rpo+e: to 4o*ce w*tho/t fear e4er2 /npop/lar pro.re++*4e ca/+e, and to a*0
for /n*t2 1etween re4ol/t*onar2 effort and art*+t*c e3pre++*on. To ach*e4e the+e end+ I
had to keep )other "arth /ntra00elled 12 part2 pol*c*e+, e4en 12 anarch*+t pol*c*e+,
free fro0 +ectar*an fa4o/r*t*+0 and fro0 e4er2 o/t+*de *nfl/ence, howe4er well6
*ntent*oned. ,or th*+ I wa+ char.ed e4en 12 +o0e of 02 co0rade+ w*th /+*n. the
0a.a-*ne for 02 per+onal end+, and 12 +oc*al*+t+ w*th 1e*n. *n the e0plo2 of
cap*tal*+0 and of the Cathol*c Ch/rch.
It+ +/r4*4al wa+ d/e *n no l*ttle 0ea+/re to the de4ot*on of a +0all 1and of
co0rade+ and fr*end+ who helped to real*-e 02 drea0 of an *ndependent rad*cal
+poke+0an *n the &n*ted tate+. The tr*1/te+ pa*d at the tenth ann*4er+ar2 12 reader+
*n A0er*ca and a1road te+t*f*ed to the n*che *n people:+ heart+ 02 ch*ld had 0ade for
*t+elf. o0e of the pra*+e wa+ e+pec*all2 to/ch*n. 1eca/+e *t ca0e fro0 per+on+ w*th
who0 I had 1een co0pelled to cla+h +word+ o4er the war.
After 02 ret/rn fro0 the Neo6)alth/+*an Conference, held *n =ar*+ *n 1900, I had
added to 02 lect/re +er*e+ the +/17ect of 1*rth6control. I d*d not d*+c/++ 0ethod+,
1eca/+e the >/e+t*on of l*0*t*n. off+pr*n. repre+ented *n 02 e+t*0at*on onl2 one
a+pect of the +oc*al +tr/..le and I d*d not care to r*+k arre+t for *t. )oreo4er. I wa+ +o
cont*n/all2 on the 1r*nk of pr*+on 1eca/+e of 02 .eneral act*4*t*e+ that *t +ee0ed
/n7/+t*f*a1le to co/rt e3tra tro/1le. Infor0at*on on 0ethod+ I .a4e onl2 when
pr*4atel2 re>/e+ted for *t. )ar.aret an.er:+ d*ff*c/lt*e+ w*th the po+tal a/thor*t*e+
o4er her p/1l*cat*on of The !o0an #e1el, and the arre+t of !*ll*a0 an.er for
.*4*n. h*+ w*fe:+ pa0phlet on 0ethod+ of 1*rth6control to a Co0+tock a.ent, 0ade 0e
aware that the t*0e had co0e when I 0/+t e*ther +top lect/r*n. on the +/17ect or do *t
pract*cal 7/+t*ce. I felt that I 0/+t +hare w*th the0 the con+e>/ence+ of the 1*rth6
control *++/e.
Ne*ther 02 1*rth6control d*+c/++*on nor )ar.aret an.er:+ effort+ were p*oneer
131
work. The tra*l wa+ 1la-ed *n the &n*ted tate+ 12 the .rand old f*.hter )o+e+
8ar0an, h*+ da/.hter L*ll*an, "-ra 8e2wood, $r. ,oote and h*+ +on, ". C. !alker,
and the*r colla1orator+ of a pre4*o/+ .enerat*on. Ida Craddock, one of the 1ra4e+t
cha0p*on+ of wo0en:+ e0anc*pat*on, had pa*d the +/pre0e pr*ce. 8o/nded 12
Co0+tock and faced w*th a f*4e62ear +entence, +he had taken her own l*fe. he and
the )o+e+ 8ar0an .ro/p were the p*oneer+ and heroe+ of the 1attle for free
0otherhood, for the r*.ht of the ch*ld to 1e 1orn well. The 0atter of pr*or*t2, howe4er,
*n no wa2 le++ened the 4al/e of )ar.aret an.er:+ work. he wa+ the onl2 wo0an *n
A0er*ca *n recent 2ear+ to .*4e *nfor0at*on to wo0en on 1*rth6control and +he had
re4*4ed the +/17ect *n her p/1l*cat*on after 0an2 2ear+ of +*lence.
". C. !alker, pre+*dent of the /nr*+e Cl/1, had *n4*ted 0e to +peak at one of *t+
fortn*.htl2 d*nner+. 8*+ or.an*-at*on wa+ a0on. the few l*1ertar*an for/0+ *n New
York open to free e3pre++*on. I had often lect/red there on 4ar*o/+ +oc*al top*c+. %n
th*+ occa+*on I cho+e 1*rth6control a+ 02 the0e, *ntend*n. openl2 to d*+c/++ 0ethod+
of contracept*on. I faced one of the lar.e+t a/d*ence+ *n the h*+tor2 of the cl/1,
n/01er*n. a1o/t +*3 h/ndred per+on+, a0on. the0 ph2+*c*an+, law2er+, art*+t+, and
0en and wo0en of l*1eral 4*ew+. )o+t of the0 were earne+t people who had co0e
to.ether to lend 0oral +/pport to the te+t ca+e that th*+ f*r+t p/1l*c d*+c/++*on
repre+ented. "4er2one felt certa*n that 02 arre+t wo/ld follow, and +o0e fr*end+ had
co0e prepared to .o 1a*l for 0e. I carr*ed a 1ook w*th 0e *n ca+e I +ho/ld ha4e to
+pend the n*.ht *n the +tat*on6ho/+e. That po++*1*l*t2 d*d not d*+t/r1 0e, 1/t I d*d feel
/nea+2 1eca/+e I knew that +o0e of the d*ner+ had co0e o/t of c/r*o+*t2, for the +e3
thr*ll+ the2 e3pected to e3per*ence on th*+ e4en*n..
I *ntrod/ced 02 +/17ect 12 re4*ew*n. the h*+tor*cal and +oc*al a+pect+ of 1*rth6
control and then cont*n/ed w*th a d*+c/++*on of a n/01er of contracept*4e+, the*r
appl*cat*on and effect+. I +poke *n the d*rect and frank 0anner that I +ho/ld /+e *n
deal*n. w*th ord*nar2 d*+*nfect*on and proph2la3*+. The >/e+t*on+ and the d*+c/++*on
that followed +howed that I had taken the r*.ht approach. e4eral ph2+*c*an+
co0pl*0ented 0e on ha4*n. pre+ented +o d*ff*c/lt and del*cate a +/17ect *n a 5clean
and nat/ral 0anner.5
No arre+t followed. o0e fr*end+ feared I 0*.ht 1e p*cked /p on 02 wa2 ho0e,
and *n+*+ted on +ee*n. 0e to 02 door. $a2+ pa++ed and the a/thor*t*e+ had taken no
+tep+ *n the 0atter. It wa+ the 0ore +/rpr*+*n. *n 4*ew of the arre+t of !*ll*a0 an.er
for +o0eth*n. he had not +a*d nor wr*tten h*0+elf. =eople wondered wh2 I, who had
1een +o fre>/entl2 arre+ted when I had not 1roken the law, +ho/ld 1e allowed to .o
/np/n*+hed when I had done +o del*1eratel2. =erhap+ Co0+tock:+ fa*l/re to act wa+
d/e to the fact that he knew that tho+e who were *n the ha1*t of attend*n. the /nr*+e
Cl/1 .ather*n.+ were pro1a1l2 alread2 *n po++e++*on of contracept*4e+. I 0/+t
therefore del*4er the lect/re at 02 own /nda2 0eet*n.+, I dec*ded.
%/r hall wa+ packed, 0o+tl2 w*th 2o/n. people, a0on. the0 +t/dent+ fro0
Col/01*a &n*4er+*t2. The *ntere+t e4*nced 12 02 a/d*ence wa+ e4en .reater than at
the /nr*+e d*nner, the >/e+t*on+ p/t 12 the 2o/n. folk+ of a 0ore d*rect and per+onal
nat/re. I d*d not 0*nce 0atter+, 2et there wa+ no arre+t. "4*dentl2 I +ho/ld ha4e to
0ake another te+t on the "a+t *de.
I had to po+tpone the 0atter for a wh*le 1eca/+e of pre4*o/+ en.a.e0ent+. t/dent+
13C
fro0 the &n*on Theolo.*cal e0*nar2, fre>/ent attendant+ at 02 /nda2 lect/re+, had
*n4*ted 0e to addre++ the0. I had con+ented after ha4*n. warned the 1o2+ that the2
were l*kel2 to 0eet w*th oppo+*t*on fro0 the fac/lt2. A+ +oon a+ *t 1eca0e known that
the heathen wa+ to *n4ade the theolo.*cal +anct/0, a te0pe+t 1roke o/t wh*ch la+ted
1e2ond the da2 +et for 02 lect/re. The +t/dent+ *n+*+ted on the*r r*.ht of hear*n.
who0 the2 plea+ed /nt*l the fac/lt2 .a4e *n, and another date wa+ a.reed /pon.
In the 0ean t*0e I had to del*4er another lect/re, on the 5,a*l/re of Chr*+t*an*t2,5
w*th part*c/lar reference to (*ll2 /nda2, who0 I con+*dered the 0odern clown of
rel*.*on and who+e c*rc/+ wa+ *n =ater+on at the t*0e. In 4*ew of the t+ar*+t 0ethod+
e0plo2ed 12 the a/thor*t*e+ *n deal*n. w*th +tr*ke 0eet*n.+ and rad*cal .ather*n.+, the
pol*ce protect*on .*4en (*ll2 and h*+ perfor0ance+ wa+ do/1l2 o/tra.eo/+. %/r
co0rade+ *n =ater+on were plann*n. +o0e prote+t, and the2 *n4*ted 0e to +peak. I felt
that *t wo/ld not 1e fa*r to d*+c/++ (*ll2 /nda2 w*tho/t f*r+t learn*n. the cal*1re of
the 0an and +ee*n. what he wa+ pa++*n. o/t a+ rel*.*on. I went w*th (en to =ater+on
to hear the +elf6appo*nted 4o*ce of Chr*+t.
Ne4er d*d Chr*+t*an*t2 appear to 0e +o d*4e+ted of 0ean*n. and decenc2. (*ll2
/nda2:+ 4/l.ar 0anner, h*+ coar+e +/..e+t*4ene++, erot*c fla.ellat*on, and d*+./+t*n.
la+c*4*o/+ne++, clad *n theolo.*cal phra+eolo.2, +tr*pped rel*.*on of the lea+t +p*r*t/al
+*.n*f*cance. I wa+ too na/+eated to hear h*0 to the end. ,re+h a*r 1ro/.ht rel*ef fro0
the at0o+phere of the lewd 0o/th*n.+ and +e3/al contort*on+ w*th wh*ch he .oaded
h*+ a/d*ence to +alac*o/+ h2+ter*a.
o0e da2+ later I lect/red *n =ater+on on the 5,a*l/re of Chr*+t*an*t25 and c*ted
(*ll2 /nda2 a+ the +201ol of *t+ *nner collap+e. The ne3t 0orn*n.:+ new+paper+
+tated that I had pro4oked the wrath of @od 12 02 1la+phe02. I learned that the hall
*n wh*ch I had +poken had ca/.ht f*re after I had left and 1/rned to the .ro/nd.
)2 to/r th*+ 2ear 0et w*th no pol*ce *nterference /nt*l we reached =ortland,
%re.on, altho/.h the +/17ect+ I treated were an2th*n. 1/t ta0e: ant*6war top*c+, the
f*.ht for Caplan and ch0*dt, freedo0 *n lo4e, 1*rth6control, and the pro1le0 0o+t
ta1ooed *n pol*te +oc*et2, ho0o+e3/al*t2. Nor d*d Co0+tock and h*+ p/r*+t+ tr2 to
+/ppre++ 0e, altho/.h I openl2 d*+c/++ed 0ethod+ of contracept*on 1efore 4ar*o/+
a/d*ence+.
Cen+or+h*p ca0e fro0 +o0e of 02 own co0rade+ 1eca/+e I wa+ treat*n. +/ch
5/nnat/ral5 the0e+ a+ ho0o+e3/al*t2. Anarch*+0 wa+ alread2 eno/.h 0*+/nder+tood,
and anarch*+t+ con+*dered depra4ed9 *t wa+ *nad4*+a1le to add to the 0*+concept*on+
12 tak*n. /p per4erted +e36for0+, the2 ar./ed. (el*e4*n. *n freedo0 of op*n*on, e4en
*f *t went a.a*n+t 0e, I 0*nded the cen+or+ *n 02 own rank+ a+ l*ttle a+ I d*d tho+e *n
the ene02:+ ca0p. In fact, cen+or+h*p fro0 co0rade+ had the +a0e effect on 0e a+
pol*ce per+ec/t*on9 *t 0ade 0e +/rer of 02+elf, 0ore deter0*ned to plead for e4er2
4*ct*0, 1e *t one of +oc*al wron. or of 0oral pre7/d*ce.
The 0en and wo0en who /+ed to co0e to +ee 0e after 02 lect/re+ on
ho0o+e3/al*t2, and who conf*ded to 0e the*r an./*+h and the*r *+olat*on, were often
of f*ner .ra*n than tho+e who had ca+t the0 o/t. )o+t of the0 had reached an
ade>/ate /nder+tand*n. of the*r d*fferent*at*on onl2 after 2ear+ of +tr/..le to +t*fle
what the2 had con+*dered a d*+ea+e and a +ha0ef/l affl*ct*on. %ne 2o/n. wo0an
133
confe++ed to 0e that *n the twent26f*4e 2ear+ of her l*fe +he had ne4er known a da2
when the nearne++ of a 0an, her own father and 1rother+ e4en, d*d not 0ake her *ll.
The 0ore +he had tr*ed to re+pond to +e3/al approach, the 0ore rep/.nant 0en
1eca0e to her. he had hated her+elf, +he +a*d, 1eca/+e +he co/ld not lo4e her father
and her 1rother+ a+ +he lo4ed her 0other. he +/ffered e3cr/c*at*n. re0or+e, 1/t her
re4/l+*on onl2 *ncrea+ed. At the a.e of e*.hteen +he had accepted an offer of 0arr*a.e
*n the hope that a lon. en.a.e0ent 0*.ht help her .row acc/+to0ed to a 0an and
c/re her of her 5d*+ea+e.5 It t/rned o/t a .ha+tl2 fa*l/re and nearl2 dro4e her *n+ane.
he co/ld not face 0arr*a.e and +he dared not conf*de *n her f*ance or fr*end+. he
had ne4er 0et an2one, +he told 0e, who +/ffered fro0 a +*0*lar affl*ct*on, nor had +he
e4er read 1ook+ deal*n. w*th the +/17ect. )2 lect/re had +et her free9 I had .*4en her
1ack her +elf6re+pect.
Th*+ wo0an wa+ onl2 one of the 0an2 who +o/.ht 0e o/t. The*r p*t*f/l +tor*e+
0ade the +oc*al o+trac*+0 of the *n4ert +ee0 0ore dreadf/l than I had e4er real*-ed
1efore. To 0e anarch*+0 wa+ not a 0ere theor2 for a d*+tant f/t/re9 *t wa+ a l*4*n.
*nfl/ence to free /+ fro0 *nh*1*t*on+, *nternal no le++ than e3ternal, and fro0 the
de+tr/ct*4e 1arr*er+ that +eparate 0an fro0 0an.
Lo+ An.ele+, an $*e.o, and an ,ranc*+co were record61reak*n. *n the +*-e of o/r
0eet*n.+ and the *ntere+t +hown. In Lo+ An.ele+ I wa+ *n4*ted 12 the !o0en:+ C*t2
Cl/1. ,*4e h/ndred 0e01er+ of 02 +e3, fro0 the deepe+t red to the d/lle+t .re2, ca0e
to hear 0e +peak on 5,e0*n*+0.5 The2 co/ld not e3c/+e 02 cr*t*cal att*t/de toward+
the 1o01a+t*c and *0po++*1le cla*0+ of the +/ffra.*+t+ a+ to the wonderf/l th*n.+ the2
wo/ld do when the2 .ot pol*t*cal power. The2 1randed 0e a+ an ene02 of wo0an:+
freedo0, and cl/160e01er+ +tood /p and deno/nced 0e.
The *nc*dent re0*nded 0e of a +*0*lar occa+*on when I had lect/red on wo0an:+
*nh/0an*t2 to 0an. Alwa2+ on the +*de of the /nder do., I re+ented 02 +e3:+ plac*n.
e4er2 e4*l at the door of the 0ale. I po*nted o/t that *f he were reall2 a+ .reat a +*nner
a+ he wa+ 1e*n. pa*nted 12 the lad*e+, wo0an +hared the re+pon+*1*l*t2 w*th h*0. The
0other *+ the f*r+t *nfl/ence *n h*+ l*fe, the f*r+t to c/lt*4ate h*+ conce*t and +elf6
*0portance. *+ter+ and w*4e+ follow *n the 0other:+ foot+tep+, not to 0ent*on
0*+tre++e+, who co0plete the work 1e./n 12 the 0other. !o0an *+ nat/rall2
per4er+e, I ar./ed9 fro0 the 4er2 1*rth of her 0ale ch*ld /nt*l he reache+ a r*pe a.e,
the 0other lea4e+ noth*n. /ndone to keep h*0 t*ed to her. Yet +he hate+ to +ee h*0
weak and +he cra4e+ the 0anl2 0an. he *dol*-e+ *n h*0 the 4er2 tra*t+ that help to
en+la4e her 66 h*+ +tren.th, h*+ e.ot*+0, and h*+ e3a..erated 4an*t2. The
*ncon+*+tenc*e+ of 02 +e3 keep the poor 0ale dan.l*n. 1etween the *dol and the 1r/te,
the darl*n. and the 1ea+t, the helple++ ch*ld and the con>/eror of world+. It *+ reall2
wo0an:+ *nh/0an*t2 to 0an that 0ake+ h*0 what he *+. !hen +he ha+ learned to 1e a+
+elf6centred and a+ deter0*ned a+ he, when +he .a*n+ the co/ra.e to del4e *nto l*fe a+
he doe+ and pa2 the pr*ce for *t, +he w*ll ach*e4e her l*1erat*on, and *nc*dentall2 al+o
help h*0 1eco0e free. !here/pon 02 wo0en hearer+ wo/ld r*+e /p a.a*n+t 0e and
cr2: 5 Yo/:re a 0an:+ wo0an and not one of /+.5
%/r e3per*ence *n an $*e.o two 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2, *n 1913, had e3erted the +a0e
effect on 0e a+ the n*.ht r*de *n 191C had on (en. I wa+ +et on ret/rn*n. to del*4er 02
+/ppre++ed lect/re. In 1914 one of o/r fr*end+ had .one to an $*e.o to tr2 to +ec/re a
hall. The +oc*al*+t+, who had the*r own place, ref/+ed to ha4e an2th*n. to do w*th 0e.
134
%ther rad*cal .ro/p+ were e>/all2 1ra4e, +o that 02 plan had to 1e a1andoned. %nl2
te0porar*l2, I had pro0*+ed 02+elf, howe4er.
Th*+ 2ear, 191F, I wa+ fort/nate *n ha4*n. to deal w*th real 0en *n+tead of w*th
0ere apolo.*e+ *n 0ale att*re. %ne of the0 wa+ @eor.e "dward+, the 0/+*c*an who
had offered /+ the Con+er4ator2 of )/+*c on the occa+*on of o/r f*r+t tro/1le w*th the
A*.*lante+. The other wa+ $r. A. L2le de ;arnette, a (apt*+t 0*n*+ter who had re+*.ned
fro0 the Ch/rch and had fo/nded the %pen ,or/0. "dward+ had 1eco0e a thoro/.h
anarch*+t who de4oted h*+ t*0e and a1*l*t*e+ to the 0o4e0ent. 8e had +et to 0/+*c
Aolta*r*ne de Cle2re:+ The 8/rr*cane, %l*4e chre*ner:+ $rea0 of !*ld (ee+, and
5The @rand In>/*+*tor5 fro0 $o+to2e4+k2:+ (rother+ Kara0a-o4. Now he wa+
deter0*ned to help 0e co0e 1ack to an $*e.o and e+ta1l*+h the r*.ht of free +peech
there. $r. ;arnette had or.an*-ed the %pen ,or/0 a+ a prote+t a.a*n+t A*.*lante
+/ppre++*on. The a++oc*at*on had +*nce .rown *nto a lar.e and 4*tal 1od2.
Arran.e0ent+ were 0ade for 0e to del*4er three lect/re+ there, *n an atte0pt to 1reak
the an $*e.o con+p*rac2.
The recentl2 elected 0a2or of the c*t2, rep/ted to 1e a l*1eral, had a++/red the %pen
,or/0 that I wo/ld 1e allowed to +peak, and that no A*.*lante *nterference wo/ld 1e
per0*tted. It wa+ a new tone for an $*e.o, pro1a1l2 d/e to the c*rc/0+tance that *t+
e3po+*t*on had .reatl2 +/ffered a+ a re+/lt of the three62ear 1o2cott. (/t o/r for0er
e3per*ence+ *n the c*t2 d*d not 7/+t*f2 too 0/ch tr/+t *n off*c*al declarat*on+. !e
preferred to prepare o/r+el4e+ for po++*1le e0er.enc*e+.
I had lon. 1efore dec*ded that I wo/ld ret/rn to an $*e.o w*tho/t (en. I had
planned to .o alone, 1/t fort/natel2 a+ha wa+ *n Lo+ An.ele+ at the t*0e. I knew I
co/ld co/nt on h*+ po*+e *n a d*ff*c/lt +*t/at*on and on h*+ /tter fearle++ne++ *n the face
of the .ra4e+t dan.er. a+ha and 02 ro0ant*c ad0*rer Leon (a++ left for an $*e.o
two da2+ ahead of 0e to look o4er the f*eld. Acco0pan*ed 12 ,*t-* and (en Cape+, I
departed >/*etl2 fro0 Lo+ An.ele+ *n an a/to. Near*n. the A*.*lante c*t2, the p*ct/re
of (en +/rro/nded 12 fo/rteen th/.+ ro+e 1efore 0e. The2 had co4ered the +a0e
ro/te, w*th (en at the 0erc2 of +a4a.e+ who were 1eat*n. and h/0*l*at*n. h*0. I
tho/.ht of h*0 wr*th*n. *n pa*n, w*th no one to +/cco/r h*0 or alle4*ate h*+ terror.
(arel2 three 2ear+ had pa++ed. I wa+ free, w*th dear fr*end+ at 02 +*de, +ec/rel2 r*d*n.
thro/.h the 1al02 n*.ht. I co/ld en7o2 the 1ea/t2 aro/nd 0e, the .olden =ac*f*c on
one +*de, 0a7e+t*c 0o/nta*n+ on the other, the*r fanta+t*c for0at*on+ tower*n. a1o4e
/+. The 4er2 .lor2 of th*+ 0a.n*f*cent co/ntr26+*de 0/+t ha4e 1een 0ocker2 to (en, a
0ocker2 *n lea./e w*th h*+ tort/rer+. )a2 14, 191C 66 ;/ne C0, 191F 66 what an
*ncred*1le chan.e? Yet what 0*.ht 1e awa*t*n. /+ *n an $*e.oB
!e arr*4ed at fo/r6th*rt2 *n the 0orn*n. and dro4e +tra*.ht to the +0all hotel where
a+ha had en.a.ed roo0+ for /+. 8e reported that the hall6keeper had declared that I
co/ld not +peak *n h*+ place, 1/t that $r. ;arnette and the other 0e01er+ of the %pen
,or/0 were deter0*ned to +ee o/r plan+ thro/.h. The hall wa+ the*r+ 12 2earl2 lea+e,
the ke2 wa+ *n the*r hand+, and *t had 1een dec*ded to take po++e++*on of the hall and
./ard e4er2 entrance.
!hen o/r 0eet*n. opened, at ele4en *n the 0orn*n., we 1eca0e aware that a
n/01er of A*.*lante+ were pre+ent. The +*t/at*on wa+ ten+e, the at0o+phere char.ed
w*th +/ppre++ed e3c*te0ent. It f/rn*+hed a f*tt*n. 1ack.ro/nd for 02 +/17ect, wh*ch
13F
wa+ I1+en:+ "ne02 of the =eople. %/r 0en were on the alert, and no /ntoward
*nc*dent took place, the A*.*lante+ e4*dentl2 not dar*n. to +tart an2 ho+t*le
de0on+trat*on.
The afternoon lect/re wa+ on N*et-+che, and a.a*n the hall wa+ crowded, 1/t th*+
t*0e the A*.*lante+ re0a*ned awa2. In the e4en*n. I +poke on the +tr/..le of )ar.aret
and !*ll*a0 an.er, deal*n. w*th the *0portance of 1*rth6control. The da2 ended
w*tho/t an2 d*+t/r1ance. I felt that o/r tr*/0ph wa+ d/e 0o+tl2 to the co0rade+
0art2red for free +peech three 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2 66 to ;o+eph )*kola+ek, who had 1een
0/rdered *n the f*.ht, and the h/ndred+ of I.!.!.:+ and other 4*ct*0+, *ncl/d*n. (en,
who had 1een 1eaten, thrown *nto pr*+on and dr*4en o/t of town. The tho/.ht of the0
+teeled 0e and /r.ed 0e on.
(en *n+*+ted on 4*+*t*n. an $*e.o a.a*n, and he ret/rned there later on, not *n an2
p/1l*c capac*t2, 1/t 7/+t to con4*nce h*0+elf that he wa+ not afra*d. 8e went to the
e3po+*t*on *n the co0pan2 of h*+ 0other and +e4eral fr*end+. No one pa*d an2
attent*on to the0. The A*.*lante con+p*rac2 had 1een 1roken.
A0on. 02 n/0ero/+ fr*end+ *n Lo+ An.ele+ none wa+ 0ore helpf/l *n 02 work
and welfare than $r. =erc*4al T. @er+on, to.ether w*th h*+ w*fe. The2 *ntere+ted
+core+ of people *n 02 lect/re+, .a4e 0e the opport/n*t2 to addre++ .ather*n.+ *n the*r
ho0e, and enterta*ned 0e la4*+hl2. It wa+ al+o $r @er+on who proc/red for 0e an
*n4*tat*on to +peak 1efore the e4erance Cl/1, na0ed *n hono/r of Carol*ne ).
e4erance, co6worker of /+an (. Anthon2, ;/l*a 8owe, and the .ro/p of 0*l*tant+ of
the preced*n. .enerat*on.
(efore I 1e.an 02 lect/re, I wa+ *ntrod/ced to a 0an who, *n the a1+ence of the
pre+*dent, had 1een a+ked to pre+*de. There wa+ noth*n. +tr*k*n. a1o/t h*0 a+ he +at
1/r*ed *n 02 4ol/0e of Anarch*+0 and %ther "++a2+. In h*+ open*n. re0ark+ th*+
cha*r0an, who+e na0e wa+ Trac2 (ecker, a+ton*+hed the a/d*ence 12 the
anno/nce0ent that he had 1een connected w*th the $*+tr*ct Attorne2:+ off*ce *n
(/ffalo when =re+*dent )cK*nle2 wa+ k*lled. &nt*l 4er2 recentl2 he had con+*dered
"00a @old0an a cr*0*nal, he +a*d 66 not one who had co/ra.e to do 0/rder her+elf,
1/t one who /n+cr/p/lo/+l2 pla2ed on weak 0*nd+ and *nd/ced the0 to co00*t
cr*0e+. $/r*n. the tr*al of Leon C-ol.o+- he felt certa*n, he cont*n/ed, that *t wa+ I
who had *n+t*.ated the a++a++*nat*on of the =re+*dent and he had tho/.ht that I o/.ht
to 1e 0ade to pa2 the e3tre0e penalt2. *nce he had read 02 1ook+ and had talked to
+o0e of 02 fr*end+, he real*-ed h*+ 0*+take and he now hoped that I wo/ld for.*4e
h*0 the *n7/+t*ce he had done 0e.
$ead +*lence followed h*+ re0ark+, and e4er21od2:+ e2e+ were t/rned on 0e. I felt
fro-en 12 the +/dden re+/rrect*on of the (/ffalo tra.ed2, and *n an /n+tead2 4o*ce, at
f*r+t, I declared that +*nce we are all l*nk+ *n the +oc*al cha*n, no one can a4o*d
re+pon+*1*l*t2 for +/ch deed+ a+ that of Leon C-ol.o+-9 not e4en the cha*r0an. 8e
who re0a*n+ *nd*fferent to the cond*t*on+ that re+/lt *n 4*olent act+ of prote+t cannot
e+cape h*+ +hare of 1la0e for the0. "4en tho+e of /+ who +ee clearl2 and work for
f/nda0ental chan.e+ are not ent*rel2 e3e0pt fro0 ./*lt. Too a1+or1ed *n effort+ for
the f/t/re, we often t/rn a deaf ear to tho+e who reach o/t for +20pathet*c
/nder+tand*n. and who h/n.er for the fellow+h*p of k*ndred +p*r*t+. Leon C-ol.o+-
had 1een one of +/ch.
13G
I talked w*th .row*n. feel*n. a+ I proceeded to de+cr*1e the 1leak 1ack.ro/nd of
the 1o2, h*+ earl2 en4*ron0ent and l*fe. I related the *0pre++*on+ of the (/ffalo
new+paper wo0an who had +o/.ht 0e o/t to tell 0e what +he had e3per*enced d/r*n.
C-ol.o+-:+ tr*al, and I po*nted o/t the 0ot*4e+ of Leon:+ act and 0art2rdo0. I felt no
re+ent0ent a.a*n+t the 0an who had confe++ed h*+ ea.erne++ to +end 0e to the electr*c
cha*r. Indeed, I rather ad0*red h*0 for frankl2 ad0*tt*n. h*+ error. (/t he had re4*4ed
*n 02 0e0or2 the f/r2 of that per*od, and I wa+ *n no 0ood to 0eet h*0 or to l*+ten
to h*+ *dle plea+antr*e+.
The an ,ranc*+co "3po+*t*on wa+ at *t+ he*.ht, and the pop/lat*on of the c*t29 had
al0o+t do/1led. %/r 0eet*n.+, totall*n. fort2 w*th*n one 0onth, +/cce++f/ll2
co0peted w*th the .ate rece*pt+ of the 1*. +how. The .reat e4ent wa+ 02 appearance
at the Con.re++ of #el*.*o/+ =h*lo+oph*e+. The a+ton*+h*n. th*n. wa+ 0ade po++*1le
12 )r. =ower, who wa+ *n char.e of the +e++*on+ of the con.re++. 8e had known 0e
*n the "a+t, and when he learned of 02 pre+ence *n an ,ranc*+co, he *n4*ted 0e to
+peak.
The p/1l*c concla4e of the rel*.*o/+ ph*lo+opher+ took place *n the C*4*c
A/d*tor*/0, one of the lar.e+t hall+ *n the !e+t. The place of the cha*r0an, a
re4erend .entle0an who +/ddenl2 fell *ll when he heard that I wa+ to +peak, wa+
taken 12 a 0e01er of the new+paper fratern*t2. I wa+ th/+ 1etween the de4*l and the
deep +ea, and I 1e.an 02 talk on athe*+0 12 +a2*n. +o. )2 *ntrod/ct*on p/t the
a/d*ence *n a l*.ht 0ood. /rro/nded on the platfor0 12 .entle0en of the cloth of
e4er2 known deno0*nat*on, I needed all 02 h/0o/r to r*+e to the +ole0n*t2 of the
occa+*on.
Athe*+0 *+ rather a del*cate +/17ect to handle /nder +/ch c*rc/0+tance+, 1/t
+o0ehow I 0ana.ed to p/ll thro/.h. I +aw con+ternat*on on the face+ of the
theolo.*an+, who prote+ted that 02 treat0ent of rel*.*on wa+ +candalo/+. (/t the 4a+t
a/d*ence e4*dentl2 en7o2ed *t, for *t+ h*lar*o/+ appro4al ca0e per*lo/+l2 near 1reak*n.
/p the con.re++ when I .ot thro/.h. I wa+ followed 12 a ra11*, who 1e.an 12 +a2*n.
that 5*n +p*te of all )*++ @old0an ha+ +a*d a.a*n+t rel*.*on, +he *+ the 0o+t rel*.*o/+
per+on I know.5
Chapter 43
%N )Y A##IAAL IN N"! Y%#K A,T"# )Y =#%T#ACT"$ !"T"#N
lect/re to/r I hoped to .et a lon.6needed re+t. (/t the fate+ and a+ha w*lled *t
otherw*+e. 8e had 7/+t ret/rned fro0 Lo+ An.ele+ to work *n the "a+t *n 1ehalf of
)atthew A. ch0*dt and $a4*d Caplan, and he *00ed*atel2 drew 0e *nto h*+
*nten+*4e ca0pa*.n.
a+ha:+ pre+ence on the Coa+t d/r*n. 02 la+t an $*e.o e3per*ence wa+ d/e to a
rather /ne3pectedl2 happ2 t/rn of affa*r+. !hen he had +tarted o/t on h*+ !e+tern
lect/re to/r, *n the fall of 1914, he had not *ntended to .o farther than Colorado. That
wa+ ow*n. to h*+ arre+t on the 4er2 e4e of h*+ lea4*n. New York. ,*t-* had preceded
h*0 to =*tt+1/r.h to 0ake the prel*0*nar2 arran.e0ent+ for the 0eet*n.+. a+ha:+
New York fr*end+ had 0eanwh*le arran.ed a farewell part2 *n h*+ hono/r. At
13H
0*dn*.ht the co0pan2, ret/rn*n. ho0e, +an. re4ol/t*onar2 +on.+. A pol*ce0an
ordered the0 to cea+e +*n.*n., and *n the altercat*on that followed he l*fted h*+ n*.ht6
+t*ck to +tr*ke (*ll hatoff, o/r old fr*end and co6worker. a+ha:+ pre+ence of 0*nd
/ndo/1tedl2 +a4ed (*ll fro0 +er*o/+ *n7/r2. 8e .r*pped the pol*ce0an:+ /pra*+ed ar0
+o that the latter let the cl/1 fall o/t of h*+ hand. )ore off*cer+ arr*4ed and the whole
co0pan2 were arre+ted. In the 0orn*n. the2 were conde0ned to +hort ter0+ *n the
workho/+e for 5d*+t/r1*n. the peace,5 e3cept a+ha, who wa+ char.ed w*th a++a/lt*n.
an off*cer and *nc*t*n. to r*ot. The 0a.*+trate *n+*+ted on h*+ +tand*n. tr*al there and
then, +a2*n. that h*+ +entence wo/ld not e3ceed two 2ear+. The pol*ce0an had co0e
to co/rt w*th h*+ ent*re ar0 pa*nted w*th *od*ne and 1anda.ed, and h*+ +tate0ent to the
7/d.e wa+ to the effect that a+ha had attacked h*0 w*tho/t the lea+t pro4ocat*on and
that onl2 the arr*4al of 0ore pol*ce had +a4ed h*+ l*fe. It wa+ clearl2 the *ntent*on to
5ra*lroad5 a+ha. The pol*ce, ha4*n. fa*led to +top h*+ /ne0plo20ent act*4*t*e+ and
L/dlow +tr*ke prote+t+, were e4*dentl2 deter0*ned to wreak 4en.eance on h*0 th*+
t*0e.
a+ha ref/+ed to ha4e the ca+e proceed 1efore the pol*ce 0a.*+trate. The char.e+
a.a*n+t h*0, cla++ed a+ felon*e+, .a4e h*0 the le.al r*.ht of tr*al 12 7/r2. )oreo4er, he
wa+ +ched/led to +peak the +a0e e4en*n. *n =*tt+1/r.h, and he dec*ded to take h*+
chance+ *n cr*0*nal co/rt.
%/r fr*end @*l1ert ". #oe 1a*led h*0 o/t and pro0*+ed to look after the ca+e d/r*n.
h*+ a1+ence. a+ha departed for =*tt+1/r.h, 1/t when he reached $en4er, he wa+
warned 12 #oe to .o no farther we+t, +o a+ to 1e a1le to ret/rn to New York w*th*n
fort26e*.ht ho/r+ *f he wa+ called for tr*al. The +*t/at*on looked +er*o/+, a+ha 1e*n.
*n dan.er of a f*4e62ear pr*+on ter0.
,or week+ he re0a*ned lect/r*n. *n Colorado, an3*o/+ to .o to Cal*forn*a to a*d *n
the defence of )atthew A. ch0*dt and $a4*d Caplan, who were awa*t*n. tr*al *n Lo+
An.ele+ *n conne3*on w*th the T*0e+ 1/*ld*n. e3plo+*on. Then one da2 he rece*4ed a
tele.ra0 fro0 New York, read*n.: 5Ca+e a.a*n+t 2o/ d*+0*++ed. Yo/ are free to .o
where 2o/ plea+e. Con.rat/lat*on+.5
It wa+ @*l1ert ". #oe who had 0ana.ed to ha4e the *nd*ct0ent+ a.a*n+t a+ha
>/a+hed 12 con4*nc*n. the new $*+tr*ct Attorne2 of New York that the char.e+ were
the re+/lt of pol*ce en0*t2.
Now a+ha wa+ *n New York, work*n. +tren/o/+l2 *n 1ehalf of the Caplan6ch0*dt
defence. %n the Coa+t he had or.an*-ed a w*de p/1l*c*t2 ca0pa*.n *n the*r 1ehalf, and
a+ a re+/lt of h*+ effort+ the Internat*onal !orker+: $efence Lea./e had re>/e+ted h*0
to to/r the co/ntr2 and for0 defence 1ranche+ alon. the ro/te. It wa+ 7/+t the k*nd of
act*4*t2 a+ha wa+ part*c/larl2 f*tted for, and he de4oted h*0+elf pa++*onatel2 to
+a4*n. the two *nd*cted 0en fro0 the fate that had 1een h*+ *n =enn+2l4an*a.
">/*pped w*th credent*al+ fro0 4ar*o/+ la1o/r or.an*-at*on+, he had left Lo+
An.ele+, +topp*n. at all the lar.er *nd/+tr*al c*t*e+ on h*+ wa2 ea+t, +o that 12 the t*0e
he reached New York he had alread2 rall*ed a .oodl2 part of or.an*-ed la1o/r to the
+/pport of the pr*+oner+ *n the Lo+ An.ele+ 7a*l.
a+ha *00ed*atel2 enl*+ted 0e for the Caplan6ch0*dt ca0pa*.n, a+ he d*d
13<
e4er2one el+e he co/ld .et *nto the work. It wa+ .ood to ha4e h*0 near a.a*n and to
co6operate w*th h*0. The Caplan6ch0*dt 0a++ 0eet*n. he or.an*-ed, at wh*ch we
were 1oth to +peak, and the n/0ero/+ other effort+ for the defence he wa+ 0ak*n.
were too *0portant to let 0e con+*der 02 need of re+t. The react*onar2 force+ on the
Coa+t arra2ed a.a*n+t la1o/r were fe4er*+hl2 act*4e. The2 were po*+on*n. the p/1l*c
0*nd a.a*n+t the 0en a1o/t to 1e tr*ed9 to pre7/d*ce the ca+e the2 were +pread*n. the
r/0o/r that $a4*d Caplan had t/rned tate:+ e4*dence. The prepo+tero/+ +tor2 had
7/+t 0ade *t+ appearance *n the New York new+paper+. Aware of the effect of +/ch
+tate0ent+ e4en /pon the rad*cal+, *t 1eca0e nece++ar2 to take a +tand a.a*n+t the
o/tra.eo/+ +lander. I had known $a4*d f*fteen 2ear+ and had 1een clo+el2 connected
w*th h*0 *n the 0o4e0ent d/r*n. that t*0e9 I wa+ a1+ol/tel2 con4*nced of h*+
*nte.r*t2.
!hen the date of the Caplan6ch0*dt tr*al 1eca0e known, a+ha ret/rned to the
Coa+t to +tart a 1/llet*n, a+ part of the p/1l*c*t2 he wa+ 0ak*n. for the ca+e.
The confla.rat*on *n "/rope wa+ +pread*n.9 alread2 +*3 co/ntr*e+ had 1een +wept
12 *t. A0er*ca wa+ al+o 1e.*nn*n. to catch f*re. The 7*n.o and 0*l*tar2 cl*>/e+ were
.row*n. re+t*4e. 5*3teen 0onth+ of war,5 the2 cr*ed, 5and o/r co/ntr2 *+ +t*ll keep*n.
aloof?5 The cla0o/r for 5preparedne++5 1e.an, people 7o*n*n. *n who 1/t 2e+terda2
wa3ed hot a.a*n+t the atroc*t*e+ of or.an*-ed +la/.hter. The +*t/at*on called for 0ore
ener.et*c ant*6war a.*tat*on. It 1eca0e do/1l2 nece++ar2 when we learned of the
att*t/de of =eter Kropotk*n.
#/0o/r+ had 1een f*lter*n. thro/.h fro0 "n.land that =eter had declared h*0+elf
*n fa4o/r of the war. !e r*d*c/led the *dea, certa*n that *t wa+ a new+paper fa1r*cat*on
to char.e o/r @rand %ld )an w*th pro6war +ent*0ent+. Kropotk*n, the anarch*+t,
h/0an*tar*an, and .entle+t of 1e*n.+66*t wa+ prepo+tero/+ to 1el*e4e that he co/ld
fa4o/r the "/ropean holoca/+t. (/t pre+entl2 we were *nfor0ed that Kropotk*n had
taken +*de+ w*th the All*e+, defend*n. the0 w*th the +a0e 4ehe0ence that the
8aeckel+ and the 8a/pt0ann+ were cha0p*on*n. 5the*r5 fatherland. 8e wa+ 7/+t*f2*n.
all 0ea+/re+ to cr/+h the 5=r/++*an 0enace,5 a+ tho+e *n the oppo+*te ca0p were
/r.*n. the de+tr/ct*on of the All*e+. It wa+ a +ta..er*n. 1low to o/r 0o4e0ent, and
e+pec*all2 to tho+e of /+ who knew and lo4ed =eter. (/t o/r de4ot*on to o/r teacher
and o/r affect*on for h*0 co/ld not alter o/r con4*ct*on+ nor chan.e o/r att*t/de to the
war a+ a +tr/..le of f*nanc*al and econo0*c *ntere+t+ fore*.n to the worker and a+ the
0o+t de+tr/ct*4e factor of what *+ 4*tal and worth wh*le *n the world.
!e deter0*ned to rep/d*ate =eter:+ +tand, and fort/natel2 we were not alone *n th*+.
)an2 other+ felt a+ we d*d, d*+tre++*n. a+ *t wa+ to t/rn a.a*n+t the 0an who had +o
lon. 1een o/r *n+p*rat*on. "nr*co )alate+ta +howed far .reater /nder+tand*n. and
con+*+tenc2 than =eter, and w*th h*0 were #/dolph #ocker, Ale3ander chap*ro,
Tho0a+ 8. Keell, and other nat*4e and ;ew*+h6+peak*n. anarch*+t+ *n @reat (r*ta*n. In
,rance e1a+t*en ,a/re, A. Ar0and, and 0e01er+ of the anarch*+t and +2nd*cal*+t
0o4e0ent+, *n 8olland $o0ela N*e/wenh/*+ and h*+ co6worker+ 0a*nta*ned a f*r0
att*t/de a.a*n+t the whole+ale 0/rder. In @er0an2 @/+ta4 Landa/er, "r*ch )/h+a0,
,r*t- %erter, ,r*t- Kater, and +core+ of other co0rade+ reta*ned the*r +en+e+. To 1e
+/re, we were 1/t a handf/l *n co0par*+on w*th the war6dr/nk 0*ll*on+, 1/t we
+/cceeded *n c*rc/lat*n. thro/.ho/t the world the 0an*fe+to *++/ed 12 o/r
Internat*onal (/rea/, and we *ncrea+ed o/r ener.*e+ at ho0e to e3po+e the tr/e nat/re
139
of 0*l*tar*+0.
%/r f*r+t +tep wa+ the p/1l*cat*on *n )other "arth of =eter Kropotk*n:+ pa0phlet on
5Cap*tal*+0 and !ar,5 e01od2*n. a lo.*cal and con4*nc*n. ref/tat*on of h*+ new
po+*t*on. In n/0ero/+ 0eet*n.+ and prote+t+ we po*nted o/t the character,
+*.n*f*cance, and effect+ of war, 02 lect/re on 5=reparedne++5 +how*n. that
5read*ne++,5 far far fro0 a++/r*n. peace, ha+ at all t*0e+ and *n all co/ntr*e+ 1een
*n+tr/0ental *n prec*p*tat*n. ar0ed confl*ct+. The lect/re wa+ repeatedl2 del*4ered
1efore lar.e and repre+entat*4e a/d*ence+, and *t wa+ a0on. the f*r+t warn*n.+ *n
A0er*ca a.a*n+t the 0*l*tar2 con+p*rac2 1eh*nd the prote+tat*on+ of peace.
%/r people *n the tate+ were awaken*n. to the .row*n. dan.er, and de0and+ for
+peaker+ and for l*terat/re 1e.an po/r*n. *nto o/r off*ce fro0 e4er2 part of the
co/ntr2. !e were not r*ch *n .ood "n.l*+h a.*tator+, 1/t the +*t/at*on wa+ /r.ent, and
I wa+ cont*n/all2 1/+2 f*ll*n. the .ap.
I went a1o/t the co/ntr2, +peak*n. al0o+t e4er2 e4en*n., 02 da2+ occ/p*ed w*th
n/0ero/+ call+ on 02 t*0e and ener.2. At la+t e4en 02 /n/+/al power+ of end/rance
.a4e wa2. #et/rn*n. to New York after a lect/re *n Cle4eland, I wa+ taken *ll w*th the
.r*ppe. I wa+ too *ll to 1e tran+ferred to a ho+p*tal. After I had +pent two week+ *n 1ed,
the ph2+*c*an *n char.e ordered 0e taken to a decent hotel roo0, 02 own >/arter+
lack*n. all co0fort+. %n 02 arr*4al at the hotel I wa+ too weak to re.*+ter, and tella,
02 n*ece, wrote 02 na0e *n the ./e+t 1ook. The clerk looked at *t and then ret*red to
an *nner off*ce. 8e ret/rned to +a2 that a 0*+take had 1een 0ade9 there wa+ no 4acant
roo0 for 0e *n the place. It wa+ a cold and .re2 da2, the ra*n co0*n. down *n
torrent+, 1/t I wa+ co0pelled to ret/rn to 02 old >/arter+.
The *nc*dent re+/lted *n +tron. prote+t+ *n the pre++. %ne co00/n*cat*on *n
part*c/lar attracted 02 attent*on9 *t wa+ a lon. and ca/+t*c letter /p1ra*d*n. the hotel
people for the*r *nh/0an*t2 to a pat*ent. The +tate0ent, +*.ned 58arr2 !e*n1er.er,
Attorne26at6Law, New York,5 wa+ 12 a 0an I d*d not know per+onall2, 1/t who+e
na0e I had heard 0ent*oned a+ that of an act*4e +*n.le6ta3er and 0e01er of the
(rookl2n =h*lo+oph*cal oc*et2.
In the 0ean t*0e )atthew ch0*dt had 1een +acr*f*ced to the 4en.eance of the
)erchant+: and )an/fact/rer+: A++oc*at*on, the Lo+ An.ele+ T*0e+, and the tate of
Cal*forn*a. %ne of the 0a*n w*tne++e+ a.a*n+t h*0 wa+ $onald Ao+e. In open co/rt,
face to face w*th h*+ 4*ct*0, he ad0*tted 1e*n. *n the e0plo2 of $etect*4e !*ll*a0 ;.
(/rn+. A+ h*+ a.ent Ao+e had ferreted o/t the wherea1o/t+ of $a4*d Caplan. 8e
en7o2ed the ho+p*tal*t2 of the latter for two week+, .a*ned h*+ conf*dence, and learned
that ch0*dt wa+ +o0ewhere *n New York. Then he wa+ ordered ea+t 12 (/rn+,
*n+tr/cted to fre>/ent anarch*+t c*rcle+ and 1e on the alert for the f*r+t chance to reach
)atthew ch0*dt. %n the w*tne++6+tand Ao+e 1oa+ted that the pr*+oner at the 1ar had
confe++ed h*+ ./*lt to h*0. ch0*dt wa+ con4*cted, the 7/r2 reco00end*n.
*0pr*+on0ent for l*fe.
There wa+ no 0ore rea+on for w*thhold*n. the p/1l*cat*on of what I con+*dered
$onald Ao+e:+ perf*d2. The ;an/ar2 191G *++/e of )other "arth conta*ned the too6
lon.6dela2ed art*cle a1o/t h*0.
140
@ert*e Ao+e +tood 12 her +on. I /nder+tood her 0aternal feel*n., 1/t *n 02
e+t*0at*on *t d*d not e3c/+e a re1el of th*rt2 2ear+: +tand*n.. I ne4er wanted to +ee her
a.a*n.
Con4*ct*on d*d not 1reak the +tron. +p*r*t of )atthew A. ch0*dt or *nfl/ence h*+
fa*th *n the *deal+ for wh*ch he wa+ to 1e 1/r*ed for the re+t of h*+ l*fe. 8*+ +tate0ent
*n co/rt, +ett*n. forth the ca/+e+ 1eh*nd the +oc*al war, wa+ *ll/0*nat*n. *n *t+ clar*t2,
+*0pl*c*t2, and co/ra.e. Tho/.h fac*n. a l*fe +entence, he d*d not lo+e h*+ r*ch
h/0o/r. In the 0*d+t of h*+ rec*tal of the real fact+ *n the ca+e he t/rned to the 7/r2
w*th the re0ark: 5Let 0e a+k 2o/, .entle0en, do 2o/ 1el*e4e a 0an l*ke $onald
Ao+eB Yo/ wo/ldn:t wh*p 2o/r do. on the te+t*0on2 of +/ch a creat/re9 no hone+t
0an wo/ld. An2 0an who wo/ld 1el*e4e Ao+e wo/ld not de+er4e to ha4e a do..5
Intere+t *n o/r *dea+ wa+ .row*n. thro/.ho/t the co/ntr2. New anarch*+t
p/1l*cat*on+ 1e.an to appear: #e4olt *n New York, w*th 8*ppol2te 8a4el a+ *t+ ed*tor9
the Alar0 *n Ch*ca.o, *++/ed 12 a local .ro/p of co0rade+, and the (la+t *n an
,ranc*+co, w*th a+ha and ,*t-* at *t+ head. $*rectl2 or *nd*rectl2 I wa+ connected w*th
all of the0. It wa+, howe4er, the (la+t that wa+ clo+e+t to 02 heart. a+ha had alwa2+
wanted a for/0 fro0 wh*ch to +peak to the 0a++e+, an anarch*+t weekl2 la1o/r paper
to aro/+e the worker+ to con+c*o/+ re4ol/t*onar2 act*4*t2. 8*+ f*.ht*n. +p*r*t and a1le
pen were eno/.h to a++/re the (la+t 4*tal*t2 and co/ra.e. The co6operat*on of #o1ert
)*nor, the powerf/l cartoon*+t, added 0/ch to the 4al/e of the p/1l*cat*on.
#o1ert )*nor had wandered far +*nce the da2+ when I f*r+t 0et h*0 *n t. Lo/*+. 8e
had def*n*tel2 1roken w*th the 0*lk6and6water 1rand of +oc*al*+0 and had .*4en /p a
l/crat*4e po+*t*on on the New York !orld for a twent26f*4e6dollar6a6week 7o1 on the
+oc*al*+t da*l2 Call. 5Th*+ w*ll free 0e,5 he once told 0e, 5fro0 0ak*n. cartoon+ that
+how the 1le++*n.+ of the cap*tal*+t*c rE.*0e and *n7/re the ca/+e of la1o/r.5 In the
co/r+e of t*0e (o1 had de4eloped *nto a re4ol/t*on*+t and +/1+e>/entl2 *nto an
anarch*+t. 8e de4oted h*+ ener.2 and a1*l*t*e+ to o/r 0o4e0ent. )other "arth, #e4olt,
and the (la+t were con+*dera1l2 +tren.thened 12 h*+ trenchant 1r/+h and pen.
,ro0 =h*ladelph*a, !a+h*n.ton, and =*tt+1/r.h ca0e call+ for a +er*e+ of lect/re+ to
e3tend o4er +e4eral 0onth+. The *n*t*at*4e of o/r co0rade+ wa+ a +at*+f2*n. and
+t*0/lat*n. +*.n9 +/ch a 4ent/re had ne4er 1efore 1een tr*ed w*th one +peaker, 1/t o/r
fr*end+ were ea.er to atte0pt *t. I real*-ed the +tra*n *t wo/ld *n4ol4e to tra4el
cont*n/all2 fro0 town to town, lect/re e4er2 e4en*n., then r/+h 1ack to +peak at 02
,r*da2 and /nda2 0eet*n.+ *n New York. (/t I welco0ed the opport/n*t2 to awaken
*ntere+t *n the Lo+ An.ele+ ca+e, a.*tate a.a*n+t the war, and help c*rc/late o/r 4ar*o/+
p/1l*cat*on+.
)2 "n.l*+h lect/re+ *n =h*ladelph*a were hardl2 worth the weekl2 effort. The2
were poorl2 attended9 the few who d*d co0e were +l/..*+h and *nert, l*ke the +oc*al
at0o+phere *n the C*t2 of (rotherl2 Lo4e. There were onl2 two per+on+ who+e
fr*end+h*p reco0pen+ed 0e for the otherw*+e drear2 e3per*ence, 8arr2 (oland and
8orace Tra/1el.
8arr2 wa+ an old de4otee and alwa2+ .enero/+l2 helpf/l *n e4er2 +tr/..le I 0ade.
8orace Tra/1el I had f*r+t 0et at a !alt !h*t0an d*nner *n 1903. 8e had *0pre++ed
0e a+ the o/t+tand*n. per+onal*t2 a0on. the !h*t0an*te+. I en7o2ed the ho/r+ +pent
141
*n h*+ +anct/0, f*lled w*th !h*t0an 0ater*al and 1ook+, a+ well a+ w*th the f*le+ of h*+
own /n*>/e paper, the Con+er4ator. )o+t *ntere+t*n. were h*+ re0*n*+cence+ of the
@ood @ra2 =oet, who+e latter 2ear+ of l*fe 8orace had +hared. I .ot 0ore fro0 h*0 of
!alt than fro0 an2 1*o.rapher I had read, and I al+o .ot 0/ch of 8orace Tra/1el,
who re4ealed h*0+elf and h*+ own h/0an*t2 *n h*+ talk+ a1o/t h*+ 1elo4ed poet.
Another 0an 1ro/.ht clo+e to 0e 12 8orace wa+ "/.ene A. $e1+. I had 0et h*0
pre4*o/+l2 on +e4eral occa+*on+ and had cla+hed +word+ w*th h*0 *n a fr*endl2 wa2
o4er o/r pol*t*cal d*fference+, 1/t I knew l*ttle of h*+ real per+onal*t2. 8orace, an
*nt*0ate fr*end of $e1+:+, 0ade h*0 4*1rant to 0e *n the he*.ht+ and depth+ of h*+
character. The co0rade+h*p I felt for 8orace r*pened *nto a 1ea/t*f/l fr*end+h*p d/r*n.
02 4*+*t+ to =h*ladelph*a. The c*t2:+ e0pt2 1oa+t of 1rotherl2 lo4e wa+ redee0ed 12
none +o 0/ch a+ 12 8orace Tra/1el, who+e lo4e e01raced 0ank*nd.
#e+/lt+ *n !a+h*n.ton, $. C., +/rpr*+ed e4er21od2 and, 0o+t of all, o/r act*4e
worker+ L*ll*an K*+l*/k and her father. L*ll*an had for 2ear+ l*4ed *n the cap*tal, 1/t
had alwa2+ 1een +cept*cal a1o/t the +/cce++ of lect/re+ *n her c*t2, and part*c/larl2
a1o/t ha4*n. two a week. It wa+ her enth/+*a+0 for o/r *dea+, howe4er, that had
*nd/ced her to /ndertake the ta+k.
The =*tt+1/r.h arran.e0ent+ were *n char.e of o/r 4er2 a1le fr*end ;aco1 )ar.ol*+,
who wa+ a++*+ted 12 a .ro/p of 2o/n. A0er*can co0rade+, a0on. the0 @race Loan,
4er2 4*4*d and *nten+e, her h/+1and, To0, and h*+ 1rother, !alter. The Loan+ were
0o+t refre+h*n. 12 the*r .en/*nene++ and -eal, and the2 .a4e pro0*+e of .reat
/+ef/lne++ to o/r ca/+e. The2 had all worked l*ke 1ea4er+ to 0ake 02 0eet*n.+ a
+/cce++, 1/t /nfort/natel2 the re+/lt wa+ not co00en+/rate w*th the*r effort+. %n the
whole, howe4er, 02 +er*e+ of 0eet*n.+ *n the +tron.hold of the +teel6tr/+t were well
worth wh*le, e+pec*all2 1eca/+e ;aco1 )ar.ol*+ had +/cceeded *n *nd/c*n. a cl/1 of
law2er+ to *n4*te 0e to addre++ the0.
I had heretofore faced the repre+entat*4e+ of the law onl2 a+ a pr*+oner. %n th*+
occa+*on *t wa+ 02 t/rn66not to pa2 1ack *n k*nd, 1/t to tell the 7/d.e+ and pro+ec/tor+
a0on. 02 hearer+ what I tho/.ht of the*r profe++*on. I confe++ I d*d *t w*th .lee,
w*tho/t re0or+e or p*t2 for the pred*ca0ent of the .entle0en who had to l*+ten
w*tho/t 1e*n. a1le to p/n*+h 0e e4en for conte0pt of co/rt.
)2 lect/re+ *n New York that w*nter *ncl/ded the +/17ect of 1*rth6control. I had
def*n*tel2 dec*ded +o0e t*0e pre4*o/+l2 to 0ake p/1l*c the knowled.e of
contracept*4e+, part*c/larl2 at 02 Y*dd*+h 0eet*n.+, 1eca/+e the wo0en on the "a+t
*de needed that *nfor0at*on 0o+t. "4en *f I were not 4*tall2 *ntere+ted *n the 0atter,
the con4*ct*on of !*ll*a0 an.er and h*+ conde0nat*on to pr*+on wo/ld ha4e
*0pelled 0e to take /p the >/e+t*on. an.er had not 1een act*4el2 en.a.ed *n the
1*rth6control 0o4e0ent. 8e wa+ an art*+t, and he had 1een tr*cked 12 a Co0+tock
a.ent *nto .*4*n. h*0 a pa0phlet wh*ch h*+ w*fe, )ar.aret an.er, wa+ c*rc/lat*n..
8e co/ld ha4e pleaded *.norance and th/+ a4o*ded p/n*+h0ent. 8*+ 1old defence *n
co/rt earned h*0 the de+er4ed apprec*at*on of all r*.ht6th*nk*n. people.
)2 lect/re+ and atte0pt+ at lect/r*n. on 1*rth6control f*nall2 re+/lted *n 02 arre+t,
where/pon a p/1l*c prote+t wa+ arran.ed *n Carne.*e 8all. It wa+ an *0pre++*4e
.ather*n., w*th o/r fr*end and ardent co6worker Leonard $. A11ott pre+*d*n.. 8e
14C
pre+ented the h*+tor*cal a+pect+ of the +/17ect, wh*le $octor+ !*ll*a0 ;. #o1*n+on and
;. . @oldwater +poke fro0 the 0ed*cal po*nt of 4*ew. $r. #o1*n+on wa+ an old
cha0p*on of the ca/+e9 to.ether w*th the 4enera1le A1raha0 ;aco1*, he wa+ the
p*oneer of 1*rth6control *n the New York Acade02 of )ed*c*ne. Theodore chroeder
and (olton 8all *ll/0*nated the le.al +*de of fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on, and Anna tr/n+k2
!all*n., ;ohn #eed, and a n/01er of other +peaker+ dwelt on *t+ +oc*al and h/0an
4al/e a+ a l*1erat*n. factor, part*c/larl2 *n the l*4e+ of proletar*an+.
)2 tr*al, after +e4eral prel*0*nar2 hear*n.+, wa+ +et for Apr*l C0. %n the e4e of that
da2 a 1an>/et took place at the (re4oort 8otel, arran.ed 12 Anna loan and other
fr*end+. )e01er+ of the profe++*on+ and of 4ar*o/+ +oc*al tendenc*e+ were pre+ent.
%/r .ood old co0rade 8. ). Kell2 +poke for anarch*+0, #o+e =a+tor toke+ for
+oc*al*+0, and !h*dden @raha0 for the +*n.le6ta3er+. The world of art wa+
repre+ented 12 #o1ert 8enr*, @eor.e (ellow+, #o1ert )*nor, ;ohn loan, #andall
$a4e2, and (oard0an #o1*n+on. $r. @oldwater and other ph2+*c*an+ part*c*pated.
;ohn ,ranc*+ T/cker, of the Tw*l*.ht Cl/1, wa+ toa+t60a+ter and he l*4ed /p to h*+
rep/tat*on a+ one of the w*tt*e+t 0en *n New York. An enterta*n*n. d*+c/++*on wa+
pro4*ded 12 ;ohn Cowper =ow2+, the (r*t*+h wr*ter, and Ale3ander 8ar4e2, an ed*tor
of C/rrent L*terat/re. =ow2+ e3pre++ed h*0+elf a+ appalled 12 h*+ *.norance of 1*rth6
control 0ethod+, 1/t he *n+*+ted that tho/.h he per+onall2 wa+ not *ntere+ted *n the
0atter, 2et he 1elon.ed to the occa+*on 1eca/+e of h*+ con+t*t/t*onal o17ect*on to an2
+/ppre++*on of free e3pre++*on.
!hen at the clo+e I wa+ .*4en the floor to repl2 to the 4ar*o/+ po*nt+ ra*+ed, I called
the attent*on of the ./e+t+ to the fact that the pre+ence of )r. =ow2+ at a 1an>/et
.*4en to an anarch*+t wa+ 12 no 0ean+ h*+ f*r+t l*1ertar*an .e+t/re. 8e had .*4en
+tr*k*n. proof of h*+ *ntellect/al *nte.r*t2 +o0e 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2 *n Ch*ca.o when he
had ref/+ed to +peak at the 8e1rew In+t*t/te 1eca/+e that *n+t*t/t*on had den*ed *t+
pre0*+e+ to Ale3ander (erk0an. The latter had 1een anno/nced to +peak on the
Caplan6ch0*dt ca+e. At the la+t 0o0ent the d*rector+ of the In+t*t/te clo+ed *t+
door+. There/pon the Ch*ca.o worker+ had 1o2cotted the react*onar2 or.an*-at*on
and fo/nded the*r own !ork0en:+ In+t*t/te. hortl2 afterward+ )r. =ow2+ had
arr*4ed to del*4er a +er*e+ of lect/re+ at the 8e1rew In+t*t/te. !hen *nfor0ed of the
att*t/de of *t+ d*rector+ to (erk0an, )r. =ow2+ had cancelled h*+ en.a.e0ent+. 8*+
act*on wa+ e+pec*all2 co00enda1le 1eca/+e all he knew of (erk0an wa+ the
0*+repre+entat*on+ he had read *n the pre++.
#o+e =a+tor toke+ de0on+trated d*rect act*on at the 1an>/et. he anno/nced that
+he had w*th her t2pewr*tten +heet+ conta*n*n. *nfor0at*on on contracept*4e+ and that
+he wa+ read2 to hand the0 o/t to an2one who wanted the0. The 0a7or*t2 d*d.
In co/rt the ne3t da2, Apr*l C0, I pleaded 02 own ca+e. The $*+tr*ct Attorne2
*nterr/pted 0e cont*n/all2 12 tak*n. e3cept*on+, *n wh*ch he wa+ +/+ta*ned 12 two of
02 three 7/d.e+. =re+*d*n. ;/d.e %:Keefe pro4ed to 1e /ne3pectedl2 fa*r. After +o0e
t*lt+ w*th the 2o/n. pro+ec/tor I took the +tand *n 02 own 1ehalf. It .a4e 0e the
opport/n*t2 to e3po+e the *.norance of the detect*4e+ who te+t*f*ed a.a*n+t 0e and to
del*4er *n open co/rt a defence of 1*rth6control.
I +poke for an ho/r, clo+*n. w*th the declarat*on that *f *t wa+ a cr*0e to work for
health2 0otherhood and happ2 ch*ld6l*fe, I wa+ pro/d to 1e con+*dered a cr*0*nal.
143
;/d.e %:Keefe, rel/ctantl2 I tho/.ht, prono/nced 0e ./*lt2 and +entenced 0e to pa2 a
f*ne of one h/ndred dollar+ or +er4e f*fteen da2+ *n the workho/+e. %n pr*nc*ple I
ref/+ed to pa2 the f*ne, +tat*n. that I preferred to .o to 7a*l. It called forth an
appro4*n. de0on+trat*on, and the co/rt attendant+ cleared the roo0. I wa+ h/rr*ed off
to the To01+, whence I wa+ taken to the '/een+ Co/nt2 ;a*l.
%/r follow*n. /nda2 0eet*n., wh*ch I co/ld not attend, +*nce 02 for/0 wa+ now
a cell, wa+ t/rned *nto a prote+t a.a*n+t 02 con4*ct*on. A0on. the +peaker+ wa+ (en,
who anno/nced that pa0phlet+ conta*n*n. *nfor0at*on a1o/t contracept*4e+ were on
the l*terat/re ta1le and co/ld 1e taken free of char.e. (efore he had .ot off the
platfor0, the la+t of the pa0phlet+ had 1een +natched /p. (en wa+ arre+ted on the +pot
and held for tr*al.
In '/een+ Co/nt2 ;a*l, a+ on (lackwell:+ I+land 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2, I +aw *t
de0on+trated that the a4era.e +oc*al offender *+ 0ade, not 1orn. %ne 0/+t ha4e the
con+olat*on of an *deal to +/r4*4e the force+ de+*.ned to cr/+h the pr*+oner. 8a4*n.
+/ch an *deal, the f*fteen da2+ were a lark to 0e. I read 0ore than I had for 0onth+
o/t+*de, prepared 0ater*al for +*3 lect/re+ on A0er*can l*terat/re, and +t*ll had t*0e
for 02 fellow pr*+oner+.
L*ttle d*d the New York a/thor*t*e+ fore+ee the re+/lt+ of the arre+t+ of (en and 0e.
The Carne.*e 8all 0eet*n. had awakened *ntere+t thro/.ho/t the co/ntr2 *n the *dea
of 1*rth6control. =rote+t+ and p/1l*c de0and+ for the r*.ht to contracept*4e
*nfor0at*on were reported fro0 n/0ero/+ c*t*e+. In an ,ranc*+co fort2 lead*n.
wo0en +*.ned a declarat*on to the effect that the2 wo/ld .et o/t pa0phlet+ and 1e
read2 to .o to pr*+on. o0e proceeded to carr2 o/t the plan and the2 were arre+ted,
1/t the*r ca+e+ were d*+char.ed 12 the 7/d.e, who +tated that there wa+ no ord*nance
*n the c*t2 to proh*1*t the propa.at*on of 1*rth6control *nfor0at*on.
The ne3t Carne.*e 8all 0eet*n. wa+ held a+ a .reet*n. /pon 02 relea+e. The
occa+*on wa+ /nder the a/+p*ce+ of pro0*nent per+on+ *n New York, 1/t the act/al
or.an*-at*on work wa+ done 12 (en and h*+ 5+taff,5 a+ he called o/r act*4e 1o2+ and
.*rl+. (*rth6control had cea+ed to 1e a 0ere theoret*c *++/e9 *t 1eca0e an *0portant
pha+e of the +oc*al +tr/..le, wh*ch co/ld 1e ad4anced 0ore 12 deed+ than 12 word+.
"4er2 +peaker +tre++ed th*+ po*nt. It wa+ a.a*n #o+e =a+tor toke+ who carr*ed w*+he+
*nto act*on. he d*+tr*1/ted leaflet+ on contracept*4e+ fro0 the platfor0 of the fa0o/+
hall.
The +ole d*+t/r1*n. ele0ent wa+ )a3 "a+t0an, who declared a few 0*n/te+ 1efore
the open*n. of the 0eet*n. that he wo/ld not pre+*de *f (en #e*t0an +ho/ld 1e
allowed to +peak. In 4*ew of "a+t0an:+ +oc*al*+t*c *dea+ and h*+ pa+t *n+*+tence on the
r*.ht of free +peech th*+ /lt*0at/0 +hocked e4er2one on the co00*ttee. The fact that
(en wa+ /nder *nd*ct0ent for the 4er2 th*n. for wh*ch the 0eet*n. had 1een called
0ade )r. "a+t0an:+ att*t/de all the 0ore *nco0prehen+*1le. I +/..e+ted to h*0 to
w*thdraw, 1/t h*+ fr*end+ per+/aded h*0 to pre+*de. The *nc*dent once 0ore pro4ed
how poorl2 +o0e alle.ed rad*cal+ *n A0er*ca ha4e .ra+ped the tr/e 0ean*n. of
freedo0 and how l*ttle the2 care a1o/t *t+ act/al appl*cat*on *n l*fe. The 5c/lt/ral5
leader of +oc*al*+0 *n the &n*ted tate+ and ed*tor of the L*1erator per0*tted per+onal
d*+l*ke+ to +tand *n the wa2 of what he cla*0ed to 1e h*+ 5h*.h *deal.5
144
(en:+ tr*al took place on )a2 < *n pec*al e++*on+, 1efore ;/d.e+ #/++ell, )o++,
and )cInerne2. The la+t6na0ed wa+ the 0an who had +ent !*ll*a0 an.er to pr*+on
for a 0onth. (en pleaded h*+ own ca+e, 0ak*n. a +plend*d defence for 1*rth6control.
8e wa+ fo/nd ./*lt2, of co/r+e, and +entenced to the workho/+e for +*3t2 da2+,
1eca/+e, a+ ;/d.e )o++ p/t *t, he had 5acted w*th del*1erat*on, pre0ed*tat*on, and
foretho/.ht, *n def*ance of the law.5 (en cheerf/ll2 ad0*tted the *0p/tat*on.
8*+ con4*ct*on wa+ followed 12 a lar.e prote+t 0eet*n. *n &n*on >/are. A to/r*n.6
car wa+ o/r platfor0, and we +poke to the work*n. 0a++e+ that were +trea0*n. o/t
fro0 the factor*e+ and +hop+. (olton 8all pre+*ded9 Ida #a/h and ;e++*e A+hle2
handed o/t the for1*dden pa0phlet+. At the clo+e of the 0eet*n. the2 were all
arre+ted, *ncl/d*n. the cha*r0an.
In the e3c*te0ent of the 1*rth6control ca0pa*.n I d*d not for.et other *0portant
*++/e+. The "/ropean +la/.hter wa+ cont*n/*n., and the A0er*can 0*l*tar*+t+ were
.row*n. 1loodth*r+t2 at the +0ell of the red +trea0. %/r n/01er+ were few, o/r 0ean+
l*0*ted, 1/t we concentrated o/r 1e+t ener.*e+ to +te0 the t*de of war.
The "a+ter /pr*+*n. *n Ireland wa+ c/l0*nat*n. tra.*call2. I had enterta*ned no
*ll/+*on+ a1o/t the re1ell*on, hero*c a+ *t wa+9 *t lacked the con+c*o/+ a*0 of co0plete
e0anc*pat*on fro0 econo0*c and pol*t*cal r/le. )2 +20path*e+ were nat/rall2 on the
+*de of the re4olt*n. 0a++e+ and a.a*n+t (r*t*+h *0per*al*+0, wh*ch had oppre++ed
Ireland for +o 0an2 cent/r*e+.
"3ten+*4e read*n. of Ir*+h l*terat/re had endeared the @ael*c people to 0e. I lo4ed
the0 a+ pa*nted 12 Yeat+ and Lad2 @re.or2, )/rra2 and #o1*n+on, and a1o4e all 12
2n.e. The2 had +hown 0e the re0arka1le +*0*lar*t2 1etween the Ir*+h pea+ant and
the #/++*an 0o/7*k I knew +o well. In the*r naI4e +*0pl*c*t2 and lack of
+oph*+t*cat*on, *n the 0ot*f of the*r folk60elod*e+, and *n the*r pr*0*t*4e att*t/de
toward+ law61reak*n., wh*ch +ee+ *n the offender an /nfort/nate rather than a
cr*0*nal, the2 were 1rother+. The Ir*+h poet+ +ee0ed to 0e 0ore e3pre++*4e e4en than
the #/++*an wr*ter+, the*r lan./a.e 1e*n. the*r people:+ own ton./e. The de1t I owed
to Celt*c l*terat/re and to 02 Ir*+h fr*end+ *n A0er*ca, and 02 feel*n. for the
oppre++ed e4er2where, co01*ned *n 02 att*t/de to the /pr*+*n.. In )other "arth and
on the platfor0 I 4o*ced 02 +ol*dar*t2 w*th the people r*+en *n re1ell*on.
The >/al*t2 of +o0e of the 4*ct*0+ of (r*t*+h *0per*al*+0 wa+ 0ade 4*4*d to 0e 12
=adra*c Col/0. 8e had 1een *n clo+e to/ch w*th the 0art2red leader+ and +poke w*th
knowled.e and /nder+tand*n. of the e4ent+ of "a+ter week. Lo4*n.l2 he re0e01ered
=adra*c 8. =ear+e, the poet and teacher, ;a0e+ Connoll2, the proletar*an re1el, and
,ranc*+ heeh26keff*n.ton, a 0o+t .entle and .en/*ne +o/l. Col/0:+ de+cr*pt*on
0ade the 0en l*4e a.a*n and 0o4ed 0e profo/ndl2. At 02 re>/e+t he wrote an
acco/nt of the e4ent+ for )other "arth, wh*ch wa+ p/1l*+hed *n o/r 0a.a-*ne to.ether
w*th =adra*c 8. =ear+e:+ +t*rr*n. poe0 5The =aean of ,reedo0.5
No le++ than @reat (r*ta*n o/r own co/ntr2 wr*thed *n the throe+ of react*on. After
)atthew A. ch0*dt had 1een conde0ned to l*fe *0pr*+on0ent there ca0e the
con4*ct*on of $a4*d Caplan, who wa+ +entenced to ten 2ear+ *n the Cal*forn*a tate
pr*+on at an '/ent*n. The >/arter+ of the )a.Jn 1rother+, cha0p*on+ of )e3*can
l*1ert2, were ra*ded *n Lo+ An.ele+, and #*cardo and "nr*co )a.Jn arre+ted. In
14F
northern )*nne+ota th*rt2 tho/+and *ron6ore 0*ner+ were wa.*n. a de+perate +tr/..le
for 0ore 1eara1le cond*t*on+ of e3*+tence. The 0*ne6owner+, a*ded 12 the
@o4ern0ent, +o/.ht to 1reak the +tr*ke 12 arre+t*n. *t+ leader+, *ncl/d*n. Carlo
Tre+ca, ,rank 8. L*ttle, @eor.e Andre2ch*n, and other+ act*4e *n 1ehalf of the to*ler+.
Arre+t+ followed arre+t+ thro/.ho/t the co/ntr2, acco0pan*ed 12 the /t0o+t pol*ce
1r/tal*t2 and enco/ra.ed 12 the +/1+er4*ence of the co/rt+ to the de0and+ of cap*tal.
(en wa+ 0eanwh*le +er4*n. h*+ +entence *n the '/een+ Co/nt2 ;a*l. 8*+ letter+
1reathed a +eren*t2 I had ne4er known h*0 to feel 1efore. I wa+ d/e to lea4e on 02
to/r. There were 0an2 fr*end+ to look after (en *n 02 a1+ence, and we planned to
ha4e h*0 7o*n 0e *n Cal*forn*a /pon h*+ relea+e. There wa+ no rea+on for an3*et2
a1o/t h*0, and he h*0+elf /r.ed 0e to .o, 2et I wa+ loath to lea4e h*0 *n pr*+on. ,or
e*.ht 2ear+ he had +hared the pa*n and 7o2 of 02 +tr/..le. 8ow wo/ld *t 1e, I
wondered, to to/r a.a*n w*tho/t (en, w*tho/t h*+ ele0ental act*4*t2, wh*ch had helped
+o 0/ch to 0ake 02 0eet*n.+ a +/cce++B And how +ho/ld I 1ear the +tra*n of the
+tr/..le w*tho/t (en:+ affect*on and the co0fort of h*+ pre+enceB The tho/.ht ch*lled
0e, 2et the lar.er p/rpo+e, wh*ch wa+ 02 l*fe, wa+ too 4*tal to 1e affected 12 per+onal
need+. I left alone.
Chapter 44
IN $"NA"# I 8A$ T8" #AT8"# &N&&AL "K="#I"NC" %, ""IN@ A
7/d.e pre+*de at 02 lect/re on 1*rth6control. It wa+ (en (. L*nd+e2. 8e +poke w*th
con4*ct*on on the *0portance of fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on and he pa*d h*.h tr*1/te to 02
effort+. I had f*r+t 0et the ;/d.e and h*+ 4er2 attract*4e w*fe +e4eral 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2
and I had +pent t*0e w*th the0 whene4er I 4*+*ted $en4er. Thro/.h fr*end+ I had
learned of the +ha0ef/l treat0ent he had rece*4ed at the hand+ of h*+ pol*t*cal
ene0*e+. The2 had not onl2 c*rc/lated the 0o+t +c/rr*lo/+ report+ a1o/t h*+ p/1l*c and
pr*4ate *nte.r*t2, 1/t the2 had e4en d*rected the*r attack+ a.a*n+t )r+. L*nd+e2,
anon20o/+l2 threaten*n. and terror*-*n. her. Yet I fo/nd ;/d.e L*nd+e2 free fro0
1*tterne++, .enero/+ toward+ h*+ ene0*e+, and deter0*ned to p/r+/e h*+ own co/r+e.
!h*le *n the c*t2, I had the opport/n*t2 of attend*n. a lect/re 12 $r. tanle2 8all on
5)oral =roph2la3*+.5 I wa+ fa0*l*ar w*th h*+ work and I 1el*e4ed h*0 to 1e a p*oneer
*n the f*eld of +e3 p+2cholo.2. In h*+ wr*t*n.+ I had fo/nd the +/17ect *ll/0*ned
+20pathet*call2 and w*th /nder+tand*n.. $r. 8all wa+ *ntrod/ced 12 a 0*n*+ter, wh*ch
c*rc/0+tance 0a2 ha4e hand*capped h*+ freedo0 of e3pre++*on. 8e talked 1adl2 and
endle++l2 on the need of the ch/rche+: tak*n. /p +e3 *n+tr/ct*on a+ 5a +afe./ard for
cha+t*t2, 0oral*t2, and rel*.*on,5 and he 4o*ced ant*>/ated not*on+ that had no 1ear*n.
e*ther on +e3 or on p+2cholo.2. It 0ade 0e +ad to +ee h*0 .rown +o fee1le,
part*c/larl2 0entall2, +*nce we had 0et at the cele1rat*on of the twent*eth ann*4er+ar2
of Clark &n*4er+*t2 and at 02 own lect/re+. I felt +orr2 for the A0er*can people who
were accept*n. +/ch *nfant*le +t/ff a+ a/thor*tat*4e *nfor0at*on.
)2 lect/re+ *n Lo+ An.ele+ were or.an*-ed 12 a+ha, who had +pec*all2 co0e for
the p/rpo+e fro0 an ,ranc*+co, where he wa+ p/1l*+h*n. the (la+t. 8e had worked
ener.et*call2, and 02 0eet*n.+ pro4ed to 1e +/cce++f/l *n e4er2 wa2. Yet I 0*++ed
(en, (en w*th all h*+ weakne++e+, h*+ *rre+pon+*1*l*t2 and wa2+ that were +o often
har+h. (/t 02 lon.*n.+ were +t*lled 12 the /r.ent need+ of the Lo+ An.ele+ +*t/at*on.
14G
)2 lect/re on 5=reparedne++5 happened to fall on the da2 of the =reparedne++
=arade. !e co/ld ha4e cho+en no 0ore opport/ne date had we known *n ad4ance of
the planned 0*l*tar*+t de0on+trat*on. In the afternoon the people of Lo+ An.ele+ were
treated to a patr*ot*c +pectacle, at wh*ch the2 were a++/red that 5the lo4er of peace
0/+t .o ar0ed to the teeth,5 wh*le *n the e4en*n. the2 heard *t e0pha+*-ed that 5he
who .oe+ ar0ed *+ the .reate+t 0enace to peace.5 o0e patr*ot+ had co0e to o/r
0eet*n. w*th the *ntent*on of 1reak*n. *t /p. The2 chan.ed the*r 0*nd+, howe4er,
when the2 +aw that o/r a/d*ence wa+ not *n a 0ood to l*+ten to 7*n.o appeal+.
The 1rother+ #*cardo and "nr*co ,lore+ )a.Jn were 1e*n. held *n the Lo+ An.ele+
7a*l, and the local co0rade+ had +o far not +/cceeded *n 1a*l*n. the0 o/t. Tw*ce
1efore had the+e 0en 1een ra*l6roaded to pr*+on for the*r 1old ad4ocac2 of l*1ert2 for
the )e3*can people. $/r*n. the*r ten 2ear+: re+*dence *n the &n*ted tate+ the2 had
1een *0pr*+oned f*4e 2ear+. Now )e3*can *nfl/ence *n A0er*ca +o/.ht to +end the0
/p for the th*rd t*0e. The people who knew and lo4ed the )a.Jn+ were too poor to
1a*l the0 o/t, wh*le tho+e who had 0ean+ 1el*e4ed the0 to 1e the dan.ero/+
cr*0*nal+ the2 were p*ct/red 12 the pre++. "4en +o0e of 02 A0er*can fr*end+, I
fo/nd, had 1een *nfl/enced 12 the new+paper ra4*n.+. a+ha and I +et to work to
+ec/re the needed ten6tho/+and6dollar 1ond. (eca/+e of the off*c*al den/nc*at*on of
e4er2th*n. )e3*can o/r ta+k pro4ed to 1e e3tre0el2 d*ff*c/lt. !e e4en had to
co0p*le 0ater*al to +how that the onl2 offence of the )a.Jn+ con+*+ted *n the*r
+elfle++ de4ot*on to the ca/+e of )e3*can l*1ert2. After 0/ch effort we +/cceeded *n
proc/r*n. the*r relea+e on 1ond. The happ2 +/rpr*+e on the face+ of #*cardo and
"nr*co, who do/1ted the po++*1*l*t2 of 1a*l*n. the0 o/t, wa+ the h*.he+t apprec*at*on
of o/r work *n the*r 1ehalf.
An *0pre++*4e +cene took place *n co/rt when the )a.Jn 1rother+ appeared for
the*r hear*n.. The co/rt6roo0 wa+ f*lled w*th )e3*can+. !hen the 7/d.e entered, not
one of the0 +tood /p, 1/t when the )a.Jn+ were led *n, the2 ro+e to a 0an and
1owed low 1efore the0. It wa+ a 0a.n*f*cent .e+t/re that de0on+trated the place
the+e two 1rother+ held *n the heart+ of tho+e +*0ple people.
In an ,ranc*+co a+ha and ,*t-* had prepared e4er2th*n. to 0ake 02 0onth:+ +ta2
*n the c*t2 plea+ant and /+ef/l. )2 f*r+t lect/re+ were 0o+t +at*+factor2, and the2 held
o/t 0/ch pro0*+e for the re+t of 02 +er*e+. I had 02 own apart0ent, a+ I wa+
e3pect*n. (en to 7o*n 0e *n ;/l2. (/t I +pent a .reat deal of 02 free t*0e w*th a+ha
and ,*t-* *n the*r place.
%n at/rda2, ;/l2 CC, 191G, I wa+ l/nch*n. w*th the0. It wa+ a .olden Cal*forn*a
da2, and the three of /+ were *n a 1r*.ht 0ood. !e were a lon. t*0e o4er o/r
l/ncheon, a+ha re.al*n. /+ w*th a h/0oro/+ acco/nt of ,*t-*:+ c/l*nar2 e3plo*t+. The
telephone ran., and he +tepped *nto h*+ off*ce to an+wer *t. !hen he ret/rned, I
not*ced the e3tre0el2 +er*o/+ e3pre++*on on h*+ face, and I *nt/*t*4el2 felt that
+o0eth*n. had happened.
5A 1o01 e3ploded *n the =reparedne++ =arade th*+ afternoon,:: he +a*d9 5there are
k*lled and wo/nded.5 5I hope the2 aren:t .o*n. to hold the anarch*+t+ re+pon+*1le for
*t,5 I cr*ed o/t. 58ow co/ld the2B5 ,*t-* retorted. 58ow co/ld the2 notB5 a+ha
an+wered9 5the2 alwa2+ ha4e.5
14H
)2 lect/re on 5=reparedne++5 had or*.*nall2 1een +ched/led for the C0th. (/t we
learned that the l*1eral and pro.re++*4e la1o/r ele0ent+ had arran.ed an ant*6
preparedne++ 0a++ 0eet*n. for the +a0e e4en*n., and, not w*+h*n. to confl*ct w*th the
occa+*on, po+tponed 02 talk for the CCnd. It +tr/ck 0e now that we had 1arel2
e+caped 1e*n. *n4ol4ed *n the e3plo+*on9 had 02 0eet*n. taken place a+ +ched/led,
pr*or to the tra.ed2, e4er2one connected w*th 02 work wo/ld ha4e /ndo/1tedl2 1een
held re+pon+*1le for the 1o01. The telephone call had co0e fro0 a new+paper 0an
who wanted to know what we had to +a2 a1o/t the e3plo+*on 666 the /+/al >/e+t*on of
reporter+ and detect*4e+ on +/ch occa+*on+.
%n the wa2 to 02 apart0ent I heard new+1o2+ call*n. o/t e3tra ed*t*on+. I 1o/.ht
the paper+ and fo/nd what I had e3pected 666 .lar*n. headl*ne+ a1o/t an 5Anarch*+t
(o015 all o4er the front pa.e+. The paper+ de0anded the *00ed*ate arre+t of the
+peaker+ at the ant*6preparedne++ 0eet*n. of ;/l2 C0. 8ear+t:+ "3a0*ner wa+
e+pec*all2 1loodth*r+t2. The pan*c that followed on the heel+ of the e3plo+*on e3po+ed
+tr*k*n.l2 the lack of co/ra.e, not onl2 of the a4era.e per+on, 1/t of the rad*cal+ and
l*1eral+ a+ well. (efore the CCnd of ;/l2 the2 had f*lled o/r hall e4er2 e4en*n. for two
week+, wa3*n. enth/+*a+t*c o4er 02 lect/re+. Now at the f*r+t +*.n of dan.er the2 ran
to co4er l*ke a pack of +heep at the approach of a +tor0.
%n the e4en*n. follow*n. the e3plo+*on there were 7/+t f*ft2 people at 02 0eet*n.,
the re+t of the a/d*ence con+*+t*n. of detect*4e+. The at0o+phere wa+ 4er2 ten+e,
e4er21od2 f*d.et*n. a1o/t, apparentl2 *n terror of another 1o01. In 02 lect/re I dealt
w*th the tra.ed2 of the afternoon a+ pro4*n. 0ore con4*nc*n.l2 than theoret*c
d*++ertat*on+ that 4*olence 1e.et+ 4*olence. La1o/r on the Coa+t had 1een oppo+ed to
the preparedne++ parade, and /n*on 0e01er+ had 1een a+ked not to part*c*pate. It wa+
an open +ecret *n an ,ranc*+co that the pol*ce and the new+paper+ had 1een warned
that +o0eth*n. 4*olent 0*.ht happen *f the Cha01er of Co00erce kept *n+*+t*n. on
the p/1l*c de0on+trat*on of *t+ 0a*led f*+t. Yet the 5patr*ot+5 had per0*tted the parade
to take place, del*1eratel2 e3po+*n. the part*c*pant+ to dan.er. The *nd*fference to
h/0an l*fe on the part of tho+e who had +ta.ed the +pectacle .a4e a foreta+te of how
cheapl2 l*fe wo/ld 1e con+*dered +ho/ld A0er*ca enter the war.
A re*.n of off*c*al terror followed the e3plo+*on. #e4ol/t*onar2 worker+ and
anarch*+t+ were, a+ alwa2+, the f*r+t 4*ct*0+. ,o/r la1o/r 0en and one wo0an were
*00ed*atel2 arre+ted. The2 were Tho0a+ ;. )oone2 and h*+ w*fe, #ena, !arren K.
(*ll*n.+, "dward $. Nolan, and I+rael !e*n1er..
Tho0a+ )oone2, lon. a 0e01er of )o/lder+: &n*on, Local 1G4, wa+ known
thro/.ho/t Cal*forn*a a+ an ener.et*c f*.hter *n the ca/+e of the worker+. ,or 0an2
2ear+ he had 1een an effect*4e factor *n 4ar*o/+ +tr*ke+. (eca/+e of h*+ *ncorr/pt*1*l*t2
he wa+ cord*all2 hated 12 e4er2 e0plo2er and la1o/r pol*t*c*an on the Coa+t. The
&n*ted #a*lwa2+ had tr*ed, a few 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2, to p/t )oone2 1eh*nd the 1ar+, 1/t
e4en the far0er 7/r2 had ref/+ed to cred*t the fra0e6/p a.a*n+t h*0. #ecentl2 he had
+o/.ht to or.an*-e a.a*n the 0otor0en and cond/ctor+ of the +treet6car co01*ne. 8e
had atte0pted, /n+/cce++f/ll2, to call a +tr*ke of the platfor060en a few week+ 1efore
the parade, and the &n*ted #a*lwa2+ 0arked h*0 for the*r 4*ct*0. The2 po+ted
1/llet*n+ on the car 1arn+, warn*n. the*r 0en to ha4e noth*n. to do w*th the
5d2na0*ter )oone2,5 on pa*n of *00ed*ate d*+char.e.
14<
%n the n*.ht follow*n. the po+t*n. of the 1/llet*n+, +o0e power 666 tower+ of the
co0pan2 were 1lown /p, and tho+e who knew +0*led at the o14*o/+ atte0pt of the
ra*lwa2 1o++e+ to 5.et5 )oone2 12 the pec/l*arl2 5t*0el25 1rand*n. of h*0 a+ a
d2na0*ter.
!arren K. (*ll*n.+, for0erl2 pre+*dent of the (oot and hoe !orker+: &n*on, had
for 2ear+ 1een act*4e *n la1o/r +tr/..le+, and the e0plo2er+ had once 1efore
+/cceeded *n ra*lroad*n. h*0 to pr*+on on a tr/0ped6/p char.e *n conne3*on w*th
+tr*ke tro/1le+ *n an ,ranc*+co.
"dward $. Nolan wa+ a 0an .reatl2 ad0*red and re+pected 12 la1o/r ele0ent+ on
the Coa+t for h*+ clear +oc*al 4*+*on, *ntell*.ence, and ener.2. 8e had, a few da2+
pre4*o/+ to the preparedne++ parade, ret/rned fro0 (alt*0ore, where he had 1een +ent
a+ a dele.ate to the )ach*n*+t+: con4ent*on. Nolan wa+ al+o ch*ef of the p*cket+ *n the
local 0ach*n*+t+: +tr*ke, and he had lon. +*nce 1een p/t on the e0plo2er+: 1lack6l*+t.
I+rael !e*n1er. wa+ a 0e01er of the e3ec/t*4e 1oard of the ;*tne2 (/+ %perator+:
&n*on, wh*ch had *nc/rred the en0*t2 of the &n*ted #a*lwa2+ 12 +er*o/+l2
e01arra++*n. *t+ rece*pt+. The +treet6car co0pan2 wa+ tr2*n. to dr*4e the 7*tne2+ off
the pr*nc*pal +treet+, and the opport/n*t2 to d*+cred*t the ;*tne2 (/+ &n*on 12 char.*n.
a pro0*nent 0e01er w*th 0/rder wa+ not to 1e lo+t 12 $*+tr*ct Attorne2 ,*ckert of
an ,ranc*+co, who0 the ra*lwa2+ had helped to off*ce that he 0*.ht >/a+h the
*nd*ct0ent+ a.a*n+t the*r corr/pt off*c*al+ 666 wh*ch he pro0ptl2 d*d a+ +oon a+
elected.
)r+. #ena )oone2, the w*fe of To0 )oone2, wa+ a well6known 0/+*c6teacher.
An ener.et*c and de4oted wo0an, her arre+t wa+ a pol*ce co/p to pre4ent her effort+
*n 1ehalf of To0.
To char.e the+e 0en w*th re+pon+*1*l*t2 for the preparedne++6parade e3plo+*on wa+
a del*1erate atte0pt to +tr*ke La1o/r a deadl2 1low thro/.h *t+ 0o+t ener.et*c and
/nco0pro0*+*n. repre+entat*4e+. !e e3pected a concerted re+pon+e *n 1ehalf of the
acc/+ed fro0 the l*1eral and rad*cal ele0ent+, re.ardle++ of pol*t*cal d*fference+.
In+tead we were confronted 12 co0plete +*lence on the part of the 4er2 people who
had for 2ear+ known and colla1orated w*th )oone2, Nolan, and the*r fellow6
pr*+oner+.
The )cNa0ara confe++*on wa+ +t*ll ha/nt*n., .ho+tl*ke, the wak*n. and +leep*n.
ho/r+ of the*r er+twh*le fr*end+ a0on. the la1o/r pol*t*c*an+. There wa+ not a +*n.le
pro0*nent 0an *n the /n*on+ on the Coa+t who now dared +peak /p for h*+ arre+ted
1rother+ There wa+ no one to offer a penn2 for the*r defence. Not one word appeared
e4en *n %r.an*-ed La1or, the or.an of the powerf/l 1/*ld*n. trade+, of wh*ch %laf
Tweet0ore wa+ ed*tor. Not a word *n the La1or Clar*on, the off*c*al weekl2 of the
an ,ranc*+co La1or Co/nc*l and of the tate ,ederat*on of La1or. "4en ,re0ont
%lder, who had +o +ta/nchl2 defended the )cNa0ara+ and who had alwa2+ 1ra4el2
cha0p*oned e4er2 /npop/lar ca/+e, wa+ +*lent now, *n the face of the e4*dent
Cha01er of Co00erce con+p*rac2 to han. *nnocent 0en.
It wa+ a de+perate +*t/at*on. %nl2 a+ha and I dared +peak /p for the pr*+oner+. (/t
149
we were known a+ anarch*+t+ and *t wa+ a >/e+t*on whether the acc/+ed, of who0
onl2 I+rael wa+ an anarch*+t, wo/ld w*+h to ha4e /+ aff*l*ated w*th the*r defence9 the2
0*.ht feel that o/r na0e+ wo/ld h/rt the*r ca+e rather than do the0 .ood. I 02+elf
knew the0 1/t +l*.htl2, and !arren K. (*ll*n.+ I had ne4er 0et. (/t we co/ld not +*t
12 *dl2 and 1e a part2 to the con+p*rac2 of +*lence. !e +ho/ld ha4e co0e to the*r
a++*+tance e4en *f we had tho/.ht the0 ./*lt2 of the char.e+, 1/t a+ha knew all of
the acc/+ed well and he wa+ a1+ol/tel2 certa*n of the*r *nnocence. 8e con+*dered none
of the0 capa1le of throw*n. a 1o01 *nto a crowd of people. 8*+ a++/rance wa+
+/ff*c*ent ./arantee for 0e that the2 had had no conne3*on whate4er w*th the
preparedne++6parade e3plo+*on.
$/r*n. the two week+ follow*n. the tra.ed2 of ;/l2 CC the (la+t and 02 0eet*n.+
were the onl2 e3pre++*on of prote+t a.a*n+t the terror*+t ca0pa*.n carr*ed on 12 the
local a/thor*t*e+, at the 1ehe+t of the Cha01er of Co00erce. #o1ert )*nor,
+/00oned 12 a+ha fro0 Lo+ An.ele+, ca0e to help *n o/r preparat*on+ for the
defence of the acc/+ed *nnocent 0en.
(en, who had arr*4ed fro0 New York /pon the co0plet*on of h*+ pr*+on ter0, wa+
4*olentl2 oppo+ed to 02 re0a*n*n. *n an ,ranc*+co to f*n*+h 02 lect/re +er*e+. )2
0eet*n.+ were /nder pol*ce +/r4e*llance, the hall f*lled w*th horde+ of detect*4e+,
who+e pre+ence kept 02 a/d*ence+ awa2. 8e co/ld not +tand defeat9 the 0ere handf/l
of fa*thf/l fr*end+ *n o/r hall, hold*n. a tho/+and, wa+ too 0/ch for h*0. o0eth*n.
el+e al+o +ee0ed to 1e on h*+ 0*nd. 8e wa+ 0ore than /+/all2 re+tle++ and he
1e+o/.ht 0e to d*+cont*n/e 02 lect/re+ and lea4e the c*t2. (/t I co/ld not .o 1ack on
02 en.a.e0ent+ and I +ta2ed on. I +/cceeded *n ra*+*n. at 02 0eet*n.+ a h/ndred
dollar+ and *n 1orrow*n. a con+*dera1le +/0 for the defence of the arre+ted la1o/r
0en. (/t +o terr*f*ed wa+ an ,ranc*+co that no attorne2 of +tand*n. wo/ld accept the
ca+e of the pr*+oner+, who had alread2 1een conde0ned 12 e4er2 paper *n the c*t2.
It re>/*red +e4eral week+ of the 0o+t +tren/o/+ effort on o/r part to awaken +o0e
+e01lance of *ntere+t e4en a0on. the rad*cal+. !*th a+ha, (o1 )*nor, and ,*t-* *n
char.e of the act*4*t*e+, I now felt free to cont*n/e 02 to/r, tho/.h I wa+ 4er2 /nea+2
a1o/t the*r own fate. The (la+t:+ /ncond*t*onal +/pport of )oone2 and h*+ co0rade+
had alread2 +/17ected a+ha and h*+ a++oc*ate+, ,*t-* and o/r .ood 5wede5 Carl, to
the +cr/t*n2 of the pol*ce a/thor*t*e+. o0e da2+ after the e3plo+*on, detect*4e+ had
forc*1l2 entered the (la+t off*ce and had for ho/r+ ran+acked *t, tak*n. awa2
e4er2th*n. the2 co/ld la2 the*r hand+ on, *ncl/d*n. the Cal*forn*a +/1+cr*pt*on l*+t of
)other "arth. The2 had taken a+ha and ,*t-* to head>/arter+, +e4erel2 .r*lled the0
on the*r act*4*t*e+, and threatened to arre+t the0.
The +/1l*0e and the r*d*c/lo/+ often o4erlap each other. At the he*.ht of all the
worr2 and an3*et2 a1o/t the an ,ranc*+co +*t/at*on, wh*le on 02 wa2 to =ortland
w*th (en, he wa+ +e*-ed w*th one of h*+ per*od*c f*t+ to 5n/r+e h*+ +o/l, ta1/late h*+
*dea+, and .et ac>/a*nted w*th h*0+elf.5 8*+ pla*nt wa+ a.a*n that he co/ld not
cont*n/e for e4er a 50ere off*ce 1o2,5 carr2*n. 1/ndle+ and +ell*n. l*terat/re9 he had
other a01*t*on+9 he wanted to wr*te. 8e had wanted to wr*te all alon., he +a*d, 1/t I
had ne4er .*4en h*0 the chance. a+ha, he declared, wa+ 02 .od, a+ha:+ l*fe and
work 02 rel*.*on. In e4er2 d*ff*c/lt2 that had ar*+en 1etween h*0 and a+ha I had
alwa2+ +*ded w*th the latter, he +a*d. (en had ne4er 1een per0*tted h*+ wa2 *n
an2th*n.9 I had e4en den*ed h*0 h*+ lon.*n. for a ch*ld. 8e *n+*+ted he had not
1F0
for.otten that I had told h*0 I had 0ade 02 cho*ce and that I co/ld not allow a ch*ld
to hand*cap 02 work *n the 0o4e0ent. )2 att*t/de had h/n. o4er h*0 l*ke a pall, he
declared, and *t had 0ade h*0 afra*d to confe++ that he had 1een l*4*n. w*th another
.*rl. 8*+ 2earn*n. for a ch*ld, alwa2+ 4er2 +tron., had 1eco0e 0ore co0pell*n. +*nce
he had 0et that .*rl. $/r*n. h*+ *0pr*+on0ent *n the '/een+ Co/nt2 ;a*l he had
deter0*ned to allow noth*n. to +tand *n the wa2 of the f/lf*l0ent of h*+ .reat w*+h.
5(/t 2o/ ha4e a ch*ld,5 I +a*d, 52o/r l*ttle 8elen? 8a4e 2o/ e4er +hown paternal
lo4e for her, or e4en the lea+t *ntere+t, e3cept on Aalent*ne:+ $a2, when I wo/ld p*ck
o/t 2o/r card+ for herB5
8e wa+ onl2 a 0ere 2o/th when the ch*ld wa+ 1orn, he repl*ed9 and the whole th*n.
had 1een an acc*dent. Now he wa+ th*rt26e*.ht, w*th a 5con+c*o/+ feel*n. for
fatherhood.5
I knew there wa+ no /+e *n ar./*n.. &nl*ke h*+ confe++*on *n the f*r+t 2ear of o/r
lo4e, wh*ch had +tr/ck 0e l*ke a 1olt of l*.htn*n. o/t of a clear +k2, th*+ new
d*+clo+/re hardl2 +hocked or wo/nded 0e. The other had left +car+ too deep to heal or
e4er to allow 0e freedo0 fro0 do/1t. I had alwa2+ ./e++ed h*+ decept*on+9 +o
acc/ratel2, *ndeed, that he called 0e a herlock 8ol0e+ 5fro0 who+e e2e+ noth*n. *+
h*dden.5
=ec/l*ar *ron2 of c*rc/0+tance+? In New York (en had +tarted a 5/nda26+chool
cla++,5 wh*ch e3po+ed 0e to the r*d*c/le of 02 co0rade+. 5A /nda26+chool *n an
anarch*+t off*ce?5 the2 la/.hed9 5;e+/+ *n the +anct/0 of the athe*+t.5 I +*ded w*th (en.
,ree +peech *ncl/ded h*+ r*.ht to ;e+/+, I +a*d. I knew that (en wa+ no 0ore a
Chr*+t*an than the 0*ll*on+ of other+ who procla*0 the0+el4e+ follower+ of the
Na-arene. It wa+ rather the per+onal*t2 of the 5on of )an5 that appealed to (en, a+ *t
had e4er +*nce h*+ earl2 2o/th. 8*+ rel*.*o/+ +ent*0ental*+0 wo/ld do no th*nk*n.
per+on an2 har0, I tho/.ht. )o+t of h*+ /nda26+chool p/p*l+ were .*rl+ who were
0/ch 0ore attracted to the*r teacher than to h*+ Lord. I felt that (en:+ rel*.*o/+
e0ot*onal*+0 wa+ +tron.er than h*+ anarch*+t*c con4*ct*on+, and I co/ld not den2 h*0
h*+ r*.ht of e3pre++*on.
To 0a*nta*n con+*+tenc2 *n a world of cra++ contrad*ct*on+ *+ not ea+2, and I had
fre>/entl2 1een an2th*n. 1/t con+*+tent *n re.ard to (en. 8*+ lo4e6affa*r+ w*th all
+ort+ of wo0en had ca/+ed 0e too 0an2 e0ot*onal /phea4al+ to allow 0e to act
alwa2+ *n con+onance w*th 02 *dea+. T*0e, howe4er, *+ a .reat le4eller of feel*n.. I
no lon.er cared a1o/t (en:+ erot*c ad4ent/re+, and h*+ newe+t confe++*on d*d not
affect 0e deepl2. (/t *t wa+ *ndeed the he*.ht of tra.*co0ed2 that 02 +tand *n fa4o/r
of (en:+ /nda26+chool *n the )other "arth off*ce +ho/ld re+/lt *n an affa*r w*th one
of h*+ .*rl p/p*l+. And then 02 an3*et2 a1o/t lea4*n. (en *n the 7a*l and .o*n. on to/r
w*tho/t h*0 at the 4er2 t*0e he wa+ a1+or1ed *n h*+ new o1+e++*on? It wa+ all +o
a1+/rd and .rote+>/e 666 I felt /n/ttera1l2 wear2 and po++e++ed onl2 of a de+*re to .et
awa2 +o0ewhere and for.et the fa*l/re of 02 per+onal l*fe, to for.et e4en the cr/el
/r.e to +tr/..le for an *deal.
I dec*ded to .o to =ro4*ncetown for a 0onth, to 4*+*t w*th tella and her 1a12. !*th
the0 I wo/ld re+t and perhap+ f*nd peace, peace.
1F1
tella a 0other? It +ee0ed +/ch a +hort wh*le +*nce +he her+elf had 1een a l*ttle
1a12, the one ra2 of +/n+h*ne *n 02 1leak #oche+ter da2+. !hen +he wa+ a1o/t to
.*4e 1*rth to her ch*ld, I lon.ed to 1e w*th her *n that +/pre0e 0o0ent. In+tead I had
1een o1l*.ed to lect/re *n =h*ladelph*a, wh*le 02 heart palp*tated w*th an3*et2 for 02
dear tella *n the throe+ of 1r*n.*n. forth new l*fe. T*0e had pa++ed w*th .*ant +tr*de+,
and now I 1eheld tella rad*ant *n her 2o/n. 0otherhood, and her l*ttle one, +*3
0onth+ old, a +tr*k*n. repl*ca of what 02 n*ece had looked at that a.e.
The char0 of =ro4*ncetown, tella:+ care, and the 1a12:+ lo4el*ne++ f*lled 02 4*+*t
w*th a del*.ht I had not known *n 2ear+. There wa+ al+o Tedd2 (allant*ne, tella:+
h/+1and, a 0an of f*ne te3t/re, 4*tal and *ntere+t*n., and the fre>/ent call+ of per+on+
of o/t+tand*n. *nd*4*d/al*t2, +/ch a+ /+an @la+pell, @eor.e Cra0 Cook, and 02 old
fr*end+ 8/tch 8ap.ood and Ne*th (o2ce, the latter a 0o+t *ntr*./*n. per+onal*t2.
There were al+o ;ohn #eed and ad4ent/ro/+ Lo/*+e (r2ant, 0ore +oph*+t*cated than
+he had 1een *n =ortland two 2ear+ 1efore. There wa+ 1ea/t*f/l )ar2 =*ne, alread2
doo0ed 12 con+/0pt*on, her tran+parent +k*n and the l/+tre of her e2e+ he*.htened 12
a 0a++ of copper ha*r. There wa+ cr/de 8arr2 Ke0p, co0*call2 cl/0+2 and awkward
alon.+*de of ethereal )ar2. Aar*e.ated *n 0*nd and heart wa+ that =ro4*ncetown
.ro/p, and *t+ co0pan2 +t*0/lat*n., 1/t no one e3erted +/ch a re+tf/l effect on 0e a+
d*d )a3, who had co0e at 02 *n4*tat*on to +pend a few week+ w*th 0e. 8e had
re0a*ned /nchan.ed, h*+ f*ne +p*r*t and *nt/*t*4e /nder+tand*n. e4en 0ore 0ellowed
w*th the 2ear+. K*nd and w*+e, he alwa2+ fo/nd the r*.ht word to +oothe d*+tre++. An
ho/r w*th h*0 wa+ l*ke a +pr*n. da2, and I fo/nd +olace and peace at h*+ +*de. A
0onth +pent w*th h*0, *n the c*rcle of tella:+ l*ttle fa0*l2, wo/ld 0ake 0e +tron. to
con>/er the world.
Ala+, there wa+ no 0onth and no con>/e+t? The eternal +tr/..le for l*1ert2 wa+
call*n.. Letter+ and tele.ra0+ fro0 a+ha cr*ed for help to +a4e the f*4e l*4e+
endan.ered *n an ,ranc*+co. Co/ld I th*nk of re+t, he *nd*.nantl2 de0anded, wh*le
To0 )oone2 and h*+ co0rade+ were fac*n. deathB 8ad I for.otten an ,ranc*+co, the
terror*-ed pre7/d*ce a.a*n+t the 4*ct*0+ *n 7a*l there, the coward*ce of the la1o/r
leader+, the lack of f/nd+ for the defence of the pr*+oner+, and the *0po++*1*l*t2 of
+ec/r*n. a .ood law2er for the0B A note of de+perat*on, /n/+/al w*th a+ha, +o/nded
*n h*+ letter+, and he 1e+o/.ht 0e to ret/rn to New York to +ec/re for the defence a
0an pro0*nent *n the le.al profe++*on. That fa*l*n., I +ho/ld .o to Kan+a+ C*t2 and tr2
to pre4a*l /pon ,rank =. !al+h to take the ca+e.
)2 peace wa+ .one9 the force+ of react*on had 1roken *n on 02 .olden freedo0
and had ro11ed 0e of the re+t I needed +o 0/ch. I e4en re+ented a+ha:+ +tran.e
*0pat*ence, 1/t +o0ehow I felt ./*lt2. I wa+ tor0ented 12 the feel*n. that I had
1roken fa*th w*th the 4*ct*0+ of a +oc*al +2+te0 wh*ch I had fo/.ht for twent26+e4en
2ear+. $a2+ of *nner confl*ct and of .all*n. *ndec*+*on followed. Then ca0e a+ha:+
tele.ra0 *nfor0*n. 0e that (*ll*n.+ had 1een con4*cted and +entenced to pr*+on for
l*fe. There wa+ no 0ore he+*tanc2 on 02 part. I prepared to lea4e for New York.
%n the la+t da2 of 02 =ro4*ncetown +ta2 I went for a walk w*th )a3 acro++ the
d/ne+. The t*de wa+ o/t. The +/n h/n. l*ke a .olden d*+k, no r*pple on the tran+parent
1l/e of the ocean *n the d*+tance. The +and +ee0ed a +heet of wh*te +tretched far o/t
and d*+appear*n. *nto the colo/red cr2+tal of the water+. Nat/re 1reathed repo+e and
wondro/+ peace. )2 0*nd, too, wa+ at re+t9 peace had co0e w*th 02 re+ol4e. )a3
1FC
wa+ frol*c+o0e, and I felt *n t/ne w*th h*+ 0ood. !e +lowl2 0ade o/r wa2 acro++ the
4a+t e3pan+e toward+ the +ea. %1l*4*o/+ of the world of +tr*fe o/t+*de, we were held
rapt 12 the +pell of the enchant0ent aro/nd /+. ,*+her0en ret/rn*n. laden w*th the*r
+po*l+ recalled /+ to the latene++ of the da2. !*th l*.ht +tep we +tarted on o/r wa2
1ack, o/r .a2 +on. r*n.*n. *n the a*r.
!e were 1arel2 half6wa2 acro++ to the 1each when we ca/.ht the +o/nd of ./r.l*n.
water r*+*n. fro0 +o0ewhere. /dden apprehen+*on +*lenced o/r +on.. !e t/rned to
look 1ack, and then )a3 .r*pped 02 hand and we ran for the +hore. The t*de wa+
well*n. *n w*th a fa+t +weep. It ro+e fro0 a co4e that e0pt*ed *nto the +ea at that po*nt.
It wa+ alread2 clo+e 1eh*nd /+, the wa4e+ r/+h*n. o4er the +and w*th *ncrea+*n. +peed
and 4ol/0e. The terror of 1e*n. ca/.ht dro4e /+ on. Now and then o/r feet wo/ld
+*nk *n the +oft +and, 1/t the foa0*n. per*l at o/r 1ack kept +teel*n. the *n+t*nct*4e
w*ll to l*4e.
Terr*f*ed, we reached the 1otto0 of a h*ll. !*th a la+t effort we +cra01led /p and
fell e3ha/+ted on the .reen +o*l. !e were +afe at la+t?
%n o/r wa2 to New York we +topped off *n Concord. I had alwa2+ wanted to 4*+*t
the ho0e of A0er*ca:+ pa+t c/lt/ral epoch. The 0/+e/0, the h*+tor*c ho/+e+, and the
ce0eter2 were the onl2 re0a*n*n. w*tne++e+ of *t+ da2+ of .lor2. The *nha1*tant+ .a4e
l*ttle *nd*cat*on that the >/a*nt old town had once 1een a centre of poetr2, letter+, and
ph*lo+oph2. There wa+ no +*.n that 0en and wo0en had e3*+ted *n Concord to who0
l*1ert2 wa+ a l*4*n. *deal. The pre+ent real*t2 wa+ 0ore .ho+tl*ke than the dead.

!e 4*+*ted ,rank (. an1orn, the 1*o.rapher of 8enr2 $a4*d Thorea/, the la+t of
the .reat Concord c*rcle. It wa+ an1orn who, half a cent/r2 1efore, had *ntrod/ced
;ohn (rown to Thorea/, "0er+on, and Alcott. 8e looked the t2p*cal ar*+tocrat of
*ntellect, h*+ 0anner +*0ple and .rac*o/+. !*th e4*dent pr*de he +poke of the da2+
when to.ether w*th h*+ +*+ter he had, at the po*nt of a ./n, dr*4en the ta36collector+
fro0 h*+ ho0e+tead. 8e talked w*th re4erence of Thorea/, the .reat lo4er of 0an and
of 1ea+t, the re1el a.a*n+t the encroach0ent+ of the tate on the r*.ht+ of the
*nd*4*d/al, the +/pporter of ;ohn (rown when e4en h*+ own fr*end+ had den*ed h*0.
In deta*l an1orn de+cr*1ed to /+ the 0eet*n. Thorea/ had carr*ed thro/.h *n 0e0or2
of the 1lack 0an:+ cha0p*on, *n +p*te of al0o+t /nan*0o/+ oppo+*t*on fro0 the
Concord coter*e.
an1orn:+ e+t*0ate of Thorea/ 1ore o/t 02 concept*on of the latter a+ the prec/r+or
of anarch*+0 *n the &n*ted tate+. To 02 +/rpr*+e, Thorea/:+ 1*o.rapher wa+
+candal*-ed at 02 re0ark. 5No, *ndeed?5 he cr*ed9 5anarch*+0 0ean+ 4*olence and
re4ol/t*on. It 0ean+ C-ol.o+-. Thorea/ wa+ an e3tre0e non6re+*+tant.5 !e +pent
+e4eral ho/r+ tr2*n. to enl*.hten th*+ conte0porar2 of the 0o+t anarch*+t*c per*od of
A0er*can tho/.ht a1o/t the 0ean*n. of anarch*+0.
,ro0 =ro4*ncetown I had wr*tten ,rank =. !al+h a1o/t the an ,ranc*+co +*t/at*on,
tell*n. h*0 that I wo/ld .o to Kan+a+ C*t2 to talk the 0atter o4er f/rther *f there wa+
an2 chance of h*+ tak*n. char.e of the )oone2 defence. 8*+ repl2 awa*ted 0e *n New
York. 8e co/ld not accept 02 +/..e+t*on, !al+h wrote9 he wa+ *n4ol4ed *n an
1F3
*0portant cr*0*nal ca+e *n h*+ own c*t2, and he had al+o /ndertaken to l*ne /p the
l*1eral ele0ent+ *n the "a+t for the !oodrow !*l+on ca0pa*.n. 8e wa+ of co/r+e
*ntere+ted *n the an ,ranc*+co la1o/r ca+e+, h*+ letter cont*n/ed9 he wo/ld +oon 1e *n
New York and take the >/e+t*on /p w*th 0e9 perhap+ he wo/ld 1e a1le to 0ake +o0e
/+ef/l +/..e+t*on+.
,rank =. !al+h wa+ the 0o+t 4*tal per+on I had 0et *n Kan+a+ C*t2. 8e d*d not
fla/nt h*+ rad*cal*+0 *n p/1l*c, 1/t he co/ld alwa2+ 1e depended /pon to a*d an
/npop/lar ca/+e. (2 nat/re he wa+ a f*.hter9 h*+ +20path*e+ were w*th the per+ec/ted.
I wa+ aware of h*+ *ntere+t *n the la1o/r +tr/..le, and h*+ letter therefore .reatl2
d*+appo*nted 0e. )oreo4er, *t wa+ p/--l*n.. If he co/ld co0e to New York to take
char.e of the !*l+on ca0pa*.n, he co/ld not 1e +o t*ed /p at ho0e. %r d*d he
con+*der elect*oneer*n. 0ore *0portant than the f*4e l*4e+ *n per*l on the Coa+t, I
wondered. I wa+ +/re he wa+ not fa0*l*ar w*th the real +tate of affa*r+ *n an
,ranc*+co, and I dec*ded to p/t the +*t/at*on clearl2 1efore h*0. =erhap+ *t wo/ld
*nd/ce h*0 to chan.e h*+ 0*nd.
At the !*l+on ca0pa*.n head>/arter+ *n New York, pre+*ded o4er 12 ,rank =.
!al+h, @eor.e !e+t, and other *ntellect/al+, I had a lon. talk w*th !al+h a1o/t the
)oone2 ca+e. 8e +ee0ed 0/ch *0pre++ed and he a++/red 0e that he wo/ld l*ke to
+tep *n and do +o0eth*n. for the pr*+oner+. It wa+ a +er*o/+ +*t/at*on, he +a*d, 1/t a far
.ra4er *++/e wa+ fac*n. the co/ntr2 666 the war. The 0*l*tar*+t ele0ent+ were an3*o/+
for !*l+on to .et o/t of off*ce +o the2 co/ld ha4e the*r own 0an a+ =re+*dent. It wa+
/p to all l*1eral60*nded and peace6lo4*n. per+on+ to re6elect !oodrow !*l+on, !al+h
e0pha+*-ed. "4en the anarch*+t+, he tho/.ht, o/.ht to +et a+*de at th*+ cr/c*al 0o0ent
the*r o17ect*on+ to part*c*pat*on *n pol*t*c+ and help keep !*l+on *n the !h*te 8o/+e
1eca/+e 5he ha+ kept /+ o/t of war +o far.5 It wa+ 02 d/t2 *n part*c/lar, !al+h
*n+*+ted, not to ne.lect the chance to de0on+trate that 02 effort+ a.a*n+t war were not
0ere talk. I co/ld effect*4el2 +*lence the char.e that I preached 4*olence and
de+tr/ct*on 12 pro4*n. that I wa+ *ndeed the tr/e cha0p*on of peace.
I wa+ not a l*ttle +/rpr*+ed to f*nd ,rank =. !al+h +/ch a defender of pol*t*c+, after
the 4er2 dec*ded +tand he had taken *n 1ehalf of the )e3*can #e4ol/t*on. I had once
.one to Kan+a+ C*t2 to +ol*c*t h*+ contr*1/t*on to that +tr/..le, and he had ea.erl2
re+ponded, at the +a0e t*0e e3pre++*n. h*+ 1el*ef that act*on +peak+ lo/der than
word+. It wa+ a far cr2 *ndeed fro0 that att*t/de to h*+ pre+ent not*on that *n4e+t*n.
!oodrow !*l+on w*th 0ore pol*t*cal power wo/ld 5+a4e the world.5
I left !al+h w*th a feel*n. of *0pat*ence at the cred/l*t2 of th*+ rad*call2 0*nded
0an and h*+ co6worker+ *n the !*l+on ca0pa*.n. It wa+ an add*t*onal proof to 0e of
the pol*t*cal 1l*ndne++ and +oc*al 0/ddle6headedne++ of A0er*can l*1eral+.
I knew no one *n the New York le.al profe++*on who0 I co/ld approach *n
conne3*on w*th the )oone2 ca+e. I therefore had to *nfor0 a+ha of 02 fa*l/re. 8e
repl*ed that he h*0+elf wa+ co0*n. to New York to +ee what co/ld 1e done. The
Internat*onal !orker+: $efence Lea./e of an ,ranc*+co had re>/e+ted h*0 to .o ea+t
to +ec/re an a1le attorne2 and to ro/+e the la1o/r ele0ent+ to the per*l of the arre+ted
0en.
In the latter part of %cto1er (olton 8all:+ tr*al *n conne3*on w*th o/r 1*rth6control
1F4
0eet*n. at &n*on >/are the pre4*o/+ )a2 took place. A n/01er of w*tne++e+,
*ncl/d*n. 02+elf, te+t*f*ed that the defendant had .*4en no contracept*4e *nfor0at*on
on that occa+*on, and (olton 8all wa+ fo/nd not ./*lt2. %n lea4*n. the co/rt6roo0 I
wa+ arre+ted on the +a0e char.e of wh*ch 8all had 7/+t 1een ac>/*tted.
=er+ec/t*on of 1*rth6control ad4ocate+ went 0err*l2 on. )ar.aret an.er, her +*+ter
"thel (2rne, a tra*ned n/r+e, and the*r a++*+tant, ,an2a )andell, were ro/nded /p *n a
ra*d on )r+. an.er:+ cl*n*c *n (rookl2n. The2 had 1een tr*cked 12 a wo0an
detect*4e, who po+ed a+ the 0other of fo/r ch*ldren, to .*4e her contracept*4e+.
A0on. the other ca+e+ were tho+e of ;e++*e A+hle2 and of +e4eral I.!.!. 1o2+. The
./ard*an+ of law and 0oral*t2 thro/.ho/t the co/ntr2 were deter0*ned to +/ppre++ the
+pread of *nfor0at*on on 1*rth6control.
The 4ar*o/+ hear*n.+ and tr*al+ *n conne3*on w*th th*+ 0atter pro4ed that at lea+t the
7/d.e+ were 1e*n. ed/cated. %ne of the0 declared that he d*+t*n./*+hed 1etween
per+on+ who .a4e o/t 1*rth6control *nfor0at*on free 1eca/+e of per+onal con4*ct*on
and tho+e who +old *t. Certa*nl2 no +/ch d*fferent*at*on had 1een 0ade pre4*o/+l2, *n
!*ll*a0 an.er:+ ca+e, *n (en:+, or *n 0*ne. "4en 0ore +tr*k*n. proof that the
a.*tat*on for fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on wa+ 1e.*nn*n. to ha4e an effect wa+ .*4en 12 ;/d.e
!adha0+ d/r*n. the tr*al of a wo0an char.ed w*th theft. 8er h/+1and, t/1erc/lar and
o/t of work for a lon. t*0e, wa+ /na1le to +/pport h*+ lar.e fa0*l2. In +/00*n. /p
the ca/+e+ that had led the pr*+oner to cr*0e ;/d.e !adha0+ re0arked that 0an2
nat*on+ *n "/rope had adopted 1*rth6re./lat*on w*th +ee0*n.l2 e3cellent re+/lt+. 5I
1el*e4e we are l*4*n. *n an a.e of *.norance,5 he cont*n/ed, 5wh*ch at +o0e f/t/re
t*0e w*ll 1e looked /pon a.ha+t a+ we now look 1ack on the dark a.e+. !e ha4e
1efore /+ the ca+e of a fa0*l2 *ncrea+*n. *n n/01er+, w*th a t/1erc/lar h/+1and, the
wo0an w*th a ch*ld at her 1rea+t and w*th other +0all ch*ldren at her +k*rt+, *n po4ert2
and want.5
!e had rea+on to feel that *t wa+ worth .o*n. to 7a*l *f the /r.enc2 of l*0*t*n.
off+pr*n. wa+ .ett*n. to 1e ad0*tted e4en 12 the 1ench. $*rect act*on, and not parlo/r
d*+c/++*on, wa+ re+pon+*1le for the+e re+/lt+.
"arl2 *n No4e01er a+ha arr*4ed *n New York, and *n le++ than two week+ he wa+
a1le to rall2 to the +/pport of the an ,ranc*+co f*.ht nearl2 all of the or.an*-ed
;ew*+h la1o/r, a+ well a+ a n/01er of A0er*can trade /n*on+. 8e wa+ e>/all2
+/cce++f/l *n h*+ effort+ to +ec/re an attorne2. (2 a*d of +o0e fr*end+ he pre4a*led
/pon !. (o/rke Cockran, the fa0o/+ law2er and orator, to e3a0*ne the tran+cr*pt of
the (*ll*n.+ ca+e. Cockran wa+ +o *0pre++ed 12 a+ha:+ pre+entat*on of *t and +o
aro/+ed 12 the o14*o/+ fra0e6/p that he offered to .o to the Coa+t w*tho/t a fee and
take char.e of the defence of )oone2, Nolan, and the other an ,ranc*+co pr*+oner+.
a+ha al+o pre4a*led /pon the &n*ted 8e1rew Trade+, the lar.e+t and 0o+t *nfl/ent*al
central ;ew*+h la1o/r or.an*-at*on *n the co/ntr2, to call a 0a++ 0eet*n. *n Carne.*e
8all to prote+t a.a*n+t the con+p*rac2 of 1*. 1/+*ne++ *n Cal*forn*a. The dele.ate+ of
that 1od2 1e*n. f/ll2 occ/p*ed w*th the*r own d/t*e+, the ent*re 1r/nt of or.an*-*n.
the 0a++ 0eet*n. and +ec/r*n. +peaker+ fell to a+ha and the act*4e and eff*c*ent
2o/n. co0rade+ who were help*n. h*0 *n the ca0pa*.n. &nfort/natel2, I co/ld .*4e
h*0 no a++*+tance, ow*n. to 02 lect/re en.a.e0ent+ *n 4ar*o/+ po*nt+ 1etween New
York and the )*ddle !e+t. I pro0*+ed, howe4er, to +peak at Carne.*e 8all, e4en *f *t
nece++*tated 02 ret/rn fro0 Ch*ca.o to do +o.
1FF
After +e4enteen lect/re+ *n that c*t2 and fo/r *n )*lwa/kee I ha+tened 1ack to New
York, arr*4*n. on the 0orn*n. of $ece01er C, the da2 of the 1*. .ather*n.. In the
afternoon a de0on+trat*on took place on &n*on >/are, a prote+t *n fa4o/r of )oone2
and h*+ co0rade+ and al+o *n 1ehalf of Carlo Tre+ca and h*+ fellow 4*ct*0+ of the
)*nne+ota +teel *ntere+t+ at the )e++a1a #an.e +tr*ke. The e4en*n. 0eet*n. *n
Carne.*e 8all wa+ attended 12 a 4er2 lar.e a/d*ence, wh*ch wa+ addre++ed 12 ,rank
=. !al+h, )a3 "a+t0an, )a3 =*ne, +ecretar2 of the 8e1rew Trade+, Art/ro
@*o4ann*tt*, poet and la1o/r leader, a+ha, and 02+elf. It fell to 0e to 0ake the
appeal for f/nd+, and the a++e01l2 .enero/+l2 re+ponded w*th a*d for the
Cal*forn*an+: defence. The +a0e n*.ht I left for the !e+t to cont*n/e 02 *nterr/pted
to/r.
At 02 lect/re *n Cle4eland on 5,a0*l2 L*0*tat*on5 (en conce*4ed the *dea of
call*n. for 4ol/nteer+ to d*+tr*1/te 1*rth6control pa0phlet+. A n/01er of people
re+ponded. At the end of the 0eet*n. (en wa+ arre+ted. A h/ndred per+on+, each
carr2*n. the for1*dden pa0phlet, followed h*0 to the 7a*l, 1/t onl2 (en wa+ held for
tr*al. !e *00ed*atel2 or.an*-ed a ,ree peech Lea./e, wh*ch co01*ned w*th the
local 1*rth6control or.an*-at*on to f*.ht the ca+e.
Cle4eland had for 2ear+ 1een a free6+peech +tron.hold, ow*n. to the l*1ertar*an
cond*t*on+ e+ta1l*+hed there 12 the +*n.le6ta3 0a2or, the late To0 ;ohn+on. (ra4e
c*t*-en+ of d*fferent pol*t*cal 4*ew+ had +*nce -ealo/+l2 ./arded tho+e l*1ert*e+.
A0on. the0 I had 0an2 fr*end+, 1/t none 0ore helpf/l than )r. and )r+. Carr, ,red
ho/lder, Adele*ne Cha0pne2, and o/r old ph*lo+opher ;aco1+. The2 had alwa2+
e3erted the0+el4e+ to 0ake 02 p/1l*c work +/cce++f/l and to enhance 02 le*+/re
ho/r+ 12 char0*n. fellow+h*p. It wa+ therefore a +e4ere +hock to +ee th*+ e3cept*onal
c*t2 .o 1ack on *t+ trad*t*on+. (/t the read2 re+pon+e to o/r call to or.an*-e a f*.ht
a.a*n+t the +/ppre++*on held o/t the hope that the r*.ht of free e3pre++*on wo/ld a.a*n
pre4a*l *n To0 ;ohn+on:+ ho0e town.
*0*lar e3per*ence+ attended 02 lect/re+ *n 4ar*o/+ c*t*e+, a+ well a+ tho+e of other
ad4ocate+ of fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on. o0et*0e+ *t wa+ (en who wa+ arre+ted, at other t*0e+
I and the fr*end+ who were act*4el2 co6operat*n. w*th /+, or other lect/rer+ who were
tr2*n. to enl*.hten the people on the pro+cr*1ed *++/e. In an ,ranc*+co the (la+t wa+
held /p 12 the po+t6off*ce on acco/nt of an art*cle on 1*rth6control and 1eca/+e of
le+L60a7e+tE a.a*n+t !oodrow !*l+on. (*rth6control had 1eco0e a 1/rn*n. *++/e, and
the a/thor*t*e+ e3erted e4er2 effort to +*lence *t+ ad4ocate+. Nor d*d the2 +hr*nk fro0
fo/l 0ean+ to acco0pl*+h the*r end+. In #oche+ter (en wa+ arre+ted for ha4*n. +old at
one of o/r 0eet*n.+ a cop2 of $r. !*ll*a0 ;. #o1*n+on:+ ,a0*l2 L*0*tat*on and
)ar.aret an.er:+ pa0phlet !hat "4er2 !o0an ho/ld Know. The arre+t*n. off*cer+
were +ee0*n.l2 *.norant that tho+e p/1l*cat*on+ were 1e*n. openl2 +old *n 1ook6
+hop+. (/t *t +oon appeared that there wa+ 0ethod *n the*r 0adne++. At the pol*ce
+tat*on a pa0phlet on contracept*4e+ wa+ 5fo/nd5 1etween the pa.e+ of $r.
#o1*n+on:+ 1ook. !e knew +o0e detect*4e had placed *t there to 5.et5 (en. And,
*ndeed, he wa+ held for tr*al.
!h*le +t*ll on to/r, I rece*4ed a tele.ra0 fro0 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, 02 New York
attorne2, *nfor0*n. 0e that I had 1een den*ed a 7/r2 tr*al. %n ;an/ar2 < 02 ca+e ca0e
/p 1efore three 7/d.e+. =re+*d*n. ;/d.e C/llen warned 0e +e4erel2 that he wo/ld not
1FG
per0*t an2 theor*e+ of the defendant to 1e a*red *n co/rt. (/t he 0*.ht ha4e +a4ed
h*0+elf the tro/1le, 1eca/+e 02 ca+e collap+ed 1efore e*ther 02 law2er or I had a
chance to +a2 an2th*n.. The e4*dence .*4en 12 the detect*4e+ to the effect that I had
d*+tr*1/ted 1*rth6control pa0phlet+ on &n*on >/are *n )a2 wa+ +o o14*o/+l2
contrad*ctor2 that e4en the Co/rt ref/+ed to take *t +er*o/+l2. I wa+ ac>/*tted.
(en wa+ not +o fort/nate, howe4er, *n re.ard to the Cle4eland char.e a.a*n+t h*0.
8e had 1een +/1poenaed for 02 tr*al, and a+ h*+ own wa+ to take place the follow*n.
da2, he had w*red h*+ Cle4eland attorne2 and 1ond+0an to +ec/re a po+tpone0ent.
The2 repl*ed that he need ha4e no an3*et2, and that the2 wo/ld .et h*0 an e3ten+*on
of t*0e. To 0ake do/1l2 +/re, (en tele.raphed and al+o +ent a cop2 of the +/1poena
to the Cle4eland co/rt. (/t on the afternoon of ;an/ar2 9 he rece*4ed word fro0 h*+
law2er, *nfor0*n. h*0 that, far fro0 con+ent*n. to a po+tpone0ent, ;/d.e $an C/ll
had *++/ed a warrant for (en:+ arre+t for conte0pt of co/rt. (en took the f*r+t tra*n to
Cle4eland. The ne3t 0orn*n. h*+ ca+e wa+ called. ;/d.e C/ll 5.rac*o/+l25 con+ented
to d*+0*++ the char.e of conte0pt of co/rt and to tr2 (en onl2 on the 1*rth6control
ca+e. The ;/d.e wa+ a #o0an Cathol*c and r*.*dl2 oppo+ed to an2 for0 of +e3
h2.*ene. 8e talked at len.th a1o/t the carnal +*n+ of the fle+h and deno/nced 1*rth6
control and anarch*+0. %f the twel4e 7/r20en f*4e were Cathol*c+. The other+ were
apparentl2 loath to con4*ct, for the2 held o/t for th*rteen ho/r+ w*tho/t co0*n. to an
a.ree0ent. The Co/rt +ent the0 1ack, howe4er, w*th *n+tr/ct*on+ to re0a*n o/t /nt*l
the2 co/ld 1r*n. *n a 4erd*ct. Lon. ho/r+ *n a +t/ff2 roo0 w*ll ca/+e 0o+t 7/r*e+ to
.row /nan*0o/+. (en wa+ fo/nd ./*lt2 and +entenced to +*3 0onth+ *n the workho/+e
and to pa2 a tho/+and dollar+: f*ne. It wa+ the hea4*e+t penalt2 *0po+ed for a 1*rth6
control offence. (en 0ade a frank a4owal of h*+ 1el*ef *n fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on, and on the
ad4*ce of co/n+el he appealed the ca+e.
The re+/lt of the tr*al wa+ d/e 0a*nl2 to the a1+ence of proper p/1l*c*t2. )ar.aret
an.er had lect/red *n the c*t2 a +hort t*0e pre4*o/+l2, and *t had 1een e3pected that
+he wo/ld take note of the +*t/at*on and /r.e her hearer+ to rall2 to (en:+ +/pport. 8er
ref/+al to do +o had *ncen+ed o/r fr*end+ at the *ne3c/+a1le 1reach of +ol*dar*t2, 1/t
/nfort/natel2 no t*0e had 1een left to aro/+e p/1l*c +ent*0ent *n re.ard to (en:+ ca+e.
It wa+ not the f*r+t occa+*on on wh*ch )r+. an.er had fa*led to a*d 1*rth6control
ad4ocate+ ca/.ht *n the 0e+he+ of the law. !h*le 02 tr*al *n New York wa+ pend*n.,
+he wa+ to/r*n. the co/ntr2 and lect/r*n. at 0eet*n.+ arran.ed 12 o/r co0rade+,
lar.el2 at 02 +/..e+t*on. tran.e to +a2, )r+. an.er, who had 1e./n her 1*rth6
control work *n o/r >/arter+ on %ne 8/ndred and N*neteenth treet, wo/ld not e4en
0ent*on 02 approach*n. tr*al. %nce, at a 0eet*n. *n the (and1o3 Theatre, +he wa+
called to acco/nt for her +*lence 12 #o1ert )*nor. he /p1ra*ded h*0 for dar*n. to
*nterfere w*th her affa*r+.
In Ch*ca.o (en Cape+ had to re+ort to >/e+t*on+ fro0 the floor d/r*n. a 0eet*n. to
co0pel )r+. an.er to refer to 02 work for 1*rth6control. *0*lar occ/rrence+
happened *n $etro*t, $en4er, and an ,ranc*+co. ,ro0 n/0ero/+ place+ fr*end+ wrote
0e that )r+. an.er had .*4en the *0pre++*on that +he con+*dered the *++/e a+ her own
pr*4ate concern. /1+e>/entl2 )r. and )r+. an.er p/1l*cl2 rep/d*ated 1*rth6control
lea./e+ or.an*-ed 12 /+, a+ well a+ o/r ent*re ca0pa*.n for fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on.
The lack of 1ack*n. for (en *n Cle4eland ta/.ht /+ the need of an or.an*-ed prote+t
1FH
*n conne3*on w*th h*+ co0*n. tr*al *n #oche+ter. %n the e4e of *t a lar.e 0eet*n. took
place, the local +peaker, $r. )ar2 ". $*ck*n+on, +har*n. the platfor0 w*th $oll2
loan, Ida #a/h, and 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, all of who0 had co0e fro0 New York for
the occa+*on. The ne3t da2 an effect*4e de0on+trat*on wa+ +ta.ed *n co/rt. !*ll*+ K.
@*llette pro4ed to 1e a 4er2 e3cept*onal 7/d.e. I al0o+t en4*ed (en the opport/n*t2 of
1e*n. tr*ed 1efore a 0an who 1el*e4ed that the co/rt *+ a place where the defendant
+ho/ld feel /nafra*d to +peak o/t. !*th +/ch a 7/d.e and w*th the f*.ht*n. per+*+tenc2
of an attorne2 l*ke 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, (en wa+ +/re of fa*r treat0ent. 8e declared that
he d*d not 1el*e4e *n the law that for1*d+ .*4*n. 1*rth6control *nfor0at*on. 8e had
1roken *t 1efore and he wo/ld do *t a.a*n, he +a*d. (/t *n the ca+e on tr*al he wa+
*nnocent, he 0a*nta*ned, 1eca/+e he d*d not know how the contracept*4e pa0phlet
had happened to 1e *n $r. #o1*n+on:+ 1ook. 8e wa+ ac>/*tted.
!e felt that we had rea+on for +o0e +at*+fact*on w*th o/r +hare *n the ca0pa*.n.
!e had pre+ented the *dea+ of fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on thro/.ho/t the len.th and 1readth of
the co/ntr2, 1r*n.*n. the knowled.e of 0ethod+ *nto the l*4e+ of the people who
needed the0 0o+t. !e were read2 now to lea4e the f*eld to tho+e who were
procla*0*n. 1*rth6control a+ the onl2 panacea for all +oc*al *ll+. I 02+elf had ne4er
con+*dered *t *n that l*.ht9 *t wa+ /n>/e+t*ona1l2 an *0portant *++/e, 1/t 12 no 0ean+
the 0o+t 4*tal one.
In an ,ranc*+co the (la+t had 1een +/ppre++ed and *t+ off*ce ra*ded tw*ce 1eca/+e
of the paper:+ ant*6war work and *t+ effort+ *n 1ehalf of )oone2. $/r*n. the la+t ra*d
,*t-* wa+ 1r/tall2 handled and her ar0 al0o+t 1roken 12 an off*c*al r/ff*an. It 1eca0e
*0po++*1le to cont*n/e the p/1l*cat*on on the Coa+t, and ,*t-* 1ro/.ht *t to New York,
where +he 7o*ned a+ha *n h*+ act*4*t*e+ for the Cal*forn*a defence.
To0 )oone2 had 1een con4*cted and +entenced to death. Ne*ther the elo>/ence of
!. (o/rke Cockran, nor the a1+ol/te de0on+trat*on that the lead*n. w*tne++e+ of the
pro+ec/t*on had per7/red the0+el4e+ a4a*led noth*n.. The .r*p of the Cha01er of
Co00erce /pon off*c*al 7/+t*ce *n Cal*forn*a pro4ed to 1e +tron.er than the 0o+t
/n+haka1le e4*dence *n fa4o/r of the la1o/r defendant. There wa+ hardl2 a c*t*-en *n
an ,ranc*+co who d*d not know that the tate:+ w*tne++e+, the )c$onald+ and the
%30an+, were of the 4er2 dre.+ of de1a+ed h/0an*t2, the*r te+t*0on2 1o/.ht and pa*d
for 12 $*+tr*ct Attorne2 Charle+ ,*ckert, the w*ll*n. tool of the e0plo2er+. (/t
*nnocence d*d not co/nt. The 1o++e+ who had declared the0+el4e+ for the 5open +hop5
had deter0*ned to han. To0 )oone2, a+ a warn*n. to other la1o/r or.an*-er+, and
)oone2:+ doo0 wa+ +ealed.
Nor wa+ the tate of Cal*forn*a the onl2 +ect*on of the co/ntr2 where law and order
had centred all the*r 0*.ht to cr/+h the worker+ and effect*4el2 +t*fle f/rther prote+t on
the part of the d*+*nher*ted and h/0*l*ated. In "4erett, !a+h*n.ton, +e4ent26fo/r
I.!.!. 1o2+ were f*.ht*n. for the*r l*4e+, and *n e4er2 other tate of the &n*on the
7a*l+ and pr*+on+ were f*lled w*th 0en con4*cted for the*r *deal+.
The pol*t*cal +k2 *n the &n*ted tate+ wa+ darken*n. w*th hea42 clo/d+, and the
portent+ were da*l2 .row*n. 0ore d*+>/*et*n., 2et the 0a++e+ at lar.e re0a*ned *nert.
Then, /ne3pectedl2, the l*.ht of hope 1roke *n the ea+t. It ca0e fro0 #/++*a, the land
t+ar6r*dden for cent/r*e+. The da2 +o lon. 2earned for had arr*4ed at la+t 666 the
#e4ol/t*on had co0e?
1F<
Chapter 4F
T8" 8AT"$ #%)AN%A !"#" AT LAT 8&#L"$ ,#%) T8"I# throne, the
T+ar and h*+ cohort+ +horn of power. It wa+ not the re+/lt of a pol*t*cal co/p d: Etat9
the .reat ach*e4e0ent wa+ acco0pl*+hed 12 the re1ell*on of the ent*re people. %nl2
2e+terda2 *nart*c/late, cr/+hed, a+ the2 had 1een for cent/r*e+, /nder the heel of a
r/thle++ a1+ol/t*+0, *n+/lted and de.raded, the #/++*an 0a++e+ had r*+en to de0and
the*r her*ta.e and to procla*0 to the whole world that a/tocrac2 and t2rann2 were for
e4er at an end *n the*r co/ntr2. The .lor*o/+ t*d*n.+ were the f*r+t +*.n of l*fe *n the
4a+t "/ropean ce0eter2 of war and de+tr/ct*on. The2 *n+p*red all l*1ert26lo4*n.
people w*th new hope and enth/+*a+0, 2et no one felt the +p*r*t of the #e4ol/t*on a+
d*d the nat*4e+ of #/++*a +cattered all o4er the .lo1e. The2 +aw the*r 1elo4ed
)at/+hka #o++*2a now e3tend to the0 the pro0*+e of 0anhood and a+p*rat*on.
#/++*a wa+ free9 2et not tr/l2 +o. =ol*t*cal *ndependence wa+ 1/t the f*r+t +tep on
the road to the new l*fe. %f what /+e are 5r*.ht+,5 I tho/.ht, *f the econo0*c
cond*t*on+ re0a*n /nchan.ed. I had known the 1le++*n.+ of de0ocrac2 too lon. to
ha4e fa*th *n pol*t*cal +cene6+h*ft*n.. ,ar 0ore a1*d*n. wa+ 02 fa*th *n the people
the0+el4e+, *n the #/++*an 0a++e+ now awakened to the con+c*o/+ne++ of the*r power
and to the real*-at*on of the*r opport/n*t*e+. The *0pr*+oned and e3*led 0art2r+ who
had +tr/..led to free #/++*a were now 1e*n. re+/rrected, and +o0e of the*r drea0+
real*-ed. The2 were ret/rn*n. fro0 the *c2 wa+te+ of *1er*a, fro0 d/n.eon+ and
1an*+h0ent. The2 were co0*n. 1ack to /n*te w*th the people and to help the0 1/*ld a
new #/++*a, econo0*call2 and +oc*all2.
A0er*ca al+o wa+ contr*1/t*n. *t+ >/ota. At the f*r+t new+ of the T+ar:+ o4erthrow
tho/+and+ of e3*le+ ha+tened 1ack to the*r nat*4e co/ntr2, now the Land of =ro0*+e.
)an2 had l*4ed *n the &n*ted tate+ for decade+ and ac>/*red fa0*l*e+ and ho0e+. (/t
the*r heart+ dwelt 0ore *n #/++*a than *n the co/ntr2 the2 were enr*ch*n. 12 the*r
la1o/r, wh*ch ne4erthele++ +corned the0 a+ 5fore*.ner+.5 #/++*a wa+ welco0*n.
the0, her door+ w*de open to rece*4e her +on+ and da/.hter+. L*ke +wallow+ at the
f*r+t +*.n of +pr*n. the2 1e.an to fl2 1ack, orthodo3 and re4ol/t*on*+t+ for once on
co00on .ro/nd 666 the*r lo4e and lon.*n. for the*r nat*4e +o*l.
%/r own old 2earn*n., a+ha:+ and 0*ne, 1e.an to +t*r a.a*n *n o/r heart+. All
thro/.h the 2ear+ we had 1een clo+e to the p/l+e of #/++*a, clo+e to her +p*r*t and her
+/perh/0an +tr/..le for l*1erat*on. (/t o/r l*4e+ were rooted *n o/r adopted land. !e
had learned to lo4e her ph2+*cal .rande/r and her 1ea/t2 and to ad0*re the 0en and
wo0en who were f*.ht*n. for freedo0, the A0er*can+ of the 1e+t cal*1re. I felt 02+elf
one of the0, an A0er*can *n the tr/e+t +en+e, +p*r*t/all2 rather than 12 the .race of a
0ere +crap of paper. ,or twent26e*.ht 2ear+ I had l*4ed, drea0ed, and worked for that
A0er*ca. a+ha, too, wa+ torn 1etween the /r.e to ret/rn to #/++*a and the nece++*t2
of cont*n/*n. h*+ ca0pa*.n to +a4e the l*fe of )oone2, who+e fatal ho/r wa+ fa+t
approach*n.. Co/ld he for+ake the doo0ed 0an and the other+ who+e fate h/n. *n the
1alanceB
Then ca0e !*l+on:+ dec*+*on that the &n*ted tate+ 0/+t 7o*n the "/ropean
+la/.hter to 0ake the world +afe for de0ocrac2. #/++*a had .reat need of her
1F9
re4ol/t*onar2 e3*le+, 1/t a+ha and I now felt that A0er*ca needed /+ 0ore. !e
dec*ded to re0a*n.
The declarat*on of war 12 the &n*ted tate+ d*+0a2ed and o4er awed 0o+t of the
0*ddle6cla++ pac*f*+t+. o0e e4en +/..e+ted that we ter0*nate o/r ant*60*l*tar*+t
act*4*t*e+. A certa*n wo0an, a 0e01er of the Colon2 Cl/1 of New York, who had
repeatedl2 offered to +/ppl2 0one2 for ant*6war work *n the "/ropean co/ntr*e+ now
de0anded that we d*+cont*n/e o/r a.*tat*on. 8a4*n. decl*ned her pre4*o/+ offer+, I
felt free to tell her that tr/e char*t2 1e.*n+ at ho0e. I co/ld +ee no rea+on for .*4*n. /p
the +tand on war that I had 0a*nta*ned for a >/arter of a cent/r2, 7/+t 1eca/+e
!oodrow !*l+on had t*red of h*+ watchf/l wa*t*n.. I co/ld not alter 02 con4*ct*on+
0erel2 1eca/+e he had cea+ed to 1e 5too pro/d5 to let A0er*can 1o2+ do the f*.ht*n.,
wh*le he and other +tate+0en re0a*ned at ho0e.
!*th the collap+e of the p+e/do6rad*cal+ the ent*re 1/rden of ant*6war act*4*t2 fell
/pon the 0ore co/ra.eo/+ 0*l*tant ele0ent+. %/r .ro/p *n part*c/lar redo/1led *t+
effort+, and I wa+ kept fe4er*+hl2 1/+2 tra4ell*n. 1etween New York and near12
c*t*e+, +peak*n. and or.an*-*n. the ca0pa*.n.
A cont*n.ent of #/++*an e3*le+ and ref/.ee+ wa+ prepar*n. to lea4e for the*r nat*4e
land, and we helped to e>/*p *t+ 0e01er+ w*th pro4*+*on+, cloth*n., and 0one2. )o+t
of the0 were anarch*+t+, and all of the0 were ea.er to part*c*pate *n the /p1/*ld*n. of
the*r co/ntr2 on a fo/ndat*on of h/0an 1rotherhood and e>/al*t2. The work of
or.an*-*n. the ret/rn to #/++*a wa+ *n char.e of o/r co0rade !*ll*a0 hatoff,
fa0*l*arl2 known a+ (*ll.
Th*+ re4ol/t*onar2 anarch*+t, co0pelled to take ref/.e *n A0er*ca fro0 the t2rann2
of the #/++*an a/tocrac2, had d/r*n. h*+ ten 2ear+: +o7o/rn *n the &n*ted tate+ +hared
the l*fe of the tr/e proletar*an and wa+ alwa2+ *n the th*ck of the +tr/..le for the
1etter0ent of the worker+: cond*t*on. 8a4*n. worked a+ a la1o/rer, lon.+hore0an,
0ach*n*+t, and pr*nter, (*ll wa+ fa0*l*ar w*th the hard+h*p+, *n+ec/r*t2, and
h/0*l*at*on that character*-e the e3*+tence of the *00*.rant to*ler. )an2 a weaker
0an wo/ld ha4e per*+hed +p*r*t/all2, 1/t (*ll had the 4*+*on of an *deal, an
*ne3ha/+t*1le ener.2, and a keen *ntellect. 8e de4oted h*+ l*fe to the enl*.hten0ent of
the #/++*an ref/.ee+. 8e wa+ a +plend*d or.an*-er, an elo>/ent +peaker, and a 0an of
co/ra.e. The+e >/al*t*e+ ena1led h*0 to .ather *nto one .reat 1od2 the 4ar*o/+ +0all
.ro/p+ of #/++*an+ *n A0er*ca. 8e wa+ e0*nentl2 +/cce++f/l *n help*n. to weld the0
*nto a powerf/l and +ol*dar*c or.an*-at*on, known a+ the &n*on of #/++*an !orker+,
wh*ch e01raced the &n*ted tate+ and Canada. It+ a*0 wa+ the ed/cat*on and
re4ol/t*onar2 de4elop0ent of the 4a+t n/01er+ of #/++*an worker+ who0 the @reek
Cathol*c Ch/rch *n A0er*ca +o/.ht to en+nare, a+ *t had done at ho0e. (*ll hatoff
and the co0rade+ act*4e w*th h*0 had for 2ear+ worked to awaken the*r dark #/++*an
1rother+ to the*r econo0*c +*t/at*on and to enl*.hten the0 on the *0portance of
or.an*-ed co6operat*on. )o+t of the0 were /n+k*lled 0en, la1o/r*n. lon. ho/r+ and
r/thle++l2 e3plo*ted at 0o+t ard/o/+ to*l *n 0*ne+ and 0*ll+ and on the ra*lroad+.
Thank+ to (*ll:+ ener.2 and de4ot*on, the+e 0a++e+ were .rad/all2 /n*ted *nto a +tron.
1od2 of re1el+.
hatoff wa+ al+o for a t*0e 0ana.er of the ,errer Center, and *n that capac*t2 h*+
*ntell*.ence and enth/+*a+0 pro4ed a+ eff*c*ent a+ *n e4er4th*n. el+e he /ndertook.
1G0
No le++ f*ne wa+ o/r (*ll *n the per+onal relat*on+h*p+ of l*fe. Char0*n. and 7o4*al,
he wa+ a +plend*d co0pan*on, dependa1le *n e4er2 e0er.enc2 and e+pec*all2 *n
d*ff*c/lt +*t/at*on+. A +ta/nch and 1ra4e fr*end, (*ll *n+*+ted on acco0pan2*n. a+ha
when the latter wa+ *n dan.er of attack 12 an ,ranc*+co detect*4e+ 1eca/+e of h*+
work *n 1ehalf of )oone2. %n a+ha:+ 7o/rne2 to 4ar*o/+ c*t*e+ (*ll acted a+ h*+ +elf6
con+t*t/ted 1od26./ard, and *t afforded 0e .reat rel*ef to know that an2 per+on
atte0pt*n. to do 4*olence to a+ha wo/ld 0eet w*th the add*t*onal re+*+tance of o/r
+to/t6hearted (*ll.
!*th the f*r+t new+ of the 0*racle that had taken place *n #/++*a, hatoff 1e.an
or.an*-*n. the tho/+and+ of h*+ rad*cal co0patr*ot+ ea.er to ret/rn ho0e. L*ke a tr/e
capta*n of a +h*p he had deter0*ned to +ee e4er2one +afel2 on h*+ wa2, w*tho/t
tho/.ht of h*0+elf. 8e wo/ld .o la+t, he told /+, when we /r.ed that h*+ e3per*ence
and a1*l*t*e+ wo/ld 1e 0ore 4al/a1le *n #/++*a than *n A0er*ca. 8e re0a*ned /nt*l h*+
own depart/re had .rown al0o+t per*lo/+.
I had known for +o0e t*0e of the pre+ence *n New York of )0e Ale3andra
Kolonta2 and Leon Trot+k2. ,ro0 the for0er I had rece*4ed +e4eral letter+ and a cop2
of her 1ook on wo0an:+ +hare *n the world:+ work. he had a+ked 0e to 0eet her, 1/t
I had 1een /na1le to +pare the t*0e. Later on I had *n4*ted her to d*nner, 1/t +he wa+
pre4ented 12 *llne++ fro0 co0*n.. Leon Trot+k2 I had al+o ne4er 0et 1efore, 1/t I
happened to 1e *n the c*t2 when an anno/nce0ent wa+ 0ade of a farewell 0eet*n.
wh*ch he wa+ to addre++ 1efore lea4*n. for #/++*a. I attended the .ather*n.. After
+e4eral rather d/ll +peaker+ Trot+k2 wa+ *ntrod/ced. A 0an of 0ed*/0 he*.ht, w*th
ha..ard cheek+, redd*+h ha*r, and +tra..l*n. red 1eard +tepped 1r*+kl2 forward. 8*+
+peech, f*r+t *n #/++*an and then *n @er0an, wa+ powerf/l and electr*f2*n.. I d*d not
a.ree w*th h*+ pol*t*cal att*t/de9 he wa+ a )en+he4*k Moc*al $e0ocratN, and a+ +/ch
far re0o4ed fro0 /+. (/t h*+ anal2+*+ of the ca/+e+ of the war wa+ 1r*ll*ant, h*+
den/nc*at*on of the *neffect*4e =ro4*+*onal @o4ern0ent *n #/++*a +cath*n., and h*+
pre+entat*on of the cond*t*on+ that led /p to the #e4ol/t*on *ll/0*nat*n.. 8e clo+ed h*+
two ho/r+: talk w*th an elo>/ent tr*1/te to the work*n. 0a++e+ of h*+ nat*4e land. The
a/d*ence wa+ ro/+ed to a h*.h p*tch of enth/+*a+0, and a+ha and I heart*l2 7o*ned *n
the o4at*on .*4en the +peaker. !e f/ll2 +hared h*+ profo/nd fa*th *n the f/t/re of
#/++*a.
After the 0eet*n. we 0et Trot+k2 to 1*d h*0 .ood612e. 8e knew a1o/t /+ and he
*n>/*red when we 0eant to co0e to #/++*a to help *n the work of recon+tr/ct*on. 5!e
w*ll +/rel2 0eet there,5 he re0arked.
I d*+c/++ed w*th a+ha the /ne3pected t/rn of e4ent+ that 0ade /+ feel clo+er to
Trot+k2, the )en+he4*k, than to =eter Kropotk*n, o/r co0rade, teacher, and fr*end.
The war wa+ prod/c*n. +tran.e 1edfellow+, and we wondered whether we +ho/ld +t*ll
feel near to Trot+k2 when *n the co/r+e of t*0e we +ho/ld reach #/++*a, for we had
onl2 po+tponed, not .*4en /p, o/r ret/rn there.
hortl2 after Trot+k2:+ depart/re the f*r+t .ro/p of o/r co0rade+ +a*led. !e .a4e
the0 a 7o2o/+ +end6off at a lar.e part2 attended 12 0an2 of o/r A0er*can fr*end+,
who al+o .enero/+l2 contr*1/ted to the need+ of the 0en. a+ha had conce*4ed the
*dea of a 0an*fe+to to the #/++*an worker+, pea+ant+, and +old*er+, and we wrote *t 7/+t
1G1
*n t*0e to +end *t w*th the .ro/p. A0on. the0 were a n/01er of 0en and wo0en
who had worked w*th /+ *n o/r 4ar*o/+ ca0pa*.n+ *n the (la+t and )other "arth. The
0an*fe+to wa+ entr/+ted to Lo/*+e (er.er and .,., o/r clo+e+t and 0o+t dependa1le
fr*end+. It wa+ an appeal to the 0a++e+ of #/++*a to 4o*ce the*r prote+t to !a+h*n.ton
a.a*n+t the conde0nat*on of To0 )oone2 and !arren K. (*ll*n.+. !e tho/.ht *t the
onl2 0ethod left to +a4e the *nnocentl2 con4*cted 0en.
In the +p*r*t of her 0*l*tar2 preparat*on+ A0er*ca wa+ r*4all*n. the 0o+t de+pot*c
co/ntr*e+ of the %ld !orld. Con+cr*pt*on, re+orted to 12 @reat (r*ta*n onl2 after
e*.hteen 0onth+ of war, wa+ dec*ded /pon 12 !*l+on w*th*n one 0onth after the
&n*ted tate+ had dec*ded to enter the "/ropean confl*ct. !a+h*n.ton wa+ not +o
+>/ea0*+h a1o/t the r*.ht+ of *t+ c*t*-en+ a+ the (r*t*+h =arl*a0ent had 1een. The
acade0*c a/thor of The New ,reedo0 d*d not he+*tate to de+tro2 e4er2 de0ocrat*c
pr*nc*ple at one 1low. 8e had a++/red the world that A0er*ca wa+ 0o4ed 12 the
h*.he+t h/0an*tar*an 0ot*4e+, her a*0 1e*n. to de0ocrat*-e @er0an2. !hat *f he had
to =r/++*an*-e the &n*ted tate+ *n order to ach*e4e *tB ,ree61orn A0er*can+ had to 1e
forc*1l2 pre++ed *nto the 0*l*tar2 0o/ld, herded l*ke cattle, and +h*pped acro++ the
water+ to fert*l*-e the f*eld+ of ,rance. The*r +acr*f*ce wo/ld earn the0 the .lor2 of
ha4*n. de0on+trated the +/per*or*t2 of )2 Co/ntr2, :T*+ of Thee o4er $*e !acht a0
#he*n. No A0er*can pre+*dent had e4er 1efore +/cceeded *n +o h/01/..*n. the
people a+ !oodrow !*l+on, who wrote and talked de0ocrac2, acted de+pot*call2,
pr*4atel2 and off*c*all2, and 2et 0ana.ed to keep /p the 02th that he wa+
cha0p*on*n. h/0an*t2 and freedo0.
!e had no *ll/+*on+ a1o/t the o/tco0e of the con+cr*pt*on 1*ll pend*n. 1efore
Con.re++. !e re.arded the 0ea+/re a+ a co0plete den*al of e4er2 h/0an r*.ht, the
death6knell to l*1ert2 of con+c*ence, and we deter0*ned to f*.ht *t /ncond*t*onall2. !e
d*d not e3pect to 1e a1le to +te0 the t*dal wa4e of hatred and 4*olence wh*ch
co0p/l+or2 +er4*ce wa+ 1o/nd to 1r*n., 1/t we felt that we had at lea+t to 0ake
known at lar.e that there were +o0e *n the &n*ted tate+ who owned the*r +o/l+ and
who 0eant to pre+er4e the*r *nte.r*t2, no 0atter what the co+t.
!e dec*ded to call a conference *n the )other "arth off*ce to 1roach the
or.an*-at*on of a No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e and draw /p a 0an*fe+to to clar*f2 to the
people of A0er*ca the 0enace of con+cr*pt*on. !e al+o planned a lar.e 0a++ 0eet*n.
a+ a prote+t a.a*n+t co0pell*n. A0er*can 0en to +*.n the*r own death6warrant+ *n the
for0 of forced 0*l*tar2 re.*+trat*on.
(eca/+e of pre4*o/+l2 arran.ed lect/re date+ *n pr*n.f*eld, )a++ach/+ett+, I wa+
/nfort/natel2 not a1le to 1e pre+ent at the conference, +et for )a2 9. (/t a+ a+ha,
,*t-*, Leonard $. A11ott, and other clear6headed fr*end+ wo/ld attend, I felt no
an3*et2 a1o/t the o/tco0e. It wa+ +/..e+ted that the conference +ho/ld take /p the
>/e+t*on of whether the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e +ho/ld /r.e 0en not to re.*+ter. "n
ro/te to pr*n.f*eld I wrote a +hort +tate0ent .*4*n. 02 att*t/de on the 0atter. I +ent *t
w*th a note to ,*t-* a+k*n. her to read *t at the .ather*n.. I took the po+*t*on that, a+ a
wo0an and therefore 02+elf not +/17ect to 0*l*tar2 +er4*ce, I co/ld not ad4*+e people
on the 0atter. !hether or not one *+ to lend one+elf a+ a tool for the 1/+*ne++ of
k*ll*n. +ho/ld properl2 1e left to the *nd*4*d/al con+c*ence. A+ an anarch*+t I co/ld
not pre+/0e to dec*de the fate of other+, I wrote. (/t I co/ld +a2 to tho+e who ref/+ed
to 1e coerced *nto 0*l*tar2 +er4*ce that I wo/ld plead the*r ca/+e and +tand 12 the*r act
1GC
a.a*n+t all odd+.
(2 the t*0e I ret/rned fro0 pr*n.f*eld the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e had 1een
or.an*-ed and the 8arle0 #*4er Ca+*no rented for a 0a++ 0eet*n. to take place on
)a2 1<. Tho+e who had part*c*pated at the conference had a.reed w*th 02 att*t/de
re.ard*n. re.*+trat*on.
In the 0*d+t of o/r act*4*t*e+ a+ha 0et w*th a +er*o/+ acc*dent. I wa+ l*4*n. a.a*n
*n the l*ttle roo0 1eh*nd the )other "arth off*ce *n %ne 8/ndred and Twent26f*fth
treet, wh*le a+ha and ,*t-* had 0o4ed the (la+t to the roo0 on the /pper floor,
for0erl2 occ/p*ed 12 o/r fr*end tewart Kerr. There wa+ no telephone conne3*on *n
the ho/+e e3cept *n 02 off*ce, and one da2 a+ha, h/rr2*n. to an+wer a call, +l*pped
and fell down the whole len.th of the +teep +ta*rwa2. &pon e3a0*nat*on the l*.a0ent+
of h*+ left foot were fo/nd torn, and a ph2+*c*an ordered h*0 to 1ed. a+ha wo/ld not
l*+ten to *t9 w*th the a0o/nt of work on hand and w*th onl2 a few co0rade+ to look
after *t, he co/ld not re+t, he +a*d. Tho/.h *n .reat pa*n and a1le onl2 to hop a1o/t on
cr/tche+, he wa+ 1ent on attend*n. the 0eet*n. at the 8arle0 #*4er Ca+*no.
%n )a2 1< ,*t-* and I re+orted to e4er2 fe0*n*ne tr*ck we co/ld th*nk of to
per+/ade o/r cr*pple to re0a*n at ho0e, 1/t he *n+*+ted on co0*n. w*th /+. 8e wa+
helped 12 two h/+k2 co0rade+ down the +ta*r+ and l*fted *nto a ta3*, and the +a0e
perfor0ance wa+ repeated later at the hall.
Al0o+t ten tho/+and people f*lled the place, a0on. the0 0an2 newl2 r*..ed6o/t
+old*er+ and the*r wo0an fr*end+, a 4er2 1o*+tero/+ lot *ndeed. e4eral h/ndred
pol*ce0en and detect*4e+ were +cattered thro/.h the hall. !hen the +e++*on opened, a
few 2o/n. 5patr*ot+5 tr*ed to r/+h the +ta.e entrance. The*r atte0pt wa+ fo*led,
1eca/+e we had prepared for +/ch a cont*n.enc2.
Leonard $. A11ott pre+*ded, and on the platfor0 were 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, Lo/*+
,ra*na, a+ha, 02+elf, and a n/01er of other opponent+ of forced 0*l*tar2 +er4*ce.
)en and wo0en of 4ar2*n. pol*t*cal 4*ew+ +/pported o/r +tand on th*+ occa+*on.
"4er2 +peaker 4*.oro/+l2 deno/nced the con+cr*pt*on 1*ll wh*ch wa+ awa*t*n. the
=re+*dent:+ +*.nat/re. a+ha wa+ part*c/larl2 +plend*d. #e+t*n. h*+ *n7/red le. on a
cha*r and +/pport*n. h*0+elf w*th one hand on the ta1le, he 1reathed +tren.th and
def*ance. Alwa2+ a 0an of .reat +elf6control, h*+ po*+e on th*+ occa+*on wa+
re0arka1le. No one *n the 4a+t a/d*ence co/ld ha4e ./e++ed that he wa+ *n pa*n, or
that he .a4e a +*n.le tho/.ht to h*+ helple++ cond*t*on *f we +ho/ld fa*l to carr2 the
0eet*n. to a peacef/l end. !*th .reat clar*t2 and +/+ta*ned power a+ha +poke a+ I
had ne4er heard h*0 1efore.
The f/t/re heroe+ were no*+2 all thro/.h the +peeche+, 1/t when I +tepped on the
platfor0, pande0on*/0 1roke loo+e. The2 7eered and hooted, *ntoned The tar6
pan.led (anner, and frant*call2 wa4ed +0all A0er*can fla.+. A1o4e the d*n the
4o*ce of a recr/*t +ho/ted: 5I want the floor?5 The pat*ence of the a/d*ence had 1een
+orel2 tr*ed all e4en*n. 12 the *nterr/pter+. Now 0en ro+e fro0 e4er2 part of the
ho/+e and called to the d*+t/r1er to +h/t /p or 1e k*cked o/t. I knew what +/ch a th*n.
wo/ld lead to, w*th the pol*ce wa*t*n. for a chance to a*d the patr*ot*c r/ff*an+.
)oreo4er, I d*d not want to den2 free +peech e4en to the +old*er. #a*+*n. 02 4o*ce, I
appealed to the a++e01l2 to per0*t the 0an to +peak. 5!e who ha4e co0e here to
1G3
prote+t a.a*n+t coerc*on and to de0and the r*.ht to th*nk and act *n accordance w*th
o/r con+c*ence+,5 I /r.ed, 5+ho/ld reco.n*-e the r*.ht of an opponent to +peak and we
+ho/ld l*+ten >/*etl2 and .rant h*0 the re+pect we de0and for o/r+el4e+. The 2o/n.
0an no do/1t 1el*e4e+ *n the 7/+t*ce of h*+ ca/+e a+ we do *n o/r+, and he ha+ pled.ed
h*+ l*fe for *t. I +/..e+t therefore that we all r*+e *n apprec*at*on of h*+ e4*dent
+*ncer*t2 and that we hear h*0 o/t *n +*lence.5 The a/d*ence ro+e to a 0an.
The +old*er had pro1a1l2 ne4er 1efore faced +/ch a lar.e a++e01l2. 8e looked
fr*.htened and he 1e.an *n a >/a4er*n. 4o*ce that 1arel2 carr*ed to the platfor0,
altho/.h he wa+ +*tt*n. near *t. 8e +ta00ered +o0eth*n. a1o/t 5@er0an 0one25 and
5tra*tor+,5 .ot conf/+ed, and ca0e to a +/dden +top. Then, t/rn*n. to h*+ co0rade+, he
cr*ed: 5%h, hell? Let:+ .et o/t of here?5 %/t the whole .an. +l/nk, wa4*n. the*r l*ttle
fla.+ and followed 12 la/.hter and appla/+e.
#et/rn*n. fro0 the 0eet*n. ho0e we heard new+1o2+ +ho/t*n. e3tra n*.ht ed*t*on+
666 the con+cr*pt*on 1*ll had 1eco0e a law? #e.*+trat*on da2 wa+ +et for ;/ne 4. The
tho/.ht +tr/ck 0e that on that da2 A0er*can de0ocrac2 wo/ld 1e carr*ed to *t+ .ra4e.
!e felt that )a2 1< wa+ the 1e.*nn*n. of a per*od of h*+tor*c *0portance. To a+ha
and 02+elf the da2 had al+o a profo/nd per+onal 0ean*n.. It wa+ the twelfth
ann*4er+ar2 of h*+ re+/rrect*on fro0 the !e+tern =en*tent*ar2 of =enn+2l4an*a, the
f*r+t t*0e *n 2ear+ that he and I were to.ether *n the +a0e c*t2 and on the +a0e
platfor0.
trea0+ of caller+ 1e+*e.ed o/r off*ce fro0 0orn*n. t*ll late at n*.ht9 2o/n. 0en,
0o+tl2, +eek*n. ad4*ce on whether the2 +ho/ld re.*+ter. !e knew, of co/r+e, that
a0on. the0 were al+o deco2+ +ent to tr*ck /+ *nto +a2*n. that the2 +ho/ld not. The
0a7or*t2, howe4er, were fr*.htened 2o/th+, fearf/ll2 wro/.ht /p and at +ea a+ to what
to do. The2 were helple++ creat/re+ a1o/t to 1e +acr*f*ced to )oloch. %/r +20path*e+
were w*th the0, 1/t we felt that we had no r*.ht to dec*de the 4*tal *++/e for the0.
There were al+o d*+tracted 0other+, *0plor*n. /+ to +a4e the*r 1o2+. (2 the h/ndred+
the2 ca0e, wrote, or telephoned. All da2 lon. o/r telephone ran.9 o/r off*ce+ were
f*lled w*th people, and +tack+ of 0a*l arr*4ed fro0 e4er2 part of the co/ntr2 a+k*n. for
*nfor0at*on a1o/t the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e, pled.*n. +/pport and /r.*n. /+ to .o
on w*th the work. In th*+ 1edla0 we had to prepare cop2 for the c/rrent *++/e+ of
)other "arth and the (la+t, wr*te o/r 0an*fe+to, and +end o/t c*rc/lar+ anno/nc*n.
o/r forthco0*n. 0eet*n.. At n*.ht, when tr2*n. to .et +o0e +leep, we wo/ld 1e r/n.
o/t of 1ed 12 reporter+ want*n. to know o/r ne3t +tep.
Ant*6con+cr*pt*on 0eet*n.+ were al+o tak*n. place o/t+*de of New York and I wa+
1/+2 or.an*-*n. 1ranche+ of the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e. At +/ch a .ather*n. *n
=h*ladelph*a the pol*ce ca0e down w*th drawn cl/1+ and threatened to 1eat /p the
a/d*ence *f I dared 0ent*on con+cr*pt*on. I proceeded to talk a1o/t the freedo0 the
0a++e+ *n #/++*a had .a*ned. At the clo+e of the 0eet*n. f*ft2 per+on+ ret*red to a
pr*4ate place, where we or.an*-ed a No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e. *0*lar e3per*ence+
were repeated *n 0an2 c*t*e+.
A week after the 8arle0 #*4er Ca+*no 0eet*n. I rece*4ed a tele.ra0 fro0 To0
)oone2 *nd*cat*n. the hople++ne++ of f/rther le.al proceed*n.+ *n h*+ ca+e and /r.*n.
an appeal to the people of the co/ntr2. 8*+ tele.ra0 read:
1G4
an ,ranc*+co
)a2 CF, 191H
/per*or Co/rt toda2 held %30an for tr*al. Ch*ef ;/+t*ce An.ellott* +a*d e4*dence
of %30an:+ ./*lt o4erwhel0*n.. pec*al co00*ttee appo*nted 12 an ,ranc*+co La1or
Co/nc*l and (/*ld*n. Trade+ Co/nc*l appeared *n per+on 1efore Attorne2 @eneral
!e11 re>/e+t*n. an+wer on h*+ d*+po+*t*on of ;/d.e @r*ff*n:+ re>/e+t confe++*n. error
*n 02 ca+e. Attorne2 @eneral +a*d that record+ d*d not +how error and *t wo/ld 1e
*0po++*1le confe++ +a0e.
=owerf/l p/1l*c*t2, 0on+ter de0on+trat*on+, a1+ol/tel2 nece++ar2 for +/cce++f/l
o/tco0e. Cal*forn*a I2nch6law crowd f*.ht*n. de+peratel2 to +a4e the0+el4e+.
Th*+ precl/de+ new tr*al /nle++ the /nfore+een happen+. @*4e the+e fact+ w*de
p/1l*c*t2.
To0 )oone2
The con4*ct*on of !arren K. (*ll*n.+, *n +p*te of a1+ol/te proof of h*+ *nnocence,
had ca/+ed the defence to *n4e+t*.ate the w*tne++e+ for the pro+ec/t*on. A*rt/all2
e4er2 one of the0 wa+ pro4ed to 1e a tool of $*+tr*ct Attorne2 Charle+ ,*ckert, and
+e4eral confe++ed that the*r te+t*0on2 for the tate wa+ p/rcha+ed 12 threat+ and
1r*1er2. The 7/r2 al+o wa+ fo/nd to ha4e 1een ta0pered w*th 12 a.ent+ of the
Cha01er of Co00erce. It wa+ too late to +a4e (*ll*n.+, 1/t *t warned the defence of
what *t had to e3pect *n the tr*al of To0 )oone2.
,*ckert real*-ed that +o0e of h*+ old w*tne++e+, e3po+ed a+ per7/rer+ and
profe++*onal pro+t*t/te+, co/ld not 1e /+ed a.a*n+t )oone2. 8e therefore prepared
other+ of a +*0*lar cal*1re, the +tar a0on. the0 1e*n. a certa*n ,rank C. %30an, an
alle.ed !e+tern cattle0an. It wa+ 0a*nl2 on the e4*dence of %30an that )oone2 wa+
con4*cted. 8e te+t*f*ed that he wa+ *n an ,ranc*+co on =reparedne++ $a2, and he
*dent*f*ed )oone2 a+ the 0an who0 he +aw plac*n. a +/*t6ca+e M+/ppo+edl2 of
e3plo+*4e+N on a +treet6corner alon. the ro/te of the 0arch. An *n4e+t*.at*on pro4ed
that %30an had not 1een *n an ,ranc*+co on the date of the parade. )oreo4er, a
letter 12 %30an to h*+ fr*end ,. ". #*.all wa+ prod/ced, *n wh*ch %30an /r.ed h*0
to earn 5a p*ece of 0one25 12 co0*n. to te+t*f2 a.a*n+t )oone2. #*.all wa+ at the
t*0e *n N*a.ara ,all+ and had ne4er 1een *n an ,ranc*+co. The proof of %30an:+
per7/r2 wa+ +o o4erwhel0*n. that $*+tr*ct Attorne2 ,*ckert wa+ co0pelled to 1r*n.
h*0 to tr*al. Notw*th+tand*n. all the+e de4elop0ent+, *n +p*te e4en of the ad0*++*on of
the tr*al 7/d.e, ,rankl*n A. @r*ff*n, that )oone2 had 1een con4*cted on fal+e
te+t*0on2, the /pre0e Co/rt of Cal*forn*a ref/+ed to *nter4ene. )oone2 wa+
doo0ed to d*e?
The co/ntr26w*de ca0pa*.n that a+ha had +tarted for )oone2 al0o+t a 2ear
pre4*o/+l2 had 0eanwh*le 1orne fr/*t. The ca+e had 1een taken /p 12 rad*cal and
pro.re++*4e la1o/r or.an*-at*on+ thro/.ho/t the land, and 0an2 l*1eral or.an*-at*on+
a+ well a+ *nfl/ent*al *nd*4*d/al+ had 1eco0e *ntere+ted. !ork to +a4e the con4*cted
0an fro0 the .allow+ cont*n/ed w*tho/t a1ate0ent.
At the peace 0eet*n. *n )ad*+on >/are @arden, arran.ed 7o*ntl2 12 the 0ore
rad*cal ant*6war or.an*-at*on+ on ;/ne 1, +e4eral of o/r 2o/n. co0rade+ were arre+ted
1GF
for d*+tr*1/t*n. anno/nce0ent+ for o/r 8/nt:+ =o*nt =alace 0eet*n. on ;/ne 4.
Learn*n. of *t, we d*+patched a letter to the $*+tr*ct Attorne2, tak*n. ent*re
re+pon+*1*l*t2 for what the arre+ted 1o2+ had done. !e po*nted o/t that *f *t wa+ a
cr*0e to .*4e o/t the hand1*ll, we, *t+ a/thor+, were the ./*lt2 per+on+. The letter wa+
+*.ned 12 a+ha and 0e, and we enclo+ed a +pec*al6del*4er2 +ta0p for an *00ed*ate
repl2. (/t no an+wer ca0e and no act*on wa+ taken a.a*n+t /+.
The arre+ted 1o2+ *ncl/ded )orr*+ (ecker, Lo/*+ Kra0er, ;o+eph !alker, and
Lo/*+ tern1er.. The2 were char.ed w*th con+p*rac2 to ad4*+e people not to +/10*t to
the Con+cr*pt*on Law. The*r tr*al took place 1efore ,ederal ;/d.e ;/l*/+ ). )a2er.
Kra0er and (ecker were con4*cted, the 7/r2 reco00end*n. cle0enc2 for the latter.
The ;/d.e:+ *dea of cle0enc2 wa+ a +c/rr*lo/+ den/nc*at*on of the defendant+. 8e
called Kra0er a coward and .a4e h*0 the l*0*t of the law, two 2ear+ *n the ,ederal
pen*tent*ar2 at Atlanta and ten tho/+and dollar+: f*ne. (ecker rece*4ed one 2ear and
e*.ht 0onth+ and wa+ al+o conde0ned to pa2 a +*0*lar f*ne. The other two 1o2+,
tern1er. and !alker, were ac>/*tted. 8arr2 !e*n1er.er had cond/cted the*r defence
*n h*+ /+/al a1le wa2 and he appealed the*r ca+e. Lo/*+ Kra0er, wh*le *n the To01+
awa*t*n. tran+fer to Atlanta, ref/+ed to re.*+ter for the draft and wa+ +entenced to
+er4e an add*t*onal 2ear.
The ;/ne *++/e of )other "arth appeared draped *n 1lack, *t+ co4er repre+ent*n. a
to01 1ear*n. the *n+cr*pt*on: :IN )")%#IA) 66 A)"#ICAN $")%C#ACY.: The
+o01re att*re of the 0a.a-*ne wa+ +tr*k*n. and effect*4e. No word+ co/ld e3pre++
0ore elo>/entl2 the tra.ed2 that t/rned A0er*ca, the er+twh*le torch61earer of
freedo0, *nto .ra4e6d*..er of her for0er *deal+.
!e +tra*ned o/r cap*tal to the la+t penn2 to *++/e an e3tra lar.e ed*t*on. !e wanted
to 0a*l cop*e+ to e4er2 ,ederal off*cer, to e4er2 ed*tor, *n the co/ntr2 and to d*+tr*1/te
the 0a.a-*ne a0on. 2o/n. worker+ and colle.e +t/dent+. %/r twent2 tho/+and cop*e+
1arel2 +/ff*ced to +/ppl2 o/r own need+. It 0ade /+ feel o/r po4ert2 0ore than e4er
1efore. ,ort/natel2 an /ne3pected all2 ca0e to o/r a++*+tance: the New York
new+paper+? The2 had repr*nted whole pa++a.e+ fro0 o/r ant*6con+cr*pt*on 0an*fe+to,
+o0e e4en reprod/c*n. the ent*re te3t and th/+ 1r*n.*n. *t to the attent*on of 0*ll*on+
of reader+. Now the2 cop*o/+l2 >/oted fro0 o/r ;/ne *++/e and ed*tor*all2 co00ented
at len.th on *t+ content+.
The pre++ thro/.ho/t the co/ntr2 ra4ed at o/r def*ance of law and pre+*dent*al
order+. !e d/l2 apprec*ated the*r help *n 0ak*n. o/r 4o*ce+ re+o/nd thro/.h the land,
o/r 4o*ce+ that 1/t 2e+terda2 had called *n 4a*n. Inc*dentall2 the paper+ al+o .a4e
w*de p/1l*c*t2 to o/r 0eet*n. +ched/led for ;/ne 4.
%/r 1/+2 and e3c*t*n. l*fe wa+ not cond/c*4e to a+ha:+ +peed2 reco4er2. 8e
cont*n/ed to +/ffer 0/ch pa*n and d*+co0fort. )o+t of h*+ wr*t*n. had to 1e done *n
1ed or w*th h*+ le. perched /p on a cha*r. 8e co/ld 1arel2 hop a1o/t on cr/tche+, 1/t
he wa+ a.a*n ada0ant *n h*+ dec*+*on to attend the 0a++ 0eet*n.. !e knew he wa+
+/ffer*n., 1/t he cracked 7oke+ and +colded ,*t-* and 0e 1eca/+e we were 0ak*n.
5too 0/ch f/++.5
!hen we .ot w*th*n half a do-en 1lock+ of 8/nt:+ =o*nt =alace, o/r ta3* had to
co0e to a +top. (efore /+ wa+ a h/0an da0, a+ far a+ the e2e co/ld +ee, a den+el2
1GG
packed, +wa2*n. 0a++, co/nt*n. ten+ of tho/+and+. %n the o/t+k*rt+ were pol*ce on
hor+e and on foot, and .reat n/01er+ of +old*er+ *n khak*. The2 were +ho/t*n. order+,
+wear*n., and p/+h*n. the crowd fro0 the +*dewalk+ to the +treet and 1ack a.a*n. The
ta3* co/ld not proceed, and *t wa+ hopele++ to tr2 to .et a+ha to the hall on h*+
cr/tche+. !e had to 0ake a deto/r aro/nd 4acant lot+ /nt*l we reached the 1ack
entrance of the =alace. There we ca0e /pon a +core of patrol wa.on+ ar0ed w*th
+earch6l*.ht+ and 0ach*ne6./n+. The off*cer+ +tat*oned at the +ta.e door, fa*l*n. to
reco.n*-e /+, ref/+ed to let /+ pa++. A reporter who knew /+ wh*+pered to the pol*ce
+er.eant *n char.e. 5 %h, all r*.ht,5 he +ho/ted, 51/t no1od2 el+e w*ll 1e ad0*tted. The
place *+ o4ercrowded.5
The +er.eant had l*ed9 the ho/+e wa+ onl2 half f*lled. The pol*ce were keep*n. the
people fro0 .ett*n. *n, and at +e4en o:clock the2 had ordered the door+ locked. !h*le
the2 were den2*n. the r*.ht of entr2 to worker+, the2 per0*tted +core+ of half6dr/nken
+a*lor+ and +old*er+ to enter the hall. The 1alcon2 and the front +eat+ were f*lled w*th
the0. The2 talked lo/dl2, 0ade 4/l.ar re0ark+, 7eered, hooted, and otherw*+e
1eha4ed a+ 1ef*t+ 0en who are prepar*n. to 0ake the world +afe for de0ocrac2.
In the roo0 1eh*nd the +ta.e were off*c*al+ fro0 the $epart0ent of ;/+t*ce,
0e01er+ of the ,ederal attorne2:+ off*ce, &n*ted tate+ 0ar+hal+, detect*4e+ fro0 the
5Anarch*+t >/ad,5 and reporter+. The +cene looked a+ *f +et for 1lood+hed. The
repre+entat*4e+ of law and order were o14*o/+l2 ke2ed /p for tro/1le.
A0on. the 5al*en ene0*e+5 *n the hall and on the platfor0 were 0en and wo0en
pro0*nent *n the f*eld of ed/cat*on, art, and letter+. %ne of the0 wa+ the d*+t*n./*+hed
Ir*+h re1el )r+. heeh26keff*n.ton, the w*dow of the pac*f*+t a/thor 0/rdered *n the
$/1l*n /pr*+*n. the pre4*o/+ 2ear. A lo4er of peace and an elo>/ent pleader for
freedo0 and 7/+t*ce, +he wa+ a +weet and .entle +o/l. In her wa+ per+on*f*ed the +p*r*t
of o/r .ather*n., the re+pect for h/0an l*fe and l*1ert2 that wa+ +eek*n. p/1l*c
e3pre++*on that e4en*n..
!hen the 0eet*n. wa+ opened and Leonard $. A11ott took the cha*r, he wa+
.reeted 12 the +old*er+ and +a*lor+ w*th catcall+, wh*+tle+, and +ta0p*n. of feet. Th*+
fa*l*n. of the de+*red effect, the /n*for0ed 0en *n the .aller2 1e.an throw*n. on the
platfor0 electr*c la0p+ wh*ch the2 had /n+crewed fro0 the f*3t/re+. e4eral 1/l1+
+tr/ck a 4a+e hold*n. a 1/nch of red carnat*on+, +end*n. 4a+e and flower+ cra+h*n. to
the floor. Conf/+*on followed, the a/d*ence r*+*n. *n *nd*.nant prote+t and de0and*n.
that the pol*ce p/t the r/ff*an+ o/t. ;ohn #eed, who wa+ w*th /+, called on the pol*ce
capta*n to order the d*+t/r1er+ re0o4ed, 1/t that off*c*al decl*ned to *nter4ene.
After repeated appeal+ fro0 the cha*r0an, +/pported 12 +o0e wo0en *n the
a/d*ence, co0parat*4e >/*et wa+ re+tored. (/t not for lon.. "4er2 +peaker had to .o
thro/.h the +a0e ordeal. "4en the 0other+ of pro+pect*4e +old*er+, who po/red o/t
the*r an./*+h and wrath, were 7eered 12 the +a4a.e+ *n &ncle a0:+ /n*for0.
tella wa+ one of the 0other+ to addre++ the a/d*ence. It wa+ the f*r+t t*0e +he had
to face +/ch an a++e01l2 and end/re *n+/lt+. 8er own +on wa+ +t*ll too 2o/n. to 1e
+/17ect to con+cr*pt*on, 1/t +he +hared the woe and .r*ef of other, le++ fort/nate,
parent+, and +he co/ld art*c/late the prote+t of tho+e who had no opport/n*t2 to +peak.
he held her own a.a*n+t the *nterr/pt*on+ and carr*ed the a/d*ence w*th her 12 the
1GH
earne+tne++ and fer4o/r of her talk.
a+ha wa+ the ne3t +peaker9 other+ were to follow h*0, and I wa+ to +peak la+t.
a+ha ref/+ed to 1e helped to the platfor0. lowl2 and w*th .reat effort he 0ana.ed
to cl*01 /p the +e4eral +tep+ and then walked acro++ the +ta.e to the cha*r placed for
h*0 near the footl*.ht+. A.a*n, a+ on )a2 1<, he had to +tand on one le., re+t*n. the
other on the cha*r and +/pport*n. h*0+elf w*th one hand on the ta1le. 8e +tood erect,
h*+ head held h*.h, h*+ 7aw +et, h*+ e2e+ clear and /nfl*nch*n.l2 t/rned on the
d*+t/r1er+. The a/d*ence ro+e and .reeted a+ha w*th prolon.ed appla/+e, a token of
the*r apprec*at*on of h*+ appearance *n +p*te of h*+ *n7/r2. The enth/+*a+t*c
de0on+trat*on +ee0ed to enra.e the patr*ot+, 0o+t of who0 were o14*o/+l2 /nder the
*nfl/ence of dr*nk. #enewed +ho/t+, wh*+tle+, +ta0p*n., and h2+ter*cal cr*e+ of the
wo0en acco0pan2*n. the +old*er+ .reeted a+ha. A1o4e the cla0o/r a hoar+e 4o*ce
cr*ed: 5No 0ore? !e:4e had eno/.h?5 (/t a+ha wo/ld not 1e da/nted. 8e 1e.an to
+peak, lo/der and lo/der, 1erat*n. the hoodl/0+, now rea+on*n. w*th the0, now
hold*n. the0 /p to +corn. 8*+ word+ +ee0ed to *0pre++ the0. The2 1eca0e >/*et.
Then, +/ddenl2, a h/+k2 1r/te *n front +ho/ted: 5Let:+ char.e the platfor0? Let:+ .et
the +lacker?5 In an *n+tant the a/d*ence were on the*r feet. o0e ran /p to .ra1 the
+old*er. I r/+hed to a+ha:+ +*de. In 02 h*.he+t p*tch I cr*ed: 5,r*end+, fr*end+ 66 wa*t,
wa*t?5 The +/ddenne++ of 02 appearance attracted e4er2one:+ attent*on. 5The +old*er+
and +a*lor+ ha4e 1een +ent here to ca/+e tro/1le,5 I ad0on*+hed the people, 5and the
pol*ce are *n lea./e w*th the0. If we lo+e o/r head+ there w*ll 1e 1lood+hed, and *t
w*ll 1e o/r 1lood the2 w*ll +hed?5 There were cr*e+ of 5he:+ r*.ht?5 5It:+ tr/e?5 I took
ad4anta.e of the 0o0ento/+ pa/+e. 5Yo/r pre+ence here,5 I cont*n/ed, 5and the
pre+ence of the 0/lt*t/de o/t+*de +ho/t*n. the*r appro4al of e4er2 word the2 can
catch, are con4*nc*n. proof that 2o/ do not 1el*e4e *n 4*olence, and *t e>/all2 pro4e+
that 2o/ /nder+tand that war *+ the 0o+t f*end*+h 4*olence. !ar k*ll+ del*1eratel2,
r/thle++l2, and de+tro2+ *nnocent l*4e+. No, *t *+ not we who ha4e co0e to create a r*ot
here. !e 0/+t ref/+e to 1e pro4oked to *t. Intell*.ence and a pa++*onate fa*th are 0ore
con4*nc*n. than ar0ed pol*ce, 0ach*ne6./n+, and rowd*e+ *n +old*er+: coat+. !e ha4e
de0on+trated *t ton*.ht. !e +t*ll ha4e 0an2 +peaker+, +o0e of the0 w*th *ll/+tr*o/+
A0er*can na0e+. (/t noth*n. the2 or I co/ld +a2 w*ll add to the +plend*d e3a0ple
2o/ ha4e .*4en. Therefore I declare the 0eet*n. clo+ed. ,*le o/t orderl2, *ntone o/r
*n+p*r*n. re4ol/t*onar2 +on.+, and lea4e the +old*er+ to the*r tra.*c fate, wh*ch at
pre+ent the2 are too *.norant to real*-e.5
The +tra*n+ of the Internat*onale ro+e a1o4e the appro4al +ho/ted 12 the a/d*ence,
and the +on. wa+ taken /p 12 the 0an26throated 0a++ o/t+*de. =at*entl2 the2 had
wa*ted for f*4e ho/r+ and e4er2 word that had reached the0 thro/.h the open
w*ndow+ had fo/nd a +tron. echo *n the*r heart+. All thro/.h the 0eet*n. the*r
appla/+e had th/ndered 1ack to /+, and now the*r 7/1*lant +on..
In the co00*ttee roo0 a reporter of the New York !orld r/+hed /p to 0e. 5Yo/r
pre+ence of 0*nd +a4ed the +*t/at*on,5 he con.rat/lated 0e. 5(/t what w*ll 2o/ report
*n 2o/r paperB5 I a+ked. 5!*ll 2o/ tell of the ro/.h6ho/+e the +old*er+ tr*ed to 0ake,
and the ref/+al of the pol*ce to +top the0B5 8e wo/ld, he +a*d, 1/t I wa+ certa*n that
no tr/thf/l report wo/ld 1e p/1l*+hed, e4en *f he +ho/ld ha4e the co/ra.e to wr*te *t.
The ne3t 0orn*n. the !orld procla*0ed that 5#*ot*n. acco0pan*ed the 0eet*n. of
the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e at 8/nt:+ =o*nt =alace. )an2 were *n7/red and twel4e
1G<
arre+t+ 0ade. old*er+ *n /n*for0 +neered at the +peaker+. After ad7o/rn0ent the real
r*ot 1e.an *n the ad7acent +treet+.5
The alle.ed r*ot wa+ of ed*tor*al 0ak*n. and +ee0ed a del*1erate atte0pt to +top
f/rther prote+t+ a.a*n+t con+cr*pt*on. The pol*ce took the h*nt. The2 *++/ed order+ to
the hall6keeper+ not to rent the*r pre0*+e+ for an2 0eet*n. to 1e addre++ed 12
Ale3ander (erk0an or "00a @old0an. Not e4en the owner+ of place+ we had 1een
/+*n. for 2ear+ dared d*+o1e2. The2 were +orr2, the2 +a*d9 the2 d*d not fear arre+t, 1/t
the +old*er+ had threateneed the*r l*4e+ and propert2. !e +ec/red ,orward 8all, on
"a+t (roadwa2, wh*ch 1elon.ed to the ;ew*+h oc*al*+t =art2. It wa+ +0all for o/r
p/rpo+e, 1arel2 1*. eno/.h to +eat a tho/+and people: 1/t no other place wa+ to 1e had
*n ent*re New York. The awed +*lence of the pac*f*+t and ant*60*l*tar2 or.an*-at*on+
wh*ch followed the pa++*n. of the re.*+trat*on 1*ll 0ade *t do/1l2 *0perat*4e for /+ to
cont*n/e the work. !e +ched/led a 0a++ 0eet*n. for ;/ne I4.
It wa+ not nece++ar2 for /+ to pr*nt anno/nce0ent+. !e 0erel2 called /p the
new+paper+, and the2 d*d the re+t. The2 deno/nced o/r *0p/dence *n cont*n/*n. ant*6
war act*4*t*e+, and the2 +harpl2 cr*t*c*-ed the a/thor*t*e+ for fa*l*n. to +top /+. A+ a
0atter of fact, the pol*ce were work*n. o4ert*0e wa2la2*n. draft6e4ader+. The2
arre+ted tho/+and+, 1/t 0an2 0ore had ref/+ed to re.*+ter. The pre++ d*d not report
the act/al +tate of affa*r+9 *t d*d not care to 0ake *t known that lar.e n/01er+ of
A0er*can+ had the 0anhood to def2 the .o4ern0ent. !e knew thro/.h o/r own
channel+ that tho/+and+ had deter0*ned not to +ho/lder a ./n a.a*n+t people who
were a+ *nnocent a+ the0+el4e+ *n ca/+*n. the world6+la/.hter.
%ne da2, wh*le I wa+ d*ctat*n. letter+ to 02 +ecretar2, an old 0an ca0e *nto the
)other "arth off*ce and a+ked for (erk0an. a+ha wa+ en.a.ed *n the rear roo0.
"n.ro++ed *n work, I d*d not take the t*0e e4en to *n4*te the caller to +*t down. I
po*nted to the 1ack, *nd*cat*n. that he 0*.ht enter. In a few 0*n/te+ a+ha called 0e
*n. 8e *ntrod/ced the 4*+*tor a+ ;a0e+ 8all1eck, for 2ear+ a +/1+cr*1er of )other
"arth and the (la+t, who0 he had 0et *n an ,ranc*+co. The na0e wa+ fa0*l*ar to 0e
and I re0e01ered the 0an:+ read2 re+pon+e to o/r appeal+. a+ha told 0e that the
co0rade wanted to 0ake a contr*1/t*on to o/r work. !e needed 0one2 for o/r
ca0pa*.n de+peratel2 and I wa+ .lad that +o0eone had co0e forward w*th an offer.
The *nd*fferent recept*on I had .*4en 8all1eck 0ade 0e +o0ewhat e01arra++ed when
he handed 0e h*+ che>/e. I apolo.*-ed 12 e3pla*n*n. how 1/+2 we were, 1/t he
a++/red 0e that he /nder+tood and that *t wa+ perfectl2 all r*.ht. 8e had 4er2 l*ttle
t*0e, he +a*d, and, ha+t*l2 1*dd*n. /+ .ood612e, he ed.ed h*+ wa2 o/t. !hen I looked
at the che>/e, I d*+co4ered to 02 a0a-e0ent that *t wa+ for three tho/+and dollar+. I
wa+ +/re the old co0rade had 0ade a 0*+take and I >/*ckl2 went to call h*0 1ack.
(/t he +hook h*+ head and a++/red 0e that there wa+ no error a1o/t *t. I 1e..ed h*0 to
ret/rn to the off*ce and tell /+ +o0eth*n. a1o/t h*0+elf. I co/ld not take the 0one2
w*tho/t know*n. whether he had eno/.h left to +ec/re h*+ old a.e.
8e told /+ that he had e0*.rated fro0 weden to A0er*ca +*3t2 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2. A
re1el +*nce h*+ 2o/th, the 7/d*c*al 0/rder of o/r Ch*ca.o co0rade+ had 0ade h*0 an
anarch*+t. ,or a >/arter of a cent/r2 he had l*4ed *n Cal*forn*a a+ a w*ne6.rower and
he had +a4ed a l*ttle 0one2. 8*+ own need+ were +0all, and he had no k*n *n the
&n*ted tate+, ne4er ha4*n. 0arr*ed. 8*+ three +*+ter+ *n the old co/ntr2 were *n
co0forta1le c*rc/0+tance+, and the2 wo/ld al+o .et a 0ode+t le.ac2 after h*+ death.
1G9
8e wa+ 4er2 0/ch *ntere+ted *n the No6Con+cr*pt*on ca0pa*.n, and, 1e*n. too old to
part*c*pate act*4el2, he had dec*ded to p/t a l*ttle 0one2 at o/r d*+po+al for the work.
!e need ha4e no +cr/ple+ a1o/t accept*n. the che>/e, he a++/red /+. 5I a0 e*.ht2,5
he added, 5and I ha4e not 0/ch lon.er to l*4e. I want to feel that whate4er I can +pare
w*ll 1enef*t the ca/+e I ha4e 1el*e4ed *n d/r*n. the lar.e+t part of 02 l*fe. I don:t want
the tate or the Ch/rch to prof*t 12 02 death.5 %/r 4enera1le co0rade:+ +*0ple
0anner, h*+ de4ot*on to o/r work and .enero/+ .e+t/re, affected /+ too profo/ndl2 for
1anal e3pre++*on+ of thank+. %/r hand6cla+p +howed o/r apprec*at*on, and he left /+
a+ /no+tentat*o/+l2 a+ he had co0e. 8*+ che>/e wa+ depo+*ted *n the 1ank a+ a f/nd
for ant*6war act*4*t*e+.
;/ne I4, the da2 of o/r ,orward 8all 0eet*n., arr*4ed. In the late afternoon I wa+
called on the telephone, and a +tran.e 4o*ce warned 0e a.a*n+t attend*n. the
.ather*n.. The 0an had o4erheard a plot to k*ll 0e, he *nfor0ed 0e. I a+ked for h*+
na0e, 1/t he decl*ned to .*4e *t9 nor wo/ld he con+ent to +ee 0e. I thanked h*0 for h*+
*ntere+t *n 02 welfare and h/n. /p the rece*4er.
;oc/larl2 I told a+ha and ,*t-* that I 0/+t prepare 02 w*ll. 5(/t I +hall pro1a1l2
reach a d*+./+t*n. old a.e,5 I re0arked. To 1e prepared for an2 e4ent/al*t2, howe4er,
I dec*ded to lea4e a note d*rect*n. that 5the O3000 contr*1/ted 12 ;a0e+ 8all1eck
+ho/ld re0a*n *n char.e of Ale3ander (erk0an, 02 l*felon. fr*end and co0rade *n
1attle, to 1e appl*ed to ant*6war work and the +/pport of *0pr*+oned con+c*ent*o/+
o17ector+.5 The )other "arth f/nd, con+*+t*n. of O3C9, wa+ to pa2 o/r off*ce de1t+9
o/r +tock of 1ook+ wa+ to 1e +old and the proceed+ /+ed for the need+ of the
0o4e0ent. )2 per+onal l*1rar2 I 1e>/eathed to 02 2o/n.e+t 1rother and tella. )2
onl2 propert2, the l*ttle far0 *n %++*n*n., wh*ch 02 fr*end (olton 8all had recentl2
deeded to 0e, I left to Ian Ke*th (allant*ne, tella:+ l*ttle 1o2. a+ha and ,*t-*
w*tne++ed the doc/0ent w*th the*r +*.nat/re+.
#each*n. "a+t (roadwa2, where ,orward 8all *+ located, we were 0et, not 12
ord*nar2 plotter+, 1/t 12 the ent*re pol*ce depart0ent. At lea+t *t +ee0ed +o to /+,
7/d.*n. 12 the n/01er of New York:+ 5f*ne+t5 that l*ned the +treet and the whole of
#/t.er+ >/are ad7acent to o/r 0eet*n.6place. The crowd had 1een p/+hed 1ack to the
farthe+t end of the +>/are. Tho+e who had +/cceeded *n .ett*n. *nto the 1/*ld*n. fo/nd
the0+el4e+ locked *n and held a+ pr*+oner+, a+ *t were. No con+p*rator+ ha4*n. de+*.n+
/pon 02 l*fe had the .ho+t of a chance to .et near 0e or a+ha, +o clo+el2 were we
enc*rcled 12 h/+k2 off*cer+, who h/rr*ed /+ *nto the 1/*ld*n..
The hall wa+ f*lled to +/ffocat*on. There were pol*ce .alore and an arra2 of ,ederal
off*c*al+, 1/t no +old*er+. ,orward 8all had pro1a1l2 ne4er 1efore held +/ch a lar.e
A0er*can attendance. =eople +ee0ed to real*-e that free e3pre++*on on the war and
con+cr*pt*on had 1eco0e a rar*t2, and the2 were ea.er to lend the*r +/pport.
The 0eet*n. wa+ 4er2 +p*r*ted and o/r pro.ra0 wa+ carr*ed o/t w*tho/t a h*tch. (/t
at the clo+e e4er2 0an *n the hall who appeared +/17ect to the draft wa+ deta*ned 12
the off*cer+, and tho+e who co/ld not +how a re.*+trat*on card were placed /nder
arre+t. It wa+ apparentl2 the *ntent*on of the ,ederal a/thor*t*e+ to /+e o/r 0eet*n. a+ a
trap. !e therefore re+ol4ed to hold no 0ore p/1l*c .ather*n.+ /nle++ we co/ld 0ake
+/re that tho+e who had not co0pl*ed w*th the re.*+trat*on law wo/ld keep awa2. !e
dec*ded to concentrate 0ore on the pr*nted word.
1H0
%n the follow*n. afternoon we were all 1/+2 *n o/r off*ce+. a+ha and ,*t-* were on
the /pper floor, prepar*n. the ne3t *++/e of the (la+t worked w*th 04 new +ecretar2,
=a/l*ne, wh*le o/r fr*end Carl, the 5wede,5 wa+ 0a*l*n. o/r c*rc/lar+. 8e wa+ a
+ta/nch and dependa1le co0rade who had 1een w*th /+ for a lon. t*0e, f*r+t *n
Ch*ca.o, where he had helped w*th 02 lect/re+, then *n an ,ranc*+co, where he wa+
a++oc*ated w*th the (la+t, and now *n New York. Carl wa+ a0on. the 0o+t
tr/+tworth2 and le4el6headed 0en *n o/r rank+. Noth*n. co/ld r/ffle h*+ e4en te0per
or 0ake h*0 .*4e /p a ta+k once /ndertaken. 8e wa+ 1e*n. a++*+ted *n the off*ce 12
two other act*4e co0rade+, !alter )erchant and !. =. (ale+, who were tr/e
A0er*can re1el+.
A1o4e the h/0 of con4er+at*on and the cl*ck*n. of the t2pewr*ter we +/ddenl2
heard the hea42 +ta0p*n. of feet on the +ta*rwa2, and 1efore an2 one of /+ had a
chance to +ee what wa+ the 0atter, a do-en 0en 1/r+t *nto 02 off*ce. The leader of
the part2 e3c*tedl2 cr*ed: 5"00a @old0an, 2o/:re /nder arre+t? And +o *+ (erk0an9
where *+ heB5 It wa+ &n*ted tate+ )ar+hal Tho0a+ $. )cCarth2. I knew h*0 12
+*.ht9 of late he had alwa2+ +tat*oned h*0+elf near the platfor0 at o/r No6
Con+cr*pt*on 0eet*n.+, h*+ whole att*t/de one of *0pat*ent read*ne++ to +pr*n. /pon
the +peaker+. The new+paper+ had reported h*0 a+ +a2*n. that he had repeatedl2 w*red
!a+h*n.ton for order+ to arre+t /+.
5I hope 2o/ w*ll .et the 0edal 2o/ cra4e,5 I +a*d to h*0. 5;/+t the +a0e, 2o/ 0*.ht
let 0e +ee 2o/r warrant.5 In+tead he held o/t a cop2 of the ;/ne )other "arth and
de0anded whether I wa+ the a/thor of the No6Con+cr*pt*on art*cle *t conta*ned.
5%14*o/+l2,5 I an+wered. 5+*nce 02 na0e *+ +*.ned to *t. ,/rther0ore, I take the
re+pon+*1*l*t2 for e4er2th*n. el+e *n the 0a.a-*ne. (/t where *+ 2o/r warrantB5
)cCarth2 declared that no warrant wa+ nece++ar2 for /+9 )other "arth conta*ned
eno/.h trea+ona1le 0atter to land /+ *n 7a*l for 2ear+. 8e had co0e to .et /+ and we
had 1etter h/rr2 /p.
Le*+/rel2 I walked toward+ the +ta*r+ and called: 5a+ha, ,*t-* 66 +o0e 4*+*tor+ are
here to arre+t /+.5 )cCarth2 and +e4eral of h*+ 0en ro/.hl2 p/+hed 0e a+*de and
da+hed /p to the (la+t off*ce. The dep/t2 0ar+hal+ took po++e++*on of 02 de+k and
1e.an e3a0*n*n. the 1ook+ and pa0phlet+ on o/r +hel4e+, throw*n. the0 *n a p*le on
the floor. A detect*4e .ra11ed !. =. (ale+, the 2o/n.e+t of o/r .ro/p, and anno/nced
that he wa+ al+o /nder arre+t. !alter )erchant and Carl were co00anded to +tand
1ack /nt*l the +earch wa+ o4er.
I +tarted for 02 roo0 to chan.e 02 dre++, aware that a n*.ht:+ free lod.*n. wa+ *n
+tore for 0e. %ne of the 0en r/+hed /p to deta*n 0e, tak*n. hold of 02 ar0. I
wrenched 02+elf loo+e. 5If 2o/r ch*ef d*dn:t ha4e the ./t+ to co0e /p here w*tho/t a
1od26./ard of th/.+,5 I +a*d to h*0, 5he +ho/ld at lea+t ha4e *n+tr/cted 2o/ not to act
l*ke one. I:0 not .o*n. to r/n awa2. I onl2 want to dre++ for the recept*on awa*t*n. /+,
and I don:t propo+e to let 2o/ act a+ 02 0a*d.5 The 0en ran+ack*n. 02 de+k la/.hed
coar+el2. 5he:+ a ca/t*on,5 one re0arked, 51/t *t:+ all r*.ht, off*cer, let her .o to her
roo0.5 !hen I e0er.ed w*th 02 1ook and +0all to*let o/tf*t, I fo/nd that ,*t-* and
a+ha, who wa+ +t*ll on cr/tche+, were alread2 down. )cCarth2 wa+ w*th the0.
5I want the 0e01er+h*p l*+t of the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e,5 he de0anded.
1H1
5!e o/r+el4e+ are alwa2+ read2 to rece*4e o/r fr*end+ the pol*ce,5 I retorted9 51/t
we are caref/l not to take chance+ w*th the na0e+ and addre++e+ of tho+e who cannot
afford the hono/r of an arre+t. !e don:t keep the No6Con+cr*pt*on l*+t *n o/r off*ce,
and 2o/ can:t f*nd o/t where *t *+.5
The proce++*on +tarted down the +ta*r+ to the wa*t*n. a/to0o1*le+, )cCarth2 and
h*+ a++*+tant+ *n front, a+ha and I 1eh*nd the0. In the rear two dep/t2 0ar+hal+
lead*n. (ale+, followed 12 off*cer+ of the 51o01 +>/ad.5 !*th a+ha I wa+ .*4en the
place of hono/r *n the Ch*ef )ar+hal:+ car. !e fa*rl2 flew thro/.h the con.e+ted
+treet+, fr*.hten*n. people 12 the +creech*n. of the horn and +end*n. the0 +ca0per*n.
*n all d*rect*on+. It wa+ after +*3 o:clock and 0a++e+ of worker+ were +trea0*n. fro0
the factor*e+, 1/t )cCarth2 wo/ld not per0*t the cha/ffe/r to +lacken /p, nor d*d he
heed the frant*c +*.nal+ of the traff*c pol*ce0en alon. the ro/te. !hen I called h*+
attent*on to the fact that he wa+ 1reak*n. the +peed re./lat*on+ and endan.er*n. the
l*4e+ of the pede+tr*an+, he repl*ed *0portantl2: 5I repre+ent the &n*ted tate+
@o4ern0ent.5
In the ,ederal (/*ld*n. we were 7o*ned 12 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, o/r p/.nac*o/+
law2er and /nfa*l*n. fr*end. 8e a+ked for *00ed*ate arra*.n0ent and relea+e on 1a*l,
1/t o/r arre+t had p/rpo+el2 1een +ta.ed for the late afternoon after the off*c*al
clo+*n. ho/r. !e were ordered to the To01+ pr*+on.
The follow*n. 0orn*n. we were taken 1efore &n*ted tate+ Co00*++*oner
8*tchcock. The pro+ec/tor, ,ederal Attorne2 for the $*+tr*ct of New York, 8arold A.
Content, char.ed /+ w*th 5con+p*rac2 a.a*n+t the draft5 and de0anded that o/r 1a*l 1e
+et h*.h. The co00*++*oner f*3ed the 1ond+ at twent26f*4e tho/+and dollar+ each. )r.
!e*n1er.er prote+ted, 1/t *n 4a*n.
In the To01+ we were held *nco00/n*cado for +e4eral da2+. /1+e>/entl2 we
learned that the ra*der+ had +e*-ed e4er2th*n. the2 co/ld la2 the*r hand+ on *n the
off*ce+ of )other "arth and the (la+t, *ncl/d*n. +/1+cr*pt*on l*+t+, che>/e61ook+, and
cop*e+ of o/r p/1l*cat*on+. The2 had al+o conf*+cated o/r corre+pondence f*le+,
0an/+cr*pt+ *ntended for p/1l*cat*on *n 1ook for0, a+ well a+ 02 t2pewr*tten lect/re+
on A0er*can l*terat/re and other 4al/a1le 0ater*al that we had +pent 2ear+ *n
acc/0/lat*n.. The trea+ona1le 0atter con+*+ted of work+ 12 =eter Kropotk*n, "nr*co
)alate+ta, )a3 t*rner, !*ll*a0 )orr*+, ,rank 8arr*+, C. ". . !ood, @eor.e
(ernard haw, I1+en, tr*nd1er., "dward Carpenter, the .reat #/++*an wr*ter+, and
other +/ch dan.ero/+ e3plo+*4e+.
%/r fr*end+ ha+tened to o/r a*d *n a +p*r*t of 0o+t +plend*d +ol*dar*t2. %/r dear
co0rade+ )*chael and Ann*e Cohn were *n the lead w*th lar.e +/0+ of 0one2. A.ne+
In.l*+ of $etro*t +ent f*nanc*al help, a+ d*d +core+ of other+ fro0 4ar*o/+ part+ of the
co/ntr2. ">/all2 *n+p*r*n. wa+ the att*t/de of 0an2 poor work*n.60en. The2 not onl2
contr*1/ted the*r 0ea.re +a4*n.+, 1/t e4en offered the*r tr*nket+ to help ra*+e the f*ft26
tho/+and6dollar 1ond de0anded 12 the &n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent.
I wanted a+ha 1a*led o/t f*r+t 1eca/+e of h*+ *n7/red le., wh*ch +t*ll needed
treat0ent9 I d*d not 0*nd re0a*n*n. *n the To01+, for I wa+ re+t*n. and en7o2*n. an
a1+or1*n. 1ook )ar.aret Ander+on had +ent 0e. It wa+ A =ortra*t of the Art*+t A+ a
1HC
Yo/n. )an, 12 ;a0e+ ;o2ce. I had not read that a/thor 1efore and I wa+ fa+c*nated 12
h*+ power and or*.*nal*t2.
The ,ederal a/thor*t*e+ were not an3*o/+ to let /+ o/t of pr*+on. The three h/ndred
tho/+and dollar+: worth of real e+tate offered a+ o/r 1ond wa+ ref/+ed on a fl*0+2
techn*cal*t2 12 A++*+tant ,ederal Attorne2 Content, who declared that noth*n. 1/t
ca+h wo/ld 1e accepted. There wa+ eno/.h on hand to 1a*l o/t one of /+. a+ha,
alwa2+ .allant, ref/+ed to co0e o/t f*r+t, and therefore the 1ond wa+ .*4en for 0e and
I wa+ relea+ed.
Altho/.h the new+paper+ co/ld ea+*l2 4er*f2 who had contr*1/ted toward+ 02 1a*l,
the New York !orld had the te0er*t2 to pr*nt a +tor2 *n *t+ *++/e of ;/ne CC to the
effect that 5a report *+ c/rrent that the Ka*+er f/rn*+hed the OCF,000 for "00a:+
relea+e.5 It wa+ an *nd*cat*on of the e3tent to wh*ch the pre++ wo/ld .o to help d*+po+e
of /nde+*ra1le ele0ent+.
The ,ederal .rand 7/r2 1ro/.ht *n an *nd*ct0ent char.*n. /+ w*th con+p*rac2 to
defeat the 5+elect*4e5 draft. The 0a3*0/0 penalt2 for th*+ offence wa+ two 2ear+:
*0pr*+on0ent and ten tho/+and dollar+: f*ne. %/r tr*al wa+ +et for ;/ne CH. I had onl2
f*4e da2+ to prepare for 02 defence, wh*le a+ha wa+ +t*ll *n the To01+. It wa+
*0perat*4e to concentrate all o/r ener.*e+ on ra*+*n. h*+ 1a*l.
(/t there wa+ (en, once 0ore /na1le to face a 4*tal *++/e and e0ot*onall2 torn
1etw*3t and 1etween. No co/rt dec*+*on had 2et 1een handed down on h*+ appeal fro0
the Cle4eland con4*ct*on. 8e had ret/rned to New York when we 1e.an o/r No6
Con+cr*pt*on ca0pa*.n, and w*th h*+ /+/al ener.2 he had thrown h*0+elf *nto the
work. All went well for +o0e week+, and then (en a.a*n 1eca0e, a+ he had +o often
1efore, a pre2 to h*+ e0ot*onal /phea4al+. Th*+ t*0e *t wa+ the 2o/n. wo0an of h*+
/nda2 cla++. he wa+ ne*ther *n dan.er nor *n want, and her ch*ld wa+ not e3pected
for 0onth+ to co0e. (/t (en +/cc/01ed. At the 4er2 he*.ht of o/r ant*6war ca0pa*.n
he left for Ch*ca.o to 7o*n the pro+pect*4e 0other. 8*+ fa*l/re to re0a*n at h*+ po+t at
+/ch a cr*t*cal 0o0ent 1oth e3a+perated and pa*ned 0e. In 4a*n I +o/.ht to e3pla*n
awa2 h*+ apparent lack of +ta0*na and co/ra.e 12 re0e01er*n. that he co/ld not ha4e
fore+een o/r arre+t. Yet he had not ret/rned when he knew that we were alread2 *n
c/+tod2. $*d *t not pro4e 1reach of fa*thB The tho/.ht that (en wo/ld den2 0e *n 02
ho/r of need wa+ tor0ent*n.. I felt deepl2 .r*e4ed and h/0*l*ated at the +a0e t*0e.
At la+t we +/cceeded *n proc/r*n. the twent26f*4e6tho/+and6dollar ca+h 1ond
de0anded for a+ha, and on ;/ne CF he wa+ relea+ed fro0 the To01+. !e were
ent*rel2 at one re.ard*n. o/r tr*al. !e d*d not 1el*e4e *n the law and *t+ 0ach*ner2,
and we knew that we co/ld e3pect no 7/+t*ce. !e wo/ld therefore co0pletel2 *.nore
what wa+ to /+ a 0ere farce9 we wo/ld ref/+e to part*c*pate *n the co/rt proceed*n.+.
ho/ld th*+ 0ethod pro4e *0pract*cal, we wo/ld plead o/r own ca+e, not *n order to
defend o/r+el4e+, 1/t to .*4e p/1l*c /tterance to o/r *dea+. !e dec*ded to .o *nto
co/rt w*tho/t an attorne2. %/r re+ol4e wa+ not d/e to an2 d*++at*+fact*on w*th o/r
co/n+el, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er. %n the contrar2, we co/ld ha4e w*+hed for no a1ler
attorne2 and 0ore de4oted fr*end. 8e had alread2 rendered /+ +er4*ce+ far 1e2ond an2
0onetar2 reco0pen+e, and he had done +o altho/.h f/ll2 aware that we co/ld not pa2
ade>/atel2. !e f/ll2 apprec*ated 8arr2 and we felt +afe *n h*+ hand+. (/t o/r tr*al
wo/ld ha4e 0ean*n. onl2 *f we co/ld t/rn the co/rt6roo0 *nto a for/0 for the
1H3
pre+entat*on of the *dea+ we had 1een f*.ht*n. for thro/.ho/t all o/r con+c*o/+ 2ear+.
No law2er co/ld help /+ *n th*+, and we were not *ntere+ted *n an2th*n. el+e.
8arr2 !e*n1er.er /nder+tood o/r att*t/de, 1/t he +tron.l2 ad4*+ed /+ a.a*n+t
0eet*n. the pro+ec/t*on w*th folded ar0+. It wo/ld 0ake no *0pre++*on whate4er *n
an A0er*can co/rt, he +a*d9 we +ho/ld 1e .*4en the 0a3*0/0 penalt2, and noth*n.
wo/ld 1e .a*ned for o/r pr*nc*ple+. (/t *f we wo/ld plead o/r own ca+e, he wo/ld
.*4e /+ e4er2 le.al a++*+tance and +/..e+t*on po++*1le.
The da2 1efore o/r tr*al I 0et 12 appo*nt0ent a n/01er of people at the (re4oort
8otel, 1efore who0 I placed o/r *ntent*on of *.nor*n. the pro+ec/t*on. A0on. tho+e
pre+ent were ,rank 8arr*+, ;ohn #eed, )a3 "a+t0an, @*l1ert ". #oe, and +e4eral
other+. After I had e3pla*ned wh2 I had called the conference, ,rank 8arr*+, w*th
who0 I had 1een fr*endl2 for 2ear+, 1eca0e enth/+*a+t*c w*th the *dea. 5"00a
@old0an and Ale3ander (erk0an, the arch6cha0p*on+ of act*4e re+*+tance, 0eet*n.
the*r ene0*e+ w*th folded ar0+ 66 f*ne? plend*d?5 he cr*ed. In an2 "/ropean co/rt
+/ch a +tand wo/ld pro4e to 1e a 0a.n*f*cent .e+t/re, he declared9 1/t an A0er*can
7/d.e wo/ld onl2 con+*der /+ fla.rantl2 conte0pt/o/+, and the new+paper0en wo/ld
a+ l*ttle know what to 0ake of /+ a+ the +cr*1e+ of two tho/+and 2ear+ a.o had 0ade
of the Carpenter of Na-areth. ,rank d*d not th*nk we wo/ld 1e .*4en a chance to carr2
o/t o/r plan, 1/t *n an2 e4ent he wa+ w*th /+ and we co/ld f/ll2 co/nt on h*+ +/pport.
;ohn #eed d*d not 1el*e4e *n del*1eratel2 +tepp*n. *nto the l*on:+ den. If one 0/+t
.o, one +ho/ld f*.ht all the wa2 thro/.h, he tho/.ht. !hate4er o/r dec*+*on, howe4er,
he wo/ld help *n e4er2 wa2 he co/ld.
)a3 "a+t0an wa+ not *0pre++ed 12 o/r +/..e+t*on. 8*+ op*n*on wa+ that we co/ld
ach*e4e 0ore 12 a le.al f*.ht, w*th the a*d of a co0petent law2er to cond/ct o/r
defence. It wa+ 0ore *0portant, he held, that we +ho/ld 1e free to cont*n/e o/r ant*6
war work than to .o to pr*+on w*tho/t ha4*n. tr*ed e4er2 le.al reco/r+e.
It wa+ T/e+da2, ;/ne CH, at I% a.0., when, to.ether w*th a+ha, +t*ll on cr/tche+, I
walked thro/.h the crowded co/rt6roo0 *n the ,ederal (/*ld*n. to face the
pro+ec/t*on. ;/d.e ;/l*/+ ). )a2er and A++*+tant &n*ted tate+ $*+tr*ct Attorne2
8arold A. Content, the*r =r/++*an*+0 caref/ll2 h*dden, l*ke wr*nkle+ on a wo0an:+
face, /nder the th*ck pa*nt of A0er*can*+0, were *n the*r appo*nted place+.
/rro/nd*n. the0 were the le++er +tar+ *n the pla2 a1o/t to 1e +ta.ed. In the
1ack.ro/nd wa+ a 0o1 of +old*er+, tate and ,ederal off*c*al+, co/rt attendant+
look*n. l*ke hold6/p 0en, and a cont*n.ent of reporter+. A0er*can fla.+ and 1/nt*n.
added to the h*.h +pot+ of the +cene. %nl2 a few of o/r fr*end+ had 1een ad0*tted.
I 0o4ed for po+tpone0ent on the .ro/nd+ that 02 co6defendant, Ale3ander
(erk0an, +/ffer*n. fro0 an *n7/r2 to h*+ le., wa+ /na1le to +tand the +tra*n of a
prolon.ed tr*al. A+ we had 1een relea+ed on 1a*l onl2 a few da2+, we had had no t*0e
to fa0*l*ar*-e o/r+el4e+ w*th the *nd*ct0ent, I al+o declared. Attorne2 Content
prote+ted, and ;/d.e )a2er den*ed 02 0ot*on.
There/pon I +a*d that, *n 4*ew of the e4*dent *ntent*on of the @o4ern0ent to t/rn
the pro+ec/t*on *nto per+ec/t*on, we preferred to take no part whate4er *n the
proceed*n.+. 8*+ 8ono/r had apparentl2 ne4er heard of +/ch a th*n. 1efore. 8e
1H4
looked p/--led. Then he anno/nced that he wo/ld appo*nt co/n+el to defend /+. 5In
o/r free &n*ted tate+ e4en the poore+t are accorded the 1enef*t of le.al defence,5 he
+a*d. &pon o/r ref/+al the Co/rt r/led that o/r tr*al +ho/ld proceed after the noon
rece++. $/r*n. l/ncheon we conferred w*th 8arr2 !e*n1er.er and other fr*end+ and
ret/rned to co/rt *n f*.ht*n. tr*0.
;/ne CH happened to 1e 02 fort26e*.hth 1*rthda2. It 0arked twent26e*.ht 2ear+ of
02 l*fe +pent *n an act*4e +tr/..le a.a*n+t co0p/l+*on and *n7/+t*ce. The &n*ted tate+
now +201ol*-*n. concentrated coerc*on, I co/ld not ha4e w*+hed for a 0ore
appropr*ate cele1rat*on than to 0eet *t+ challen.e. It .a4e 0e 0/ch 7o2 to feel that 02
fr*end+ had, *n the e3c*te0ent of the 0o0ent, not for.otten the e4ent. %n 02 ret/rn to
co/rt the2 pre+ented 0e w*th flower+ and .*ft+. The de0on+trat*on of the*r lo4e and
e+tee0 on th*+ +pec*al occa+*on 0o4ed 0e profo/ndl2.
Act*4e part*c*pat*on *n o/r tr*al ha4*n. 1een thr/+t /pon /+, a+ha and I deter0*ned
to /+e *t to 1e+t ad4anta.e. !e dec*ded to wr*n. fro0 o/r ene0*e+ e4er2 chance to
propa.ate o/r *dea+. ho/ld we +/cceed, *t wo/ld 1e the f*r+t t*0e +*nce 1<<H that
anarch*+0 had ra*+ed *t+ 4o*ce *n an A0er*can co/rt. Noth*n. el+e wa+ worth
con+*der*n. *n co0par*+on w*th +/ch an ach*e4e0ent.
I had known a+ha twent26e*.ht 2ear+. A+ far a+ one h/0an 1e*n. can foretell how
another w*ll act /nder +tre++ or when confronted w*th the /ne3pected, I had alwa2+
1el*e4ed that I co/ld *n reference to h*0. (/t a+ha a+ a 1r*ll*ant law2er wa+ a
re4elat*on e4en to 0e, h*+ olde+t fr*end. At the end of the f*r+t da2 I al0o+t p*t*ed the
/nfort/nate tale+0en who0 he had 1een catech*-*n. for ho/r+. L*ke 1/llet+ a+ha
f*red h*+ >/e+t*on+ at the pro+pect*4e 7/r20en, e3a0*n*n. the0 on +oc*al, pol*t*cal,
and rel*.*o/+ 0atter+, 0ak*n. the0 wr*the at the e3po+/re of the*r *.norance and
pre7/d*ce, and al0o+t con4*nc*n. the 4*ct*0+ the0+el4e+ that the2 were not f*t to tr2
*ntell*.ent 0en. 8*+ fla+he+ of h/0o/r and char0*n. 0anner+ capt*4ated the
+pectator+.
!hen a+ha had f*n*+hed >/*--*n. the 7/r20en, the2 co/ld hardl2 re+tra*n the*r
e3pre++*on of rel*ef. I followed to >/e+t*on the0 on 0arr*a.e, d*4orce, +e3
enl*.hten0ent of the 2o/n., and 1*rth6control. !o/ld 02 rad*cal 4*ew+ on the+e
0atter+ pre4ent the*r render*n. an /n1*a+ed 4erd*ctB It wa+ w*th the .reate+t d*ff*c/lt2
that I wa+ a1le to .et 02 >/e+t*on+ acro++. I wa+ often *nterr/pted 12 the ,ederal
Attorne2, 1eca0e *n4ol4ed *n 4er1al cla+he+ w*th h*0, and wa+ repeatedl2
ad0on*+hed 12 the ;/d.e to conf*ne 02+elf to 5rele4ant5 0atter+.
!e knew 4er2 well that the twel4e 0en we had f*nall2 +elected co/ld not and
wo/ld not render an /n1*a+ed 4erd*ct. (/t 12 o/r e3a0*nat*on of the tale+0en we had
+/cceeded *n /nco4er*n. the +oc*al *++/e+ *n4ol4ed *n the tr*al, had created a
l*1ertar*an at0o+phere, and had 1roached pro1le0+ ne4er 1efore 0ent*oned *n a New
York co/rt.
Attorne2 Content opened h*+ ca+e 12 +tat*n. that he wo/ld pro4e that *n o/r
wr*t*n.+ and +peeche+ we had /r.ed 0en not to re.*+ter. A+ e4*dence he prod/ced
cop*e+ of )other "arth, the (la+t, and o/r No6Con+cr*pt*on 0an*fe+to. Cheerf/ll2 we
ad0*tted o/r a/thor+h*p of e4er2 word, *n+*+t*n., howe4er, that the pro+ec/t*on >/ote
pa.e and l*ne where ad4*ce not to re.*+ter wa+ .*4en. &na1le to do +o, Content called
1HF
,*t-* to the w*tne++6+tand and tr*ed to 0ake her +a2 that we had worked for prof*t.
Tho/.h /tterl2 *rrele4ant to the cr*0e char.ed a.a*n+t /+, the Co/rt per0*tted the
proced/re. In her >/*et, /nr/ffled 0anner ,*t-* 4er2 +oon p/nct/red th*+ 1/11le.
The ne3t 5proof,5 pla2ed /p a+ a tr/0p card, wa+ the *n+*n/at*on of @er0an 0one2.
5 "00a @old0an depo+*ted three tho/+and dollar+ *n the 1ank a few da2+ pr*or to her
arre+t. !here d*d that 0one2 co0e fro0B5 the pro+ec/tor de0anded tr*/0phantl2.
"4er21od2 pre+ent pr*cked /p h*+ ear+, and the reporter+ .ot 1/+2 w*th the*r penc*l+.
!e la/.hed *nwardl2. !e co/ld p*ct/re to o/r+el4e+ the*r face+, now 1/r+t*n. w*th
4*nd*ct*4ene++, when o/r 4enera1le co0rade ;a0e+ 8all1eck +ho/ld te+t*f2. %/r one
re.ret wa+ that we +ho/ld ha4e to call the poor +o/l *nto the +t/ff2 co/rt6roo0 on +/ch
a +corch*n. ;/l2 da2.
8e ca0e, a +*0ple and /na++/0*n. l*ttle 0an, w*th a lar.e heart and 1ra4e +p*r*t.
8e rec*ted h*+ +tor2 on the w*tne++6+tand e3actl2 a+ he had told *t to /+ when he had
1ro/.ht h*+ .enero/+ .*ft. 5(/t wh2 d*d 2o/ .*4e "00a @old0an three tho/+and
dollar+B 5 Content de0anded *n a ra.e. 5No1od2 7/+t throw+ awa2 +o 0/ch 0one2.5
5No, I d*d not throw *t awa2,5 he an+wered w*th d*.n*t2. "00a @old0an and
Ale3ander (erk0an were h*+ co0rade+, he e3pla*ned. The2 were do*n. the work he
1el*e4ed *n, 1/t wa+ too old to do. That wa+ wh2 he .a4e the0 the 0one2. The
@er0an60one2 f/+e f*--led o/t.
The ne3t card wa+ not or*.*nal. It had 1een pla2ed *n 02 f*r+t ro/nd w*th the tate
of New York *n 1<93. A detect*4e, who *n th*+ ca+e cla*0ed al+o to 1e a +teno.rapher,
prod/ced note+ p/rport*n. to 1e a 4er1at*0 report of 02 +peech at the 8arle0 #*4er
Ca+*no. 8e >/oted 0e a+ ha4*n. +a*d on that occa+*on: 5 !e 1el*e4e *n 4*olence, and
we w*ll /+e 4*olence.5
%n cro++6e3a0*nat*on we 1ro/.ht o/t the fact that the detect*4e had 0ade h*+ note+
wh*le +tand*n. on a +hak2 ta1le, and that the h*.he+t n/01er he co/ld take wa+ one
h/ndred a 0*n/te. !e confronted h*0 w*th the cha0p*on +teno.rapher, =a/l )/nter.
The latter te+t*f*ed that *t wa+ d*ff*c/lt e4en for h*0 to take "00a @old0an,
e+pec*all2 *n an2 *nten+e +peech, and 2et h*+ record wa+ one h/ndred and e*.ht2 word+
a 0*n/te. )/nter wa+ followed 12 the propr*etor of the 8arle0 #*4er Ca+*no. Tho/.h
called 12 the pro+ec/t*on, he told the Co/rt that he had not heard 0e /+e the
e3pre++*on *0p/ted to 0e, and he had l*+tened 4er2 attent*4el2 to 02 talk. The
0eet*n. had 1een perfectl2 orderl2 *n +p*te of a .ro/p of +old*er+ who had tr*ed to
ca/+e tro/1le, he +tated, 5and *t wa+ "00a @old0an who +a4ed the +*t/at*on on that
occa+*on.5 A +er.eant of the Coa+t @/ard corro1orated h*+ te+t*0on2.
The /n*n*t*ated wondered wh2 the pro+ec/t*on +ho/ld +tre++ what I had +a*d on the
1<th of )a2, 1efore con+cr*pt*on had 1eco0e a law, wh*le no reference wa+ 0ade to
02 +peeche+ after the 1*ll had 1een pa++ed. !e knew the rea+on. At o/r la+t 0eet*n.+
we had had +teno.rapher who +at on the platfor0 *n e4er21od2:+ 4*ew. (/t we had
1een /na1le to +ec/re a co0petent 0an for )a2 1<. The tate had e4*dentl2 1een
appr*+ed of that fact9 therefore the +teno.raph*c detect*4e wa+ 4er2 con4en*ent for the
pro+ec/t*on.
!e prod/ced a n/01er of w*tne++e+ to +how that the phra+e 5we 1el*e4e *n
1HG
4*olence and we w*ll /+e 4*olence5 had ne4er 1een /ttered 12 0e or an2 other +peaker
at o/r .ather*n.+. %/r f*r+t w*tne++ wa+ Leonard $. A11ott, ad0*red 12 e4er21od2 for
h*+ char0 and re+pected e4en 12 the 0o+t con+er4at*4e for h*+ +*ncer*t2. 8e had
pre+*ded at the 0eet*n.+ of )a2 1< and ;/ne 4. 8e den*ed e0phat*call2 that I had
/+ed the word+ attr*1/ted to 0e at the 8arle0 #*4er Ca+*no or an2where el+e. In fact,
he told the Co/rt, he had 1een +o0ewhat d*+appo*nted w*th 02 +peech, 1eca/+e he
had e3pected a 0ore e3tre0e att*t/de. A+ to 02 ha4*n. ad4*+ed 2o/n. 0en not to
re.*+ter, that co/ld ea+*l2 1e d*+pro4ed 12 a letter I had +ent to the .ather*n. at the
)other "arth off*ce on )a2 9, Leonard +tated.
8*+ te+t*0on2 wa+ +/pported 12 a con+c*ent*o/+ o17ector who related that he had
.one to o/r off*ce for ad4*ce a1o/t re.*+trat*on and had 1een told 12 /+ that we
preferred to lea4e re.*+trat*on or 0*l*tar2 +er4*ce to the con+c*ence of tho+e el*.*1le
for the draft. After h*0 ca0e 8elen (oard0an, )artha @r/en*n., #e1ecca helle2,
Anna loan, and N*na L*eder0an. The+e wo0en had all worked w*th /+ fro0 the 4er2
1e.*nn*n. of the No6Con+cr*pt*on ca0pa*.n, and the2 re*terated that the2 had ne4er
heard /+ /r.e an2one not to re.*+ter.
The ,ederal Attorne2 de0anded that we prod/ce the or*.*nal te3t of 02 letter,
*n+*n/at*n. that the content+ had 1een chan.ed *n the tran+cr*pt*on. 8e knew that the
or*.*nal cop2, l*ke 0o+t of o/r other paper+ and doc/0ent+, had 1een conf*+cated *n
the ra*d and wa+ not *n h*+ po++e++*on. Yet he had the effronter2 to 0ake the de0and.
It d*d not prod/ce the letter9 *t wo/ld ha4e 1el*ed the char.e a.a*n+t 0e.
8owe4er, the pro+ec/t*on wa+ re+o/rcef/l9 other de4*ce+ were tr*ed o/t. Now *t wa+
an atte0pt to pla2 on the pre7/d*ce+ of the 7/r2 12 creat*n. the *0pre++*on that o/r
w*tne++e+ were 0o+tl2 fore*.ner+. )/ch to the cha.r*n of ,ederal Attorne2 Content, *t
+oon de4eloped that 0o+t of the0 had a 1ack.ro/nd older than h*+ own. 8elen
(oard0an, for *n+tance, wa+ the +ort of fore*.ner who+e ance+tor+ had co0e o4er *n
the )a2flower, and Anna loan wa+ of old Ir*+h6A0er*ca +tock. 8e had the +a0e
poor l/ck w*th o/r 0en w*tne++e+, a0on. who0 were ;ohn #eed, L*ncoln teffen+,
(olton 8all, and other 5real5 A0er*can+.
a+ha followed the pro+ec/t*on w*th a 1r*ef o/tl*ne of o/r ca+e. 8e declared that the
char.e of con+p*rac2 wa+ the he*.ht of a1+/rd*t2, con+*der*n. that he and h*+ co6
defendant had openl2 propa.ated ant*0*l*tar*+0 for twent26e*.ht 2ear+. It wa+
therefore a con+p*rac2 known to a h/ndred 0*ll*on+ of o/r pop/lat*on. A+ a+ha
cont*n/ed talk*n., pre+ent*n. o/r ca+e w*th keen lo.*c and *nc*+*4e 0anner, +o0e of
the 7/r20en +ee0ed *0pre++ed and +howed l*4el2 *ntere+t. Content d*d not fa*l to take
note of *t. At the f*r+t opport/n*t2 he p*cked /p a cop2 of )other "arth of ;/l2 1914. I
had >/*te for.otten that +e4eral cop*e+ of that *++/e had 1een left *n o/r off*ce. o0e
of the 1o2+ and .*rl+ who had part*c*pated *n the /ne0plo20ent ca0pa*.n that a+ha
had or.an*-ed and *n the de0on+trat*on after the Le3*n.ton tene0ent e3plo+*on had
lon. dr*fted o/t of o/r rank+. )o+t of the0 had pro4ed worthle++, carr*ed awa2 12
0o0entar2 e3c*te0ent, 1/t the*r 4*olent eff/+*on+ had /nfort/natel2 re0a*ned *n cold
pr*nt and the2 were now taken ad4anta.e of 12 the pro+ec/t*on. Content proceeded to
read the cho*ce+t 1*t+, +tra*n*n. to *0pre++ the 7/r2 that all of /+ +pon+ored ph2+*cal
force and the /+e of d2na0*te. 5It *+ tr/e, )*++ @old0an wa+ at that t*0e a1+ent on a
to/r,5 he re0arked, 5and +he co/ld therefore not 1e held re+pon+*1le for the art*cle+ *n
th*+ part*c/lar n/01er.5 It wa+ an atte0pt to throw the ent*re 1/rden on a+ha. I wa+
1HH
on 02 feet 1efore he .ot thro/.h. 5The pro+ec/tor know+ perfectl2 well,5 I declared,
5that I a0 the owner and p/1l*+her of )other "arth, and that I a0 re+pon+*1le for
e4er2th*n. that appear+ *n the 0a.a-*ne, whether I happen to 1e pre+ent at *t+
p/1l*cat*on or not.5 I de0anded whether we were 1e*n. tr*ed for anc*ent h*+tor29
otherw*+e *t wa+ d*ff*c/lt to /nder+tand wh2 an *++/e that had appeared three 2ear+
1efore the &n*ted tate+ went *nto the war, wh*ch had ne*ther 1een held /p 12 the
po+tal a/thor*t*e+ nor o17ected to 12 the tate of New York, +ho/ld now 1e /+ed *n the
ca+e. It wa+ *rrele4ant, I declared. (/t 02 o17ect*on+ were r/led o/t 12 8*+ 8ono/r.
"4er2 da2 *ncrea+ed the ten+*on *n co/rt. The at0o+phere .rew 0ore anta.on*+t*c,
the off*c*al attendant+ 0ore *n+/lt*n.. %/r fr*end+ were e*ther kept o/t or treated
ro/.hl2 when the2 +/cceeded *n .a*n*n. ad0*ttance. %n the +treet 1elow, a recr/*t*n.
+tat*on had 1een erected, and patr*ot*c haran./e+ 0*n.led w*th the 0/+*c of a 0*l*tar2
1and. "ach t*0e the nat*onal anthe0 wa+ +tr/ck /p, e4er21od2 *n co/rt wa+
co00anded to r*+e, the +old*er+ pre+ent +tand*n. at attent*on. %ne of o/r .*rl+ ref/+ed
to .et /p and +he wa+ dra..ed o/t of the roo0 12 force. A 1o2 wa+ l*terall2 k*cked
o/t. a+ha and I re0a*ned +eated thro/.ho/t the d*+pla2 of patr*ot*+0 12 the 0a*led
f*+t. !hat co/ld the off*c*al+ doB The2 co/ld not 4er2 well order /+ re0o4ed fro0 th*+
=/nch and ;/d2 +how9 we at lea+t had that ad4anta.e.
After endle++l2 repet*t*o/+ 5e4*dence5 of o/r cr*0e, wh*ch *n real*t2 pro4ed
noth*n., the pro+ec/t*on clo+ed *t+ ca+e. The la+t ro/nd *n the conte+t 1etween *dea+
and or.an*-ed +t/p*d*t2 wa+ +et for ;/l2 9. Th*+ left /+ a1o/t fort26e*.ht ho/r+ to
prepare o/r arra*.n0ent of the force+ that had pl/n.ed the world *nto a 4ale of tear+
and 1lood. *nce the 1e.*nn*n. of o/r tr*al we had 1een co0pelled to keep /p a
terr*f*c pace, and we felt e3ha/+ted. ,or the pa+t week we had en7o2ed the ho+p*tal*t2
of Leonard $. A11ott and h*+ w*fe, #o+e Y/+ter, and now we p*l.r*0ed to tella:+
l*ttle place at $ar*en for a +hort re+t.
I woke the ne3t 0orn*n. w*th the 1r*.ht +/n+h*ne +trea0*n. *nto 02 roo0 and w*de
+tretche+ of 1l/e han.*n. o4er the l/+c*o/+ .reen of tree+ and lawn. The a*r wa+
p/n.ent w*th the aro0a of the earth, the lake wa+ 4*1rant w*th +oft 0/+*c, and all of
nat/re 1reathed enchant0ent. I, too, wa+ /nder her 0a.*c +pell.
%n o/r ret/rn to co/rt )onda2, ;/l2 9, we fo/nd the +ta.e +et for the la+t act of the
tra.*co0ed2 that had alread2 la+ted a week. ;/d.e )a2er, ,ederal Attorne2 Content,
and a lar.e co0pan2 of perfor0er+ *n the 1adl2 con+tr/cted plot were alread2 on the
+ta.e. The ho/+e wa+ f*lled w*th *n4*ted off*c*al ./e+t+ and cla>/e/r+ to lead the
appla/+e. core+ of pre++0en were pre+ent to re4*ew the +how. Not 0an2 of o/r
fr*end+ had 1een a1le to .a*n ad0*ttance, 1/t there were 0ore than on pre4*o/+ da2+.
=ro+ec/tor Content co/ld *n no wa2 co0pare *n a1*l*t2 and forcef/lne++ w*th h*+
collea./e who had pro+ec/ted 0e *n 1<939 he had 1een dra1 and colo/rle++ all
thro/.h the tr*al and +tereot2ped *n h*+ addre++ to the 7/r2. At one 0o0ent he had
atte0pted to cl*01 to orator*cal he*.ht+. 5Yo/ th*nk th*+ wo0an 1efore 2o/ *+ the real
"00a @old0an,5 he declared, 5th*+ well61red lad2, co/rteo/+, and w*th a plea+ant
+0*le on her faceB No? The real "00a @old0an can 1e +een onl2 on the platfor0.
There +he *+ *n her tr/e ele0ent, +weep*n. all ca/t*on to the w*nd+? There +he
*nfla0e+ the 2o/n. and dr*4e+ the0 to 4*olent deed+. If 2o/ co/ld +ee "00a
@old0an at her 0eet*n.+, 2o/ wo/ld real*-e that +he *+ a 0enace to o/r well6ordered
1H<
*n+t*t/t*on+.5 It wa+ therefore the 7/r2:+ d/t2 to +a4e the co/ntr2 fro0 that "00a
@old0an 12 1r*n.*n. *n a 4erd*ct of ./*lt2.
a+ha followed the pro+ec/tor. 8e held the clo+e attent*on of the 0en *n the 1o3, a+
well a+ of the ent*re co/rt6roo0, for two ho/r+. That wa+ no +0all feat *n an
at0o+phere oo-*n. w*th pre7/d*ce and hate. 8*+ pla2f/l and w*tt2 handl*n. of the +o6
called e4*dence to pro4e o/r 5cr*0e5 ca/+ed 0/ch 0err*0ent and often lo/d la/.hter.
Th*+ wa+ pro0ptl2 +topped 12 +tern re1/ke+ fro0 the 1ench. The te+t*0on2 of the
.o4ern0ent thoro/.hl2 de0ol*+hed, a+ha proceeded w*th an e3po+E of anarch*+0,
0a+terl2 *n *t+ +*0ple d*rectne++ and clar*t2.
I +poke after a+ha, for an ho/r. I d*+c/++ed the farce of a .o4ern0ent /ndertak*n.
to carr2 de0ocrac2 a1road 12 +/ppre++*n. the la+t 4e+t*.e+ of *t at ho0e. I took /p the
content*on of ;/d.e )a2er that onl2 +/ch *dea+ are per0*++*1le a+ are 5w*th*n the
law.5 Th/+ he had *n+tr/cted the 7/r20en when he had a+ked the0 *f the2 were
pre7/d*ced a.a*n+t tho+e who propa.ate /npop/lar *dea+. I po*nted o/t that there had
ne4er 1een an *deal, howe4er h/0ane and peacef/l, wh*ch *n *t+ t*0e had 1een
con+*dered 5w*th*n the law.5 I na0ed ;e+/+, ocrate+, @al*leo, @*ordano (r/no.
5!ere the2 :w*th*n the law:B5 I a+ked. 5And the 0en who +et A0er*ca free fro0
(r*t*+h r/le, the ;effer+on+ and the =atr*ck 8enr2+B The !*ll*a0 Llo2d @arr*+on+, the
;ohn (rown+, the $a4*d Thorea/+ and !endell =h*ll*p+e+ 66 were the2 w*th*n the
lawB5
At that 0o0ent the +tra*n+ of the )ar+e*lla*+e floated thro/.h the w*ndow, and the
#/++*an )*++*on 0arched pa+t on *t+ wa2 to the C*t2 8all. I +e*-ed /pon the occa+*on.
5@entle0en of the 7/r2,5 I +a*d, 5do 2o/ hear the +t*rr*n. 0elod2B It wa+ 1orn *n the
.reate+t of all re4ol/t*on+, and *t wa+ 0o+t e0phat*call2 not w*th*n the law? And that
dele.at*on 2o/r .o4ern0ent *+ now hono/r*n. a+ the repre+entat*4e+ of new #/++*a.
%nl2 f*4e 0onth+ a.o e4er2 one of the0 wa+ con+*dered what 2o/ ha4e 1een told we
are: cr*0*nal+ 66 not w*th*n the law?5
$/r*n. the proceed*n.+ 8*+ 8ono/r wa+ a++*d/o/+l2 read*n.. 8*+ de+k wa+ l*ttered
w*th the l*terat/re conf*+cated *n o/r off*ce+, and he +ee0ed a1+or1ed 66 now *n
a+ha:+ )e0o*r+, now *n 02 "++a2+, now *n )other "arth. 8*+ appl*cat*on had led
+o0e fr*end+ to 1el*e4e that the ;/d.e wa+ *ntere+ted *n o/r *dea+ and *ncl*ned to 1e
fa*r.
;/d.e )a2er f/ll2 ro+e to o/r e3pectat*on+. In h*+ char.e to the 7/r2 he declared
w*th 0/ch +ole0n*t2: 5In the cond/ct of th*+ ca+e, the defendant+ ha4e +hown
re0arka1le a1*l*t2. An a1*l*t2 wh*ch 0*.ht ha4e 1een /t*l*-ed for the .reat 1enef*t of
th*+ co/ntr2, had the2 +een f*t to e0plo2 the0+el4e+ *n 1ehalf of *t rather than a.a*n+t
*t. In th*+ co/ntr2 of o/r+ we re.ard a+ ene0*e+ tho+e who ad4ocate the a1ol*t*on of
o/r .o4ern0ent and tho+e who co/n+el d*+o1ed*ence to o/r law+ 12 tho+e of 0*nd+
le++ +tron.. A0er*can l*1ert2 wa+ won 12 the forefather+, *t wa+ 0a*nta*ned 12 the
C*4*l !ar, and toda2 there are the tho/+and+ who ha4e alread2 .one, or are .ett*n.
read2 to .o, to fore*.n land+ to repre+ent the*r co/ntr2 *n the 1attle for l*1ert2.5 8e
then *n+tr/cted the 7/r2 that 5whether the defendant+ are r*.ht or wron. can ha4e no
1ear*n. on the 4erd*ct. The d/t2 of the 7/r2 *+ 0erel2 to we*.h the e4*dence pre+ented
a+ to the *nnocence or ./*lt of the defendant+ of the cr*0e a+ char.ed.5
1H9
The 7/r2 f*led o/t. The +/n had +et. The electr*c l*.ht+ looked 2ellow *n the d/+k.
,l*e+ 1/--ed, the*r +w*rl 0*n.l*n. w*th the wh*+per*n.+ *n the roo0. The 0*n/te+
crept on, cla002 w*th the da2:+ heat. The 7/r2 ret/rned9 *t+ del*1erat*on had la+ted
7/+t th*rt26n*ne 0*n/te+.
5!hat *+ 2o/r 4erd*ctB5 the fore0an wa+ a+ked.
5@/*lt2,5 he an+wered.
I wa+ on 02 feet. 5I 0o4e that the 4erd*ct 1e +et a+*de a+ a1+ol/tel2 contrar2 to the
e4*dence.5
5)ot*on den*ed,5 ;/d.e )a2er +a*d.
5I f/rther 0o4e,5 I went on, 5that +entence 1e deferred for a few da2+, and that o/r
1a*l 1e cont*n/ed at the +/0 alread2 f*3ed *n o/r ca+e.5
5$en*ed,5 r/led the ;/d.e.
8*+ 8ono/r a+ked the /+/al 0ean*n.le++ >/e+t*on a+ to whether the defendant+ had
an2th*n. to +a2 wh2 +entence +ho/ld not 1e *0po+ed.
a+ha repl*ed: 5I th*nk *t onl2 fa*r to +/+pend +entence and .*4e /+ a chance to clear
/p o/r affa*r+. !e ha4e 1een con4*cted 1eca/+e we are anarch*+t+, and the proceed*n.
ha+ 1een 4er2 /n7/+t.5 I al+o added 02 prote+t.
5In the &n*ted tate+, law *+ an *0per*+ha1le th*n.,5 the Co/rt declared *n *0po+*n.
+entence,5 and for +/ch people a+ wo/ld n/ll*f2 o/r law+ we ha4e no place *n o/r
co/ntr2. In a ca+e +/ch a+ th*+ I can 1/t *nfl*ct the 0a3*0/0 +entence wh*ch *+
per0*tted 12 o/r law+.5
Two 2ear+ *n pr*+on w*th a f*ne of ten tho/+and dollar+ each. The ;/d.e al+o
*n+tr/cted the ,ederal Attorne2 to +end the record+ of the tr*al to the *00*.rat*on
a/thor*t*e+ *n !a+h*n.ton w*th h*+ reco00endat*on to deport /+ at the e3p*rat*on of
o/r pr*+on ter0+.
8*+ 8ono/r had done h*+ d/t2. 8e had +er4ed h*+ co/ntr2 well and 0er*ted a re+t.
8e declared co/rt ad7o/rned and t/rned to lea4e the 1ench.
(/t I wa+ not thro/.h. 5%ne 0o0ent, plea+e,5 I called o/t. ;/d.e )a2er t/rned to
face 0e. 5Are we to 1e +p*r*ted awa2 at +/ch neck61reak*n. +peedB If +o, we want to
know *t now. !e want e4er21od2 here to know *t.5
5Yo/ ha4e n*net2 da2+ *n wh*ch to f*le an appeal.5
5Ne4er 0*nd the n*net2 da2+,5 I retorted. 58ow a1o/t the ne3t ho/r or twoB Can we
ha4e that to .ather /p a few nece++ar2 th*n.+B5
5The pr*+oner+ are *n the c/+tod2 of the &n*ted tate+ )ar+hal,5 wa+ the c/rt
an+wer.
1<0
The ;/d.e a.a*n t/rned to lea4e. A.a*n I 1ro/.ht h*0 to a +top. 5%ne 0ore word?5
8e +tared at 0e, h*+ hea426+et face fl/+hed. I +tared 1ack. I 1owed and +a*d: 5I want to
thank 2o/ for 2o/r len*enc2 and k*ndne++ *n ref/+*n. /+ a +ta2 of two da2+, a +ta2 2o/
wo/ld ha4e accorded the 0o+t he*no/+ cr*0*nal. I thank 2o/ once 0ore.5
8*+ 8ono/r .rew wh*te, an.er +pread*n. o4er h*+ face. Ner4o/+l2 he f/01led w*th
the paper+ on h*+ de+k. 8e 0o4ed h*+ l*p+ a+ *f to +peak, then a1r/ptl2 t/rned and left
the 1ench.
C8A=T"# KLAI
T8" A&T%)%(IL" ="$ %N. IT !A ,ILL"$ !IT8 $"=&TY )A#8AL,
w*th 0e *n the*r 0*d+t. Twent2 0*n/te+ later we reached the (alt*0ore and %h*o
tat*on. The hand of t*0e +ee0ed +et 1ack twent26f*4e 2ear+. I 4*+*oned 02+elf at the
+a0e +tat*on a >/arter of a cent/r2 a.o, +tra*n*n. toward+ the d*+appear*n. tra*n wh*ch
wa+ 1ear*n. a+ha awa2, lea4*n. 0e de+olate and alone. A .r/ff 4o*ce +tartled 0e.
5Are 2o/ +ee*n. .ho+t+B5 *t de0anded.
I wa+ *n a co0part0ent, a 1*. 0an and a wo0an at 02 +*de, the dep/t2 0ar+hal
and h*+ w*fe. Then I wa+ left w*th the wo0an.
The da2:+ heat, the e3c*te0ent, and three ho/r+: wa*t *n the ,ederal (/*ld*n. had
e3ha/+ted 0e. I felt worn and +t*ck2 *n 02 +weat2 clothe+. I +tarted for the wa+h6
roo0, and the wo0an followed 0e. I o17ected. he re.retted +he co/ld not let 0e .o
/nattended9 her *n+tr/ct*on+ were not to per0*t 0e o/t of +*.ht. he had a rather
k*ndl2 face. I a++/red her that I wo/ld not tr2 to e+cape, and +he con+ented to clo+e the
door half6wa2. 8a4*n. cleaned /p, I crawled *nto 02 1erth and *00ed*atel2 fell
a+leep.
I wa+ awakened 12 the lo/d 4o*ce+ of 02 keeper+. The 0an:+ coat wa+ alread2 off
and he wa+ proceed*n. to /ndre++. 5Yo/ don:t 0ean 2o/:re .o*n. to +leep hereB5 I
de0anded.
5/re,5 he an+wered, 5what:+ wron.B )2 w*fe *+ here. Yo/:4e .ot noth*n. to fear.5
!hat 0ore co/ld 0oral*t2 w*+h for than the pre+ence of the dep/t2:+ w*feB It
wa+n:t fear, I told h*09 *t wa+ d*+./+t.
The watchf/l e2e+ of the law were clo+ed *n +leep, 1/t *t+ 0o/th wa+ w*de open,
e0*tt*n. a rattle of +nore+. The a*r wa+ p/tr*d. An3*o/+ tho/.ht+ a1o/t a+ha 1e+et
0e. A >/arter of a cent/r2 had pa++ed, cra00ed w*th e4ent+ and r*ch *n the *nterpla2
of l*.ht and +hade. The pa*nf/l fr/+trat*on w*th (en 666 fr*end+h*p+ +hattered 666 other+
that had ne4er lo+t the*r 1loo0. The earth6+p*r*t often *n confl*ct w*th the *0pell*n.
a+p*rat*on+ of the *deal, and a+ha e4er dependa1le all thro/.h the lon. +pan of t*0e
and alwa2+ 02 co0rade *n the +tr/..le. The tho/.ht wa+ +ooth*n., and the +tra*n of
week+ fo/nd rel*ef *n 1le++ed +leep.
1<1
)2 0ale e+cort +ta2ed awa2 fro0 the co0part0ent 0o+t of the da2, h*+ pre+ence
.rac*n. onl2 o/r 0eal+, wh*ch were 1ro/.ht to /+ fro0 the d*ner. At the l/ncheon I
a+ked the dep/t2 0ar+hal wh2 I wa+ 1e*n. taken to the )*++o/r* tate =r*+on, at
;effer+on C*t2. There wa+ no ,ederal pr*+on for wo0en, he e3pla*ned9 there /+ed to 1e
one, 1/t *t wa+ d*+cont*n/ed 1eca/+e *t 5d*d not pa2.5
5And 0ale federal+, do the2 pa2B5 I *n>/*red.
5/re,5 he +a*d9 5there are +o 0an2 of the0 that the &. . @o4ern0ent *+ plann*n.
another pr*+on. %ne of the0 *+ *n Atlanta, @eor.*a,5 he added, 5and that *+ where 2o/r
fr*end (erk0an ha+ 1een taken.5
I led h*0 to talk a1o/t Atlanta. 8e a++/red 0e that *t wa+ a 4er2 +tr*ct place, and
that 5(erk5 wo/ld ha4e a 1ad t*0e of *t *f he d*d not 1eha4e h*0+elf. Then he
re0arked w*th a +neer: 58e:+ an old hand at pr*+on+, a*n:t heB5
5Ye+, 1/t he ha+ +/r4*4ed, and he w*ll pro4e a 0atch for Atlanta, too, w*th all *t+
+tr*ctne++,5 I retorted hotl2.
The lad2 dep/t2 kept to her+elf. It .a4e 0e a chance to wr*te, read, and th*nk. !e
chan.ed tra*n+ at t. Lo/*+, wh*ch afforded 0e an opport/n*t2 for a l*ttle e3erc*+e
wh*le wa*t*n. for the local to ;effer+on C*t2. I peered ea.erl2 a1o/t to d*+co4er a
fa0*l*ar face, 1/t I real*-ed that o/r co0rade+ *n t. Lo/*+ co/ld not ha4e known
when I wo/ld reach the*r town.
Arr*4*n. *n ;effer+on C*t2, 02 e+cort+ offered to take 0e to the pen*tent*ar2 *n a
ta3*. I re>/e+ted that we walk. It 0*.ht 1e 02 la+t chance for a lon. wh*le, I tho/.ht.
The2 read*l2 con+ented, no do/1t 1eca/+e the2 co/ld pocket the pr*ce and char.e *t to
the*r e3pen+e acco/nt+.
!hen 02 ./ard*an+ had del*4ered 0e to the head 0atron of the pr*+on, the2
a++/red 0e that the2 had en7o2ed 02 co0pan2. The2 had not 1el*e4ed that an
anarch*+t wo/ld .*4e +o l*ttle tro/1le, the2 re0arked. The w*fe added that +he had
.rown to l*ke 0e and wa+ +orr2 to lea4e 0e 1eh*nd. #ather a do/1tf/l co0pl*0ent, I
felt.
!*th the e3cept*on of 02 two week+ *n '/een+ Co/nt2 ;a*l, I had +o0ehow
0ana.ed to +teer clear of pr*+on+ +*nce 02 5re+t6c/re5 on (lackwell:+ I+land. There
had 1een n/0ero/+ arre+t+ and +e4eral tr*al+, 1/t no other con4*ct*on+. A d*+./+t*n.
record for one who co/ld 1oa+t of the ne4er6fa*l*n. attent*on of e4er2 pol*ce
depart0ent *n the co/ntr2.
5An2 d*+ea+eB5 the head 0atron de0anded a1r/ptl2.
I wa+ +o0ewhat taken a1ack at the /ne3pected concern o4er 02 health. I an+wered
her that I had noth*n. to co0pla*n of e3cept that I needed a 1ath and a cold dr*nk.
5$on:t 1e *0p/dent and pretend 2o/ don:t know what I 0ean,5 +he +ternl2
repro4ed 0e. 5I 0ean the d*+ea+e *00oral wo0en ha4e. )o+t of tho+e del*4ered here
ha4e *t.5
1<C
5Aenereal d*+ea+e *+ not part*c/lar who0 *t +tr*ke+,5 I told her9 5the 0o+t
re+pecta1le people ha4e 1een known to 1e 4*ct*0+ of *t. I don:t happen to ha4e *t,
wh*ch *+ d/e perhap+ 0/ch 0ore to l/ck than to 4*rt/e.5
he looked +candal*-ed. he wa+ +o +elf6r*.hteo/+ and pr*0, +he needed to 1e
+hocked, and I wa+ catt2 eno/.h to en7o2 watch*n. the effect.
After ha4*n. 1een +/17ected to the ro/t*ne +earch for dope and c*.arette+, I wa+
.*4en a 1ath and *nfor0ed that I co/ld keep 02 own /nderwear, +hoe+ and +tock*n.+.
)2 cell conta*ned a cot w*th +t*ff 1/t clean +heet+ and 1lanket+, a ta1le and a cha*r,
a +tat*onar2 wa+h6+tand w*th r/nn*n. water, and, 1le++*n. of 1le++*n.+, a to*let 1/*lt *n
a l*ttle alco4e, h*dden fro0 4*ew 12 a c/rta*n. o far 02 new ho0e wa+ a dec*ded
*0pro4e0ent o4er (lackwell:+ I+land. Two th*n.+ 0arred 02 plea+ant d*+co4er2. )2
cell faced a wall that +h/t off the a*r and l*.ht, and all thro/.h the n*.ht the clock *n
the pr*+on 2ard +tr/ck e4er2 f*fteen 0*n/te+, where/pon +tentor*an 4o*ce+ wo/ld call
o/t: 5All:+ well.5 I to++ed a1o/t, wonder*n. how lon. *t wo/ld take to .et /+ed to th*+
new tort/re.
Twent26fo/r ho/r+ *n the pr*+on .a4e 0e an appro3*0ate *dea of *t+ ro/t*ne. The
*n+t*t/t*on had a n/01er of pro.re++*4e feat/re+: 0ore fre>/ent 4*+*t+, the opport/n*t2
to order food+t/ff+, the pr*4*le.e of wr*t*n. letter+ three t*0e+ a week, accord*n. to the
.rade one had reached, recreat*on *n the 2ard da*l2 and tw*ce on /nda2, a 1/cketf/l
of hot water e4er2 e4en*n., and per0*++*on to rece*4e packa.e+ and pr*nted 0atter.
The+e were .reat ad4anta.e+ o4er cond*t*on+ *n (lackwell:+ I+land. The recreat*on
wa+ e+pec*all2 .rat*f2*n.. The 2ard wa+ +0all and had 1/t l*ttle protect*on fro0 the
+/n, 1/t the pr*+oner+ were free to walk a1o/t, talk, pla2, and +*n., w*tho/t
*nterference fro0 the 0atron who pre+*ded *n the 2ard. %n the other hand, the
pre4a*l*n. la1o/r +2+te0 re>/*red def*n*te ta+k+. The latter were +o d*ff*c/lt to
acco0pl*+h that the2 kept the *n0ate+ *n con+tant trep*dat*on. I wa+ *nfor0ed that I
wo/ld 1e e3c/+ed fro0 0ak*n. the co0plete ta+k, 1/t that wa+ +0all co0fort. !*th a
wo0an +er4*n. a l*fe +entence on one +*de of 0e, and another doo0ed to f*fteen
2ear+, 1oth forced to do the f/ll a0o/nt of work, I d*d not care to take ad4anta.e of
02 e3e0pt*on. At the +a0e t*0e I feared that I 0*.ht ne4er 1e a1le to acco0pl*+h the
ta+k. The +/17ect wa+ the 0a*n top*c of d*+c/++*on and the .reate+t worr2 of the
*n0ate+.
After a week +pent *n the +hop I 1e.an +/ffer*n. e3cr/c*at*n. pa*n *n the 1ack of
02 neck. )2 cond*t*on wa+ a..ra4ated 12 the f*r+t new+ fro0 New York. ,*t-*:+ letter
con4e2ed what I alread2 knew, that a+ha had 1een taken to Atlanta. It wa+ far awa2,
+he wrote, and *t wo/ld pre4ent o/r fr*end+ fro0 4*+*t*n. h*0. he had 0an2 worr*e+
and hard+h*p+ to face. The ,ederal a/thor*t*e+, *n co6operat*on w*th the New York
pol*ce, had terror*-ed the propr*etor of o/r off*ce. 8e had ordered ,*t-* to re0o4e
)other "arth and the (la+t, w*tho/t e4en .*4*n. her a week:+ not*ce. After 0/ch
effort +he had +/cceeded *n f*nd*n. >/arter+ on Lafa2ette treet, 1/t *t wa+
>/e+t*ona1le whether +he wo/ld 1e per0*tted to re0a*n there. The patr*ot*c h2+ter*a
wa+ *ncrea+*n., the pre++ and the pol*ce 42*n. w*th each other to e3ter0*nate e4er2
rad*cal act*4*t2. $ear, 1ra4e ,*t-*, and o/r 4al*ant 5wede5? The2 had had to carr2 the
whole 1/rden +*nce o/r arre+t. (/t fa*thf/ll2 the2 had kept at the*r po+t, concerned
1<3
onl2 a1o/t /+, w*th ne4er an2 co0pla*nt a1o/t the*r own d*ff*c/lt*e+. "4en now ,*t-*
wrote noth*n. a1o/t her+elf. $ear, +weet +o/l.
%ther letter+ and +e4eral tele.ra0+ were 0ore cheer*n.. 8arr2 !e*n1er.er wrote
that ;/d.e )a2er had ref/+ed to +*.n the appl*cat*on for o/r appeal, nor wo/ld an2
other ,ederal 7/d.e .*4e h*+ +*.nat/re. (/t 8arr2 wa+ +/re that he co/ld *nd/ce one of
the /pre0e Co/rt 7/+t*ce+ to accept the paper+, and that wo/ld ena1le /+ to 1e
relea+ed on 1a*l.
A letter ca0e fro0 ,rank 8arr*+, offer*n. to +end 0e read*n.60atter and an2th*n.
el+e per0*tted *n the pr*+on. Another wa+ fro0 02 7o4*al old fr*end !*ll*a0 )ar*on
#eed2. Now that I wa+ l*4*n. *n h*+ tate, he wrote, and wa+ h*+ ne*.h1o/r, a+ *t were,
he wa+ an3*o/+ to +ec/re for 0e the r*.ht k*nd of ho+p*tal*t2. 8e and )r. =a*nter, the
warden of the pen*tent*ar2, had 1een colle.e ch/0+, and he had wr*tten h*0 that he
o/.ht to 1e pro/d to ha4e "00a @old0an a+ h*+ ./e+t. 8e had ca/t*oned h*0 to treat
her r*.ht, or he wo/ld .o after h*0. I +ho/ld con+*der 02+elf l/ck2, h*+ letter read, to
ha4e two 2ear+: freedo0 fro0 02 hect*c act*4*t*e+. It wo/ld 0ean a .ood re+t and *t
+ho/ld al+o 0ean the a/to1*o.raph2 he had lon. a.o ad4*+ed 0e to wr*te. 5Now *+
2o/r chance: 2o/ ha4e a ho0e, three 0eal+ a da2 and le*+/re 666 all free of char.e.
!r*te 2o/r l*fe. Yo/ ha4e l*4ed *t a+ no other wo0an. Tell /+ a1o/t *t.5 8e had
alread2 +h*pped a 1o3 conta*n*n. paper and penc*l+, he *nfor0ed 0e, and he wo/ld
per+/ade )r. =a*nter to let 0e ha4e a t2pewr*ter. I 0/+t 51/ckle down and wr*te the
1ook,5 he concl/ded.
L*ke 0an2 another, 02 dear old fr*end (*ll had ca/.ht the war fe4er. Yet he wa+
1*. eno/.h to cont*n/e h*+ *ntere+t and fr*end+h*p, re.ardle++ of 02 +tand. (/t h*+ *dea
of wr*t*n. *n pr*+on ca/+ed 0e to +0*le. It +howed how l*ttle e4en +/ch a clear6headed
0an real*-ed the effect of *0pr*+on0ent9 to 1el*e4e that one co/ld ade>/atel2 e3pre++
one:+ tho/.ht+ *n capt*4*t2, after n*ne ho/r+: da*l2 dr/d.er2. ;/+t the +a0e, h*+ letter
0ade 0e 4er2 happ2.
There were lo4*n. 0e++a.e+ fro0 tella, 02 +*+ter+, and e4en 02 dear old 0other,
who wrote *n Y*dd*+h. Aer2 to/ch*n. were the letter+ of o/r t. Lo/*+ co0rade+. The2
wo/ld look after 02 need+, the2 wrote9 the2 were +o near ;effer+on C*t2, the2 wo/ld
+end 0e fre+h food e4er2 da2. The2 wo/ld 1e happ2 *f the2 co/ld do the +a0e for
a+ha, 1/t he wa+ too far awa2. The2 hoped fr*end+ l*4*n. *n the o/th wo/ld look
after h*+ need+.
Two week+ after I had 1een del*4ered to the pr*+on, the +a0e dep/t2 0ar+hal and
h*+ w*fe arr*4ed to take 0e 1ack to New York. Irrepre++*1le 8arr2 !e*n1er.er had
+/cceeded *n .ett*n. /pre0e Co/rt ;/+t*ce Lo/*+ $. (rande*+ to +*.n the appl*cat*on
for o/r appeal, wh*ch ad0*tted a+ha and 0e to 1a*l and te0porar2 freedo0. The
appeal *ncl/ded al+o the ca+e+ of )orr*+ (ecker and Lo/*+ Kra0er. 8arr2 had +cored
a 4*ctor2 o4er ;/d.e )a2er. I wa+ +/re that o/r l*1ert2 wo/ld 1e of +hort d/rat*on9
+t*ll, *t wa+ .ood to ret/rn to o/r fr*end+ and re+/0e the work where *t had 1een
*nterr/pted 12 o/r arre+t.
It wa+ w*th e0ot*on+ >/*te d*fferent fro0 tho+e I had felt on 02 wa2 to pr*+on that
I 1oarded the tra*n for New York. )2 e+cort+, too, +ee0ed chan.ed. The dep/t2
*nfor0ed 0e that there wo/ld 1e no need th*+ t*0e to watch 0e +o clo+el2. %nl2 h*+
1<4
w*fe wo/ld +hare 02 co0part0ent. 8e wanted 0e to feel a+ free a+ *f I were
tra4ell*n. alone, and he hoped that I wo/ld ha4e no co0pla*nt+ to 0ake to the
reporter+. I /nder+tood. At the +tat*on *n t. Lo/*+ I wa+ .*4en an o4at*on 12 a .ro/p
of co0rade+, and of co/r+e there were al+o repre+entat*4e+ of the pre++. The dep/t2
1eca0e de0on+trat*4el2 0a.nan*0o/+. I co/ld *n4*te 02 people to the +tat*on
re+ta/rant, he +/..e+ted, wh*le he wo/ld re0a*n at a ne*.h1o/r*n. ta1le. I en7o2ed the
dear co0pan*on+h*p of 02 fr*end+.
The ret/rn 7o/rne2 had 0an2 plea+ant feat/re+, the 0a*n one 1e*n. the a1+ence of
the dep/t2. 8*+ w*fe al+o d*d not *ntr/de, 1oth re0a*n*n. o/t+*de 02 co0part0ent.
The door wa+ left a7ar, 0ore to afford 0e a*r than to keep 0e *n 4*ew. It wa+ an
/n/+/all2 clo+e da2, and I had a foreta+te of what wa+ to 1e 0eted o/t to +/ch a
.odle++ creat/re when I +ho/ld ha4e 7o*ned the departed.
In the To01+ the keeper+ rece*4ed the prod*.al da/.hter w*th .lad accla*0. It wa+
late and the pr*+on had clo+ed for the da2, 1/t I wa+ per0*tted a 1ath. The head
0atron wa+ an old fr*end of 0*ne, of the 1*rth6control f*.ht da2+. he 1el*e4ed *n
fa0*l2 l*0*tat*on, +he had conf*ded to 0e, and +he had 1een k*nd and +ol*c*to/+, once
e4en attend*n. o/r Carne.*e 8all 0eet*n. a+ 02 ./e+t. !hen the other 0atron+ left,
+he en.a.ed 0e *n con4er+at*on and re0arked that +he +aw no rea+on to 1e e3c*ted
a1o/t what the @er0an+ had done to the (el.*an+. "n.land had treated Ireland no
1etter d/r*n. h/ndred+ of 2ear+ and recentl2 a.a*n d/r*n. the "a+ter /pr*+*n.. he wa+
Ir*+h, and +he had no /+e for the All*e+. I e3pla*ned that 02 +20path*e+ were not w*th
an2 of the warr*n. co/ntr*e+, 1/t w*th the people of e4er2 land, 1eca/+e the2 alone
ha4e to pa2 the terr*1le pr*ce. he looked rather d*+appo*nted, 1/t +he .a4e 0e clean
+heet+ for 02 1/nk, and I l*ked her a+ a .ood Ir*+h +o/l.
In the 0orn*n. fr*end+ ca0e to +ee 0e, a0on. the0 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, tella, and
,*t-*. I *n>/*red a1o/t a+ha. 8ad he 1een 1ro/.ht 1ack, and how wa+ h*+ le.B ,*t-*
a4erted her face.
5!hat *+ *tB5 I a+ked an3*o/+l2. 5a+ha *+ *n the To01+,5 +he repl*ed *n a dead
4o*ce9 5he w*ll 1e +afer there for a wh*le.5 8er tone and 0anner f*lled 0e w*th
apprehen+*on. &r.ed to tell 0e the wor+t, +he *nfor0ed 0e that a+ha wa+ wanted *n
an ,ranc*+co. 8e had 1een *nd*cted for 0/rder *n conne3*on w*th the )oone2 ca+e.
The Cha01er of Co00erce and the $*+tr*ct Attorne2 had carr*ed o/t the*r threat to
5.et5 a+ha. The2 were .o*n. to ha4e re4en.e for the +plend*d work he had done to
e3po+e the fra0e6/p a.a*n+t f*4e l*4e+. (*ll*n.+ had alread2 1een p/t o/t of the wa2,
*00/red for l*fe, and To0 )oone2 wa+ fac*n. death. The*r ne3t pre2 wa+ a+ha. I
knew the2 0eant to 0/rder h*0. In+t*nct*4el2 I ra*+ed 02 hand a+ *f to ward off a
1low.
I f/ll2 real*-ed onl2 when I wa+ 1a*led o/t what ,*t-* had 0eant 12 +a2*n. that
a+ha wo/ld 1e +afer *n the To01+. #elea+ed on 1a*l, he wo/ld 1e *n dan.er of 1e*n.
k*dnapped and +p*r*ted awa2 to Cal*forn*a. /ch th*n.+ had happened 1efore. After
a+ha:+ arre+t *n 1<9C, o/r co0rade )ollock had 1een +ecretl2 taken fro0 New ;er+e2
12 =enn+2l4an*a detect*4e+ who hoped to connect h*0 w*th the attack on ,r*ck. In
190G 8a2wood, )o2er, and =ett*1one had 1een a1d/cted fro0 Colorado to Idaho,
and *n 1910 the )cNa0ara 1rother+ had 0et w*th a l*ke fate *n Ind*ana. If the
1<F
@o4ern0ent dared re+ort to +/ch 0ethod+ w*th 0e01er+ of powerf/l la1o/r
or.an*-at*on+, nat*4e61orn at that, wh2 not w*th a 5fore*.n5 anarch*+tB It wa+ clear we
co/ld not r*+k 1a*l*n. a+ha o/t. No t*0e wa+ to 1e lo+t *f h*+ e3trad*t*on wa+ to 1e
pre4ented. @o4ernor !h*t0an wa+ a react*onar2 and wo/ld pro1a1l2 o1l*.e the
/n+cr/p/lo/+ crew on the Coa+t9 noth*n. 1/t a 0*.ht2 prote+t on the part of or.an*-ed
la1o/r co/ld +top h*0.
!e *00ed*atel2 +et to work, ,*t-*, the 5wede,5 and I. !e called a .ro/p of
people to.ether to or.an*-e a p/1l*c*t2 co00*ttee. Then we *n4*ted the la1o/r leader+
at the head of the ;ew*+h trade /n*on+. A lar.e .ather*n. wa+ held, attended 12 0en
and wo0en *nfl/ent*al *n the world of la1o/r and letter+, wh*ch re+/lted *n the
for0at*on of an act*4e co00*ttee, w*th $oll2 loan a+ +ecretar26trea+/rer.
The re+pon+e of the &n*ted 8e1rew Trade+ wa+ *00ed*ate and whole6hearted, and
the 7o*nt 1oard of the A0al.a0ated Cloth*n. !orker+ of A0er*ca followed +/*t. The
for0er offered to head the appeal for a+ha and to .et /+ a hear*n. 12 e4er2 /n*on.
a+ha:+ l*fe wa+ at +take. Conference+ w*th la1o/r 0en, can4a++*n. /n*on+,
arran.*n. 0eet*n.+ and theatre 1enef*t+, c*rc/lar*-*n. or.an*-at*on+, pre++ *nter4*ew+,
and a 4a+t corre+pondence crowded e4er2 0*n/te of tho+e ner4e6rack*n. da2+.
a+ha h*0+elf wa+ *n .a2 +p*r*t+. To +ee h*+ 4*+*tor+ he had to 1e taken fro0 the
To01+ to the ,ederal (/*ld*n. and 1ack a.a*n, wh*ch afforded h*0 a walk *n the fre+h
a*r. 8e had not 2et 1een a1le to d*+card h*+ cr/tche+, and ho11l*n. alon. wa+ rather
/nco0forta1le. (/t when one face+ the po++*1le lo++ of one:+ l*fe, pro0enad*n. e4en
on cr/tche+ *+ a .reat 1oon. )ar+hal )cCarth2 +/per4*+ed o/r 4*+*t+ and he acted
rather decentl2. 8e 0ade no o17ect*on+ when we 1ro/.ht 0an2 fr*end+ to +ee a+ha
and he d*d not ha4e /+ watched too o14*o/+l2. In fact, he tr*ed h*+ 1e+t to .a*n o/r
.ood w*ll. %n one occa+*on he re0arked to 0e: 5I know 2o/ hate 0e, "00a
@old0an, 1/t 7/+t 2o/ wa*t /nt*l the e+p*ona.e 1*ll *+ pa++ed9 then 2o/:ll thank 0e for
ha4*n. arre+ted 2o/ and (erk0an *n the earl2 +ta.e+ of the .a0e. Now 2o/ .et onl2
two 2ear+, 1/t later 2o/ wo/ld .et twent2. %wn /p, wa+n:t I 2o/r fr*endB5
5None 1etter,5 I ad0*tted9 5I:ll +ee that 2o/ .et a 4ote of thank+.5
%/r 4*+*t+ w*th a+ha were t/rned *nto 0err2 fa0*l2 re/n*on. 8*+ .en*al h/0o/r
and e>/an*0*t2 *n the face of *00*nent dan.er .a*ned h*0 the re+pect e4en of the
0e01er+ of the )ar+hal:+ off*ce. The2 a+ked for cop*e+ of h*+ )e0o*r+ and later the2
told /+ how .reatl2 the 1ook had *0pre++ed the0. After that the2 1eca0e 4er2 cord*al,
and we were del*.hted for a+ha:+ +ake.
@rad/all2 o/r work wa+ 1r*n.*n. re+/lt+. The &n*ted 8e1rew Trade+ *++/ed a
+tron. appeal to or.an*-ed la1o/r to rall2 to the +/pport of a+ha. The 7o*nt 1oard of
the cloak0aker+: /n*on 4oted f*4e h/ndred dollar+ for o/r ca0pa*.n and pro0*+ed to
contr*1/te 0ore. The ;o*nt (oard of ,/rr*er+, the Internat*onal (rotherhood of
(ook1*nder+, T2po.raph*cal &n*on Local <3, and other or.an*-at*on+ co6operated
w*th /+ *n the 0o+t +ol*dar*c 0anner. The2 propo+ed that a repre+entat*4e dele.at*on
of at lea+t a h/ndred la1o/r 0en 1e +ent to @o4ernor !h*t0an to prote+t a.a*n+t
a+ha:+ e3trad*t*on to Cal*forn*a, and +tep+ were *00ed*atel2 taken to p/t 1efore
!h*t0an the fact+ of the 7/d*c*al cr*0e alread2 perpetrated *n an ,ranc*+co.
1<G
&ncerta*n how lon. I +ho/ld re0a*n at l*1ert2, I had not taken an apart0ent. I
+hared w*th ,*t-* her flat and +pent an occa+*onal weekend w*th tella *n $ar*en. %ne
da2 $oll2 loan a+ked 0e to +ta2 w*th her wh*le her h/+1and wa+ a1+ent fro0 the
c*t2. The*r +t/d*o wa+ lar.e, 4er2 >/a*nt and char0*n.9 and I en7o2ed $oll2:+
ho+p*tal*t2. he wa+ an ener.et*c l*ttle lad2 and 0o+t ea.er to help *n o/r ca0pa*.n
for a+ha, 1/t +he wa+ not ph2+*call2 +tron. eno/.h to end/re the cont*n/al +tra*n, and
+he often had to take to 1ed. &nfort/natel2, I had +o 0/ch to do and wa+ feel*n. +o
1ad 02+elf that I co/ld .*4e her l*ttle t*0e. he wa+ not 1edr*dden, howe4er, and wa+
a1le to .et a1o/t a .reat deal.
%ne 0orn*n. I left her apparentl2 *n *0pro4ed cond*t*on. he had had a .ood
n*.ht:+ +leep and +he *ntended re0a*n*n. ho0e to re+t. I worked all da2 *n the off*ce,
and *n the e4en*n. I can4a++ed +e4eral or.an*-at*on+ 0eet*n. *n d*fferent part+ of the
c*t2. The la+t wa+ the /n*on of the +ta.e 0echan*c+ and electr*cal worker+. The2 were
+/ppo+ed to 0eet at 0*dn*.ht, 1/t I had to wa*t three ho/r+ *n a narrow, +t/ff2 pa++a.e
p*led /p w*th 1o3e+, one of wh*ch +er4ed 0e a+ a +eat. !hen I wa+ f*nalI2 .*4en the
floor, I co/ld +ee ho+t*l*t2 wr*tten on e4er2 face. It wa+ l*ke +w*00*n. a.a*n+t a hea42
t*de to +peak *n the at0o+phere th*ck w*th pre7/d*ce and the +0ell of 1ad to1acco and
+tale 1eer. !hen I had concl/ded 02 addre++, >/*te a n/01er of tho+e pre+ent
e3pre++ed the0+el4e+ a+ w*ll*n. to +/pport the ca0pa*.n for a+ha, 1/t the pol*t*c*an+
*n off*c*al po+*t*on+ were oppo+ed. (erk0an wa+ an ene02 of the co/ntr2, the2
ar./ed, and the2 wo/ld ha4e noth*n. to do w*th h*0. I left the0 to f*.ht the 0atter o/t
a0on. the0+el4e+.
#et/rn*n. to loan:+ +t/d*o, I co/ld not /nlock the door. I ran. *n 4a*n for a lon.
t*0e, then knocked lo/dl2. At la+t I heard +o0eone t/rn the ke2 on the *n+*de, and a
wo0an wa+ fac*n. 0e. I reco.n*-ed =earl, the for0er w*fe of #o1ert )*nor. he
de0anded whether I co/ld not +ee the new lock on the door and d*d not ./e++ that *t
wa+ to keep 0e o/t. he wa+ tak*n. care of )r+. loan and I wa+ not wanted *n the
ho/+e. In a+ton*+h0ent I +tared at her, then p/+hed her a+*de and walked *n. The door
to $oll2:+ roo0 wa+ a7ar and I +aw her l2*n. on her 1ed e4*dentl2 *n a +t/por. I wa+
alar0ed 12 her cond*t*on and t/rned to the wo0an for an e3planat*on. he 0erel2
re*terated that )r+. loan had ordered her to chan.e the lock. (/t I knew +he wa+
l2*n..
I went o/t *nto the +treet. The da2 wa+ 1reak*n.9 I d*d not want to .o to wake ,*t-*,
who needed +leep +o 1adl2. I walked o4er to &n*on >/are. %nce 0ore I had 1een
+h/t o/t, a ho0ele++ creat/re, a+ *n the da2+ I had 1el*e4ed .one for e4er.
I rented a f/rn*+hed roo0. ,*t-* a.reed w*th 0e that $oll2 co/ld ha4e had noth*n.
to do w*th the chan.*n. of the lock. It wa+ known to e4er21od2 that =earl )*nor wa+
1*tterl2 oppo+ed to all (o1:+ fr*end+. ,or +o0e /nacco/nta1le rea+on +he had a +pec*al
.r/d.e a.a*n+t 0e. It wa+ +t/p*d of her, 1/t I wa+ aware that +he wa+ the prod/ct of an
orphana.e, her 0*nd and heart warped 12 her 0*+era1le ch*ldhood.
In the 0*d+t of tho+e tr2*n. da2+ there ca0e another and far .reater +hock. I
learned that 02 nephew $a4*d 8och+te*n had wa*4ed e3e0pt*on and 4ol/nteered for
the ar02. 8*+ 0other, all /ncon+c*o/+ of the 1low awa*t*n. her, wa+ on her wa2 to
New York to 0eet h*0. )2 +*+ter had onl2 recentl2 lo+t her h/+1and after a +hort
1<H
*llne++. I co/ld not 1ear to th*nk how the new+ a1o/t $a4*d wo/ld affect her. $a4*d,
her 1elo4ed +on, *n who0 +he had concentrated all her hope+ 666 a +old*er? 8*+ 2o/n.
l*fe to 1e .*4en for +o0eth*n. 8elena had alwa2+ hated a+ the cr*0e of cr*0e+?
L*fe:+ a f*end*+h contrad*ct*on? To th*nk that $a4*d, 8elena:+ ch*ld, +ho/ld of h*+
own free w*ll offer h*0+elf for the ar02. 8e had ne4er 1een pol*t*call2 or +oc*all2
con+c*o/+, and I wa+ therefore not +/rpr*+ed when told that he had re.*+tered. I wa+
+/re he wo/ld not 1e drafted. 8*+ 1reak6down fro0 t/1erc/lo+*+ a few 2ear+
pre4*o/+l2, tho/.h arre+ted, had 2et left h*+ l/n.+ *n +/ch a cond*t*on that he wa+
certa*n to 1e e3e0pted. The new+ that he had +/10*tted h*0+elf to the e3a0*nat*on
1oard *n New York *n+tead of *n #oche+ter, and that he had +a*d noth*n. a1o/t the
+tate of h*+ health, ca0e a+ a +hock. I co/ld not 1el*e4e that the 1o2 had del*1eratel2
done +o, that he 1el*e4ed *n the war or *n h*+ co/ntr2:+ eth*cal cla*0+. 8elena:+
ch*ldren were too 0/ch l*ke the*r parent+ to th*nk that war+ are worth f*.ht*n. or that
the2 +ol4e an2th*n.. !hat, then, co/ld ha4e 1een the rea+on, I wondered, to *nd/ce
$a4*d 4ol/ntar*l2 to 7o*n the ar02B =erhap+ +o0eth*n. per+onal, or the pop/lar
0ael+tro0 had ca/.ht h*0 too /naware+ to re+*+t. !hate4er the ca/+e, *t wa+
appall*n. that th*+ r*chl2 endowed 2o/th, w*th a 1r*ll*ant art*+t*c career 7/+t 1e./n,
+ho/ld 1e a0on. the f*r+t to offer h*0+elf.
I 4*+*ted 8elena at $ar*en. 8er appearance told 0e 0ore than word+. The
fr*.htened e3pre++*on *n her e2e+ 0ade 0e fear that +he wo/ld not +/r4*4e the 1low of
the 4a*n +acr*f*ce of her 1o2. I fo/nd $a4*d al+o there, and I lon.ed to talk to h*0. (/t
I re0a*ned d/01. Notw*th+tand*n. h*+ fa0*l2 affect*on for 0e and 02 lo4e for h*0,
we had re0a*ned d*+tant. 8ow co/ld I now hope to reach h*+ 0*ndB I had procla*0ed
that the cho*ce of 0*l*tar2 +er4*ce 0/+t 1e left to the con+c*ence of e4er2 0an. 8ow
co/ld I atte0pt to *0po+e 02 4*ew+ on $a4*d, e4en *f I co/ld hope to per+/ade h*0,
wh*ch I d*d notB I re0a*ned ton./e6t*ed. (/t I ar./ed hotl2 w*th 8elena that her +on
wa+ onl2 one of the 0an2, and her tear+ 1/t a drop *n the ocean alread2 +hed 12 the
0other+ of the world. Yet a1+tract theor*e+ are not for tho+e who+e tra.ed*e+ are open
wo/nd+. I +aw the a.on2 *n 02 +*+ter:+ face and I knew there wa+ noth*n. I co/ld +a2
or do to 1r*n. her rel*ef. I ret/rned to New York to cont*n/e o/r ca0pa*.n for a+ha.
"4er2 da2 1ro/.ht new e4*dence of the lo4e and e+tee0 he en7o2ed on the "a+t
*de. The rad*cal Y*dd*+h pre++ o/td*d *t+elf *n cha0p*on*n. h*+ ca/+e. =art*c/larl2
d*d . Yanof+k+2, the ed*tor of the ,re*e Ar1e*ter t*00e, e3ert h*0+elf. That wa+
e+pec*all2 .rat*f2*n. 1eca/+e he had ne4er 1een 4er2 co0radel2 w*th e*ther a+ha or
0e, and *n o/r +tand on the war we had co0pletel2 dr*fted apart. A1e Cahan, the
ed*tor of the +oc*al*+t ,orward, wa+ al+o 4er2 +20pathet*c and +tre++ed the /r.enc2 of
co0*n. to a+ha:+ +/pport. In fact, e4er2one *n the rad*cal ;ew*+h c*rcle+ heart*l2 co6
operated w*th /+. A +pec*al .ro/p to a*d o/r effort+ wa+ co0po+ed of the Y*dd*+h
wr*ter+ and poet+, a0on. the0 A1raha0 #a*+*n, Nad*r, and holo0 A+ch.
!*th the+e +tron. draw*n. card+ we or.an*-ed a +er*e+ of affa*r+, a theatre
perfor0ance to ra*+e f/nd+, on wh*ch occa+*on A+ch and #a*+*n +poke 1etween the
act+9 a 0a++ 0eet*n. *n Cooper &n*on at wh*ch *dne2 8*ll0an, pre+*dent of the
A0al.a0ated Cloth*n. !orker+, Ale3 Cohen, )orr*+ *.0an, and other pro0*nent
la1or 0en p/1l*cl2 prote+ted *n 1ehalf of a+ha. Lar.e 0eet*n.+ took place *n
,orward 8all and *n the (rookl2n La1or L2ce/0. ,or the +a0e p/rpo+e were
or.an*-ed al+o a n/01er of "n.l*+h 0eet*n.+. The New York Call, the +oc*al*+t da*l2
1<<
wrote forc*1l2 a.a*n+t a+ha:+ e3trad*t*on. It wa+ pec/l*ar to +ee the paper wa3 +o
enth/+*a+t*c *n the ca0pa*.n, con+*der*n. that *t had re0a*ned +*lent d/r*n. o/r arre+t
and tr*al.
,ort/natel2 there wa+ no pol*ce *nterference, and o/r .ather*n.+ were attended 12
tho/+and+ of people. )/ch enco/ra.ed, we arran.ed a +pec*al affa*r at the Ke++ler
Theatre. (/t )ar+hal )cCarth2 had apparentl2 dec*ded that I had alread2 en7o2ed too
0/ch freedo0 of +peech and +ho/ld therefore 1e +topped 5for her own .ood.5 8e
anno/nced that he wo/ld proh*1*t the 0eet*n. *f I +ho/ld atte0pt to addre++ the
a/d*ence. The p/rpo+e of the .ather*n. 1e*n. too *0portant to r*+k ha4*n. *t d*+r/pted,
I pro0*+ed to co0pl2.
. Yanof+k2, a 4er2 cle4er 0an w*th a 4*tr*ol*c ton./e, wa+ the la+t +peaker. 8e
talked elo>/entl2 of the (*ll*n.+6)oone2 ca+e and the atte0pt of the an ,ranc*+co
1o++e+ to dra. a+ha *nto the*r net. Then he proceeded to pa2 h*+ re+pect+ to )ar+hal
)cCarth2. 58e ha+ .a..ed "00a,5 he declared, 5too +t/p*d to real*-e that her 4o*ce
w*ll now carr2 far 1e2ond the wall+ of th*+ theatre.5 At that 0o0ent I +tepped /pon
the +ta.e w*th a handkerch*ef +t/ck *n 02 0o/th. The a/d*ence +hr*eked w*th
la/.hter, +ta0ped the*r feet, and +crea0ed.
5Yo/ can:t +top that +peech,5 the2 +ho/ted.
)cCarth2 looked +heep*+h, 1/t I had kept 02 pro0*+e.
The a.*tat*on *n 1ehalf of a+ha wa+ +pread*n.. )ore la1o/r 1od*e+ were
con+tantl2 added to o/r l*+t, a0on. the0 the *0portant New ;er+e2 tate ,ederat*on.
Th*+ feat wa+ acco0pl*+hed 12 o/r ,*t-*, and *t had 1een no ea+2 ta+k to reach that 12
no 0ean+ rad*cal or.an*-at*on. he char0ed people *nto +20path2 and act*on 66 not
0erel2 12 her Ir*+h na0e and 1ea/t*f/l a/1/rn ha*r, 1/t 12 her f*ne and +/a4e
per+onal*t2. L*ttle d*d an2one o/t+*de of her *00ed*ate fr*end+ +en+e the Celt*c
te0pera0ent 1eh*nd her tran>/*l 0anner.
%/r act*4*t*e+ *n New York 0/lt*pl*ed to +/ch an e3tent that I co/ld not accept the
n/0ero/+ *n4*tat*on+ wh*ch ca0e fro0 other c*t*e+ to addre++ 0eet*n.+ arran.ed *n
1ehalf of a+ha. I had to +elect the 0o+t *0portant call+, a0on. the0 that for three
lect/re+ *n Ch*ca.o.
)a3 =*ne, .eneral +ecretar2, and ). ,*ne+tone, a++*+tant +ecretar2, of the &n*ted
8e1rew Trade+, were de+*ro/+ of ha4*n. )orr*+ 8*ll>/*t, the +oc*al*+t attorne2, .o to
Al1an2 w*th o/r dele.at*on, to addre++ @o4ernor !h*t0an a.a*n+t a+ha:+
e3trad*t*on. I had known )orr*+ 8*ll>/*t for 0an2 2ear+. !hen I f*r+t ca0e to New
York, I /+ed to attend the 7o*nt .ather*n.+ of anarch*+t+ and +oc*al*+t+, a0on. who0
there were al+o the two 1rother+ 8*lkow*tch. %ne occa+*on of tho+e da2+ had 1een
part*c/larl2 0e0ora1le. It wa+ a Yo0 K*pp/r cele1rat*on held a+ a prote+t a.a*n+t
;ew*+h orthodo32. peeche+ on free tho/.ht, dance+, and plent2 of eat+ took the place
of the trad*t*onal fa+t and pra2er+. The rel*.*o/+ ;ew+ re+ented o/r de+ecrat*on of the*r
hol*e+t $a2 of Atone0ent, and the*r +on+ ca0e down *n +tron. force to 0eet o/r 1o2+
*n p*tched 1attle. a+ha, who alwa2+ lo4ed a f*.ht, wa+, of co/r+e, the leader and
ea+*l2 the 0o+t effect*4e *n rep/l+*n. the attack. !h*le the affra2 wa+ .o*n. on *n the
+treet, anarch*+t and +oc*al*+t orator+ were hold*n. forth *n+*de the hall, 2o/n. )orr*+
1<9
8*lkow*tch ha4*n. the floor at the t*0e. %4er two decade+ had pa++ed +*nce then 666
8*lkow*tch had chan.ed h*+ na0e to the 0ore e/phon*o/+ 8*ll>/*t and had 1eco0e a
+/cce++f/l law2er, a lead*n. )ar3*an theoret*c*an, and an *0portant per+ona.e *n the
oc*al*+t =art2. oc*al*+0 had ne4er appealed to 0e, tho/.h there were 0an2
+oc*al*+t+ a0on. 02 fr*end+. I l*ked the0 1eca/+e the2 were freer and 1*..er than
the*r creed. )r. 8*ll>/*t I knew 4er2 +l*.htl2, 1/t I con+*dered h*+ wr*t*n.+ a+ lack*n.
*n 4*+*on. !e had no co00on .ro/nd9 he had r*+en h*.h *n the e+t*0at*on of
re+pecta1le +oc*et2, wh*le I re0a*ned a par*ah.
The war, and part*c/larl2 A0er*ca:+ entr2 *nto the dance of death, had +h*fted
0an2, po+*t*on+ and contact+. =eople for0erl2 clo+el2 all*ed *n *dea+ and effort were
now far apart, wh*le other+ w*del2 +eparated *n the pa+t fo/nd now a +tron. 1ond.
)orr*+ 8*ll>/*t had dared to +tand o/t a.a*n+t the war. No wonder he now d*+co4ered
h*0+elf *n the +a0e 1oat w*th Ale3ander (erk0an, "00a @old0an, and the*r
a++oc*ate+. The fren-*ed attack+ on h*0 12 o/r co00on ene0*e+ and h*+ er+twh*le
co0rade+ 1r*d.ed the cha+0 of the pa+t a+ well a+ o/r theoret*c d*fference+. Indeed, I
felt 0/ch clo+er to 8*lI>/*t than to 0an2 of 02 own co0rade+ who+e +oc*al 4*+*on
had 1een .a++ed. Ne4erthele++, I e3per*enced a +en+e of +tran.ene++ to co0e face to
face w*th the 0an for the f*r+t t*0e *n twent26+e4en 2ear+.
8*ll>/*t wa+ pro1a1l2 no 0ore than three or fo/r 2ear+ older than a+ha, 1/t he
looked at lea+t f*fteen 2ear+ h*+ +en*or. 8*+ ha*r wa+ th*ckl2 +treaked w*th .re2, h*+
face l*ned, and h*+ e2e+ wear2. 8e had won +/cce++, renown, and wealth. a+ha:+ l*fe
had 1een a @ol.otha, 2et how d*fferent the two 0en appeared? 8owe4er, 8*ll>/*t had
re0a*ned +*0ple *n h*+ wa2+, h*+ 0anner wa+ .rac*o/+, and I +oon felt at ho0e w*th
h*0.
8e wa+ not 4er2 rea++/r*n. a1o/t a+ha:+ chance+. At an2 other t*0e, he +a*d, *t
wo/ld not ha4e 1een d*ff*c/lt to defeat e3trad*t*on. In the pre+ent war h2+ter*a, w*th
a+ha con4*cted on a ,ederal con+p*rac2 char.e, the o/tlook wa+ not 4er2 pro0*+*n..
8*+ cand*dac2 for the 0a2oralt2 of New York on the oc*al*+t t*cket kept )r.
8*ll>/*t e3ceed*n.l2 1/+2, 1/t he /nhe+*tat*n.l2 re+ponded to the *n4*tat*on to appear
1efore @o4ernor !h*t0an w*th the la1o/r dele.at*on. 8*+ ca0pa*.n 0eet*n.+ were
the f*r+t .ather*n.+ of the k*nd I had e4er attended w*tho/t 1e*n. +*ckened 12 the*r
*nan*t2. I had no 0ore fa*th *n what 8*ll>/*t 0*.ht ach*e4e *f elected 0a2or than
an2one el+e *n h*+ place, tho/.h I d*d not do/1t the +*ncer*t2 of h*+ *ntent*on+. 8*+
electoral ca0pa*.n had .reat ant*6war propa.anda 4al/e. It pre+ented the onl2 chance
*n the h2+ter*a6cra-ed co/ntr2 for +o0e freedo0 of +peech, and a+ an e3per*enced
orator and cle4er law2er )orr*+ 8*l*>/*t knew how to +teer +afel2 1etween dan.ero/+
patr*ot*c cl*ff+.
I wa+ .lad that he 0ade +/ch .ood /+e of h*+ elect*on opport/n*t*e+ 2et I had to
decl*ne the *n4*tat*on of h*+ 1rother to part*c*pate *n the work. I had told h*0 how
0/ch I had en7o2ed hear*n. the 1r*ll*ant )orr*+ and h*+ +peeche+ a.a*n+t war. 5!h2
not 7o*n /+, thenB5 he +/..e+ted9 52o/ co/ld 1e of .reat help *n o/r ca0pa*.n.5 8e
+o/.ht to per+/ade 0e to +et a+*de 02 oppo+*t*on to pol*t*cal act*on on that
e3cept*onal occa+*on. 5Th*nk of the .ood 2o/ co/ld do 12 help*n. +te0 the t*de of the
war 0adne++,5 he /r.ed.
190
(/t I had .rown to l*ke )orr*+ too 0/ch to a++*+t h*0 to a pol*t*cal 7o1. %ne 0*.ht
w*+h +/ch a th*n. on one:+ ene0*e+, not on one:+ fr*end+.
%/r act*4*t*e+ for a+ha and the an ,ranc*+co ca+e+ rece*4ed /ne3pected and far6
reach*n. *0pet/+ thro/.h new+ fro0 #/++*a: de0on+trat*on+ *n the*r 1ehalf had taken
place *n =etro.rad and Kron+tadt. It wa+ the an+wer to the 0e++a.e we had +ent to the
co/nc*l+ of worker+, +old*er+, and +a*lor+ 12 the ref/.ee+ that had departed *n )a2 and
;/ne. !e had followed *t /p w*th ca1le+ that o/r .ood fr*end I+aac A. 8o/rw*ch and
o/r eff*c*ent +ecretar2 =a/l*ne had +/cceeded *n .ett*n. thro/.h to #/++*a after we
had learned of a+ha:+ *nd*ct0ent *n an ,ranc*+co. !*th 7o2f/l heart I 4*+*ted a+ha,
know*n. what the de0on+trat*on of +ol*dar*t2 *n #/++*a wo/ld 0ean to h*0. I tr*ed to
appear cal0, 1/t he +oon +en+ed that +o0eth*n. 0/+t ha4e happened. At hear*n. the
.lor*o/+ t*d*n.+ h*+ face l*t /p and h*+ e2e+ f*lled w*th wonder. (/t, a+ /+/al when
profo/ndl2 +t*rred, he wa+ +*lent. !e +at >/*etl2, o/r heart+ 1eat*n. *n /n*+on w*th
.rat*t/de to o/r )at/+hka #o++*2a.
The pro1le0 wa+ now how to /+e the de0on+trat*on+ *n #/++*a to 1e+t ad4anta.e.
!e had w*de conne3*on+ and channel+ to 1r*n. the 0atter to the attent*on of the
la1o/r 1od*e+, 12 0eet*n.+ and c*rc/lar+, 1/t other 0ean+ were needed to *ntere+t
tho+e who were *n a po+*t*on to *ntercede for o/r fr*end+ *n an ,ranc*+co. a+ha
+/..e+ted that I confer w*th h*+ fr*end "d )or.an, a for0er +oc*al*+t, now an
Ind/+tr*al !orker of the !orld. 8e had 1een 4er2 act*4e *n 1ehalf of )oone2 and he
0*.ht pro4e of .reat help *n h*+ ca+e, a+ha tho/.ht.
I had known )or.an for +o0e t*0e. 8e wa+ a .ood6hearted fellow, .en/*ne and
t*rele++ when .*4en a ta+k. (/t I wa+ not +/re of h*+ a1*l*t*e+ and he wa+ fearf/ll2
lon.6w*nd. I had no do/1t+ a1o/t h*+ w*ll*n.ne++ to do what we +ho/ld re>/e+t, 1/t I
wa+ d/1*o/+ a1o/t h*+ chance+ of acco0pl*+h*n. an2th*n. 4*tal *n !a+h*n.ton. I wa+
wron.. "d )or.an pro4ed a w*-ard. In a +hort t*0e he +/cceeded *n .ett*n. 0ore
p/1l*c*t2 for o/r p/rpo+e than we had .ot *n 0onth+. 8*+ f*r+t +tep *n the cap*tal had
1een to f*nd o/t =re+*dent !*l+on:+ fa4o/r*te 0orn*n. paper+, h*+ +econd to 1o01ard
the0 w*th new+ *te0+ a1o/t the a.*tat*on *n #/++*a o4er the an ,ranc*+co fra0e6/p.
Then )or.an 1/ttonholed *nfl/ent*al off*c*al+ *n !a+h*n.ton, 0ade the0 fa0*l*ar
w*th the happen*n.+ on the Coa+t, and enl*+ted the*r +20path*e+. The net re+/lt+ of th*+
one 0an:+ effort+ were a ,ederal *n4e+t*.at*on ordered 12 =re+*dent !*l+on *nto the
la1o/r +*t/at*on *n an ,ranc*+co.
I had +een too 0an2 off*c*al *n4e+t*.at*on+ to e3pect 0/ch fro0 th*+ one9 +t*ll, *t
held o/t the hope that the +keleton *n the fa0*l2 clo+et of (*. (/+*ne++ and ,*ckert
and Co. wo/ld at la+t 1e dra..ed *nto the l*.ht of da2. )or.an and 0an2 of o/r trade6
/n*on a++oc*ate+ were 0ore opt*0*+t*c. The2 looked for the co0plete e3onerat*on and
relea+e of (*ll*n.+, )oone2, and the*r co6defendant+, a+ well a+ of a+ha. I co/ld not
+hare the*r fa*th, 1/t *t d*d not le++en 02 ad0*rat*on for "d )or.an:+ +plend*d
ach*e4e0ent.
hortl2 afterward+ ca0e f/rther new+ fro0 #/++*a of +t*ll .reater 0o0ent. A
re+ol/t*on propo+ed 12 the +a*lor+ of Kron+tadt and adopted at a 0on+ter 0eet*n.
called for the arre+t of )r. ,ranc*+, the A0er*can A01a++ador *n #/++*a, who wa+ to
1e held a+ ho+ta.e /nt*l the an ,ranc*+co 4*ct*0+ and a+ha +ho/ld 1e free. A
dele.at*on of ar0ed +a*lor+ had 0arched to the A0er*can "01a++2 *n =etro.rad to
191
carr2 o/t the dec*+*on. %/r old co0rade Lo/*+e (er.er, who w*th other #/++*an
ref/.ee+ had ret/rned to her nat*4e land after the o/t1reak of the #e4ol/t*on, +er4ed
a+ the*r *nterpreter. )r. ,ranc*+ had +ole0nl2 a++/red the dele.at*on that *t wa+ all a
0*+take, and that the l*4e+ of )oone2, (*ll*n.+, and (erk0an were *n no dan.er. (/t
the +a*lor+ were *n+*+tent, and )r. ,ranc*+ *n the*r pre+ence ca1led to !a+h*n.ton and
pro0*+ed to e3ert h*0+elf f/rther w*th the A0er*can @o4ern0ent to +ec/re the relea+e
of the an ,ranc*+co pr*+oner+.
The threat of the +a*lor+ e4*dentl2 had an effect on the A01a++ador, w*th the re+/lt
that =re+*dent !*l+on wa+ 0o4ed to pro0pt act*on. !hate4er the 0e++a.e of the
=re+*dent to @o4ernor !h*t0an, o/r dele.at*on fo/nd the latter *n a 4er2 recept*4e
0ood. )oreo4er, >/ant*t2 *+ alwa2+ apprec*ated 12 a+p*r*n. pol*t*c*an+, and the
la1o/r dele.at*on con+*+ted of a h/ndred 0en, repre+ent*n. nearl2 a 0*ll*on or.an*-ed
worker+ of New York. !*th the0 were )orr*+ 8*ll>/*t and 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, who
*0pre++ed /pon the @o4ernor that Ale3ander (erk0an d*d not +tand alone, and that
h*+ e3trad*t*on wo/ld 1e re+ented 12 la1o/r all thro/.h the &n*ted tate+. )r.
!h*t0an there/pon dec*ded to tele.raph $*+tr*ct Attorne2 ,*ckert for the record+ of
the ca+e and pro0*+ed to po+tpone f*nal act*on /nt*l he had thoro/.hl2 ac>/a*nted
h*0+elf w*th the *nd*ct0ent a.a*n+t a+ha.
It wa+ a 4*ctor2 *ndeed, tho/.h *t d*d onl2 te0porar*l2 dela2 proceed*n.+. (/t
*n+tead of +end*n. the re>/e+ted doc/0ent+, the an ,ranc*+co pro+ec/tor w*red
Al1an2 that 5the (erk0an e3trad*t*on wo/ld not 1e pre++ed for the pre+ent.5 !e had
known all alon. that ,*ckert co/ld not afford to prod/ce the record+, +*nce the2 d*d
not conta*n a +c*nt*lla of e4*dence to connect a+ha w*th the e3plo+*on.
The de0and for e3trad*t*on not ha4*n. 1een .ranted w*th*n the le.all2 allowed
th*rt2 da2+, a+ha co/ld not 1e deta*ned *n pr*+on lon.er. The !arden of the To01+
wa+ an3*o/+ to .et r*d of h*09 he had alread2 /p+et the pr*+on ro/t*ne too 0/ch, the
ad0*n*+trat*on +a*d. 8*+ n/0ero/+ 4*+*tor+ and the +tack+ of letter+ and 0e++a.e+ he
wa+ rece*4*n. added to the 1/rden+ of the pr*+on off*c*al+, not to +peak of the
e3c*te0ent a0on. the other pr*+oner+ who had 1eco0e *ntere+ted *n the (erk0an
ca+e. 5Take h*0 awa2, for the lo4e of )*ke,5 the !arden /r.ed9 52o/ are o/t on 1a*l,
+o wh2 don:t 2o/ ra*+e h*+B5 I a++/red h*0 that the 1ond wa+ on hand, and I +ho/ld
lo4e noth*n. 1etter than to rel*e4e h*0 of the worr2 a+ha:+ pre+ence wa+ ca/+*n. h*0.
(/t 02 fr*end had dec*ded to +*.n h*0+elf 1ack to the To01+ for another th*rt2 da2+
to keep the pro0*+e 0ade 12 h*+ attorne2. an ,ranc*+co had *nfor0ed @o4ernor
!h*t*0an that the2 needed 0ore t*0e to prepare the record re>/e+ted 12 h*0. Tho/.h
a+ha co/ld not lawf/ll2 1e co0pelled to wa*t for the0, !e*n1er.er had con+ented to
pro4e that we had noth*n. to 1e afra*d of *n ,*ckert:+ record+. The !arden +tared
*ncred/lo/+l2. An anarch*+t feel*n. 1o/nd to l*4e /p to a pled.e wh*ch he had not
e4en .*4en h*0+elf? 5Yo/ people are a cra-2 lot?5 he +a*d. 5!ho e4er heard of a 0an:+
*n+*+t*n. on re0a*n*n. *n pr*+on when he ha+ a chance to .et o/tB5 (/t he wo/ld treat
a+ha r*.ht, he added, and 0a21e I wo/ld +peak a .ood word for h*0 to )r. 8*lI>/*t,
who wa+ +/re to 1e the ne3t 0a2or of New York. I tr*ed to tell h*0 that I had no
*nfl/ence w*th the f/t/re +oc*al*+t 0a2or, 1/t *t wa+ to no p/rpo+e. It wa+ +heer
anarch*+t c/++edne++, the !arden re*terated, not to help a fellow who had 1een +/ch a
fr*end to /+.
A0er*ca, onl2 +e4en 0onth+ *n the war, had alread2 o/t+tr*pped *n 1r/tal*t2 e4er2
19C
"/ropean land w*th three 2ear+: e3per*ence *n the 1/+*ne++ of +la/.hter. Non6
co01atant+ and con+c*ent*o/+ o17ector+ fro0 e4er2 +oc*al +trat/0 were f*ll*n. the
7a*l+ and pr*+on+. The new "+p*ona.e Law t/rned the co/ntr2 *nto a l/nat*c a+2l/0,
w*th e4er2 tate and ,ederal off*c*al, a+ well a+ a lar.e part of the c*4*l*an pop/lat*on,
r/nn*n. a0/ck. The2 +pread terror and de+tr/ct*on. $*+r/pt*on of p/1l*c 0eet*n.+ and
whole+ale arre+t+, +entence+ of *ncred*1le +e4er*t2, +/ppre++*on of rad*cal p/1l*cat*on+
and *nd*ct0ent+ of the*r +taff+, 1eat*n. of worker+ 66 e4en 0/rder 66 1eca0e the ch*ef
patr*ot*c pa+t*0e.
In (*+1ee, Ar*-ona, twel4e h/ndred I.!.!.:+ were 0anhandled and dr*4en acro++
the 1order. In T/l+a, %klaho0a, +e4enteen of the*r co0rade+ were tarred and
feathered and *n a half6dead cond*t*on left *n the +a.e61r/+h. In Kent/ck2 $r.
(*.elow, a +*n.le6ta3er and pac*f*+t, wa+ k*dnapped and wh*pped for a +peech he wa+
a1o/t to del*4er. In )*lwa/kee a .ro/p of anarch*+t+ and +oc*al*+t+ 0et an e4en 0ore
terr*1le fate. The*r act*4*t*e+ had aro/+ed the *re and en42 of an /nfrocked Cathol*c
pr*e+t. 8e wa+ e+pec*all2 enra.ed o4er the a/dac*t2 of the 2o/n. Ital*an+ who heckled
h*0 at h*+ open6a*r 0eet*n.+. 8e +et the pol*ce on the0 and the2 char.ed the crowd
w*th drawn cl/1+ and ./n+. Anton*o ,orna+*er, an anarch*+t, wa+ *n+tantl2 k*lled.
A/./+ta )ar*nell*, another co0rade, wa+ 0ortall2 wo/nded, d2*n. *n the ho+p*tal f*4e
da2+ later. In the .eneral +hoot*n. +e4eral off*cer+ were +l*.htl2 *n7/red. Arre+t+
followed. The Ital*an cl/16roo0+ were ra*ded, l*terat/re and p*ct/re+ de+tro2ed.
"le4en per+on+, *ncl/d*n. a wo0an, were held re+pon+*1le for the r*ot ca/+ed 12 the
/n*for0ed r/ff*an+. !h*le the Ital*an+ were /nder arre+t, an e3plo+*on took place *n
the pol*ce +tat*on. The perpetrator+ were /nknown, 1/t the pr*+oner+ were tr*ed for
that 1o01. The 7/r2 wa+ o/t 7/+t +e4enteen 0*n/te+, ret/rn*n. a 4erd*ct of ./*lt2. The
ten 0en and )ar2 (ald*n* were .*4en twent26f*4e 2ear+ each, and the tate
appropr*ated )ar2:+ f*4e62ear6old ch*ld, altho/.h her people were w*ll*n. and a1le to
take care of *t.
Thro/.h the len.th and 1readth of the co/ntr2 +talked the 0adne++ of 7*n.o*+0.
%ne h/ndred and +*3t2 I.!.!.:+ were arre+ted *n Ch*ca.o and held for tr*al on char.e+
of trea+on. A0on. the0 were (*ll 8a2wood, "l*-a1eth @/rle2 ,l2nn, Art/ro
@*o4ann*tt*, Carlo Tre+ca, and o/r old co0rade Ca++*/+ A. Cook. $r. !*ll*a0 ;.
#o1*n+on, ed*tor of the New York Cr*t*c and @/*de, wa+ *0pr*+oned for e3pre++*n.
h*+ op*n*on on war. 8arr2 $. !allace, pre+*dent of the Lea./e of 8/0an*t2 and
a/thor of han.ha*ed *n the "/ropean !ar, wa+ +entenced to twent2 2ear+:
*0pr*+on0ent for a lect/re del*4ered *n $a4enport, Iowa. Another 4*ct*0 of th*+
fr*.htf/lne++ wa+ Lo/*+e %l*4erea/, an *deal*+t of the f*ne+t t2pe of A0er*can
wo0anhood, who wa+ conde0ned *n Colorado to fort26f*4e 2ear+: *0pr*+on0ent for a
c*rc/lar *n wh*ch +he 4o*ced her a1horrence of h/0an +la/.hter. There wa+ hardl2 a
c*t2 or town *n the w*de &n*ted tate+ where the 7a*l+ d*d not conta*n +o0e 0en and
wo0en who wo/ld not 1e terror*-ed *nto patr*ot*c +la/.hter.
The 0o+t appall*n. cr*0e wa+ the 0/rder of ,rank L*ttle, a 0e01er of the
e3ec/t*4e 1oard of the I.!.!., and of another poor fellow who happened to 1ear a
@er0an na0e. ,rank L*ttle wa+ a cr*pple, 1/t that d*d not deter the 0a+ked 1and*t+. In
the dead of n*.ht the2 dra..ed the helple++ 0an fro0 h*+ 1ed *n (/tte, )ontana,
carr*ed h*0 to an *+olated +pot, and +tr/n. h*0 to a ra*lroad tre+tle. The other 5al*en
ene025 wa+ +*0*larl2 l2nched, where/pon *t wa+ fo/nd that the 0an:+ roo0 wa+
decorated w*th a lar.e A0er*can fla. and h*+ 0one2 wa+ *n4e+ted *n L*1ert2 (ond+.
193
The a++a/lt+ on l*fe and on free +peech were +/pple0ented 12 the +/ppre++*on of
the pr*nted word. &nder the "+p*ona.e Law and +*0*lar +tat/te+ pa++ed *n the war
fe4er the =o+t0a+ter @eneral had 1een con+t*t/ted a1+ol/te d*ctator o4er the pre++.
"4en pr*4ate d*+tr*1/t*on had 1eco0e *0po++*1le for an2 paper oppo+ed to the war.
)other "arth 1eca0e the f*r+t 4*ct*0, +oon followed 12 the (la+t, the )a++e+, and
other p/1l*cat*on+, and 12 *nd*ct0ent+ a.a*n+t the*r ed*tor*al +taff+.
The react*onar*e+ were not the onl2 ele0ent re+pon+*1le for the patr*ot*c or.2. a0
@o0per+ handed o4er the A0er*can ,ederat*on of La1or to the war 1a*ter+. The
l*1eral *ntell*.ent+*a, w*th !alter L*pp0an, Lo/*+ ,. =o+t, and @eor.e Creel *n the
lead, +oc*al*+t+ l*ke Charle+ "dward #/++ell, Arth/r (/llard, "n.l*+h !all*n., =help+
toke+, ;ohn par.o, *0on+, and @hent, all +hared *n the .lor2. The oc*al*+t war
pho1*a, the re+ol/t*on+ of the*r )*nneapol*+ Conference, the*r patr*ot*c +pec*al tra*n,
draped *n red, wh*te, and 1l/e, the*r /r.*n. of e4er2 worker to +/pport the war, all
helped to de+tro2 rea+on and 7/+t*ce *n the &n*ted tate+.
%n the other hand, the Ind/+tr*al !orker+ of the !orld and tho+e +oc*al*+t+ who
had not .one 1ack on the*r *deal+ had 12 the*r 1l*nd +elf6+/ff*c*enc2 *n the pa+t al+o
helped to +ow the +eed+ of the crop the2 were now reap*n.. A+ lon. a+ per+ec/t*on
had 1een d*rected onl2 a.a*n+t anarch*+t+, the2 had ref/+ed to take not*ce or e4en to
co00ent on the 0atter *n the*r pre++. Not one of the I.!.!. paper+ had prote+ted
a.a*n+t o/r arre+t and con4*ct*on. At the oc*al*+t 0eet*n.+ not a +*n.le +peaker wo/ld
deno/nce the +/ppre++*on of the (la+t and )other "arth. The New York Call tho/.ht
the *++/e of free +peech, when *t wa+ not *t+elf d*rectl2 concerned, de+er4*n. onl2 of a
few perf/nctor2 l*ne+. !hen $an*el K*efer, the +ta/nch f*.hter for freedo0, had +ent
*n a prote+t, *t appeared *n the Call thoro/.hl2 e3p/r.ated, w*th e4er2 reference to o/r
0a.a-*ne+, to a+ha, and to 0e left o/t. The +*ll2 people were /na1le to fore+ee that
the react*onar2 0ea+/re+, alwa2+ a*0ed f*r+t at the 0o+t /npop/lar *dea+ and the*r
e3ponent+, 0/+t *n the co/r+e of t*0e *ne4*ta1l2 al+o 1e appl*ed to the0. Now the
A0er*can 8/n+ no lon.er d*+cr*0*nated 1etween one rad*cal .ro/p and another:
l*1eral+, I.!.!.:+, +oc*al*+t+, preacher+, and colle.e profe++or+ were 1e*n. 0ade to
pa2 for the*r for0er +hort+*.htedne++.
In co0par*+on w*th the patr*ot*c cr*0e wa4e the +/ppre++*on of )other "arth wa+ a
0atter of *n+*.n*f*cance. (/t to 0e *t pro4ed a .reater 1low than the pro+pect of
+pend*n. two 2ear+ *n pr*+on. No off+pr*n. of fle+h and 1lood co/ld a1+or1 *t+ 0other
a+ th*+ ch*ld of 0*ne had dra*ned 0e. A +tr/..le of o4er a decade, e3ha/+t*n. to/r+ for
*t+ +/pport, 0/ch worr2 and .r*ef, had .one *nto the 0a*ntenance of )other "arth,
and now w*th one 1low *t+ l*fe had 1een +n/ffed o/t? !e dec*ded to cont*n/e *t *n
another for0. The c*rc/lar letter I had +ent o/t to o/r +/1+cr*1er+ and fr*end+,
*nfor0*n. the0 of the +/ppre++*on of the 0a.a-*ne and of the new p/1l*cat*on I wa+
conte0plat*n., 1ro/.ht 0an2 pro0*+e+ of help. o0e, howe4er, decl*ned to ha4e
an2th*n. to do w*th the 0atter. It wa+ reckle++ to def2 the war +ent*0ent of the
co/ntr2, the2 wrote. The2 co/ld not .*4e the*r +/pport to +/ch a p/rpo+e 66 the2 co/ld
not afford to .et *nto tro/1le. Too well I knew that con+*+tenc2 and co/ra.e, l*ke
.en*/+, are the rare+t of .*ft+. (en, of 02 own *nt*0ate c*rcle, wa+ +adl2 lack*n. *n
1oth. 8a4*n. end/red h*0 for a decade, how co/ld I conde0n other+ for r/nn*n. to
co4er *n dan.erB
194
A new pro7ect wa+ +/re to 0ake (en enth/+*a+t*c. The *dea of a )other "arth
(/llet*n ca/.ht h*+ fanc2, and h*+ /+/al ener.2 wa+ p/t *nto 0ot*on at once to 1r*n.
the p/1l*cat*on a1o/t. (/t we had dr*fted apart too far. 8e wanted the (/llet*n kept
free fro0 the war9 there were +o 0an2 other 0atter+ to d*+c/++, he ar./ed, and
cont*n/ed oppo+*t*on to the @o4ern0ent wa+ +/re to r/*n what we had 1/*lt /p d/r*n.
+o 0an2 2ear+. !e 0/+t 1e 0ore ca/t*o/+, 0ore pract*cal, he *n+*+ted. /ch an
att*t/de +ee0ed *ncred*1le *n one who had 1een >/*te reckle++ *n h*+ ant*6war talk+. It
wa+ +tran.e and l/d*cro/+ to +ee (en *n that rPle. 8*+ chan.e, l*ke e4er2th*n. el+e
a1o/t h*0, wa+ w*tho/t rea+on or con+*+tenc2.
%/r +tra*ned relat*on+ co/ld not la+t. %ne da2 the +tor0 1/r+t, and (en left. ,or
.ood. L*+tle++ and dr26e2ed, I +ank *nto a cha*r. ,*t-* wa+ near 0e, +ooth*n.l2 +trok*n.
02 head.
C8A=T"# KLAII
T8" )%T8"# "A#T8 (&LL"TIN L%%K"$ )ALL C%)=A#"$ !IT8 o/r
pre4*o/+ p/1l*cat*on, 1/t *t wa+ the 1e+t we co/ld do *n tho+e hara++*n. da2+. The
pol*t*cal +k2 wa+ da*l2 .row*n. darker, the at0o+phere char.ed w*th hate and
4*olence, and no +*.n of rel*ef an2where *n the w*de &n*ted tate+. And a.a*n *t wa+
#/++*a to +hed the f*r+t ra2 of hope /pon an otherw*+e hopele++ world.
The %cto1er #e4ol/t*on +/ddenl2 rent the clo/d+, *t+ fla0e+ +pread*n. to the
re0ote+t corner+ of the earth, carr2*n. the 0e++a.e of f/lf*l0ent of the +/pre0e
pro0*+e the ,e1r/ar2 #e4ol/t*on had held o/t.
The L4o4+ and the )*l*/ko4+ had p*tted the*r fee1le +tren.th a.a*n+t the .reat
.*ant, a people r*+en *n re1ell*on, and had 1een cr/+hed *n the*r t/rn, l*ke the T+ar
1efore the0. "4en Keren+k2 and h*+ part2 had al+o fa*led to learn the .reat le++on9
the2 for.ot the*r pled.e+ to the pea+ant+ and worker+ a+ +oon a+ the2 had a+cended to
power. ,or decade+ the oc*al #e4ol/t*on*+t+ 666 ne3t to the anarch*+t+, altho/.h far
0ore n/0ero/+ and 1etter or.an*-ed 666 had 1een the 0o+t potent lea4en *n #/++*a.
The*r loft2 *deal and a*0+, the*r hero*+0 and 0art2rdo0, had 1een the l/0*no/+
1eacon to draw tho/+and+ to the*r 1anner. ,or a 1r*ef per*od the*r part2 and *t+ leader+,
Keren+k2, Tcherno4, and other+, had re0a*ned att/ned to the +p*r*t of the ,e1r/ar2
da2+. The2 had a1ol*+hed the death6penalt2, thrown open the pr*+on+ of the l*4*n.
dead, and 1ro/.ht hope to e4er2 pea+ant:+ h/t and worker:+ ho4el, to e4er2 0an and
wo0an *n 1onda.e. The2 had procla*0ed freedo0 of +peech, pre++, and a++e01l2 for
the f*r+t t*0e *n the h*+tor2 of #/++*a, .rand .e+t/re+ that 0et w*th the accla*0 of all
l*1ert26lo4*n. people *n the world.
To the 0a++e+, howe4er, the pol*t*cal chan.e+ had repre+ented onl2 the o/tward
+201ol of the real l*1ert2 to co0e 666 ce++at*on of war, acce++ to the land, and
reor.an*-at*on of the econo0*c l*fe. The+e were to the0 the f/nda0ental and e++ent*al
4al/e+ of the #e4ol/t*on. (/t Keren+k2 and h*+ part2 had fa*led to r*+e to the
+*t/at*on. The2 had *.nored the pop/lar need, and the onr/+h*n. t*de +wept the0
awa2. The %cto1er #e4ol/t*on wa+ the c/l0*nat*on of pa++*onate drea0+ and
lon.*n.+, the 1/r+t*n. of the people:+ wrath a.a*n+t the part2 that *t had tr/+ted and
that had fa*led.
19F
The A0er*can pre++, ne4er a1le to +ee 1eneath the +/rface, deno/nced the %cto1er
/phea4al a+ @er0an propa.anda, and *t+ prota.on*+t+, Len*n, Trot+k2, and the*r co6
worker+, a+ the Ka*+er:+ h*rel*n.+. ,or 0onth+ the +cr*1e+ fa1r*cated fanta+t*c
*n4ent*on+ a1o/t (ol+he4*k #/++*a. The*r *.norance of the force+ that had led /p to
the %cto1er #e4ol/t*on wa+ a+ appall*n. a+ the*r p/er*le atte0pt+ to *nterpret the
0o4e0ent headed 12 Len*n. 8ardl2 a +*n.le new+paper e4*denced the lea+t
/nder+tand*n. of 1ol+he4*+0 a+ a +oc*al concept*on enterta*ned 12 0en of 1r*ll*ant
0*nd+, w*th the -eal and co/ra.e of 0art2r+.
&nfort/natel2 the A0er*can pre++ d*d not +tand alone *n the 0*+repre+entat*on of
the (ol+he4*k*. )o+t of the l*1eral+ and +oc*al*+t+ were w*th the0. It wa+ the 0ore
/r.ent for the anarch*+t+ and other real re4ol/t*on*+t+ to take /p c/d.el+ for the
4*l*f*ed 0en and the*r part *n ha+ten*n. e4ent+ *n #/++*a. In the col/0n+ of the )other
"arth (/llet*n, fro0 the platfor0, and 12 e4er2 other 0ean+ we defended the
(ol+he4*k* a.a*n+t cal/0n2 and +lander. Tho/.h the2 were )ar3*+t+ and therefore
.o4ern0ental*+t+, I +*ded w*th the0 1eca/+e the2 had rep/d*ated war and had the
w*+do0 to +tre++ the fact that pol*t*cal freedo0 w*tho/t corre+pond*n. econo0*c
e>/al*t2 *+ an e0pt2 1oa+t. I >/oted fro0 Len*n:+ pa0phlet =ol*t*cal =art*e+ and the
=ro1le0+ of the =roletar*at to pro4e that h*+ de0and+ were e++ent*all2 what the oc*al
#e4ol/t*on*+t+ had wanted, 1/t had 1een too t*0*d to carr2 o/t. Len*n +tro4e for a
de0ocrat*c rep/1l*c 0ana.ed 12 +o4*et+ of worker+, +old*er+, and pea+ant dep/t*e+.
8e de0anded the *00ed*ate con4ocat*on of the Con+t*t/ent A++e01l2, +peed2
.eneral peace, no *nde0n*t*e+ and no anne3at*on+, and the a1ol*t*on of +ecret treat*e+.
8*+ pro.ra0 *ncl/ded the ret/rn of the land to the pea+ant pop/lat*on accord*n. to
need and act/al work*n. a1*l*t2, control of *nd/+tr*e+ 12 the proletar*at, the for0at*on
of an Internat*onal *n e4er2 land for the co0plete a1ol*t*on of the e3*+t*n.
.o4ern0ent+ and cap*tal*+0, and the e+ta1l*+h0ent of h/0an +ol*dar*t2 and
1rotherhood.
)o+t of the+e de0and+ were ent*rel2 *n keep*n. w*th anarch*+t *dea+ and were
therefore ent*tled to o/r +/pport. (/t wh*le I ha*led and hono/red the (ol+he4*k* a+
co0rade+ *n a co00on f*.ht, I ref/+ed to cred*t the0 w*th what had 1een
acco0pl*+hed 12 the effort+ of the ent*re #/++*an people. The %cto1er #e4ol/t*on,
l*ke the ,e1r/ar2 o4erthrow, wa+ the ach*e4e0ent of the 0a++e+, the*r own .lor*o/+
work.
A.a*n I lon.ed to ret/rn to #/++*a and to part*c*pate *n the ta+k of re6creat*n. her
new l*fe. Yet once 0ore I wa+ deta*ned 12 02 adopted co/ntr2, f*r0l2 held 12 two
2ear+: pr*+on +entence. 8owe4er, I +t*ll had two 0onth+ at 02 d*+po+al 1efore the
dec*+*on of the &n*ted tate+ /pre0e Co/rt +ho/ld 1e handed down, and I co/ld
acco0pl*+h +o0eth*n. *n the 0eant*0e.
The &n*ted tate+ /pre0e Co/rt, alwa2+ +low *n *t+ .r*nd*n., had often re>/*red
2ear+ to 1r*n. forth *t+ olo0on*c w*+do0. (/t *t wa+ war t*0e, and pre++ and p/lp*t
were howl*n. for the po/nd of fle+h to 1e c/t fro0 the anarch*+t+ and other re1el+.
The a/./+t 1od2 *n !a+h*n.ton re+ponded >/*ckl2. $ece01er 10 wa+ to 1e the
dec*+*4e da2 666 Law2er+: $a2, reall2, for no fewer than +e4en 0e01er+ of the
profe++*on wo/ld ar./e the /ncon+t*t/t*onal*t2 of con+cr*pt*on and the >/e+t*on of
con+p*rac2 *n4ol4ed *n the ca+e+ of Kra0er and (ecker, (erk0an and @old0an.
19G
%/r attorne2, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, had .one to !a+h*n.ton. 8*+ 1r*ef conta*ned a
thoro/.h anal2+*+ of the 4ar*o/+ pha+e+ of the +*t/at*on, 1/t what appealed 0o+t to /+
wa+ the pro.re++*4e 4*ew taken 12 h*0 of the h/0an 4al/e+ and the +oc*al 4*+*on that
were the ke26note of h*+ ar./0ent. To /+ *t wa+ a fore.one concl/+*on that 0o+t of
the .entle0en of the /pre0e Co/rt were too old and fee1le to +tand o/t a.a*n+t the
patr*ot*c cla0o/r. (/t the few re0a*n*n. da2+ t*ll $ece01er 10 were 0*ne, and I
dec*ded to e0plo2 the0 for a h/rr*ed to/r9 I wo/ld carr2 the 0e++a.e of the #/++*an
#e4ol/t*on to the people and tell the0 the tr/th a1o/t the (ol+he4*k*.
The )oone2 pro+ec/t*on wa+ *n tro/1le9 the ,ederal *n4e+t*.ator+ were look*n. too
+earch*n.l2 *nto *t+ crooked .a0e. Added to th*+ wa+ the 0o4e0ent *n an ,ranc*+co
for ,*ckert:+ recall. The $*+tr*ct Attorne2 had al+o ca/+e for cha.r*n 1eca/+e of the
ref/+al of @o4ernor !h*t0an to del*4er a+ha /nt*l the record+ *n h*+ ca+e +ho/ld 1e
forthco0*n.. It wa+ a rotten deal to .*4e a 0an who had alread2 +er4ed h*+ 0a+ter+ +o
well *n the (*ll*n.+6)oone2 tr*al+. (/t ,*ckert d*d not de+pa*r. 8e wo/ld pro4e that
h*+ lo2alt2 to 1*. 1/+*ne++ co/ld not 1e da0pened. 8e +t*ll had three other cr*0*nal+ *n
h*+ cl/tche+ 666 #ena )oone2, I+rael !e*n1er., and "dward $. Nolan. 8e wo/ld f*r+t
.et r*d of the09 then, when the /pre0e Co/rt +ho/ld ha4e dec*ded (erk0an:+ fate,
he wo/ld +ec/re h*0 al+o. ,or the +ake of one:+ d/t2 one 0/+t learn to pract*+e
pat*ence, and the an ,ranc*+co $*+tr*ct Attorne2 co/ld afford to 1*de h*+ t*0e. 8e
not*f*ed Al1an2 that he wo/ld te0porar*l2 w*thdraw h*+ de0and for the e3trad*t*on of
Ale3ander (erk0an.
a+ha had to p/t /p a twent26f*4e6tho/+and6dollar 1ond *n the ,ederal con+p*rac2
ca+e. The e+tee0 and pop/lar*t2 wh*ch he en7o2ed a0on. the worker+ *00ed*atel2
1ro/.ht the Y*dd*+h la1o/r or.an*-at*on+ and *nd*4*d/al fr*end+ to h*+ re+c/e. (/t *t
took 0/ch 0ore t*0e and a .reat deal of effort to o4erco0e the red tape of the law. At
la+t that wa+ al+o 0a+tered, and a+ha wa+ once 0ore a free 0an. It wa+ no +0all
+at*+fact*on to e4er2one connected w*th o/r work to ha4e h*0 *n o/r 0*d+t a.a*n. A+
to a+ha, he re+e01led a 1o2 pla2*n. hook2 fro0 +chool. 8e wa+ l*.ht6hearted and
.a2, tho/.h he knew, a+ we all d*d, that he wo/ld +oon ha4e to .o to another pr*+on
for a lon.er +ta2. 8*+ le. had not 2et healed and he needed a re+t. I propo+ed that he
take ad4anta.e of h*+ +hort re+p*te and .o to the co/ntr2, 1/t he co/ld not th*nk of *t,
he +a*d, +o lon. a+ an ,ranc*+co wa+ hold*n. *t+ 4*ct*0+. %/r a.*tat*on had
con+*dera1l2 +haken ,*ckert:+ +elf6a++/rance. 8*+ fa*l/re to +ec/re a+ha:+ e3trad*t*on
had 1een followed 12 other 0*+fort/ne+. !e*n1er. had 1een ac>/*tted after the 7/r2
had del*1erated for three 0*n/te+ onl2, and the e3po+/re of the pro+ec/t*on:+ e4*dence
a+ per7/r2 had co0pelled the $*+tr*ct Attorne2 to drop proceed*n.+ a.a*n+t #ena
)oone2 and "d Nolan. (/t, the o4erwhel0*n. proof+ of fra0e6/p notw*th+tand*n.,
the two la1o/r 0en had not e+caped h*+ cle4er 0an*p/lat*on+. Two *nnocent 0en, one
*00/red for l*fe, the other fac*n. death? 8ow, then, co/ld a+ha per0*t h*0+elf a
4acat*onB It wa+ *0po++*1le, he dec*ded. A few da2+ after h*+ relea+e he wa+ a.a*n
*00er+ed *n the an ,ranc*+co ca0pa*.n.
A new worker *n the )oone2 f*eld now appeared, L/c2 #o11*n+. I had 0et her on
02 to/r+, 1/t +o0ehow we had not 1een clo+e. I knew, howe4er, that L/c2 wa+ an
eff*c*ent or.an*-er, and that +he had 1een act*4e *n the la1o/r and rad*cal 0o4e0ent+.
!h*le I wa+ lect/r*n. *n Lo+ An.ele+ *n 191F, L/c2 and (o1 #o11*n+ had looked 0e
/p. I had fo/nd the0 del*.htf/l co0pan2, and a fr*end+h*p +pran. /p 1etween /+.
19H
L/c2 d*+pro4ed the 0ale content*on re.ard*n. wo0an:+ lack of 0echan*cal a1*l*t2.
he wa+ a 1orn en.*neer and a0on. the f*r+t *n the co/ntr2 to de4*+e and 1/*ld an
a/to6ho/+e, wh*ch for co0fort and char0 e3celled 0an2 a worker:+ apart0ent. It wa+
/n*>/e, w*th *t+ d*0*n/t*4e c/p1oard+ and dre++er+, and conta*ned e4en a 1ath. In
add*t*on L/c2 and (o1 carr*ed w*th the0 a co0plete pr*nt*n. o/tf*t. In th*+ *n.en*o/+
ho/+e on wheel+ the2 0ade the*r wa2 fro0 coa+t to coa+t, w*th L/c2 a+ the cha/ffe/r.
At po*nt+ alon. the ro/te the2 +ol*c*ted pr*nt*n. order+, f*lled the0 on the +pot, and
th/+ earned the*r l*4*n.6e3pen+e+. The*r tra4ell*n. co0pan*on+ were a phono.raph
and two l*ttle do.+, one of wh*ch wa+ an /nco0pro0*+*n. ant*6e0*te. A+ +oon a+ an2
;ew*+h 0elod2 wo/ld 1e pla2ed, the fo/r6footed ;ew6hater wo/ld +tart /p an
/nearthl2 howl and he wo/ld not de+*+t /nt*l the offen+*4e 0/+*c +topped. That wa+
the onl2 d*+t/r1*n. ele0ent *n the otherw*+e happ2 l*fe of 02 new fr*end+ on the*r
pera01/lat*on+.
The2 arr*4ed *n New York for a 1r*ef +ta2, 1/t when the2 learned that the2 co/ld
1e of help *n o/r ca0pa*.n for )oone2, the2 at once 4ol/nteered to re0a*n. The2 p/t
the*r wheeled ca+tle *n +tora.e and went to l*4e *n a l*ttle roo0 *n the Lafa2ette treet
ho/+e where o/r off*ce wa+ located. L/c2 +oon pro4ed her+elf a+ capa1le *n
*ntere+t*n. /n*on+ and or.an*-*n. 1*. affa*r+ a+ +he had 1een a+ an arch*tect,
con+tr/ctor, 0echan*c, and ;ack of all trade+. he /nder+tood #ealpol*t*k lon. 1efore
the ter0 had 1eco0e a 4o./e. he wo/ld .row *0pat*ent w*th o/r *dea that ne*ther
lo4e nor war 7/+t*f*e+ all 0ean+. !e, on the other hand, were an2th*n. 1/t
+20pathet*c w*th her tendenc2 to .et re+/lt+ e4en *f the .oal were lo+t *n the proce++.
!e +crapped a .reat deal, 1/t *t d*d not le++en o/r re.ard for L/c2 a+ a .ood worker
and fr*end. he wa+ a 4*tal creat/re w*th /nl*0*ted ener.2, who0 no one co/ld
e+cape. I wa+ happ2 that a+ha and ,*t-* now had L/c2 a+ the*r a*de6de6ca0p. I felt
+/re that the three of the0 wo/ld 0ake th*n.+ h/0.
8arr2 !e*n1er.er 1ro/.ht the new+ that the /pre0e Co/rt wa+ not l*kel2 to reach
o/r ca+e+ /nt*l the 0*ddle of ;an/ar2, and he al+o *nfor0ed /+ that we +ho/ld 1e .*4en
a 0onth:+ t*0e after the dec*+*on 1efore 1e*n. called /pon to +/rrender. That wa+
enco/ra.*n. *n 4*ew of the d*ff*c/lt2 of hold*n. o/t6of6town 0eet*n.+ near Chr*+t0a+.
%/r +tand a.a*n+t con+cr*pt*on and o/r conde0nat*on to pr*+on had .a*ned /+
0an2 new fr*end+, a0on. the0 8elen Keller. I had lon. wanted to 0eet th*+
re0arka1le wo0an who had o4erco0e the 0o+t appall*n. ph2+*cal d*+a1*l*t*e+. I had
attended one of her lect/re+, wh*ch wa+ to 0e an affect*n. e3per*ence. 8elen Keller:+
pheno0enal con>/e+t had +tren.thened 02 fa*th *n the al0o+t *ll*0*ta1le power of the
h/0an w*ll.
!hen we had 1e./n o/r ca0pa*.n, I wrote to her a+k*n. her +/pport. Not
rece*4*n. a repl2 for a lon. t*0e, I concl/ded that her own l*fe wa+ too d*ff*c/lt to
per0*t *ntere+t *n the tra.ed*e+ of the world. !eek+ later ca0e a 0e++a.e fro0 her
that f*lled 0e w*th +ha0e for ha4*n. do/1ted her. ,ar fro0 1e*n. +elf6a1+or1ed, 8elen
Keller pro4ed her+elf capa1le of an all6e01rac*n. lo4e for h/0an*t2 and profo/nd
feel*n. for *t+ woe and de+pa*r. he had 1een a1+ent w*th her teacher6co0pan*on *n
the co/ntr2, +he wrote, where +he had heard of o/r arre+t.
5)2 heart wa+ tro/1led,5 the letter cont*n/ed, 5and I wanted to do +o0eth*n. and I
wa+ tr2*n. to 0ake /p 02 0*nd what to do when 2o/r letter ca0e. (el*e4e 0e, 02
19<
4er2 heart6p/l+e *+ *n the re4ol/t*on that *+ to *na/./rate a freer, happ*er +oc*et2. Can
2o/ *0a.*ne what *t *+ to +*t *dl*n. the+e da2+ of f*erce act*on, of re4ol/t*on and dar*n.
po++*1*l*t*e+B I a0 +o f/ll of lon.*n. to +er4e, to lo4e and 1e lo4ed, to help th*n.+
alon., and to .*4e happ*ne++. It +ee0+ a+ *f the 4er2 *nten+*t2 of 02 de+*re 0/+t 1r*n.
f/lf*l0ent, 1/t, ala+, noth*n. happen+. !h2 ha4e I th*+ pa++*onate de+*re to 1e a part
of a no1le +tr/..le when fate ha+ +entenced 0e to da2+ of *neffect/al wa*t*n.B There
*+ no an+wer. It *+ tantal*-*n. al0o+t to the po*nt of fren-2. (/t one th*n. *+ +/re 666
2o/ can alwa2+ co/nt /pon 02 lo4e and +/pport. Tho+e who are 1l*nded *n e2e
1eca/+e the2 ref/+e to +ee tell /+ that *n t*0e+ l*ke the+e w*+e 0en hold the*r ton./e+.
(/t 2o/ are not hold*n. 2o/r ton./e, nor are the I.!.!. co0rade+ hold*n. the*r
ton./e+ 666 1le++*n.+ /pon 2o/ and the0. No, Co0rade, 2o/ 0/+t not hold 2o/r
ton./e, 2o/r work 0/+t .o on, altho/.h all the earthl2 power+ co01*ne a.a*n+t *t.
Ne4er were co/ra.e and fort*t/de +o terr*1l2 needed a+ now...5
Th*+ letter wa+ +oon followed 12 o/r 0eet*n., wh*ch took place at a 1all .*4en 12
the )a++e+. The affa*r wa+ to +er4e a+ a de0on+trat*on of +ol*dar*t2 w*th the *nd*cted
.ro/p of the p/1l*cat*on 666 )a3 "a+t0an, ;ohn #eed, ,lo2d $ell, and Art Yo/n.. I
wa+ .lad to learn that 8elen Keller wa+ pre+ent. The 0ar4ello/+ wo0an, 1ereft of the
0o+t 4*tal h/0an +en+e+, co/ld ne4erthele++, 12 her p+2ch*c +tren.th, +ee and hear and
art*c/late. The electr*c c/rrent of her 4*1rant f*n.er+ on 02 l*p+ and her +en+*t*-ed
hand o4er 0*ne +poke 0ore than 0ere ton./e. It el*0*nated ph2+*cal 1arr*er+ and held
one *n the +pell of the 1ea/t2 of her *nner world.
191H had 1een a 2ear of 0o+t *nten+e act*4*t2, and *t de+er4ed to rece*4e a f*tt*n.
farewell. %/r New Year:+ part2 *n tella:+ and Tedd2:+ >/arter+ appropr*atel2
perfor0ed the pa.an r*te+. ,or once we for.ot the pre+ent and *.nored what to0orrow
0*.ht 1r*n.. The 1ottle+ popped, the .la++e+ cl*nked, and heart+ .rew 2o/n. *n pla2
and dance. The 1ea/t*f/l clo.6danc*n. of o/r ;/l*a, lan:+ colo/red 0a002, and her
fr*end+ enhanced the .eneral h*lar*t2. ,a*thf/l and lo4*n. wa+ o/r ;/l*a, f/ll of frol*c
and f/n. he wa+ the +o/l of o/r c*rcle and 02 r*.ht hand *n 0ak*n. the 0o/nta*n+ of
+andw*che+ o/r fr*end+ de4o/red. @a*l2 we welco0ed the new 2ear. L*fe wa+ all/r*n.
and e4er2 ho/r of freedo0 prec*o/+. Atlanta and ;effer+on were far awa2.
)2 +hort lect/re to/r that followed wa+ hect*c and e3c*t*n., w*th no hall+ lar.e
eno/.h to hold the crowd+, enth/+*a+0 for #/++*a r/nn*n. h*.h e4er2where.
In Ch*ca.o I had n*ne 0eet*n.+ arran.ed 12 the Non6=art*+an #ad*cal Lea./e, w*th
!*ll*a0 Nathan+on, (*lo4, and later a+ *t+ act*4e 0e01er+. And of co/r+e there wa+
(en, 0ak*n. a +/cce++ of h*+ 0ed*cal pract*ce, 1/t, l*ke #a+koln*ko4, alwa2+ +teal*n.
1ack to the +cene of h*+ old cr*0e+.
Ne4er 1efore had Ch*ca.o +hown +/ch +pontaneo/+ fer4o/r and re+pon+e a+ at 02
lect/re+ on #/++*a. Add*t*onal *ntere+t wa+ lent to the occa+*on 12 the dec*+*on of the
&n*ted tate+ /pre0e Co/rt, handed down ;an/ar2 1F declar*n. the $raft Law
con+t*t/t*onal. ,orc*1le con+cr*pt*on, co0pell*n. the 2o/th of the co/ntr2 to d*e acro++
the +ea+, rece*4ed the appro4*n. +eal of the h*.he+t co/rt *n the land. =rote+t a.a*n+t
h/0an +la/.hter wa+ declared o/tlawed. @od and the anc*ent .entle0en had +poken,
and the*r *nf*n*te w*+do0 and 0erc2 were the +/pre0e law.
o +/re had we 1een that the dec*+*on wo/ld reflect the .eneral war p+2cho+*+ and
199
+/+ta*n the lower co/rt+ that we had two week+ pre4*o/+l2 1*dden o/r fr*end+ farewell
*n the (/llet*n. !e wrote:
(e of .ood cheer, .ood fr*end+ and co0rade+. !e are .o*n. to pr*+on w*th l*.ht
heart+. To /+ *t *+ 0ore +at*+factor2 to +ta2 1eh*nd 1ar+ than to re0a*n )&DDL"$ *n
freedo0. %/r +p*r*t w*ll not 1e da/nted, nor o/r w*ll 1roken. !e w*ll ret/rn to o/r
work *n d/e t*0e.
Th*+ *+ o/r farewell to 2o/. The l*.ht of L*1ert2 1/rn+ low 7/+t now. (/t do not
de+pa*r, fr*end+. Keep the +park al*4e. The n*.ht cannot la+t fore4er. oon there w*ll
co0e a r*ft *n the darkne++, and the New $a2 1reak e4en *n th*+ co/ntr2. )a2 each of
/+ feel that we ha4e contr*1/ted o/r 0*te toward the .reat Awaken*n..
"))A @%L$)AN
AL"KAN$"# ("#K)AN
After Ch*ca.o ca0e $etro*t, where the +/cce++ of 02 fo/r 0eet*n.+ wa+ a++/red
12 the or.an*-*n. +k*ll of 02 fr*end+ ;ake ,*+h0an and h*+ hand+o0e and capa1le
w*fe, )*nn*e. =eople ca0e en 0a++e, reflect*n. the new61orn hope, who+e na0e wa+
#/++*a, awakened *n the 1rea+t+ of the+e A0er*can wa.e6+la4e+. )2 anno/nce0ent of
the =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+: A0ne+t2 Lea./e wh*ch I wa+ plann*n. to or.an*-e *n New
York 1efore enter*n. the ;effer+on pr*+on wa+ rece*4ed w*th fren-*ed accla*0, and a
lar.e +/0 wa+ added to the f/nd +tarted *n Ch*ca.o.
In Ann Ar1or *t wa+ A.ne+ In.l*+, an old fr*end and a +plend*d worker, who had
0ade the nece++ar2 arran.e0ent+ for 02 two lect/re+. (/t the no1le $a/.hter+ of the
A0er*can #e4ol/t*on w*lled *t otherw*+e. o0e of tho+e anc*ent fe0ale+ prote+ted to
the 0a2or, and he, poor +o/l, happened to 1e of @er0an parenta.e. !hat co/ld he do
1/t carr2 o/t the +p*r*t of tr/e A0er*can *ndependenceB )2 0eet*n.+ were
+/ppre++ed.
The end of ;an/ar2 ter0*nated the hope+ 0an2 of o/r fr*end+ had naI4el2
enterta*ned. The /pre0e Co/rt decl*ned to .rant /+ a rehear*n. or to dela2 the co/r+e
of le.al 7/+t*ce f/rther. ,e1r/ar2 F wa+ +et for o/r reco00*t0ent to pr*+on. e4en
0ore da2+ of freedo0, the nearne++ of lo4ed one+, the a++oc*at*on of fa*thf/l fr*end+
666 we po/red o/r+el4e+ *nto e4er2 +econd. %/r la+t e4en*n. *n New York wa+ de4oted
to o/r f*nal p/1l*c appearance and to the or.an*-at*on of the =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+:
A0ne+t2 Lea./e.
$ele.ate+ of the &n*on of #/++*an !orker+ fro0 e4er2 part of the &n*ted tate+
and Canada were hold*n. a conference *n New York. a+ha and I had 1een *n4*ted a+
the ./e+t+ of hono/r. An o4at*on .reeted /+ on o/r appearance, the ent*re a++e01l2
r*+*n. to welco0e /+. a+ha wa+ the f*r+t +peaker. In hono/r of the %cto1er
#e4ol/t*on and a+ a token of +pec*al apprec*at*on of the conference he 0eant to +a2 a
few word+ *n #/++*an. 8e *ndeed 1e.an *n that lan./a.e, 1/t he .ot no f/rther than
5$oro.*2e to4ar*+tch* M$ear co0rade+N,5 cont*n/*n. *n "n.l*+h. I tho/.ht I co/ld do
1etter, 1/t I wa+ 0*+taken. o co0pletel2 had we 1eco0e *dent*f*ed w*th the l*fe and
+peech of A0er*ca that we had lo+t the fl/ent /+e of o/r nat*4e ton./e. Yet we had
alwa2+ kept *n to/ch w*th #/++*an affa*r+ and l*terat/re and had co6operated w*th
rad*cal #/++*an effort+ *n the &n*ted tate+. !e pro0*+ed o/r a/d*ence, howe4er, to
C00
addre++ the0 the ne3t t*0e *n the*r own 1ea/t*f/l lan./a.e 666 perchance *n the land of
l*1ert2.
The fro+t2 da2 had pla2ed ha4oc w*th tella:+ .a+, 1/t .reater con+p*rac*e+ had
1een concocted 12 candlel*.ht. %/r+ wa+ the for0at*on of the =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+:
A0ne+t2 Lea./e. Leonard $. A11ott, $r. C. Andrew+, =r*nce 8opk*n+, L*ll*an
(rown, L/c2 and (o1 #o11*n+, and other+ of o/r co6worker+ were pre+ent at the 1*rth
of the new or.an*-at*on. =r*nce 8opk*n+ wa+ cho+en per0anent cha*r0an, w*th
Leonard a+ trea+/rer, and ,*t-* a+ +ecretar2. The f/nd+ I had collected for the p/rpo+e
*n Ch*ca.o and $etro*t were t/rned o4er a+ +tart*n. cap*tal of the new 1od2. It wa+
late, or rather earl2 ,e1r/ar2 4, when o/r fr*end+ 1ade /+ ha*l and farewell. There
were +t*ll the proof+ to 1e read of 02 1roch/re The Tr/th a1o/t the (ol+he4*k*, 1/t
,*t-* con+*deratel2 /ndertook to +ee the pa0phlet +afel2 thro/.h.
A few ho/r+ later we proceeded to the ,ederal (/*ld*n. to +/rrender. I offered to
0ake the tr*p to the pr*+on 12 02+elf and pa2 02 own fare, 1/t 02 +/..e+t*on 0et
w*th the *ncred/lo/+ +0*le+ of the off*c*al+. The dep/t2 0ar+hal and h*+ lad2 a.a*n
+hared 02 co0part0ent on o/r wa2 to the ;effer+on C*t2 pen*tent*ar2.
)2 fellow6pr*+oner+ .reeted 0e a+ a lon.6lo+t +*+ter. The2 were 4er2 +orr2 that the
/pre0e Co/rt had dec*ded a.a*n+t 0e, 1/t +*nce I had to +er4e 02 +entence, the2 had
hoped that I wo/ld 1e ret/rned to ;effer+on C*t2. I 0*.ht help to 1r*n. a1o/t +o0e
*0pro4e0ent+, the2 tho/.ht, *f I co/ld 0ana.e to .et at )r. =a*nter, the !arden. 8e
wa+ con+*dered 5a .ood 0an,5 1/t the2 rarel2 +aw h*0, and the2 were +/re he d*d not
know what wa+ .o*n. on *n the fe0ale w*n..
Alread2 d/r*n. 02 f*r+t +ta2 of two week+ I had real*-ed that the *n0ate+ *n the
)*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2, l*ke tho+e at (lackwell:+ I+land, were recr/*ted fro0 the lowe+t
+oc*al +trata. !*th the e3cept*on of 02 cell ne*.h1o/r, who wa+ a wo0an a1o4e the
a4era.e, the n*net26odd pr*+oner+ were poor wretche+ of the world of po4ert2 and
dra1ne++. Colo/red or wh*te, 0o+t of the0 had 1een dr*4en to cr*0e 12 cond*t*on+
that had .reeted the0 at 1*rth. )2 f*r+t *0pre++*on wa+ +tren.thened 12 da*l2 contact
w*th the *n0ate+ d/r*n. a per*od of twent26one 0onth+. The content*on+ of cr*0*nal
p+2cholo.*+t+ notw*th+tand*n., I fo/nd no cr*0*nal+ a0on. the0, 1/t onl2
/nfort/nate+, 1roken, haple++, and hopele++ h/0an 1e*n.+.
The ;effer+on C*t2 pr*+on wa+ a 0odel *n 0an2 re+pect+. The cell+ were do/1le the
+*-e of the pe+t hole+ of 1<93, tho/.h the2 were not l*.ht eno/.h, e3cept on 4er2
+/nn2 da2+, /nle++ one wa+ +o fort/nate a+ to ha4e a cell d*rectl2 fac*n. a w*ndow.
)o+t of the0 had ne*ther l*.ht nor 4ent*lat*on. =erhap+ o/thern people do not care
for 0/ch fre+h a*r9 the prec*o/+ ele0ent certa*nl2 +ee0ed ta1ooed *n 02 new
1oard*n.6ho/+e. %nl2 *n e3tre0el2 hot weather were the corr*dor w*ndow+ opened.
%/r l*fe wa+ 4er2 de0ocrat*c *n the +en+e that we all rece*4ed the +a0e treat0ent,
were 0ade to *nhale the +a0e 4*t*ated a*r and 1athe *n the +a0e t/1. The .reat
ad4anta.e, howe4er, wa+ that one wa+ not co0pelled to +hare one:+ cell w*th an2one
el+e. Th*+ 1le++*n. co/ld 1e apprec*ated 12 tho+e onl2 who had end/red the ordeal of
the cont*n/o/+ pro3*0*t2 of another h/0an 1e*n..
The contract la1o/r +2+te0 had 1een off*c*all2 a1ol*+hed *n the pen*tent*ar2, I wa+
told. The tate wa+ now the e0plo2er, 1/t the o1l*.ator2 ta+k the new 1o++ *0po+ed
C01
wa+ not 0/ch l*.hter than the to*l the pr*4ate contractor had e3acted. Two 0onth+
were allowed to learn the trade, wh*ch con+*+ted *n +ew*n. 7acket+, o4erall+, a/to
coat+, and +/+pender+. The ta+k+ 4ar*ed fro0 fort26f*4e to a h/ndred and twent26one
7acket+ a da2, or fro0 n*ne to e*.hteen do-en +/+pender+. !h*le the act/al 0ach*ne
work on the d*fferent ta+k+ wa+ the +a0e, +o0e of the0 re>/*red do/1le ph2+*cal
e3ert*on. The f/ll co0ple0ent of work wa+ de0anded w*tho/t re.ard to a.e or
ph2+*cal cond*t*on. "4en *llne++, /nle++ of a 4er2 +er*o/+ nat/re, wa+ not con+*dered
+/ff*c*ent ca/+e for rel*e4*n. the worker. &nle++ one had pre4*o/+ e3per*ence *n
+ew*n., or a +pec*al apt*t/de for *t, the ach*e4e0ent of the ta+k wa+ a +o/rce of
con+tant tro/1le and worr2. There wa+ no con+*derat*on for h/0an 4ar*at*on+, no
allowance for ph2+*cal l*0*tat*on+, e3cept for a few fa4o/r*te+ of the off*c*al+, who
were /+/all2 the 0o+t worthle++.
The +hop wa+ dreaded 12 all the *n0ate+, part*c/larl2 on acco/nt of the fore0an.
8e wa+ a 1o2 of twent26one who had 1een *n char.e of the tread0*ll +*nce he wa+
+*3teen. An a01*t*o/+ 2o/n. 0an, he wa+ 4er2 cle4er *n pre++*n. the ta+k+ o/t of the
wo0en. If *n+/lt+ fa*led, the threat of p/n*+h0ent 1ro/.ht re+/lt+. The wo0en were +o
terror*-ed 12 h*0 that the2 rarel2 dared to +peak /p. If an2one d*d, +he 1eca0e h*+
+pec*al tar.et for per+ec/t*on. 8e wa+ not e4en a4er+e to ro11*n. the0 of a part of
the*r work and then report*n. the0 for *0p/dence, th/+ *ncrea+*n. the*r p/n*+h0ent
for 1e*n. +hort of the ta+k. ,o/r /nfa4o/ra1le 0ark+ a 0onth 0eant a drop *n the
.rade, wh*ch *n ret/rn 1ro/.ht a lo++ of 5.ood t*0e.5
The )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2 wa+ r/n on the 0er*t +2+te0, of wh*ch @rade A wa+ the
h*.he+t. To atta*n that .oal 0eant to ha4e one:+ +entence red/ced al0o+t 12 half, at
lea+t +o far a+ the tate pr*+oner+ were concerned. !e ,ederal+ 0*.ht work o/r+el4e+
to death w*tho/t 1enef*t*n. 12 o/r effort+. The onl2 red/ct*on of t*0e we were
allowed wa+ the /+/al two 0onth+ off each 2ear. The dread of fa*l*n. to reach Cla++ A
wh*pped the non6,ederal+ 1e2ond the*r +tren.th *n an atte0pt to acco0pl*+h the ta+k.
The fore0an wa+ of co/r+e 1/t a co. *n the pr*+on 0ach*ne, the centre of wh*ch
wa+ the tate of )*++o/r*. It wa+ do*n. 1/+*ne++ w*th pr*4ate f*r0+, draw*n. *t+
c/+to0er+ fro0 e4er2 part of the &n*ted tate+, a+ I +oon d*+co4ered 12 the la1el+ we
had to +ew on the th*n.+ we 0an/fact/red. "4en poor old A1e had 1een t/rned *nto a
+weater of con4*ct la1o/r: the L*ncoln ;o11*n. 8o/+e of )*lwa/kee had the p*ct/re of
the L*1erator on *t+ la1el, 1ear*n. the le.end: 5Tr/e to h*+ co/ntr2, tr/e to o/r trade.5
The f*r0+ 1o/.ht o/r la1o/r for a +on. and the2 were therefore *n a po+*t*on to
/nder+ell tho+e e0plo2*n. /n*on la1o/r. In other word+, the tate of )*++o/r* wa+
+la4e6dr*4*n. and tor0ent*n. /+, and *n add*t*on al+o act*n. a+ +ca1 on the or.an*-ed
worker+. In th*+ co00enda1le enterpr*+e the off*c*al 1/ll2 *n o/r +hop wa+ 4er2
/+ef/l. Capta*n @*l4an, the act*n. warden, and L*lah 0*th, the head 0atron, 0ade /p
the tr*ple all*ance *n control of the pr*+on rE.*0e.
@*l4an /+ed to ad0*n*+ter flo..*n. when that 0ethod of refor0at*on wa+ *n 4o./e
*n )*++o/r*. %ther for0+ of p/n*+h0ent had +*nce taken *t+ place: depr*4at*on of
recreat*on, 1e*n. locked /p for fort26e*.ht ho/r+, /+/all2 fro0 at/rda2 to )onda2,
on a d*et of 1read and water, and the 51l*nd5 cell. The latter 0ea+/red a1o/t fo/r feet
12 e*.ht and wa+ ent*rel2 dark9 onl2 one 1lanket wa+ per0*tted and the da*l2 food6
allowance con+*+ted of two +l*ce+ of 1read and two c/p+ of water. In that cell
pr*+oner+ were kept fro0 three to twent26two da2+. There were al+o 1/llr*n.+, wh*ch,
C0C
howe4er, were not /+ed on wh*te wo0en d/r*n. 02 +ta2.
Capta*n @*l4an lo4ed to p/n*+h the *n0ate+ *n the 1l*nd cell and to han. the0 /p
12 the wr*+t+. 5Yo/ 0/+t 0ake the ta+k,5 he wo/ld 1ellow9 5no +/ch th*n. a+ :can:t.: I
p/n*+h cheerf/ll2, 0ark 2o/ that?5 8e for1ade /+ to lea4e o/r work w*tho/t
per0*++*on, e4en to .o to the to*let. %nce *n the +hop, after a 0ore than /+/all2 1r/tal
o/t1reak on h*+ part, I approached h*0. 5I 0/+t tell 2o/ that the ta+k *+ +heer tort/re,
e+pec*all2 for the older wo0en,5 I +a*d the *n+/ff*c*ent food and con+tant p/n*+h0ent
0ake th*n.+ e4en wor+e.5 The Capta*n t/rned l*4*d. 5Look here, @old0an,5 he
.rowled9 52o/:re /p to 0*+ch*ef. I ha4e +/+pected *t +*nce 2o/r arr*4al. The con4*ct+
ha4e ne4er co0pla*ned 1efore, and the2 ha4e alwa2+ 0ade the ta+k. It:+ 2o/ who:+
p/tt*n. not*on+ *nto the*r head+. Yo/ had 1etter look o/t. !e ha4e 1een k*nd to 2o/,
1/t *f 2o/ do not +top 2o/r a.*tat*on, we w*ll p/n*+h 2o/ l*ke the re+t, do 2o/ hearB5
5That:+ all r*.ht, Capta*n,5 I repl*ed, 51/t I repeat that the ta+k *+ 1ar1aro/+ and no
one can 0ake *t re./larl2 w*tho/t 1reak*n. down.5
8e walked awa2, followed 12 )*++ 0*th, and I ret/rned to 02 0ach*ne.
The +hop 0atron, )*++ Anna @/nther, wa+ a 4er2 decent +ort. he wo/ld pat*entl2
l*+ten to the co0pla*nt+ of the wo0en, often e3c/+e the0 fro0 work *f the2 were *ll,
and e4en o4erlook a +horta.e *n the ta+k. he had 1een e3ceed*n.l2 k*nd to 0e, and I
felt ./*lt2 o4er ha4*n. left 02 place w*tho/t per0*++*on. he d*d not reproach 0e, 1/t
+a*d that I had 1een ra+h to talk to the Capta*n a+ I had. )*++ Anna wa+ a dear +o/l,
the onl2 0oral prop the *n0ate+ had. Ala+, +he wa+ onl2 a +/1ord*nate.
The re*.n*n. >/een wa+ L*lah 0*th. A wo0an *n the fort*e+, +he had 1een
e0plo2ed *n penal *n+t*t/t*on+ +*nce her teen+. %f +0all +tat/re, 1/t co0pactl2 1/*lt,
*n appearance +he +/..e+ted r*.*d*t2 and coldne++. he had an *n.rat*at*n. 0anner,
1/t /nderneath were the hardne++ and +e4er*t2 of the =/r*tan, hat*n. *0placa1l2 e4er2
e0ot*on that had dr*ed /p *n her own 1e*n.. Ne*ther p*t2 nor co0pa++*on dwelt *n
L*lah:+ 1rea+t, and +he wa+ r/thle++ when +he +en+ed the0 *n an2one el+e. The fact
that 02 fellow6pr*+oner+ l*ked and tr/+ted 0e wa+ eno/.h to da0n 0e *n her e2e+.
Aware that I wa+ *n the .ood .race+ of the !arden, +he ne4er +howed her anta.on*+0
openl2. 8er+ wa+ the *n+*d*o/+ wa2.
The ner4e6rack*n. no*+e+ *n the +hop and the f/r*o/+ dr*4e of the work la*d 0e low
the f*r+t 0onth. )2 old +to0ach co0pla*nt 1eca0e a..ra4ated, and I +/ffered .reat
pa*n *n 02 neck and +p*ne. The pr*+on ph2+*c*an had an2th*n. 1/t a .ood rep/tat*on
a0on. the *n0ate+. 8e knew noth*n., the2 cla*0ed, and wa+ too afra*d of )*++ 0*th
to e3c/+e a pr*+oner fro0 the +hop, howe4er *ll +he 0*.ht 1e. I had +een *n0ate+
1arel2 a1le to keep on the*r feet +ent 1ack to work 12 the doctor. The fe0ale
depart0ent had no d*+pen+ar2 where pat*ent+ co/ld 1e e3a0*ned. "4en the +er*o/+l2
*ll were kept *n the*r cell+. I hated to .o to the doctor, 1/t 02 a.on2 1eca0e +o
/n1eara1le that I had to +ee h*0. 8*+ .entle 0anner +/rpr*+ed 0e. 8e had 1een told
that I wa+ feel*n. 1ad, he +a*d9 wh2 hadn:t I co0e +oonerB I 0/+t ha4e a re+t and not
re+/0e work /nt*l per0*tted 12 h*0, he ordered. 8*+ /ne3pected *ntere+t wa+ certa*nl2
a far cr2 fro0 the treat0ent other pr*+oner+ were rece*4*n. fro0 h*0. I wondered
whether h*+ k*ndne++ to 0e wa+ not d/e to the *nterce++*on of !arden =a*nter.
C03
The doctor ca0e to 02 cell e4er2 da2, 0a++a.ed 02 neck, enterta*ned 0e w*th
a0/+*n. +tor*e+, and e4en ordered a +pec*al 1roth. )2 *0pro4e0ent wa+ +low,
part*c/larl2 1eca/+e of the depre++*n. effect of 02 cell. It+ d*rt2 .re2 wall+, the lack
of l*.ht and 4ent*lat*on, and 02 *na1*l*t2 to read or do an2th*n. el+e to wh*le awa2 the
t*0e 0ade the da2 oppre++*4el2 lon.. ,or0er occ/pant+ of the cell had 0ade p*t*f/l
atte0pt+ to 1ea/t*f2 the*r pr*+on ho/+e 12 fa0*l2 photo+ and new+paper p*ct/re+ of
the*r 0at*nEe *dol+. (lack6and62ellow patche+ had 1een left on the wall, the*r fanta+t*c
o/tl*ne+ add*n. to 02 ner4o/+ re+tle++ne++. Another factor *n 02 0*+er2 wa+ the
+/dden +toppa.e of 02 0a*l9 not a word ca0e fro0 an21od2 for ten da2+.
Two week+ *n the cell 0ade 0e real*-e wh2 pr*+oner+ preferred the tort/re of the
ta+k. o0e +ort of occ/pat*on *+ the onl2 e+cape fro0 de+pa*r. None of the *n0ate+
en7o2ed 1e*n. *dle. The +hop, terr*1le a+ *t wa+, wa+ 1etter than 1e*n. locked /p *n the
cell+. I ret/rned to work. It wa+ a 1*tter +tr/..le 1etween ph2+*cal pa*n, wh*ch dro4e
0e to 02 cot, and 0ental tor0ent, wh*ch forced 0e 1ack to the +hop.
At la+t I wa+ handed a lar.e packa.e of 0a*l w*th a note fro0 )r. =a*nter +a2*n.
that he had had to +/10*t 02 *nco0*n. and o/t.o*n. corre+pondence to a ,ederal
*n+pector *n Kan+a+ C*t2, 12 order+ fro0 !a+h*n.ton. It 0ade 0e feel 4er2 *0portant
to 1e con+*dered dan.ero/+ e4en wh*le *n pr*+on. ;/+t the +a0e, I w*+hed that
!a+h*n.ton were le++ attent*4e now, when e4er2 l*ne I +ent o/t or rece*4ed wa+ 1e*n.
read 12 the head 0atron and the !arden.
/1+e>/entl2 I learned the ca/+e of the renewed concern of the ,ederal a/thor*t*e+
*n 02 tho/.ht+ and e3pre++*on+. )r. =a*nter had .*4en 0e per0*++*on to wr*te a
weekl2 letter to 02 attorne2, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er. I had co00ented to the latter on
enator =helan:+ +peech *n Con.re++ a.a*n+t To0 )oone2. Tho/+and+ of appeal+ had
1een po/r*n. *n on the @o4ernor of Cal*forn*a to +a4e )oone2:+ l*fe. ,or a &n*ted
tate+ enator to del*4er h*0+elf of a 4*nd*ct*4e attack at +/ch a 0o0ent wa+ 1oth
d*+.racef/l and cr/el. Nat/rall2 02 re0ark+ were not 4er2 co0pl*0entar2 to )r.
=helan. I had for.otten that A0er*ca +*nce enter*n. the war had t/rned e4er2 off*c*al
*nto a @e++ler, and that ho0a.e to h*+ hat had 1eco0e a nat*onal d/t2.
)2 0a*l conta*ned 0/ch d*+tre++*n. new+ alon. w*th affect*on and cheer. ,*t-*:+
apart0ent had 1een ra*ded. At n*.ht, wh*le +he and o/r 2o/n. +ecretar2, =a/l*ne, were
a+leep, ,ederal a.ent+ and detect*4e+ had 1roken *nto the ho/+e and r/+hed *nto her
roo0 1efore the .*rl+ had a chance to .et dre++ed. The off*cer+ were look*n. for an
I.!.!. con+cr*pt who had de+erted, the2 cla*0ed. ,*t-* knew noth*n. a1o/t the 0an,
1/t that d*d not +top the ra*der+ fro0 ran+ack*n. her de+k, e3a0*n*n. letter+, and
conf*+cat*n. e4er2th*n., *ncl/d*n. the plate+ of Aolta*r*ne de Cle2re:+ elected
!ork+, wh*ch we had p/1l*+hed after her death.
tella:+ letter e4*denced her an3*et2 a1o/t the )other "arth (ook+hop, wh*ch +he
and o/r fa*thf/l 5wede5 had +tarted *n @reenw*ch A*lla.e. /+p*c*o/+6look*n.
*nd*4*d/al+ had 1een con+tantl2 at the*r heel+, and cond*t*on+ were .ett*n. +o
appall*n. that people hardl2 dared to 1reathe. The )arch n/01er of the (/llet*n,
wh*ch tella had +ent, ca0e a+ a har1*n.er of +pr*n.. It conta*ned an acco/nt of 8arr2
!e*n1er.er:+ 4*+*t *n Atlanta w*th a+ha and o/r two 1o2+. a+ha had *0pre++ed on
h*0 the /r.ent need of cont*n/*n. the f*.ht for To0 )oone2:+ l*fe. Ce++at*on of o/r
effort+ for h*0 0*.ht pro4e d*+a+tro/+, he had warned 8arr2. )2 1ra4e pal? 8ow
C04
deepl2 he felt for the an ,ranc*+co 4*ct*0+ and how ardentl2 he had la1o/red for
the0? "4en now he +howed 0ore concern for )oone2 than for h*+ own fate. It wa+
1rac*n. to feel h*+ +p*r*t *n the (/llet*n and that of the other fr*end+ who had
contr*1/ted. It wa+ a wrench to dec*de to let the paper d*e, 1/t, know*n. tella wa+ *n
dan.er, I wrote her to d*+cont*n/e *t+ p/1l*cat*on and clo+e the 1ook6+hop.
In +h*pp*n. /+ +o far fro0 New York, !a+h*n.ton had no do/1t 0eant to 0ake o/r
lot the harder. There co/ld ha4e 1een no other rea+on for 1/r2*n. a+ha *n Atlanta,
when he co/ld ha4e 1een +ent to Lea4enworth, wh*ch *+ 0ore acce++*1le than the
tate of @eor.*a. ;effer+on C*t2 1e*n. onl2 three ho/r+: r*de fro0 t. Lo/*+ and an
*0portant ra*lroad centre, I had 0ore appl*cat*on+ for 4*+*t+ than I co/ld f*ll. I +ho/ld
ha4e la/.hed o4er the fr/+trat*on of &ncle a0 were *t not that he had +/cceeded *n
+tr*k*n. a+ha. Cond*t*on+ *n Atlanta, I wa+ *nfor0ed, were noth*n. +hort of fe/dal.
After fo/r6teen 2ear+ *n the =enn+2l4an*a p/r.ator2 a+ha wa+ a.a*n 1e*n. 0ade to
+/ffer 0ore than I.
)2 f*r+t 4*+*tor wa+ =r*nce 8opk*n+, cha*r0an of the =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+: A0ne+t2
Lea./e. 8e wa+ on to/r for that 1od2, or.an*-*n. 1ranche+, collect*n. data on the
n/01er of 4*ct*0+ *n pr*+on, and ra*+*n. f/nd+. 8opk*n+ *n>/*red whether there wa+
an2 other work *n the pr*+on I 0*.ht do to +a4e 02 health, and he offered to +ee the
!arden. I told h*0 that one of the wo0en *n the l*nen60end*n. roo0 wa+ to 1e
relea+ed *n the near f/t/re, and that there wo/ld 1e a 4acanc2. oon after 02 4*+*tor
had left, I rece*4ed a letter fro0 h*0 +a2*n. that )r. =a*nter had pro0*+ed to +peak to
)*++ 0*th a1o/t chan.*n. 02 e0plo20ent, 1/t a later note fro0 the !arden wa+ to
the effect that the head 0atron had pre4*o/+l2 +elected +o0eone el+e for the 7o1.
(en Cape+ ca0e to +ee 0e, a 4er*ta1le 1ea0 of +/n+h*ne, h*+ 7o2o/+ nat/re
+hedd*n. 1al0. )2 act*4*t*e+ o/t+*de had 1een too a1+or1*n. for 0e f/ll2 to
apprec*ate the 1o2, or perhap+ one cl*n.+ 0ore h/n.r*l2 *n pr*+on to one:+ k*ndred.
(en:+ fr*end+h*p had ne4er +ee0ed 0ore prec*o/+ than on th*+ 4*+*t. 8e +ent *n an
enor0o/+ 1o3 of del*cac*e+ fro0 the 0o+t e3pen+*4e ;effer+on C*t2 .rocer2, and 02
fellow6pr*+oner+ e3pre++ed the hope that 02 other 4*+*tor+ 0*.ht pro4e e>/all2
e3tra4a.ant. %/r lean T/e+da2+ and ,r*da2+, when f*+h wa+ +er4ed that wa+ ne*ther
fre+h nor plent*f/l, wo/ld cea+e to 1e o/r h/n.r2 da2+. The food wa+ ne4er
whole+o0e or +/ff*c*ent for hard6work*n. people, 1/t T/e+da2+ and ,r*da2+ 0eant
pract*call2 +tar4at*on.
=r*+on l*fe tend+ to 0ake one wondro/+l2 re+o/rcef/l. o0e of the wo0en had
de4*+ed an or*.*nal d/016wa*ter, con+*+t*n. of a 1a. attached 12 +tr*n.+ to a
1roo0+t*ck. The contrapt*on wo/ld 1e pa++ed thro/.h the 1ar+ of an /pper6t*er cell,
and I, d*rectl2 /nderneath, wo/ld f*+h the 1a. *n, f*ll *t w*th +andw*che+ and .ood*e+,
then p/+h *t o/t far eno/.h to ena1le 02 /pper ne*.h1o/r to p/ll the 1a. /p a.a*n.
The +a0e proced/re wo/ld 1e repeated w*th 02 ne*.h1o/r 1elow. Then the th*n.+
wo/ld 1e pa++ed fro0 cell to cell alon. each .aller2. The orderl*e+ +hared *n the
1o/nt2, and 12 the*r help I wa+ a1le al+o to feed the occ/pant+ of the rear t*er+.
Aar*o/+ fr*end+ kept 0e +/ppl*ed w*th eata1le+, e+pec*all2 t. Lo/*+ co0rade+.
The2 e4en ordered a +pr*n. 0attre++ for 02 cot and arran.ed w*th a ;effer+on C*t2
.rocer to +end 0e an2th*n. I ordered. It wa+ th*+ helpf/l +ol*dar*t2 that ena1led 0e to
+hare w*th 02 pr*+on co0pan*on+.
C0F
The 4*+*t of (enn2 Cape+ *ncrea+ed 02 d*+appo*nt0ent *n 5(*. (en.5 The .r*ef he
had ca/+ed 0e, e+pec*all2 *n the co/r+e of the la+t two 2ear+ of o/r l*fe, /nder0*ned
02 fa*th *n h*0 and f*lled 02 c/p w*th 1*tterne++. I had deter0*ned after h*+ la+t
depart/re fro0 New York to 1reak the 1ond that had cha*ned 0e +o lon.. Two 2ear+
*n pr*+on wo/ld, I hoped, help 0e do *t. (/t (en kept on wr*t*n. a+ *f noth*n. had
happened. 8*+ letter+, 1reath*n. the old a++/rance of h*+ lo4e, were l*ke coal+ of f*re. I
co/ld not 1el*e4e h*0 an2 0ore, 2et I wanted to 1el*e4e. I ref/+ed h*+ plea to per0*t
h*0 to 4*+*t 0e. I e4en *ntended to a+k h*0 to +top wr*t*n., 1/t he h*0+elf wa+ fac*n.
a pr*+on +entence, *nc/rred d/r*n. the per*od of o/r a++oc*at*on, and that +t*ll l*nked
h*0 to 0e. 8*+ approach*n. fatherhood added f/el to 02 e0ot*onal +tre++. 8*+ 0*n/te
de+cr*pt*on of the feel*n.+ en.endered *n h*0, and h*+ del*.ht *n the l*ttle .ar0ent+
prepared for the e3pected ch*ld, afforded 0e a .l*0p+e *nto an /n+/+pected a+pect of
(en:+ character. !hether *t wa+ the defeat of 02 own 0otherhood or the pa*n that
another +ho/ld ha4e .*4en (en what I wo/ld not, h*+ rhap+od*e+ *ncrea+ed 02
re+ent0ent a.a*n+t h*0 and e4er2one connected w*th h*0. The anno/nce0ent of the
1*rth of h*+ +on al+o conta*ned the *nfor0at*on that the Appellate Co/rt *n Cle4eland
had +/+ta*ned the 4erd*ct a.a*n+t h*0. 8e wa+ lea4*n. for that c*t2, (en wrote, to
+er4e h*+ +entence of +*3 0onth+ *n the workho/+e. 8e wa+ to 1e torn awa2 fro0 what
he had looked forward to +o ea.erl2 and .o to pr*+on. %nce 0ore an *nner 4o*ce +poke
for h*0, +/10er.*n. e4er2th*n. el+e *n 02 heart.
At la+t I wa+ a++*.ned to a cell fac*n. a w*ndow, wh*ch per0*tted the +/n to look *n
/pon 0e occa+*onall2. The !arden had al+o *n+tr/cted the head 0atron to allow 0e
to take three 1ath+ a week. The+e pr*4*le.e+ +oon chan.ed 02 cond*t*on for the 1etter.
8e had f/rther0ore pro0*+ed to ha4e 02 cell wh*tewa+hed, 1/t he co/ld not keep h*+
word. The whole pr*+on 1adl2 needed a new coat of pa*nt, 1/t )r. =a*nter had fa*led
to +ec/re an appropr*at*on for *t. 8e co/ld not 0ake an e3cept*on of 0e, and I a.reed
w*th h*0. I de4*+ed +o0eth*n. el+e to co4er /p the h*deo/+ patche+ on the wall+ 666
crQpe paper of a lo4el2 .reen wh*ch tella had +ent 0e. !*th *t I panelled the ent*re
cell, and pre+entl2 *t 1e.an to look >/*te attract*4e, *t+ co+*ne++ enhanced 12 1ea/t*f/l
;apane+e pr*nt+ I had rece*4ed fro0 Tedd2 and a +helf of 1ook+ I had acc/0/lated.
There wa+ no l*1rar2 *n the fe0ale depart0ent, nor were we allowed to take o/t
1ook+ fro0 the 0en:+ w*n.. %nce I a+ked )*++ 0*th wh2 we co/ld not .et read*n.6
0atter fro0 the 0ale l*1rar2. 5(eca/+e I can:t tr/+t the .*rl+ to .o there alone,5 +he
+a*d, 5and I ha4e no t*0e to acco0pan2 the0. The2 wo/ld 1e +/re to +tart fl*rtat*on+.5
5!hat har0 wo/ld that doB5 I re0arked naI4el2, and L*lah wa+ +candal*-ed.
I re>/e+ted tella to +ee +o0e p/1l*+her+ and al+o to *nd/ce o/r fr*end+ to +end 0e
1ook+ and 0a.a-*ne+. (efore lon., fo/r lead*n. New York ho/+e+ +/ppl*ed 0e w*th
0an2 4ol/0e+. )o+t of the0 were a1o4e the /nder+tand*n. of 02 fellow *n0ate+, 1/t
the2 +oon learned to apprec*ate .ood no4el+.
The 1enef*c*al effect of read*n. wa+ de0on+trated to 0e 12 a Ch*ne+e .*rl who
wa+ +er4*n. a lon. ter0 for k*ll*n. her h/+1and. he wa+ a lonel2 creat/re, alwa2+
keep*n. to her+elf and ne4er co00/n*cat*n. w*th the other pr*+oner+. &p and down
+he wo/ld walk *n the 2ard, 0/tter*n. to her+elf. he wa+ +how*n. the f*r+t +*.n+ of
*n+an*t2.
C0G
%ne da2 I rece*4ed a Ch*ne+e 0a.a-*ne fro0 co0rade+ *n =ek*n., w*th 02 p*ct/re
on the front pa.e. )ore *.norant of Ch*ne+e than the .*rl wa+ of "n.l*+h, I .a4e her
the 7o/rnal. The +*.ht of the fa0*l*ar +cr*pt 1ro/.ht tear+ to her e2e+. The ne3t da2 +he
tr*ed to tell 0e *n her 1roken "n.l*+h how wonderf/l *t wa+ to ha4e +o0eth*n. to read
and how *ntere+t*n. the p/1l*cat*on wa+. 5Yo/ .land ladee,5 +he kept repeat*n.9 5 +a2+
0/chee Yo/ -h*+,5 po*nt*n. to the 0a.a-*ne. !e 1eca0e fr*end+ and +he conf*ded to
0e how +he had co0e to k*ll the 0an +he lo4ed. The2 had 1eco0e Chr*+t*an+. The
0*n*+ter who had 0arr*ed the0 told the0 that Chr*+t*an+ *n wedlock are 1o/nd 12
@od for l*fe, one 0an to one wo0an. Then +he d*+co4ered that her h/+1and had other
wo0en, and when +he prote+ted, he 1eat her /p. 8e had often told her that he wo/ld
alwa2+ ha4e other wo0en 1e+*de+ her, and +he k*lled h*0 for that. *nce then +he
1el*e4ed all 5Chrl*+t*an+5 fal+e and +he wo/ld ne4er tr/+t the0 a.a*n. he had tho/.ht
that I, too, wa+ a 5Chr*+t*an,5 1/t +he read *n the 0a.a-*ne that I wa+ a non61el*e4er.
he wo/ld tr/+t 0e, +he +a*d, 1/t +he o17ected to 02 fr*endl2 relat*on+ w*th the
colo/red *n0ate+. The2 were *nfer*or and d*+hone+t, +he wa+ con4*nced. I po*nted o/t
that +o0e people 0ade the +a0e o17ect*on+ to her race, and that *n Cal*forn*a Ch*ne+e
had 1een 0o11ed. he knew *t, 1/t +he 4ehe0entl2 *n+*+ted that Ch*ne+e 5no +0ell,
no *.nolant, d*flent people.5
8eathen that I wa+, I lo+t the pr*4*le.e of recreat*on on /nda2 afternoon+ 1eca/+e
I fa*led to attend chapel +er4*ce+. I had 0*nded the depr*4at*on a .reat deal when I
occ/p*ed the dark and da0p cell, 1/t now I welco0ed *t. It wa+ >/*et *n the 1lock,
w*th the wo0en o/t *n the 2ard, and I wa+ a1le to *00er+e 02+elf *n read*n. and
wr*t*n.. A0on. the 1ook+ +ent 0e wa+ one fro0 02 fr*end Al*ce tone (lackwell,
conta*n*n. the letter+ of Cather*ne (re+hko4+ka2a and a 1*o.raph*c +ketch of her. It
wa+ +201ol*c of the eternal rec/rrence of the +tr/..le for freedo0 that I +ho/ld 1e
a1le to read the acco/nt of o/r L*ttle @rand0other:+ e3*le /nder the t+ar+ wh*le I
02+elf wa+ a pr*+oner. @reat a+ her per+ec/t*on had 1een, +he had ne4er 1een forced
to do hard la1o/r, nor had an2 other wo0en pol*t*caI+ *n #/++*a. 8ow +/rpr*+ed
Cather*ne wo/ld 1e *f I were to de+cr*1e to her o/r +hop, a+ 1ad a kator.a a+ an2 *n the
#o0ano4 a/tocrac2? In one of her letter+ to )*++ (lackwell, (a1/+hka co00ented: 5
Yo/, deare+t, can wr*te w*tho/t fear*n. to 1e arre+ted, *0pr*+oned, or e3*led.5 In
another +he wa3ed enth/+*a+t*c o4er The New ,reedo0, 12 the for0er =r*nceton
profe++or, now =re+*dent of the &n*ted tate+. I wondered what the dear old lad2
wo/ld +a2 *f +he co/ld +ee w*th her own e2e+ what her hero *n the !h*te 8o/+e had
done to the co/ntr2 666 the a1ro.at*on of all l*1ert*e+, the ra*d+, arre+t+, and react*onar2
f/r2 h*+ rE.*0e had 1ro/.ht *n *t+ wake.
The new+ of (re+hko4+ka2a:+ arr*4al *n A0er*ca f*lled 0e w*th hope that an
a/thent*c word wo/ld at la+t 1e +a*d for o4*et #/++*a and an effect*4e prote+t 4o*ced
a.a*n+t cond*t*on+ *n A0er*ca. I knew that (a1/+hka wa+ oppo+ed, no le++ than I, to
the +oc*al*+0 of the (ol+he4*k*9 +he wo/ld therefore 1e e>/all2 cr*t*cal of the*r dr*ft
toward+ d*ctator+h*p and central*-at*on. (/t +he wo/ld apprec*ate the*r +er4*ce+ to the
%cto1er #e4ol/t*on and +he wo/ld defend the0 a.a*n+t the l*e+ and cal/0n*e+ *n the
A0er*can pre++. /rel2 the .rand old lad2 wo/ld hold !oodrow !*l+on to acco/nt
for h*+ +hare *n the con+p*rac2 to cr/+h the #e4ol/t*on. The ant*c*pat*on of what +he
wo/ld do +o0ewhat ea+ed the po*.nanc2 of 02 own helple++ne++ *n pr*+on.
The report+ of her f*r+t p/1l*c appearance *n Carne.*e 8all, /nder the a/+p*ce+ of
Cle4eland $od.e and other pl/tocrat+, and her 1*tter den/nc*at*on of the (ol+he4*k*
C0H
ca0e a+ a fearf/l +hock. Cather*ne (re+hko4+ka2a, one of tho+e who+e re4ol/t*onar2
work for the pa+t f*ft2 2ear+ had pa4ed the wa2 for the %cto1er /phea4al, wa+ now
+/rro/nded 12 the wor+t ene0*e+ of #/++*a, work*n. hand *n .lo4e w*th !h*te
.eneral+ and ;ew61a*ter+, a+ well a+ w*th the react*onar2 ele0ent *n the &n*ted tate+.
It +ee0ed *ncred*1le. I wrote tella for acc/rate *nfor0at*on, 0eanwh*le cont*n/*n. to
cl*n. to 02 fa*th *n her who had 1een 02 *n+p*rat*on and ./*d*n. +tar. 8er +*0ple
.rande/r, the char0 and 1ea/t2 of her per+onal*t2, wh*ch I had learned to lo4e d/r*n.
o/r co00on work *n 1904 and 190F had too deepl2 *0pre++ed 0e for 0e to .*4e
(a1/+l*ka /p +o ea+*l2. I wo/ld wr*te her. I wo/ld tell her of 02 own +tand re.ard*n.
o4*et #/++*a9 I wo/ld a++/re her that I 1el*e4ed *n her r*.ht of cr*t*c*+0, 1/t I wo/ld
plead w*th her not to lend her+elf a+ an /nw*tt*n. tool to tho+e who were tr2*n. to
cr/+h the #e4ol/t*on. tella wa+ co0*n. to 4*+*t 0e and I wo/ld ha4e her +0/..le o/t
02 letter to (a1/+hka, t2pe *t, and del*4er *t to her *n per+on.
I had atta*ned to the h*.he+t a01*t*on of 02 fellow +/fferer+ *n the pen*tent*ar2: I
wa+ placed *n @rade A. Not ent*rel2 thro/.h 02 own effort+, tho/.h, for I wa+ +t*ll
/na1le to 0ake the f/ll ta+k. I wa+ *nde1ted for *t to the k*ndne++ of +e4eral colo/red
.*rl+ *n the +hop. !hether *t wa+ d/e to .reater ph2+*cal +tren.th, or 1eca/+e the2 had
1een lon.er at the ta+k+, 0o+t of the Ne.ro *n0ate+ +/cceeded 1etter than the wh*te
wo0en. o0e of the0 had ac>/*red +/ch de3ter*t2 that the2 were often a1le to f*n*+h
the*r ta+k+ 12 three o:clock *n the afternoon. =oor and fr*endle++ and de+peratel2 *n
need of a l*ttle 0one2, the2 wo/ld help o/t tho+e who fell 1eh*nd. ,or th*+ +er4*ce
the2 were ent*tled to f*4e cent+ per 7acket. &nfort/natel2, 0o+t of the wh*te+ were too
poor to pa2. I wa+ con+*dered the 0*ll*ona*re9 02 e3che>/er wa+ often called /pon to
e3tend 5loan+,5 and I .ladl2 co0pl*ed. (/t the .*rl+ help*n. 0e w*th 02 work wo/ld
not accept re0/nerat*on. The2 e4en felt h/rt at the 4er2 +/..e+t*on of *t. I wa+ +har*n.
02 food and 1ook+ w*th the0, the2 prote+ted9 how co/ld the2 take 0one2 fro0 0eB
The2 a.reed w*th 02 l*ttle Ital*an fr*end, ;enn*e de L/c*a, who had con+t*t/ted her+elf
02 0a*d. 5No take 0one2 fro0 2o/,5 +he had declared, and the other wo0en all
echoed her +ent*0ent. Thank+ to tho+e k*nd +o/l+, I reached @rade A, wh*ch ent*tled
0e to +end o/t three letter+ a week 666 reall2 fo/r, *ncl/d*n. the e3tra letter I had 1een
wr*t*n. re./larl2 to 02 co/n+ellor.
%n the e4e of ;/ne CH 02 colo/red fr*end+ pre+ented 0e w*th a f/ll ta+k of 7acket+
for the follow*n. da2. The2 had re0e01ered 02 1*rthda2.5 It wo/ld 1e +o n*ce *f
)*++ "00a co/ld keep o/t of the +hop on that da2,5 the2 had +a*d. The ne3t 0orn*n.
02 ta1le wa+ co4ered w*th letter+, tele.ra0+, and flower+ fro0 02 own k*n and
co0rade+, a+ well a+ w*th *nn/0era1le packa.e+ fro0 fr*end+ *n d*fferent part+ of the
co/ntr2. I wa+ pro/d to ha4e +o 0/ch lo4e and attent*on, 1/t noth*n. to/ched 0e +o
deepl2 a+ the .*ft of 02 fellow6+/fferer+ *n pr*+on.
The ,o/rth of ;/l2 wa+ approach*n. and the wo0en were all afl/tter. The2 had
1een pro0*+ed a c*ne0a, recreat*on tw*ce on that da2, and al+o a dance. Not w*th 0ale
partner+ 666 the .ood Lord for1*d? 666 1/t a0on. the0+el4e+. The2 co/ld order +oft
dr*nk+ fro0 the .rocer2, and *t wa+ to 1e a fe+t*4e da2. Ala+, the c*ne0a pro4ed *nane
and the hol*da2 d*nner poor. The wo0en 1eca0e d*+.r/ntled, part*c/larl2 1eca/+e of
the ref/+al of )*++ 0*th to relea+e a colo/red .*rl fro0 the 1l*nd cell, p/t there on
the co0pla*nt of one of the 0atron:+ fa4o/r*te+, al+o colo/red, who wa+ +/+pected a+ a
+tool6p*.eon and cord*all2 d*+l*ked. It wa+ too 0/ch to +ee her dolled /p and r/nn*n.
the ,o/rth of ;/l2 +how, wh*le her 4*ct*0 wa+ on 1read and water. e4eral of the
C0<
wo0en 0ade for the *nfor0er, and the .rand da2 ended *n a free6for6all f*.ht. )*++
0*th wa+ co0pelled to p/n*+h her fa4o/r*te a+ well a+ her a++a*lant+, and the2 were
all locked /p *n the d/n.eon.
In 02 ne3t letter I co00ented on the e4ent+ of the patr*ot*c da2. )2 ep*+tle wa+
held /p and then ret/rned to 0e w*th *n+tr/ct*on+ that no acco/nt of an2th*n.
happen*n. *n pr*+on co/ld 1e +ent o/t. I had often 1efore d*+c/++ed local 0atter+ *n
letter+ that )r. =a*nter had per0*tted to pa++, and I concl/ded that 02 ,o/rth of ;/l2
narrat*4e had not .one f/rther than the head 0atron.
A three da2+: 4*+*t fro0 02 dear tella pro4ed a 0ore real hol*da2 for 0e than the
,o/rth of ;/l2. I wa+ a1le to hand her 02 letter for (a1/+hka, +e4eral note+ 02 cell
ne*.h1o/r+ wanted +0/..led o/t, and +a0ple+ of the fake +hop la1el+. The2 were
three da2+ of freedo0 fro0 the +hop, +pent w*th 02 1elo4ed ch*ld *n o/r own world, a
4*+*t lon. awa*ted and >/*ckl2 pa++ed, to 1e followed 12 the react*on of the pr*+on
ro/t*ne.
In 02 letter to (a1/+hka I had 1e..ed her not to th*nk that I den*ed her the r*.ht of
cr*t*c*+0 of o4*et #/++*a, or that I w*+hed her to .lo++ o4er the fa/lt+ of the
(ol+he4*k*. I po*nted o/t that I d*ffered w*th the0 *n *dea+ and that 02 +tand a.a*n+t
e4er2 for0 of d*ctator+h*p wa+ *rre4oca1le. (/t that wa+ not *0portant, I *n+*+ted,
wh*le e4er2 .o4ern0ent wa+ at the throat of the (ol+he4*k*. I pleaded w*th her to
1eth*nk her+elf, not to .o 1ack on her .lor*o/+ pa+t and the h*.h hope+ of #/++*a:+
pre+ent .enerat*on.
(a1/+hka had .rown fee1ler and wh*ter, tella told 0e, 1/t +he had re0a*ned the
old re1el and f*.hter, her heart afla0e for the people a+ of 2ore. t*ll, *t wa+ tr/e that
+he wa+ per0*tt*n. react*onar2 ele0ent+ to 0ake /+e of her. It wa+ *0po++*1le to
do/1t (a1/+hka:+ *nte.r*t2 or to th*nk her capa1le of con+c*o/+ 1etra2al, 1/t I co/ld
not appro4e her att*t/de toward+ the +o4*et+. @ranted that her cr*t*c*+0 wa+ 7/+t*f*ed, I
rea+oned, wh2 d*d +he not procla*0 *t fro0 a rad*cal platfor0 to the worker+, *n+tead
of addre++*n. the wretched .an. that wa+ conn*4*n. to /ndo the ach*e4e0ent+ of the
#e4ol/t*onB I co/ld not for.*4e her that, and I +corned her +/..e+t*on that I wo/ld
+o0e da2 1e on her +*de and work w*th her a.a*n+t the (ol+he4*k*, who were def2*n.
the ent*re react*onar2 world. And how co/ld a wo0an l*ke (re+hlco4+ka2a re0a*n
/n+ee*n. and *nart*c/late *n the face of the dreadf/l +*t/at*on *n A0er*ca, I wondered.
Not +*nce =eter Kropotk*n:+ att*t/de on the !orld !ar had an2th*n. +o affected 0e a+
her tac*t appro4al of the fr*.htf/lne++ aro/nd her.
A+ for tho+e nat*4e l*1eral+ and +oc*al*+t+ who were +er4*n. a+ war dr/00er+ for
the @o4ern0ent, I felt onl2 d*+./+t for the #/++ell+, (en+on+, *0on+e+, @hent+,
toke+e+, @reel+, and @o0per+e+. The2 had ne4er 1een an2th*n. 1/t pol*t*cal
tr*00er+9 the2 were 0erel2 f/lf*ll*n. the*r de+t*n2. It wa+ 0ore d*ff*c/lt to /nder+tand
the @er0anopho1*a of 0en l*ke @eor.e $. 8erron, "n.l*+h !all*n., Arth/r (/llard,
and Lo/*+ ,. =o+t. o0eone had +ent 0e 8erron:+ 1ook The Need of Cr/+h*n.
@er0an2. Ne4er had I read a 0ore 1loodth*r+t2 and 4*c*o/+ 0*+repre+entat*on of a
people. And that fro0 the 0an who had left the Ch/rch 1eca/+e of h*+ re4ol/t*onar2
*nternat*onal*+0?
*0*larl2 Arth/r (/llard *n h*+ 4ol/0e )o1*l*+*n. A0er*ca repeated the
C09
fal+*f*cat*on+ +pread 12 h*0 and h*+ worth2 co0pan*on+ ;ohn @reel and Co0pan2.
(/llard, the er+twh*le enth/+*a+t of the &n*4er+*t2 ettle0ent, who had done +/ch
4al*ant work *n #/++*a *n 190F had now thrown h*+ *deal+ and l*terar2 talent on the
d/n.6heap of react*on. I al0o+t felt .lad that h*+ fr*end Kello.. $/rland had not l*4ed
to 7o*n tho+e +poke+0en of 0/rder and de+tr/ct*on. 8*+ death 12 h*+ own hand,
re+/lt*n. fro0 a fr/+trated lo4e6afta*r, had at lea+t the 0er*t of +tr*k*n. onl2 the two
per+on+ concerned, 1/t the 1etra2al of the*r *deal+ 12 the A0er*can *ntell*.ent+*a wa+
a cala0*t2 to the whole co/ntr2. I co/ld not help feel*n. that th*+ .ro/p wa+ e4en
0ore re+pon+*1le for the w*de+pread atroc*t*e+ *n the &n*ted tate+ than the o/t6and6
o/t 7*n.oe+.
It wa+ the 0ore 7o2 to +ee that +o0e few had reta*ned the*r +an*t2 and co/ra.e.
#andolph (o/rne, who+e 1r*ll*ant anal2+*+ of war we had repr*nted *n )other "arth,
cont*n/ed to e3po+e the lack of character and 7/d.0ent a0on. the l*1eral
*ntell*.ent+*a. !*th h*0 were =rofe++or+ Cattell and $ana, 1oth d*+0*++ed fro0
Col/01*a &n*4er+*t2 for the*r here+*e+, a+ well a+ other acade0*c*an+ who had ref/+ed
to +*lence the*r d*+1el*ef *n war. )o+t .rat*f2*n. al+o wa+ the 2o/n. rad*cal .enerat*on
and the 0ettle 0o+t of the0 had +hown. Ne*ther pr*+on nor tort/re co/ld *nd/ce the0
to take /p ar0+. )a3 ,r/cht and "lwood (. )oore, of $etro*t, and 8. A/+t*n *0on+,
the Ch*ca.o poet, had declared the0+el4e+ w*ll*n. to /nder.o an2 penalt2 rather than
1eco0e +old*er+. The2 went to pr*+on, a+ d*d =h*l*p @ro++er, #o.er (aldw*n, and
+core+ of other+.
#o.er (aldw*n had pro4ed a .reat +/rpr*+e. In for0er 2ear+ he had *0pre++ed 0e
a+ rather conf/+ed *n h*+ +oc*al 4*ew+, a per+on who tr*ed to 1e all th*n.+ to all 0en.
8*+ +tand at h*+ tr*al for e4ad*n. the draft, h*+ frank a4owal of anarch*+0, and h*+
/nre+er4ed rep/d*at*on of the r*.ht of the tate to coerce the *nd*4*d/al had 0ade 0e
con+c*o/+ of ./*lt toward+ h*0. I wrote h*0 confe++*n. 02 /nk*nd 7/d.0ent and
a++/r*n. h*0 that h*+ e3a0ple had .*4en 0e a +al/tar2 le++on of the need of .reater
care *n the appra*+e0ent of people.
The pr*+on+ and 0*l*tar2 1arrack+ were f*lled w*th con+c*ent*o/+ o17ector+ who
were def2*n. the 0o+t harrow*n. treat0ent. The 0o+t con+p*c/o/+ ca+e a0on. the0
wa+ that of =h*l*p @ro++er.
8e had re.*+tered a+ an o17ector to war on pol*t*cal .ro/nd+, and he had decl*ned
to +*.n an enl*+t0ent card. Tho/.h *t con+t*t/ted a ,ederal c*4*l offence, the 2o/th wa+
t/rned o4er to the 0*l*tar2 a/thor*t*e+ and +entenced to th*rt2 2ear+: *0pr*+on0ent for
ref/+al to o1e2 0*l*tar2 order+. 8e wa+ +/17ected to e4er2 for0 of tort/re, *ncl/d*n.
cha*n*n. to the cell door, /nder.ro/nd d/n.eon, and ph2+*cal 4*olence. Incarcerated
*n 4ar*o/+ pr*+on+, he wa+ f*nall2 +ent to the ,ederal 0*l*tar2 pen*tent*ar2 on Alcatra-
I+land, Cal*forn*a, where he deter0*nedl2 cont*n/ed h*+ ref/+al to part*c*pate *n
an2th*n. connected w*th 0*l*tar*+0. )o+t of h*+ t*0e there he +pent *n the dark and
da0p cell of the hell6hole known a+ &ncle a0:+ $e4*l:+ I+land.
Chapter 4<
T8" "=I%NA@" ACT #"&LT"$ IN ,ILLIN@ T8" CIAIL AN$ )ILITA#Y
C10
pr*+on+ of the co/ntr2 w*th 0en +entenced to *ncred*1l2 lon. ter0+9 (*ll 8a2wood
rece*4ed twent2 2ear+, h*+ h/ndred and ten I.!.!. co6defendant+ fro0 one to ten
2ear+, "/.ene A. $e1+ ten 2ear+, Kate #*chard+ %:8are f*4e. The+e were 1/t a few
a0on. the h/ndred+ ra*lroaded to l*4*n. death+.
Then ca0e the arre+t of a .ro/p of o/r 2o/n. co0rade+ *n New York, co0pr*+*n.
)oll*e te*0er, ;aco1 A1ra0+, a0/el L*p0an, 820an Lachow+k2, and ;aco1
chwart-. The*r offence con+*+ted *n c*rc/lat*n. a pr*nted prote+t a.a*n+t A0er*can
*nter4ent*on *n #/++*a. "4er2 one of tho+e 2o/th+ wa+ +/17ected to the +e4ere+t th*rd
de.ree, and chwart- fell dan.ero/+l2 *ll a+ a re+/lt of +a4a.e 1eat*n.. The2 were kept
*n the To01+, where lar.e n/01er+ of other rad*cal+ were al+o awa*t*n. tr*al or
deportat*on, a0on. the0 o/r fa*thf/l 5wede.5 The*r 1ra4e, deter0*ned +tand for an
*deal:+ +ake .lar*n.l2 contra+ted w*th (en:+ *ncon+*+tenc2. 8*+ atte0pt to offer h*+
0ed*cal +er4*ce+ to the ar02 had capped the cl*0a3. If h*+ pr*+on ter0 were at la+t
+er4ed, I felt, *t wo/ld .*4e 0e the +tren.th to e0anc*pate 02+elf fro0 h*0, to
1eco0e free fro0 02 e0ot*onal 1onda.e. In th*+ hope I had pe+tered tella and ,*t-*
to ra*+e h*+ f*ne, +o that he +ho/ld not ha4e to +er4e 0ore t*0e *n pa20ent. (/t 02
fear had 1een .ro/ndle++9 the f*ne wa+ re0*tted 1efore h*+ relea+e. (en d*d not e4en
ha4e the .race to *nfor0 0e or the .*rl+ *n New York a1o/t *t. I rece*4ed the new+
fro0 A.ne+ In.l*+, one of 02 deare+t and 0o+t con+*derate fr*end+, who ca0e to 4*+*t
0e *n pr*+on. Later (en wrote 0e9 he told all a1o/t h*+ +on, h*+ 0other, h*+ w*fe, and
h*+ plan+ and /r.ed 0e to +ee h*0. I d*d not con+*der that h*+ letter re>/*red a repl2.
A.ne+ In.l*+ wa+ the t2pe to who0 fr*end+h*p wa+ a +acra0ent. Ne4er once d*d
+he fa*l 0e after we f*r+t ca0e *n clo+e contact *n 1914. he had 1een attracted to 02
work, +he once told 0e, 12 02 pa0phlet !hat I (el*e4e. he 1elon.ed to a wealth2
fa0*l2 of orthodo3 =re+12ter*an+, and *t *n4ol4ed a .reat *nner confl*ct to free her+elf
fro0 the 0*ddle6cla++ 0oral*t2 and trad*t*on+ of her en4*ron0ent, 1/t w*th rare
+p*r*t/al co/ra.e +he o4erca0e her her*ta.e and .rad/all2 de4eloped *nto a wo0an of
*ndependent and or*.*nal att*t/de. he .a4e 0o+t .enero/+l2 of her t*0e, ener.2, and
0ean+ to e4er2 pro.re++*4e ca/+e and alwa2+ part*c*pated *n o/r ca0pa*.n+ for free
+peech. A.ne+ co01*ned her act*4e *ntere+t *n the +oc*al +tr/..le w*th a 1road
h/0an*t2 *n per+onal relat*on+. I had co0e to apprec*ate her >/al*t*e+ a+ co0rade and
fr*end, and *t wa+ a .reat treat to ha4e her 4*+*t 0e for two da2+.
(efore +he left the c*t2, +he called once 0ore at the pen*tent*ar2, and the head
0atron 1ro/.ht her to the +hop. I had not e3pected her and wa+ +tartled when I +aw
A.ne+ +tand*n. *n the door of o/r tread0*ll. 8er affr*.hted e2e+ ro4ed all o4er the
place, f*nall2 +ettl*n. on 0e. he +tarted to walk toward+ 02 0ach*ne, 1/t I +topped
her w*th a .e+t/re and then wa4ed her 02 .ood612e. I co/ld not end/re a
de0on+trat*on of o/r affect*on *n the pre+ence of 02 +hop60ate+, who had +o l*ttle of
*t *n the*r own l*4e+.
The war for de0ocrac2 wa+ cele1rat*n. *t+ tr*/0ph+ at ho0e a+ a1road. %ne of *t+
character*+t*c feat/re+ wa+ the doo0*n. of )oll*e te*0er:+ .ro/p to lon. pr*+on
ter0+. The2 were all 0ere 2o/th+. Yet &n*ted tate+ $*+tr*ct ;/d.e 8enr2 $. Cla2ton,
a 4er*ta1le ;effre2+, +entenced the 1o2+ to twent2 2ear+: *0pr*+on0ent and )oll*e to
f*fteen, w*th deportat*on at the e3p*rat*on of the*r ter0+. ;aco1 chwart- had 1een
+a4ed 8*+ 8ono/r:+ 0erc29 he had d*ed on the da2 of the open*n. of the tr*al, fro0
*n7/r*e+ *nfl*cted /pon h*0 12 pol*ce 1lack7ack+. In h*+ To01+ cell wa+ fo/nd an
C11
/nf*n*+hed note *n Y*dd*+h, wr*tten *n h*+ d2*n. ho/r. It read:
,arewell, co0rade+. !hen 2o/ appear 1efore the Co/rt I w*ll 1e w*th 2o/ no
lon.er. tr/..le w*tho/t fear, f*.ht 1ra4el2. I a0 +orr2 to ha4e to lea4e 2o/. (/t th*+
*+ l*fe *t+elf. After 2o/r lon. 0art2r66
5The *ntell*.ence, co/ra.e, and fort*t/de +hown 12 o/r co0rade+ at the*r tr*al,
part*c/larl2 12 )oll*e te*0er,5 a fr*end wrote to 0e, 5wa+ profo/ndl2 *0pre++*4e.5
"4en the new+paper 0en co/ld not help referr*n. to the d*.n*t2 and +tren.th of the
.*rl and her co6defendant+. The+e co0rade+ had co0e fro0 the work*n. 0a++e+ and
were hardl2 known e4en to /+. (2 the*r +*0ple act and 0a.n*f*cent 1ear*n. the2 had
added the*r na0e+ to the .ala32 of hero*c f*./re+ *n the +tr/..le for h/0an*t2.
The torrent of war new+ wo/ld ha4e +/10er.ed the *0portant ca+e on tr*al 1efore
;/d.e Cla2ton 1/t for the ac/0en of co/n+el for the defence. 8arr2 !e*n1er.er
real*-ed the +*.n*f*cance of the /nderl2*n. *++/e+ and he called on the w*tne++6+tand
0en of nat*onal rep/tat*on, there12 co0pell*n. the pre++ to take not*ce. 8e
+/1poenaed #a20ond #o1*n+, one of the head+ of the A0er*can #ed Cro++ *n #/++*a,
and )r. @eor.e Creel, of the ,ederal Infor0at*on (/rea/, who had 1een re+pon+*1le
for the +o6called 5*++on doc/0ent+.5 Th/+ the tr/th wa+ e3po+ed a1o/t the del*1erate
atte0pt to pre7/d*ce the world a.a*n+t #/++*a 12 for.er*e+ wh*ch were to +er4e a+
.ro/nd for 0*l*tar2 *nter4ent*on a.a*n+t the #e4ol/t*on. !e*n1er.er +howed that
=re+*dent !oodrow !*l+on had, w*tho/t the knowled.e of the people of the &n*ted
tate+ and w*tho/t the con+ent of Con.re++, *lle.all2 +ent A0er*can troop+ to
Alad*4o+tok and Archan.el. &nder tho+e c*rc/0+tance+, he declared, the defendant+
had done a 7/+t and la/da1le act *n call*n. p/1l*c attent*on 12 the*r prote+t a.a*n+t
wa.*n. war w*th #/++*a, w*th wh*ch A0er*ca wa+ off*c*all2 at peace.
The *nfl/en-a ep*de0*c ra.*n. thro/.h the co/ntr2 had reached o/r pr*+on, and
th*rt26f*4e *n0ate+ were +tr*cken down. In the a1+ence of an2 ho+p*tal fac*l*t*e+, the
pat*ent+ were kept *n the*r cell+, e3po+*n. the other *n0ate+ to *nfect*on. At the f*r+t
+*.n of the d*+ea+e I had offered 02 +er4*ce+ to the ph2+*c*an. 8e knew I wa+ a tra*ned
n/r+e and he welco0ed 02 a*d. 8e pro0*+ed to +ee )*++ 0*th a1o/t lett*n. 0e take
care of the +*ck, 1/t da2+ pa++ed w*tho/t 1r*n.*n. re+/lt+. Later I learned that the head
0atron had ref/+ed to take 0e o/t of the +hop. I wa+ alread2 en7o2*n. too 0an2
pr*4*le.e+, +he had +a*d, and +he wo/ld not +tand for 0ore.
Not 1e*n. off*c*all2 per0*tted to n/r+e, I +o/.ht 0ean+ to a*d the +*ck /noff*c*all2.
*nce the *nfl/en-a *n4a+*on o/r cell+ were 1e*n. left /nlocked at n*.ht. The two .*rl+
a++*.ned to n/r+*n. were +o hard6worked that the2 wo/ld +leep all thro/.h the n*.ht,
and the orderl*e+ were 02 fr*end+. That offered 0e a chance to 0ake h/rr*ed call+
fro0 cell to cell and do what l*ttle wa+ po++*1le to 0ake the pat*ent+ 0ore
co0forta1le.
%n No4e01er 11, at ten *n the 0orn*n., the electr*c power *n o/r +hop wa+
+w*tched off, the 0ach*ne+ +topped, and we were *nfor0ed that there wo/ld 1e no
f/rther work that da2. !e were +ent to o/r cell+, and after l/nch we were 0arched to
the 2ard for recreat*on. It wa+ an /nheard6of e4ent *n the pr*+on and e4er2one
wondered what *t co/ld 0ean. )2 tho/.ht+ dwelt *n the da2+ of 1<<H. I had *ntended
C1C
to +tr*ke a.a*n+t work on the ann*4er+ar2 that 0arked the 1*rth of 02 +oc*al
con+c*o/+ne++. (/t there were +o few wo0en a1le to .o to the +hop that I d*d not want
to add to the n/01er of a1+entee+. The /ne3pected hol*da2 .a4e 0e the opport/n*t2 to
1e alone for +p*r*t/al co00/n*on w*th 02 0art2red Ch*ca.o co0rade+.
$/r*n. recreat*on *n the 2ard I 0*++ed )*nn*e "dd2, one of the *n0ate+. he wa+
the 0o+t /nfort/nate creat/re *n the pr*+on, con+tantl2 *n tro/1le a1o/t her work.
Tho/.h +he tr*ed 4er2 hard to co0plete the allotted ta+k, +he +eldo0 +/cceeded. If +he
r/+hed, her work wa+ 1ad9 *f +he +lowed down, +he fa*led to f*n*+h the da2:+ work. he
wa+ 1/ll*ed 12 the fore0an, repr*0anded 12 the head 0atron, and often p/n*+hed. In
her de+perat*on )*nn*e +pent the few cent+ +he rece*4ed fro0 her +*+ter to pa2 for
help. he wa+ 4er2 apprec*at*4e of the lea+t k*ndne++ and +he 1eca0e *n+epara1le
fro0 0e. %f late +he had 1een co0pla*n*n. of d*--*ne++ and +e4ere pa*n *n the head.
%ne da2 +he had fa*nted awa2 at her 0ach*ne. It wa+ apparent that )*nn*e wa+
+er*o/+l2 *ll. Yet )*++ 0*th ref/+ed to e3e0pt her fro0 work. The wo0an wa+
+ha00*n., the 0atron cla*0ed, tho/.h we knew 1etter. The doctor, 12 no 0ean+ a
1ra4e or a..re++*4e 0an, wo/ld not d*+p/te L*lah.
,a*l*n. to +ee )*nn*e *n the 2ard, I a++/0ed that +he had pro1a1l2 rece*4ed
per0*++*on to re0a*n *n the cell. (/t when we ret/rned fro0 recreat*on, I d*+co4ered
that +he wa+ *n p/n*+h0ent, locked /p on 1read and water. !e e3pected her to 1e
relea+ed the ne3t da2.
Late *n the e4en*n. the pr*+on +*lence wa+ torn 12 deafen*n. no*+e+ co0*n. fro0
the 0ale w*n.. The 0en were 1an.*n. on 1ar+, wh*+tl*n., and +ho/t*n.. The wo0en
.rew ner4o/+, and the 1lock 0atron ha+tened o4er to rea++/re the0. The declarat*on
of ar0*+t*ce wa+ 1e*n. cele1rated +he +a*d. 5!hat ar0*+t*ceB5 I a+ked. 5It:+ Ar0*+t*ce
$a2,5 +he repl*ed9 5that:+ wh2 2o/ ha4e 1een .*4en a hol*da2.5 At f*r+t I hardl2
.ra+ped the f/ll +*.n*f*cance of the *nfor0at*on, and then I, too, 1eca0e po++e++ed of
a de+*re to +crea0 and +ho/t, to do +o0eth*n. to .*4e 4ent to 02 a.*tat*on. 5)*++
Anna, )*++ Anna?5 I called the 0atron 1ack. 5Co0e here, plea+e, co0e here?5 he
approached a.a*n. 5Yo/ 0ean that ho+t*l*t*e+ ha4e 1een +topped, that the war ha+
co0e to an end and the pr*+on+ w*ll 1e opened for tho+e who ref/+ed to take part *n
the +la/.hterB Tell 0e, tell 0e?5 he p/t her hand +ooth*n.l2 on 0*ne. 5I ha4e ne4er
+een 2o/ +o e3c*ted 1efore,5 +he +a*d9 5a wo0an of 2o/r a.e, work*n. 2o/r+elf /p to
+/ch a p*tch o4er +/ch a th*n.?5 he wa+ a k*ndl2 +o/l, 1/t +he knew noth*n. o/t+*de
her pr*+on d/t*e+.
)*nn*e "dd2 wa+ not relea+ed the ne3t da2, a+ I had hoped +he wo/ld 1e. %n the
contrar2, +/+pect*n. that +o0eone wa+ +ecretl2 feed*n. her, the head 0atron ordered
her tran+ferred to the 1l*nd cell. I pleaded w*th )*++ 0*th that )*nn*e 0*.ht d*e *f
+he cont*n/ed on 1read and water and wa+ forced to +leep on the da0p floor. L*lah
told 0e .r/ffl2 to 0*nd 02 own 1/+*ne++. I wa*ted another few da2+ and then I
not*f*ed the !arden that I had +o0eth*n. /r.ent to +ee h*0 a1o/t. )*++ 0*th no
do/1t +/+pected the content+ of 02 +ealed en4elope, 1/t +he d*d not dare hold 1ack
letter+ addre++ed to )r. =a*nter. 8e ca0e, and I reported )*nn*e:+ ca+e to h*0. The
+a0e e4en*n. )*nn*e wa+ +ent 1ack to her cell.
%n Thank+.*4*n., +he wa+ allowed to co0e to the d*n*n.6roo0 for the +pec*al
d*nner, wh*ch con+*+ted of pork of >/e+t*ona1le >/al*t2. tar4ed for da2+, +he ate
C13
ra4eno/+l2. A week 1efore, her +*+ter had +ent her a 1a+ket of fr/*t, and a+ a pr*4*le.e
)*nn*e wa+ per0*tted to rece*4e *t. )o+t of *t had 0eanwh*le 1eco0e deca2ed, and I
warned her not to to/ch *t, pro0*+*n. to +end her e..+ and other th*n.+ fro0 02
+/ppl2. At 0*dn*.ht the colo/red orderl2 woke 0e to +a2 that +he had heard )*nn*e
cr2 *n pa*n, and when +he had reached her cell, +he had fo/nd the wo0an *n a fa*nt on
the floor. 8er door wa+ locked and +he d*d not dare call )*++ 0*th. I *n+*+ted that +he
0/+t 1e +/00oned. After a wh*le we heard .roan*n. *n )*nn*e:+ cell, followed 12
+o11*n., and then the 0atron:+ reced*n. +tep+. The orderl2 reported that )*++ 0*th
had po/red cold water o4er )*nn*e, +tr/ck her +e4eral t*0e+, and ordered her to .et /p
fro0 the floor.
The follow*n. da2 )*nn*e wa+ placed *n an *+olated rear cell, w*th onl2 a 0attre++
on the floor. he 1eca0e del*r*o/+, her cr*e+ re+o/nd*n. thro/.h the corr*dor. !e
learned that +he had ref/+ed no/r*+h0ent and that an atte0pt at forc*1le feed*n. had
1een 0ade. (/t *t wa+ too late. he d*ed on the twent26+econd da2 of her p/n*+h0ent.
The 0*+er2 and tra.ed*e+ of pr*+on l*fe were a..ra4ated 12 +ad new+ fro0 the
o/t+*de. )2 1rother 8er0an:+ w*fe, o/r 1ea/t*f/l #a2, had d*ed fro0 heart6tro/1le.
8elena al+o wa+ *n a terr*1le +tate of 0*nd. No word fro0 $a4*d had reached her for
week+, and +he wa+ 1e+*de her+elf w*th dread that +o0eth*n. 0*.ht ha4e happened to
h*0.
A ra2 of l*.ht ca0e w*th the co00/tat*on of To0 )oone2:+ death6+entence to l*fe
*0pr*+on0ent. It wa+ a tra4e+t2 on 7/+t*ce to *00/re a 0an for l*fe who had 1een
pro4ed *nnocent 12 the tate:+ own w*tne++e+. Ne4erthele++, the co00/tat*on wa+ an
ach*e4e0ent, d/e 0o+tl2, I felt, to the effect*4e work o/r people had done. !*tho/t
the ca0pa*.n a+ha, ,*t-*, and (o1 )*nor had *na/./rated *n an ,ranc*+co and New
York, there wo/ld ha4e 1een no de0on+trat*on+ *n #/++*a and other "/ropean
co/ntr*e+. It wa+ the *nternat*onal +cope of the )oone26(*ll*n.+ ca+e that had
*0pre++ed =re+*dent !*l+on to the e3tent of *nd/c*n. h*0 to ca/+e a ,ederal
*n4e+t*.at*on. The +a0e 0oral force had pro0pted h*0 to *ntercede w*th the @o4ernor
of Cal*forn*a for )oone2:+ l*fe. The a.*tat*on or.an*-ed 12 a+ha and h*+ a++oc*ate+
had at la+t +natched To0 )oone2 fro0 death. T*0e wa+ there12 .a*ned for f/rther
work to .*4e )oone2 and (*ll*n.+ l*1ert2. I wa+ happ2 at the+e de4elop0ent+ and
pro/d of a+ha and the +/cce++ of h*+ +tren/o/+ effort+. I fer4entl2 w*+hed that he
0*.ht 1e free to 1r*n. to co0plet*on the 4*ctor2 wh*ch had co0e near co+t*n. h*+ own
l*fe.
The pr*+on had 1een >/arant*ned and all 4*+*t+ +topped, e3cept*n. of co/r+e the
*nco0*n. and relea+ed pr*+oner+. e4eral new one+ arr*4ed, a0on. the0 "lla. he
wa+ +ent /p on a ,ederal char.e and +he 1ro/.ht to 0e what I had 1een 0*++*n. +o
0/ch 666 *ntellect/al co0pan*on+h*p w*th a k*ndred +p*r*t. )2 fellow *n0ate+ had
1een k*nd to 0e and I had not lacked affect*on, 1/t we 1elon.ed to d*fferent world+. It
wo/ld ha4e onl2 0ade the0 +elf6con+c*o/+ of the*r lack of de4elop0ent had I
1roached 02 *dea+ to the0 or d*+c/++ed the 1ook+ I read. (/t "lla, tho/.h +t*ll *n her
teen+, +hared 02 concept*on of l*fe and 4al/e+.
he wa+ a proletar*an ch*ld, fa0*l*ar w*th po4ert2 and hard+h*p, +tron., and
+oc*all2 con+c*o/+. @entle and +20pathet*c, +he wa+ l*ke a 1ea0 of +/n+h*ne, 1r*n.*n.
cheer to her fellow pr*+oner+ and .reat 7o2 to 0e. The wo0en reached o/t for her
C14
h/n.r*l2, tho/.h +he wa+ an en*.0a to the0. 5!hat are 2o/ here for,5 one *n0ate
a+ked "lla665p*ck*n. pocket+B5 5No.5 5ol*c*t*n. 0enB5 5No.5 5ell*n. $opeB5 5No,5
la/.hed "lla, 5for none of the+e th*n.+.5 5!ell, what el+e co/ld 2o/ ha4e done to ha4e
.ot e*.hteen 0onth+B5 5I a0 an anarch*+t,5 "lla repl*ed. The .*rl+ tho/.ht *t f/nn2 to
.o to pr*+on for 57/+t 1e*n. +o0eth*n..5
Chr*+t0a+ wa+ approach*n. and 02 co0pan*on+ were *n ner4o/+ wonder0ent a+ to
what the da2 of da2+ wo/ld 1r*n. the0. Nowhere *+ Chr*+t*an*t2 +o /tterl2 de4o*d of
0ean*n. a+ *n pr*+on, nowhere *t+ precept+ +o +2+te0at*call2 def*ed, 1/t 02th+ are
0ore potent than fact+. ,earf/ll2 +tron. *+ the*r hold on the +/ffer*n. and de+pa*r*n..
,ew of the wo0en co/ld e3pect an2th*n. fro0 the o/t+*de9 +o0e had not e4en a
+*n.le h/0an 1e*n. to .*4e the0 a tho/.ht. Yet the2 cl/n. to the hope that the da2 of
the*r a4*o/r:+ 1*rth wo/ld 1r*n. the0 +o0e k*ndne++. The 0a7or*t2 of the con4*ct+, of
*nfant*le 0ental*t2, talked of anta Cla/+ and the +tock*n. w*th naI4e fa*th. It +er4ed
to help the0 o4er the*r de.radat*on and 0*+er2. ,or+aken 12 @od, 12 0an for.ot, *t
wa+ the*r onl2 ref/.e.
Lon. 1efore Chr*+t0a+, .*ft+ 1e.an to arr*4e for 0e. )e01er+ of 02 fa0*l2,
co0rade+, and fr*end+ fa*rl2 del/.ed 0e w*th pre+ent+. oon 02 cell 1e.an to look
l*ke a depart0ent +tore, and e4er2 da2 1ro/.ht add*t*onal packa.e+. A+ /+/al, o/r dear
(enn2 Cape+, *n re+pon+e to 02 re>/e+t for tr*nket+ for the *n0ate+, +ent a h/.e
con+*.n0ent. (racelet+, ear6r*n.+, necklace+, r*n.+, and 1rooche+, eno/.h to 0ake the
!oolworth +tock feel a+ha0ed, and lace collar+, handkerch*ef+, +tock*n.+, and other
th*n.+ +/ff*c*ent to co0pete w*th an2 +tore on ,o/rteenth treet. %ther+ were e>/all2
.enero/+. )2 old fr*end+ )*chael and Ann*e Cohn were part*c/larl2 la4*+h. An
*n4al*d for 2ear+ and *n con+tant tor0ent, Ann*e wa+ 2et 0o+t tho/.htf/l of other+.
he wa+ *ndeed a rare +p*r*t of 1ra4e pat*ence and +elfle++ k*ndne++. %/r +ta/nch
fr*end+ for a >/arter of a cent/r2, Ann*e and )*chael had alwa2+ 1een a0on. the f*r+t
to co0e to o/r a++*+tance whene4er a*d wa+ needed, co6operat*n. *n o/r effort+ *n the
0o4e0ent, +har*n. o/r 1/rden+, help*n. and .*4*n. w*tho/t +t*nt. 8ardl2 a week had
pa++ed +*nce 02 *0pr*+on0ent w*tho/t a cheer*n. letter and .*ft+ fro0 the0. ,or
Chr*+t0a+ Ann*e +ent 0e a +pec*al parcel 666 e4er2th*n. prepared w*th her own hand+,
a+ )*chael affect*onatel2 wrote. !onderf/l Ann*e, a 0art2r to ph2+*cal a*l0ent+,
+tead*l2 .row*n. wor+e, her +/ffer*n. *ncrea+*n., l*4*n. onl2 *n her de4ot*on to other+?
It wa+ a pro1le0 to d*4*de the .*ft+ +o a+ to .*4e each what +he 0*.ht l*ke 1e+t,
w*tho/t aro/+*n. en42 or +/+p*c*on of preference and fa4o/r*t*+0. I called to 02 a*d
three of 02 ne*.h1o/r+, and w*th the*r e3pert ad4*ce and help I pla2ed anta Cla/+.
%n Chr*+t0a+ "4e, wh*le o/r fellow6pr*+oner+ were attend*n. the 0o4*e+, a 0atron
acco0pan*ed /+ to /nlock the door+, o/r apron+ p*led h*.h w*th .*ft+. !*th .leef/l
+ecrec2 we fl*tted alon. the t*er+, 4*+*t*n. each cell *n t/rn. !hen the wo0en ret/rned
fro0 the c*ne0a, the cell61lock re+o/nded w*th e3cla0at*on+ of happ2 a+ton*+h0ent.
5anta Cla/+:+ 1een here? 8e:+ 1r/n. 0e +o0eth*n. .rand?5 5)e, too? )e, too?5 re6
echoed fro0 cell to cell. )2 Chr*+t0a+ *n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2 1ro/.ht 0e
.reater 7o2 than 0an2 pre4*o/+ one+ o/t+*de. I wa+ thankf/l to the fr*end+ who had
ena1led 0e to 1r*n. a .lea0 of +/n+h*ne *nto the dark l*4e+ of 02 fellow6+/fferer+.
%n New Year:+ a.a*n the pr*+on wa+ f*lled w*th no*+2 h*lar*t2. ,ort/nate *ndeed are
the2 who0 each 2ear 1r*n.+ nearer to the pa++*onatel2 lon.ed6for ho/r of relea+e. Not
+o the poor creat/re+ +ent /p for l*fe. No hope or cheer for the0 *n the new da2 or new
C1F
2ear. L*ttle A..*e kept to her cell, wa*l*n. o4er her fate. A p*teo/+ +*.ht the poor
wo0an wa+, w*thered at th*rt26three, her 2ear+ +pent *n the pen*tent*ar2 +*nce +he wa+
e*.hteen. he had 1een conde0ned to death for k*ll*n. her h/+1and. The 0/rder wa+
the re+/lt of a dr/nken card6row 1etween A..*e:+ h/+1and and the 1oarder. It
pro1a1l2 wa+ not the 2o/n. 1r*de who had w*elded the fatal poker, 1/t her 5own 0an5
had 0ana.ed to wr*..le o/t of re+pon+*1*l*t2. 8e had t/rned tate:+ e4*dence and had
helped to +end the ch*ld to her doo0. 8er e3tre0e 2o/th had +a4ed her fro0 the
noo+e9 her +entence wa+ co00/ted to l*fe *0pr*+on0ent. I fo/nd A..*e one of the
+weete+t and k*nde+t of 1e*n.+, capa1le of +tron. attach0ent+. After +he had 1een *n
pr*+on ten 2ear+, +he wa+ per0*tted to keep a do. +o0e 4*+*tor had .*4en her. 8*+
na0e wa+ #*..le+, and an /.l2 1ea+t he wa+. (/t to A..*e he wa+ 1ea/t2 per+on*f*ed,
the 0o+t prec*o/+ th*n. +he po++e++ed and her onl2 t*e *n l*fe. No 0other co/ld ha4e
.*4en .reater lo4e and attent*on to her ch*ld than A..*e .a4e her pet. he wo/ld ne4er
a+k an2th*n. for her+elf, 1/t for #*..le+ +he wo/ld 1e.. The 1r*.hten*n. of her
otherw*+e dead e2e+ when +he wo/ld take #*..le+ *nto her ar0+ wa+ a ke2 to the
heart6h/n.er of the /nfort/nate the law:+ +t/p*d*t2 had +ta0ped a hardened cr*0*nal.
And there wa+ 02 other ne*.h1o/r )r+. chwe*.er, a 51ad wo0an,5 a+ the head
0atron called her. A de4o/t Cathol*c, tra.*call2 0*+0ated, +he co/ld f*nd no e+cape *n
d*4orce. III health, wh*ch /nf*tted her for ch*ld61ear*n., added to the 0*+er2 and
lonel*ne++ of her l*fe. 8er h/+1and +o/.ht d*+tract*on w*th other wo0en, and +he wa+
left to 1rood and weep, a pr*+oner *n her own ho0e. In a f*t of ho0*c*dal 0elanchol*a
+he had e0pt*ed a p*+tol *nto h*0. he wa+ of @er0an parenta.e, wh*ch d*d not add to
L*lah 0*th:+ l*k*n. for her.
!*th the New Year ca0e the +hock of $a4*d:+ death. ,or 0onth+ r/0o/r+ of the
1o2:+ end had h/n. l*ke a pall o4er h*+ fa0*l2. 8elena:+ appeal+ to !a+h*n.ton for
new+ of her +on had 1ro/.ht no re+/lt+. The &n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent had done *t+
d/t29 *t had +h*pped $a4*d w*th tho/+and+ of other+ to the f*eld+ of ,rance. It co/ld
not 1e 1othered 12 the an./*+h of tho+e left 1eh*nd. It wa+ fro0 an off*cer ret/rned
fro0 ,rance that tella had learned of $a4e:+ tra.*c fate.
The 1o2 had preferred a re+pon+*1le po+*t*on, tho/.h dan.ero/+, to the +afet2 of
the 0*l*tar2 orche+tra to wh*ch he had 1een a++*.ned, h*+ co0rade reported to tella.
8e lo+t h*+ l*fe on %cto1er 1F, 191<, *n the (o*+ de #appe, *n the Ar.onne fore+t,
k*lled one 0onth 1efore Ar0*+t*ce $a2, *n the pr*0e and .lor2 of h*+ 2o/th. )2 poor
+*+ter wa+ +t*ll *.norant of the 1low awa*t*n. her. he wo/ld 1e *nfor0ed a+ +oon a+
off*c*al conf*r0at*on wa+ rece*4ed, tella:+ letter +a*d. I fore+aw the effect of the
terr*1le new+ on 8elena and I felt +*cken*n. apprehen+*on for her +ake.
,or the f*r+t t*0e *n 0onth+ I had a caller a.a*n, o/r dear fr*end and co6worker ).
"leanor ,*t-.erald 666 5,*t-*.5 ,ollow*n. o/r *0pr*+on0ent +he had accepted a
po+*t*on w*th the =ro4*ncetown =la2er+, where +he worked a+ ard/o/+l2 a+ +he had
w*th /+. At the +a0e t*0e +he cont*n/ed her act*4*t*e+ *n the )oone26(*ll*n.+
ca0pa*.n, the =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+: A0ne+t2 Lea./e, and a+ well took care of o/r 1o2+
*n pr*+on. I real*-ed onl2 when I +aw her a.a*n how hard +he 0/+t ha4e 1een work*n..
he looked worn and fat*./ed, and I re.retted ha4*n. +colded her *n a letter 1eca/+e
+he had not wr*tten 0e *n a lon. t*0e.
he ca0e to ;effer+on on her wa2 1ack ho0e fro0 the )oone2 Conference *n
C1G
Ch*ca.o. he had al+o .one to +ee a+ha *n Atlanta. 8er 4*+*t w*th h*0, +he told 0e,
had pro4ed 0o+t /n+at*+factor2, 1eca/+e *t had 1een 4er2 1r*ef and /nder a r*.*d
watch. (/t +he had 0ana.ed to +0/..le o/t a note fro0 h*0 to 0e. I had had no
d*rect word fro0 a+ha +*nce the la+t da2 of o/r tr*al, a 2ear 1efore, and the fa0*l*ar
handwr*t*n. 1ro/.ht a l/0p to 02 throat. ,*t-*:+ repl*e+ to 02 >/e+t*on+ were e4a+*4e,
and I +/+pected that all wa+ not well w*th a+ha. 8e wa+ ha4*n. a fr*.htf/l t*0e of *t,
+he rel/ctantl2 ad0*tted. 8e had 1een p/t *n the d/n.eon for c*rc/lat*n. a prote+t to
the !arden a.a*n+t the 1r/tal cl/11*n. of defencele++ pr*+oner+. 8e had earned the
1*tter en0*t2 of the off*cer+ 12 deno/nc*n. the /npro4oked 0/rder of a 2o/n. Ne.ro
*n0ate who wa+ +hot *n the 1ack for 5*0p/dence.5 All h*+ Chr*+t0a+ parcel+, e3cept
one, had 1een den*ed h*0. The other .*ft+ +ent to h*0 had .raced the d*nner6 ta1le of
the off*c*al+. 8e looked ha..ard and +*ck, ,*t-* +a*d. 5(/t 2o/ know a+ha,5 +he
ha+tened to add9 5noth*n. can 1reak h*+ +p*r*t or da0pen h*+ +en+e of h/0o/r. 8e
7oked and la/.hed wh*le I wa+ w*th h*0 and I 7o*ned *n, chok*n. 1ack 02 tear+.5 Ye+,
I knew a+ha, and I wa+ certa*n he wo/ld +/r4*4e. %nl2 e*.ht 0onth+ 0ore 666 had he
not +hown h*+ power+ of end/rance d/r*n. h*+ fo/rteen 2ear+ *n =enn+2l4an*aB
,*t-* co/ld tell 0e l*ttle that wa+ enco/ra.*n. a1o/t the )oone2 Conference *n
Ch*ca.o, wh*ch +he had helped to or.an*-e. )o+t of the la1o/r pol*t*c*an+ were 1/+2
+*de6track*n. the )oone2 act*4*t*e+, +he *nfor0ed 0e. There wa+ a d*+hearten*n. lack
of /nan*0*t2 *n fa4o/r of a .eneral +tr*ke *n 1ehalf of )oone2 and (*ll*n.+.
)oreo4er, there wa+ e4*dentl2 a del*1erate atte0pt to h/+h /p p/1l*c*t2. )ore
5d*plo0at*c5 0ethod+ were to 1e /+ed to l*1erate the 0en. The part*c*pat*on of
anarch*+t+ wa+ to 1e d*+co/ra.ed. The2 had 1een the f*r+t to +o/nd the alar0 *n the
an ,ranc*+co ca+e+, and a+ha had con+ecrated h*0+elf to the work, e4en at the
7eopard2 of h*+ own l*fe. Now the anarch*+t+ and the*r effort+ were to 1e el*0*nated
fro0 the f*.ht. It wa+ not the f*r+t t*0e, nor wo/ld *t 1e the la+t, that anarch*+t+ 1/rned
the*r f*n.er+ *n p/ll*n. the che+tn/t+ o/t of the f*re for other+, 1/t *f (*ll*n.+ and
)oone2 +ho/ld re.a*n the*r freedo0, we +ho/ld feel o/r work a0pl2 repa*d. ,*t-*, of
co/r+e, had no *ntent*on of rela3*n. her effort+ to 1r*n. a1o/t a .eneral +tr*ke, and I
knew that the 1ra4e .*rl wo/ld do her 1e+t.
The harde+t th*n. to 1ear *n pr*+on *+ one:+ /tter powerle++ne++ to do a/.ht for
one:+ lo4ed one+ *n d*+tre++. )2 +*+ter 8elena had .*4en 0e 0ore affect*on and care
than 02 parent+. !*tho/t her 02 ch*ldhood wo/ld ha4e 1een e4en 0ore 1arren. he
had +a4ed 0e 0an2 1low+ and had +oothed 02 2o/th:+ +orrow+ and pa*n+. Yet *n her
own .reate+t need I co/ld do noth*n. to help her.
If onl2 I co/ld 1el*e4e that 02 +*+ter wa+ +t*ll a1le, a+ *n the pa+t, to feel the
+/ffer*n. of h/0an*t2 at lar.e, then I wo/ld po*nt o/t to her that there were other
+tr*cken 0other+, the*r lo++ no le++ po*.nant than her+, and other tra.ed*e+ 0ore
appall*n. e4en than $a4*d:+ /nt*0el2 death. In for0er da2+ 8elena wo/ld ha4e
/nder+tood, and her own .r*ef 0*.ht ha4e 1een 0ellowed 12 /n*4er+al +/ffer*n..
!o/ld +he nowB ,ro0 the letter+ of 02 +*+ter Lena and of tella I co/ld +ee that
8elena:+ +pr*n.+ of +oc*al +20path2 had dr*ed /p w*th the tear+ +he had +hed for her
+on.
T*0e *+ the .reate+t healer, and *t 0*.ht al+o heal 02 +*+ter:+ wo/nd+, I tho/.ht. I
held to that ra2 of hope and I looked forward to 02 approach*n. relea+e, when I 0*.ht
take 02 darl*n. awa2 +o0ewhere and perhap+ 1r*n. her a l*ttle peace 12 lo4*n.
C1H
co00/n*on.
)2 +orrow wa+ a/.0ented 12 +t*ll another lo++, that of 02 fr*end ;e++*e A+hle2,
4al*ant re1el. No other A0er*can wo0an of her po+*t*on had all*ed her+elf +o
co0pletel2 w*th the re4ol/t*onar2 0o4e0ent a+ ;e++*e. he had taken a 4*tal part *n
the I.!.!. act*4*t*e+, the free6+peech and 1*rth6control ca0pa*.n+, .*4*n. per+onal
+er4*ce and 0/ch of her 0ean+. he had 1een w*th /+ *n the No6Con+cr*pt*on Lea./e
and *n e4er2 0o4e we had 0ade a.a*n+t the draft and the war. !hen a+ha and I were
held /nder f*ft26tho/+and6dollar 1a*l, ;e++*e A+hle2 wa+ the f*r+t to contr*1/te ten
tho/+and dollar+ *n ca+h toward+ o/r 1ond. The new+ of her death after a +hort *llne++
had co0e /ne3pectedl2. $a4*d and ;e++*e 666 one of 02 own 1lood, the other 0/ch
clo+er *n +p*r*t 666 the*r pa++*n. affected 0e deepl2. Yet *t wa+ the horr*1le fate of two
other per+on+, known to 0e 12 na0e onl2, that pro4ed e4en a .reater 1low 666 that of
#o+a L/3e01/r. and Karl L*e1knecht.
oc*al de0ocrac2 had 1een the*r .oal, and anarch*+t+ the*r +pec*al 1Qte no*re. The2
had fo/.ht /+ and o/r *dea+, not alwa2+ e4en 12 fa*r 0ean+. At la+t +oc*al de0ocrac2
tr*/0phed *n @er0an2. =op/lar wrath had fr*.htened the Ka*+er o/t of the co/ntr2,
and the 1r*ef re4ol/t*on had 0ade an end to the ho/+e of 8ohen-ollern. @er0an2 wa+
procla*0ed a rep/1l*c, w*th the +oc*al*+t+ at the pol*t*cal hel0. (/t, oh, the cr/el *ron2
of the +hade+ of )ar3? L/3e01/r. and L*e1knecht, who had helped to 1/*ld /p the
oc*al*+t =art2 of @er0an2, were cr/+hed 12 the rE.*0e of the*r orthodo3 co0rade+
r*+en to power.
!*th "a+ter ca0e +pr*n.:+ awaken*n., flood*n. 02 cell w*th war0th and f*ll*n. *t
w*th the perf/0e of flower+. L*fe wa+ .a*n*n. new 0ean*n. 666 onl2 +*3 0ore 0onth+
to l*1ert2?
Apr*l added another pol*t*cal, )r+. Kate #*chard+ %:8are, to o/r co0pan2. I had
0et her once 1efore, when +he had called at the pr*+on on her 4*+*t to ;effer+on C*t2 to
+ee @o4ernor @ardner. he had 1een con4*cted /nder the "+p*ona.e Law, 1/t +he wa+
e0phat*c that the /pre0e Co/rt wo/ld re4er+e the 4erd*ct, and that *n an2 e4ent +he
wo/ld not +er4e t*0e *n o/r place. I had 1een d*+a.reea1l2 *0pre++ed 12 her do.0at*c
0anner and her 1el*ef that e3cept*on+ wo/ld 1e 0ade *n her 1ehalf, 1/t I w*+hed her
l/ck. !hen I ca0e /pon her dre++ed *n the pen*tent*ar2 /n*for0 of +tr*ped .*n.ha0,
wa*t*n. to fall *n l*ne w*th /+ a+ we were 0arch*n. to the d*n*n.6roo0, I felt +orr2
*ndeed that her e3pectat*on+ had 0*+carr*ed. I wanted to take her 12 the hand and +a2
+o0eth*n. that wo/ld ea+e her f*r+t and 0o+t tr2*n. pr*+on ho/r+, 1/t talk*n. or
de0on+trat*on of feel*n. wa+ +tr*ctl2 ta1ooed. )oreo4er, )r+. %:8are looked rather
for1*dd*n.. %f tall +tat/re, +he carr*ed her+elf w*th ha/te/r, her e3pre++*on appear*n.
0ore r*.*d 1eca/+e of her +teel6.ra2 ha*r. I fo/nd *t d*ff*c/lt to +a2 +o0eth*n. war0
e4en when we reached the 2ard.
)r+. %:8are wa+ a +oc*al*+t. I had read the l*ttle p/1l*cat*on +he had 1een *++/*n.
to.ether w*th her h/+1and, and I con+*dered her +oc*al*+0 a colo/rle++ 1rand. 8ad we
0et on the o/t+*de, we +ho/ld ha4e pro1a1l2 ar./ed f/r*o/+l2 and ha4e re0a*ned
+tran.er+ for the re+t of o/r l*4e+. In pr*+on we +oon fo/nd co00on .ro/nd and
h/0an *ntere+t *n o/r da*l2 a++oc*at*on, wh*ch pro4ed 0ore 4*tal than o/r theoret*cal
d*fference+. I al+o d*+co4ered a 4er2 war0 heart 1eneath Kate:+ o/ter coldne++ and
fo/nd her a wo0an of +*0pl*c*t2 and tender feel*n.. !e >/*ckl2 1eca0e fr*end+, and
C1<
02 fondne++ for her *ncrea+ed *n proport*on a+ her per+onal*t2 /nfolded *t+elf to 0e.
oon we pol*t*cal+ 666 Kate, "lla, and I 666 were n*ckna0ed 5the tr*n*t2.5 !e +pent
0/ch t*0e to.ether and 1eca0e 4er2 ne*.h1o/rl2. Kate had the cell on 02 r*.ht, and
"lla wa+ ne3t to her. !e d*d not *.nore o/r fellow6pr*+oner+ or den2 o/r+el4e+ to
the0, 1/t *ntellect/all2 Kate and "lla created a new world for 0e, and I 1a+ked *n *t+
*ntere+t+, *t+ fr*end+h*p and affect*on.
Kate %:8are had 1een taken awa2 fro0 her fo/r ch*ldren, the 2o/n.e+t of who0
wa+ a1o/t e*.ht 666 an ordeal that wo/ld ha4e ta3ed the +tren.th of 0an2 a wo0an.
Kate, howe4er, wa+ +plend*d. he knew that her ch*ldren were well cared for 12 the*r
father, ,rank %:8are. (e+*de+, *n po*nt of *ntell*.ence and 0at/r*t2 her ch*ldren were
far a1o4e the*r a.e. The2 were the*r 0other:+ real co0rade+ and not 0erel2 the
off+pr*n. of her wo01. The*r +p*r*t wa+ Kate:+ .reate+t 0oral +/pport.
,rank %:8are 4*+*ted Kate e4er2 week and occa+*onall2 e4en 0ore often, keep*n.
her *n to/ch w*th her fr*end+ and the*r work. 8e 0*0eo.raphed her letter+ and
c*rc/lated the0 thro/.h the land. The 1*tter ed.e of *ncarcerat*on wa+ th/+ taken awa2
fro0 Kate. An add*t*onal factor to help her o4er the harde+t per*od wa+ her
e3traord*nar2 adapta1*l*t2. he wa+ a1le to f*t *nto an2 +*t/at*on and to .o a1o/t
e4er2th*n. *n her >/*et, 0ethod*cal 0anner. "4en the dreadf/l no*+e+ *n the +hop, and
*t+ 0adden*n. .r*nd, +ee0ed to ha4e l*ttle effect on her. Ne4erthele++, +he +/ffered a
1reak6down 1efore +he had 1een w*th /+ two 0onth+. he had o4er6e+t*0ated her
+tren.th when +he atte0pted to 0a+ter the ta+k +ooner than an2 one of /+ had 1een
a1le to do *t.
(/t Kate kept her co/ra.e and +he wa+ .reatl2 +/+ta*ned 12 ,rank, who had
alread2 1e./n to work for her pardon. he had 1een con4*cted for an ant*6war +peech,
1/t the %:8are+ had 1*. pol*t*cal conne3*on+. It wa+ therefore rea+ona1l2 certa*n that
Kate wo/ld not ha4e to +er4e lon.. I 02+elf had decl*ned the offer of fr*end+ to .a*n
cle0enc2 for 0e. (/t *t wa+ d*fferent w*th Kate, who 1el*e4ed *n the pol*t*cal
0ach*ne. I hoped, howe4er, that *n her appeal wo/ld al+o 1e *ncl/ded the other
pol*t*cal pr*+oner+.
)eanwh*le Kate wa+ 1r*n.*n. a1o/t chan.e+ *n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2 wh*ch I
had *n 4a*n 1een tr2*n. for fo/rteen 0onth+ to acco0pl*+h. he had an ad4anta.e *n
the pre+ence of her h/+1and near12, *n t. Lo/*+, and acce++ to the pre++, and we often
1anter*n.l2 d*+c/++ed wh*ch of the two wa+ of 0ore 4al/e. 8er letter+ to %:8are,
cr*t*c*-*n. the lack of a l*1rar2 for the wo0en, and her conde0nat*on of o/r food,
+tand*n. for two ho/r+ 1efore 1e*n. +er4ed, had appeared *n the =o+t $*+patch and
1ro/.ht *00ed*ate *0pro4e0ent. The head 0atron anno/nced that 1ook+ co/ld
henceforth 1e had fro0 the 0en:+ depart0ent, and the food wa+ +er4ed hot, 5for the
f*r+t t*0e *n the ten 2ear+ I:4e 1een here,5 a+ A..*e co00ented.
In the *nter*0 an /n/+/al feat/re wa+ *ntrod/ced 12 the !arden *ndependentl2 of
Kate:+ *nfl/ence. It wa+ anno/nced that we were to ha4e p*cn*c+ e4er2 +econd
at/rda2 *n the c*t2 park. o e3traord*nar2 wa+ the *nno4at*on that we felt *ncl*ned to
con+*der *t a 7oke, too .ood to 1e tr/e. (/t when we were a++/red that the f*r+t o/t*n.
wo/ld act/all2 take place the follow*n. at/rda2, that we co/ld +pend the whole
afternoon *n the park, where the 0ale 1and wo/ld pla2 dance 0/+*c, the wo0en lo+t
C19
the*r head+ and for.ot all a1o/t the pr*+on r/le+. The2 la/.hed and wept, +ho/ted, and
acted .enerall2 a+ *f the2 had .one 0ad. The week wa+ ten+e w*th e3c*te0ent,
e4er2one work*n. to e3ha/+t*on to 0ake the ta+k, +o a+ not to 1e left 1eh*nd when the
.reat da2 +ho/ld arr*4e. $/r*n. recreat*on the +ole talk wa+ of the p*cn*c, and *n the
e4en*n.+ the cell 1lock wa+ f*lled w*th wh*+pered con4er+at*on a1o/t the *0pend*n.
e4ent 666 how to f*3 /p to look n*ce, how *t wo/ld feel to walk a1o/t *n the park. And
wo/ld the 1and 1o2+ 1e near eno/.h to talk toB No dE1/tante wa+ e4er 0ore wro/.ht
/p o4er her f*r+t 1all than the poor creat/re+, 0o+t of who0 had not +tepped o/t of the
pr*+on wall+ for a decade.
The p*cn*c d*d take place, 1/t to /+ 666 to Kate, "lla, and 0e 666 *t wa+ a .ha+tl2
e3per*ence. There were hea4*l2 ar0ed ./ard+ 1eh*nd and *n front of /+, and not a +tep
wa+ per0*tted o/t+*de the pre+cr*1ed area. @/ard+ +/rro/nded the pr*+on orche+tra,
wh*le the 0atron+ let no wo0an o/t of +*.ht the 0o0ent danc*n. 1e.an. The +/pper
wa+ 0o+t depre++*n.. The whole th*n. wa+ a farce and an *n+/lt to h/0an d*.n*t2. (/t
to o/r /nfort/nate fellow6con4*ct+ *t wa+ l*ke 0anna to the ;ew+ *n the de+ert.
In 02 ne3t letter to tella I >/oted Tenn2+on:+ L*.ht (r*.ade. In the co/r+e of the
week the !arden +ent for 0e to a+k what I had 0eant 12 02 reference. I told h*0 that
I +ho/ld prefer to re0a*n *n 02 cell at/rda2 afternoon rather than p*cn*c 12 the .race
of an ar0ed force. There wa+ no dan.er of an2 wo0an:+ e+cap*n., w*th the open
co/ntr26+*de offer*n. no place to h*de. 5$on:t 2o/ +ee, )r. =a*nter,5 I appealed to
h*0, 5*t *+ not the park wh*ch w*ll pro4e an *nfl/ence for .oodB It w*ll 1e 2o/r tr/+t *n
the wo0en, the*r feel*n. that at lea+t once *n two week+ the2 are .*4en a chance to
el*0*nate the pr*+on fro0 the*r con+c*o/+ne++. That +en+e of freedo0 and relea+e w*ll
create a new 0orale a0on. the *n0ate+.5
The follow*n. at/rda2 there were fewer ./ard+ and the2 d*d not fla/nt the*r
weapon+ *n o/r face+. L*0*t re+tr*ct*on+ were a1ol*+hed, and the ent*re park wa+ o/r+.
The 1and 1o2+ were per0*tted to 0eet the .*rl+ at the +oda6water +tand and to treat
the0 to pop and .*n.er ale. %/r +/pper+ *n the park were .rad/all2 d*+carded, ha4*n.
pro4ed too hard a ta+k for the two 0atron+ to +/per4*+e. (/t none of /+ 0*nded *t,
+*nce we were .*4en another two ho/r+ of recreat*on *n the pr*+on 2ard after +/pper.
The *n0ate+ had now +o0eth*n. to look forward to and l*4e for. The*r +tate of 0*nd
chan.ed9 the2 worked w*th 0ore -e+t, and the*r for0er d*+tre++ and *rr*ta1lene++
decrea+ed.
%ne da2 an /ne3pected 4*+*tor wa+ anno/nced 666 . Yanof+k2, the ed*tor of o/r
Y*dd*+h anarch*+t weekl2 *n New York. 8e wa+ on a lect/re to/r to Cal*forn*a and he
co/ld not pa++ ;effer+on C*t2 w*tho/t +ee*n. 0e, he +a*d. I wa+ plea+ed to know that
02 1*tter opponent and cen+or of 2e+ter62ear had .one o/t of h*+ wa2 to pa2 0e a
4*+*t. 8*+ +tand on the war, and part*c/larl2 h*+ wor+h*p of !oodrow !*l+on, had
co0pletel2 al*enated 0e fro0 h*0. It wa+ d*+co/ra.*n. that a 0an of h*+ a1*l*t2 and
per+p*cac*t2 +ho/ld 1e carr*ed awa2 12 the .eneral p+2cho+*+. (/t, after all, h*+
*ncon+*+tenc2 wa+ no wor+e than that of =eter Kropotk*n, who had taken the lead
wh*ch all the other pro6war anarch*+t+ had followed. Yanof+k2, howe4er, had .one
e4en f/rther *n h*+ enth/+*a+0 for the All*e+. 8e had wr*tten a 4er*ta1le pane.2r*c on
!oodrow !*l+on and had wa3ed poet*c a1o/t 5the pr*de of the Atlant*c,5 that *t 0*.ht
carr2 h*+ hero to "/ropean +hore+ for the .reat fea+t of peace. /ch *dolatr2 of one old
.entle0an for another o/tra.ed not onl2 02 pr*nc*ple+, 1/t al+o 02 concept*on of
CC0
.ood ta+te.
%/r con4*ct*on and the +ha0ef/l 0anner *n wh*ch we had 1een +p*r*ted o/t of New
York 0/+t ha4e to/ched +o0eth*n. 4er2 deep *n Yanof+k2:+ heart. 8e wrote and
+poke *n o/r defence, helped to ra*+e f/nd+, and e4*denced .reat concern o4er o/r
fate. (/t *t wa+ 0a*nl2 o/r +tr/..le to re+c/e a+ha fro0 the an ,ranc*+co trap that
had e+ta1l*+hed clo+er rapport 1etween Yanof+k2 and 0e. 8*+ wholehearted co6
operat*on and h*+ .en/*ne *ntere+t *n a+ha had +hown h*0 capa1le of de4oted
co0rade+h*p I had ne4er +/+pected *n h*0 1efore.
)2 0a*l had a.a*n 1een held /p for ten da2+. The content+ of two letter+ I had
wr*tten had 1een fo/nd to 1e of a trea+ona1le nat/re. I had r*d*c/led *n the0 the
Con.re++*onal co00*ttee that wa+ *n4e+t*.at*n. 1ol+he4*+0 *n A0er*ca9 I had al+o
attacked the h*.h6handed a/tocrac2 of Attorne2 @eneral A. )*tchell =al0er and h*+
rE.*0e, a+ well a+ )e++r+. L/+k and %4er0an, the New York tate enator+ del4*n.
*nto rad*cal*+0. Tho+e #*p 4an !*nkle+ had +/ddenl2 awakened to f*nd that +o0e of
the*r co/ntr20en had act/all2 1een th*nk*n. and read*n. a1o/t +oc*al cond*t*on+, and
that other +/14er+*4e ele0ent+ had e4en dared to wr*te 1ook+ on the +/17ect. It wa+ a
cr*0e to 1e n*pped *n the 1/d *f A0er*can *n+t*t/t*on+ were to 1e +a4ed. %f the
*n+*d*o/+ work+ tho+e of @old0an and (erk0an were the wor+t, and =r*+on )e0o*r+
of an Anarch*+t, and Anarch*+0 and %ther "++a2+ de+er4ed to 1e p/t on the Inde3
"3p/r.ator*/+.
)2 dela2ed 0a*l 1ro/.ht new+ fro0 8arr2 !e*n1er.er a1o/t the treat0ent of
a+ha *n the Atlanta ,ederal pr*+on and of o/r co/n+el:+ prote+t to !a+h*n.ton *n
conne3*on w*th *t. a+ha had 1een conf*ned *n an /nder.ro/nd d/n.eon, depr*4ed of
all h*+ pr*4*le.e+, *ncl/d*n. 0a*l and read*n.60atter, and kept on a red/ced d*et. The
+ol*tar2 wa+ 1reak*n. down h*+ health, and !e*n1er.er had threatened a ca0pa*.n of
p/1l*c*t2 a.a*n+t the palpa1le per+ec/t*on of h*+ cl*ent 12 the pr*+on ad0*n*+trat*on.
%/r co0rade+ )orr*+ (ecker and Lo/*+ Kra0er, a+ well a+ +e4eral other pol*t*cal+ *n
Atlanta, were +har*n. a +*0*lar fate.
A0on. 02 letter+ wa+ al+o one conta*n*n. deta*l+ of the harrow*n. death of the
1r*ll*ant @er0an anarch*+t @/+ta4 Landa/er. Another pro0*nent 4*ct*0 had 1een
added to the n/01er that *ncl/ded #o+a L/3e01/r., Karl L*e1knecht, and K/rt
"*+ner. Landa/er had 1een arre+ted *n conne3*on w*th the re4ol/t*on *n (a4ar*a. Not
+at*+f*ed w*th +hoot*n. h*0, the react*onar2 f/r2 had re+orted to the da..er to f*n*+h
/p *t+ .ha+tl2 7o1.
@/+ta4 Landa/er wa+ one of the *ntellect/al +p*r*t+ of the 5;/n.en5 Mthe 5Yo/n.5N,
the .ro/p that had +eceded fro0 the @er0an oc*al $e0ocrat*c =art2 *n the earl2
n*net*e+. To.ether w*th the other re1el+ he had fo/nded the anarch*+t weekl2, $er
o-*al*+t. @*fted a+ a poet and wr*ter, the a/thor of a n/01er of 1ook+ of +oc*olo.*cal
and l*terar2 4al/e, he +oon 0ade h*+ p/1l*cat*on one of the 0o+t 4*tal *n @er0an2.
In 1900 Landa/er had dr*fted fro0 the Kropotk*n co00/n*+t6anarch*+t att*t/de to
the *nd*4*d/al*+0 of =ro/dhon, wh*ch chan.e al+o *n4ol4ed a new concept*on of
tact*c+. In+tead of d*rect re4ol/t*onar2 0a++ act*on he fa4o/red pa++*4e re+*+tance,
ad4ocat*n. c/lt/ral and co6operat*4e effort+ a+ the onl2 con+tr/ct*4e 0ean+ of
f/nda0ental +oc*al chan.e. It wa+ +heer *ron2 of fate that @/+ta4 Landa/er, t/rned
CC1
Tol+to2an, +ho/ld lo+e h*+ l*fe *n conne3*on w*th a re4ol/t*onar2 /pr*+*n..
!h*le the Ka*+er:+ +oc*al*+t+ were 1/+2 ann*h*lat*n. the*r own pol*t*cal k*n, the fate
of the*r co/ntr2 wa+ dec*ded at Aer+a*lle+. The la1o/r pa*n+ of the peace ne.ot*ator+
were lon. and d*+tre++*n., the re+/lt a +t*ll61orn ch*ld 0ore h*deo/+ *n a 0ea+/re than
the war. It+ fearf/l effect on the @er0an people and the re+t of the world co0pletel2
4*nd*cated o/r +tand a.a*n+t the +la/.hter wh*ch wa+ to end all +la/.hter. And
!oodrow !*l+on, that *nnocent at the d*plo0at*c .a0*n.6ta1le, how ea+*l2 he had
1een d/ped 12 the "/ropean +hark+? The =re+*dent of the 0*.ht2 &n*ted tate+ had
held the world *n the pal0 of h*+ hand. Yet how pathet*c wa+ h*+ fa*l/re, how
co0plete h*+ collap+e? I kept wonder*n. how o/r wor+h*pf/l A0er*can *ntell*.ent+*a
felt at +ee*n. the*r *dol no lon.er protected 12 h*+ =re+12ter*an 0a+k. The war to end
war ter0*nated *n a peace that carr*ed a r*ch pro0*+e of 0ore terr*1le war+.
A0on. 02 l*terar2 corre+pondent+ I .reatl2 en7o2ed ,rank 8arr*+ and Ale3ander
8ar4e2. 8arr*+ had alwa2+ 1een 4er2 tho/.htf/l, +/ppl2*n. 0e w*th h*+ 0a.a-*ne and
al+o fre>/entl2 wr*t*n. to 0e. %w*n. to h*+ +tand on the war, few of h*+ ep*+tle+ had
reached 0e the pre4*o/+ 2ear, nor an2 cop*e+ of =ear+on+:, of wh*ch ,rank wa+ the
ed*tor. (/t *n 1919 I wa+ per0*tted to rece*4e 02 0a*l 0ore re./larl2. I l*ked 8arr*+:+
p/1l*cat*on 0ore for *t+ 1r*ll*ant ed*tor*al+ than *t+ +oc*al att*t/de. !e were too far
apart *n o/r concept*on of the chan.e+ nece++ar2 to 1r*n. h/0an*t2 rel*ef. ,rank wa+
oppo+ed to the a1/+e of power9 I to the th*n. *t+elf. 8*+ *deal wa+ a 1ene4olent de+pot
r/l*n. w*th a w*+e head and .enero/+ hand9 I ar./ed that 5there a*n:t no +/ch an*0al5
and co/ld not 1e. !e often cla+hed, 2et ne4er *n an /nk*nd wa2. 8*+ char0 wa+ not *n
h*+ *dea+, 1/t *n h*+ l*terar2 >/al*t2, *n h*+ *nc*+*4e and w*tt2 pen and h*+ ca/+t*c
co00ent+ on 0en and affa*r+.
%/r f*r+t cla+h, howe4er, wa+ not o4er theor*e+. I had read h*+ The (o01 and had
1een profo/ndl2 0o4ed 12 *t+ dra0at*c power. The tr/e h*+tor*c 1ack.ro/nd wa+
want*n., 1/t a+ f*ct*on the 1ook wa+ of a h*.h order, and I felt *t wo/ld help to d*+pel
the *.norant pre7/d*ce+ a.a*n+t 02 Ch*ca.o co0rade+. I had *ncl/ded the 4ol/0e
a0on. the l*terat/re we +old at 02 lect/re+, and *t had 1een re4*ewed 12 a+ha *n
)other "arth and ad4ert*+ed *n o/r col/0n+.
!e had 1een ro/ndl2 conde0ned for *t 12 )r+. L/c2 =ar+on+, the w*dow of Al1ert
=ar+on+. he deno/nced The (o01 1eca/+e 8arr*+ had not kept to the act/al fact+,
and al+o 1eca/+e Al1ert e0er.ed fro0 the pa.e+ of the 1ook a rather colo/rle++
per+on. ,rank 8arr*+ cla*0ed to ha4e wr*tten, not a h*+tor2, 1/t a no4el of a dra0at*c
e4ent. I had no >/arrel w*th h*0 on that +core. (/t )r+. =ar+on+ wa+ ent*rel2 r*.ht *n
rep/d*at*n. 8arr*+:+ erroneo/+ concept*on of Al1ert =ar+on+.
I had e3pre++ed 02 +/rpr*+e to ,rank at h*+ apparent fa*l/re to apprec*ate the
per+onal*t2 of =ar+on+. ,ar fro0 1e*n. colo/rle++ or weak, he +ho/ld ha4e 1een,
to.ether w*th Lo/*+ L*n.., the hero of the dra0a. =ar+on+ had del*1eratel2 walked
*nto the arena to +hare the fate of h*+ co0rade+. 8e had done 0ore9 he +corned a
chance to +a4e h*+ own l*fe 12 accept*n. a pardon 1eca/+e *t d*d not *ncl/de the l*4e+
of the other 0en.
In repl2 ,rank e3pla*ned that he had 0ade L*n.. the o/t+tand*n. per+onal*t2 *n h*+
no4el 1eca/+e he had 1een *0pre++ed 12 the deter0*nat*on, fearle++ne++, and +to*c*+0
CCC
of the 1o2. 8e had ad0*red L*n..:+ conte0pt for h*+ ene0*e+, and h*+ pro/d cho*ce of
death 12 h*+ own hand. *nce he co/ld not ha4e two heroe+ *n one +tor2, he had .*4en
preference to L*n... In 02 ne3t letter I called h*+ attent*on to the fact that the 1e+t
#/++*an wr*ter+, +/ch a+ Tol+to2 and $o+to2e4+k2, often had 0ore than one hero *n
the*r work+. )oreo4er, the +harp contra+t 1etween =ar+on+ and L*n.. wo/ld ha4e
onl2 enhanced the dra0at*c *ntere+t of The (o01 had the tr/e .rande/r of Al1ert
=ar+on+ 1een fa*thf/ll2 portra2ed. 8arr*+ ad0*tted that the 4al/e+ of the 8a20arket
tra.ed2 had 12 no 0ean+ 1een e3ha/+ted *n h*+ 1ook9 perhap+ +o0e da2 he wo/ld
wr*te a +tor2 fro0 another an.le, w*th Al1ert =ar+on+ a+ the do0*nant f*./re.
Ale3ander 8ar4e2:+ corre+pondence .reatl2 a0/+ed 0e. 8e wor+h*pped at the
+hr*ne of @reek and Lat*n c/lt/re9 noth*n. that had co0e to /+ +*nce co/nted for 0/ch
*n h*+ e+t*0at*on. 5(el*e4e 0e,5 one of h*+ letter+ read, 5the tr/e+t con+c*ent*o/+
o17ector wa+ ophocle+. The deca2 of the anc*ent+ .oe+ hand *n hand w*th the lo++ of
l*1ert2. Yo/ 2o/r+elf re0*nd 0e of Ant*.one. There *+ +o0eth*n. +plend*d and @reek
*n 2o/r l*fe and *n 2o/r .o+pel.5 I wanted h*0 to e3pla*n the e3*+tence of +la4er2 *n
h*+ 1elo4ed old world, and I a+ked for enl*.hten0ent on how *t happened that I, who
had ne4er looked at a Lat*n or @reek .ra00ar, +ho/ld 2et pr*-e l*1ert2 a1o4e
e4er2th*n. el+e. 8*+ onl2 e3planat*on wa+ +e4eral 4ol/0e+ of @reek pla2+ *n "n.l*+h
tran+lat*on.
)2 l*1rar2 had 1een .reatl2 enlar.ed 12 0an2 1ook+ fr*end+ had +ent 0e, a0on.
the0 work+ 12 "dward Carpenter, *.0/nd ,re/d, (ertrand #/++eII, (la+co I1aRe-,
(ar1/++e, and Lat-ko, and Ten $a2+ that hook the !orld. ;ohn #eed:+ +tor2,
en.ro++*n.l2 thr*ll*n., helped 0e to for.et 02 +/rro/nd*n.+. I cea+ed to 1e a capt*4e
*n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2 and I felt 02+elf tran+ferred to #/++*a, ca/.ht 12 her
f*erce +tor0, +wept alon. 12 *t+ 0o0ent/0, and *dent*f*ed w*th the force+ that had
1ro/.ht a1o/t the 0*rac/lo/+ chan.e. #eed:+ narrat*4e wa+ /nl*ke an2th*n. el+e I had
read a1o/t the %cto1er #e4ol/t*on 666 ten .lor*o/+ da2+, *ndeed, a +oc*al earth>/ake
who+e tre0or+ were +hak*n. the ent*re world.
!h*le +t*ll *n the at0o+phere of #/++*a, I rece*4ed 666 +*.n*f*cant co*nc*dence? 666 a
1a+ketf/l of deep6red ro+e+, ordered 12 (*ll hatoff, of =etro.rad. (*ll, o/r co6worker
*n 0an2 f*.ht+ *n A0er*ca, o/r 7o4*al co0rade and fr*end, *n the 4er2 0*d+t of the
#e4ol/t*on, +/rro/nded 12 ene0*e+ w*th*n and w*tho/t, fac*n. dan.er and death,
th*nk*n. of flower+ for 0e?
Chapter 49
LI," IN =#I%N, &NL" %N" 8A AITAL INT"#"T %&TI$", I deadl2
d/ll. &nt*l Kate arr*4ed, o/r e3*+tence *n ;effer+on had 1een no e3cept*on. (/t the
p/1l*c*t2 ca0pa*.n kept /p 12 ,rank %:8are 12 0ean+ of h*+ w*fe:+ letter+ 1ro/.ht
0an2 +/rpr*+e+ and /ne3pected re+/lt+. After the l*1rar2 and the hot food ca0e an
*nfl/3 of con4*ct pl/01er+, carpenter+, and 0echan*c+ to *n+tall +hower61ath+. Then
the wall+ of o/r w*n. were wh*tewa+hed and preparat*on+ were 1e*n. 0ade to
wh*tewa+h the cell+. =re+entl2 Kate rece*4ed an offer to 1e e3c/+ed fro0 the +hop. 5I+
*t onl2 1eca/+e of the p/ll 2o/ ha4e o/t+*deB5 I a+ked her. 5)2 fr*end+ ha4e tr*ed hard
to rel*e4e 0e fro0 0ach*ne work, 1/t I a0 +t*ll pe..*n. awa2 at *t.5 5Yo/ ha4e ne4er
CC3
1een to.ether w*th )r. =a*nter on a pol*t*cal 7o1,5 Kate la/.hed9 5we are fr*end+.5
5Yo/ 0ean 2o/ know each other fro0 1eh*nd the +cene+B5 I >/e+t*oned. 5=rec*+el2,5
.*..led Kate, 5and now 2o/ /nder+tand wh2 )r. =a*nter *+ w*ll*n. to do th*n.+ for
0e.5 Kate ref/+ed to 1e relea+ed fro0 the +hop9 *t wo/ld +po*l her chance of keep*n.
/p her cr*t*c*+0 of e4*l+ that needed to 1e refor0ed.
)eanwh*le *t 1eca0e known that an *n4e+t*.ator wa+ to 4*+*t the pen*tent*ar2. The
/+/al *n4e+t*.at*n. fratern*t2 *n+p*re+ pr*+oner+ w*th an2th*n. 1/t conf*dence. Th*+
0an, howe4er, wa+ fro0 the /r4e2, the l*1eral re+earch 0a.a-*ne. !*nthrop Lane
had p/1l*+hed a report of the /n*>/e +tr*ke of the pol*t*cal+ *n the Lea4enworth
d*+c*pl*nar2 1arrack+, and we had 1een *0pre++ed 12 h*+ +20pathet*c /nder+tand*n. of
the prote+tant+ *n pr*+on9 h*+ co0*n. wa+ therefore looked forward to w*th *ntere+ted
+/+pen+e.
!hen I wa+ called down to the off*ce, I wa+ +/rpr*+ed to f*nd 02+elf alone w*th
)r. Lane. It wa+ a plea+ant e3per*ence to 1e a1le to con4er+e w*th a h/0an 1e*n.
w*tho/t the +/r4e*llance of the head 0atron, wh*ch we alwa2+ had to end/re at 4*+*t+.
)r. Lane had alread2 *n4e+t*.ated the 1lock+ and the p/n*+h0ent cell+ *n the 0en:+
w*n., and we d*+c/++ed penal *n+t*t/t*on+ *n .eneral. I d*d not +/..e+t that he 4*+*t the
+hop, a++/0*n. that he wo/ld do +o a+ a 0atter of co/r+e. (/t to 02 a0a-e0ent )r.
Lane fa*led to co0e to +ee the wo0en at work. !hate4er h*+ report a1o/t o/r place, *t
wo/ld 1e want*n., I feared, w*tho/t h*+ per+onal o1+er4at*on of the 4er2 th*n. that
ca/+ed all the hard+h*p+ and tro/1le *n the pr*+on.
)2 f*ft*eth 1*rthda2 I +pent *n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2. !hat 0ore f*tt*n. place
for the re1el to cele1rate +/ch an occa+*onB ,*ft2 2ear+? I felt a+ *f I had f*4e h/ndred
on 02 1ack, +o replete w*th e4ent+ had 1een 02 l*fe. !h*le at l*1ert2 I had hardl2
not*ced a.e creep*n. /p, perhap+ 1eca/+e I had co/nted 02 real 1*rth fro0 1<<9,
when, a+ a .*rl of twent2, I had f*r+t co0e to New York. L*ke o/r a+ha, who wo/ld
7e+t*n.l2 .*4e h*+ a.e 0*n/+ h*+ fo/rteen 2ear+ *n the !e+tern =en*tent*ar2, I /+ed to
+a2 that 02 f*r+t twent2 2ear+ +ho/ld not 1e held a.a*n+t 0e, for I had 0erel2 e3*+ted
then. The pr*+on, howe4er, and +t*ll 0ore the 0*+er2 a1road *n e4er2 land, the +a4a.e
per+ec/t*on of rad*cal+ *n A0er*ca, the tort/re+ +oc*al prote+tant+ were end/r*n.
e4er2where, had an a.e*n. effect on 0e. The 0*rror l*e+ onl2 to tho+e who want to 1e
dece*4ed.
,*ft2 2ear+ 666 th*rt2 of the0 *n the f*r*n. l*ne 666 had the2 1orne fr/*t or had I
0erel2 1een repeat*n. $on '/*3ote:+ *dle cha+eB 8ad 02 effort+ +er4ed onl2 to f*ll
02 *nner 4o*d, to f*nd an o/tlet for the t/r1/lence of 02 1e*n.B %r wa+ *t reall2 the
*deal that had d*ctated 02 con+c*o/+ co/r+eB /ch tho/.ht+ and >/er*e+ +w*rled
thro/.h 02 1ra*n a+ I pedalled 02 +ew*n.60ach*ne on ;/ne CH, 1919.
The week 1efore, I had a.a*n fallen *ll and had 1een told 12 the ph2+*c*an to +ta2 *n
02 cell. ,eel*n. part*c/larl2 weak on 02 1*rthda2, I had re0a*ned *n 1ed, hop*n. that
$r. )cNearne2 wo/ld /nder+tand that I needed a re+t. To 02 a+ton*+h0ent an orderl2
ca0e to tell 0e that the doctor had ordered 0e 1ack to the +hop. I wa+ certa*n that
)cNearne2 knew noth*n. a1o/t *t, and that *t wa+ the head 0atron:+ do*n.. (/t I wa+
too wear2 of the cont*n/al +tr/..le w*th her, and I dra..ed 02+elf to work. At noon I
d*+co4ered that the lad2 had *0po+ed an add*t*onal p/n*+h0ent on 0e. he had not
del*4ered the flower+, packa.e+, and +tack of 0a*l rece*4ed for 0e. In the e4en*n. I
CC4
fo/nd half of the flower+ and plant+ w*lted fro0 the e3ce++*4e heat. It wa+ pro4ok*n.
666 the2 had co00*tted no offence, and I tho/.ht *t pett2 re4en.e to ha4e den*ed the0
dr*nk and a*r. I proceeded to clean and 1athe the0 *n +alt water. o0e ra*+ed the*r
droop*n. head+ and +ee0ed to re4*4e. The2 nodded tender 1*rthda2 0e++a.e+ fro0
02 darl*n. tella and fro0 0an2 other known and /nknown well6w*+her+. A 1ea/t*f/l
p*nk ro+e ra01ler plant had co0e fro0 02 tro/1ado/r of 0an2 2ear+, Leon (a++. No
ad4er+*t2 *n do0e+t*c and 1/+*ne++ l*fe co/ld d*0 h*+ *ntere+t *n o/r *dea+ or h*+
de4ot*on to 0e. Leon wa+ a tr/e kn*.ht of old, +er4*n. w*tho/t tho/.ht of reward. 8*+
+ol*c*t/de for 02 welfare wa+ 0o+t to/ch*n. and a rare tra*t a0on. rad*cal+, who
+ee0 to th*nk that people *n p/1l*c l*fe ha4e no per+onal need+ or de+*re+.
)an2 fa0*l*ar na0e+ were a0on. tho+e of the f*ft2 +*.ner+ of the 1*rthda2
0e++a.e I rece*4ed fro0 New York and the th*rt26f*4e +*.nat/re+ of another fro0 Lo+
An.ele+. A 1o3 of oran.e+ fro0 a fr*end:+ own .ro4e *n Cal*forn*a9 l/+c*o/+ apple+
and pre+er4e+ fro0 (/tler $a4enport, 02 fr*end for 2ear+, who+e dra0a+ were
perfor0ed *n the >/a*nt l*ttle theatre+ 1/*lt 12 h*0+elf on h*+ e+tate+ *n Connect*c/t
and *n New York. ,ro0 "a+t and !e+t the con.rat/lator2 0e++a.e+ ca0e, e3pre++*n.
apprec*at*on of 02 work and what I had 0eant to the wr*ter+.
)2 own fa0*l2:+ affect*on for 0e had .rown w*th the 2ear+. *+ter Lena had
1lo++o0ed o/t l*ke a flower *n her lo4e for 0e. 8er l*fe, f*lled w*th hard+h*p+ and
pa*n, 0*.ht ha4e corroded the heart of 0an2 another wo0an. (/t Lena had 1eco0e
0ore .entle and /nder+tand*n., e4en h/01le. 5I do not pre+/0e to co0pare 02 lo4e
for 2o/ w*th 8elena:+,5 +he once wrote 0e, 51/t I lo4e 2o/ 7/+t the +a0e.5 It 0ade 0e
re0or+ef/l to th*nk of the poor affect*on I had .*4en her *n the pa+t. )2 old 0other
had al+o co0e 4er2 clo+e to 0e of late 2ear+. he kept +end*n. 0e .*ft+, th*n.+ 0ade
12 her own tre01l*n. hand+. 8er 1*rthda2 letter, wr*tten *n Y*dd*+h, wa+ f*lled w*th
affect*on for her 0o+t wa2ward ch*ld.
The tho/.ht of 8elena wa+ the onl2 clo/d on 02 1*rthda2 +k2. 8er da/.hter
)*nn*e had co0e all the wa2 fro0 )an*la to help her 0other o4er the*r .reat lo++.
(/t 02 +*+ter wa+ wrapped *n her prec*o/+ dead, and the l*4*n. co/ld do noth*n. to
loo+en *t+ hold. 8elena alone had fa*led 0e on the da2 +he had alwa2+ f*lled w*th her
lo4e 1efore. (/t I /nder+tood.
I felt 02+elf 4er2 r*ch *ndeed. An a1/ndance of affect*on and lo2alt2 wa+ 02
+hare, and *t 1ore w*tne++ that 02 l*fe and work had 1een worth the +/ffer*n. and
tra4a*l.
A few 0onth+ after Kate had arr*4ed +he wa+ .ranted the pr*4*le.e of her
t2pewr*ter, and 02 corre+pondent+ had 1een 1le++*n. her e4er +*nce. 5/ch a rel*ef,5
the2 wrote, 5not to ha4e to +pend ho/r+ *n p/--l*n. o/t 2o/r h*ero.l2ph*c+.5 %n a
pre4*o/+ occa+*on, when I had ac>/*red a (l*cken+doerfer, the2 had al+o re7o*ced to
1e free fro0 the ordeal of tr2*n. to dec*pher 02 letter+. Ala+, the*r .lee had 1een
pre0at/re, 1eca/+e 02 t2p*n. d*d not pro4e 0ore le.*1le than 02 handwr*t*n.. I wa+
tr2*n. hard to *0pro4e, +to*call2 end/r*n. the pa*n+ *n 02 neck fro0 con+tant
pract*ce, 1/t the heartle++ lot d*d not 1e.*n to apprec*ate *t. The2 had e4en +/..e+ted I
+ho/ld 1e p+2choanal2-ed for the pec/l*ar co0ple3 that 0ade 0e +tr*ke the wron.
ke2+. The2 kept on f*nd*n. fa/lt w*th 02 0o+t perfect cop2. (/t when Kate 1eca0e
02 5+ecretar2,5 all co0pla*nt+ cea+ed.
CCF
he wa+ thoro/.h *n e4er2th*n., part*c/larl2 *n 0echan*cal th*n.+, and adept at
handl*n. 0ach*ne+, howe4er *ntr*cate. 8er father had 1een a 0echan*c, and Kate had
.rown /p *n h*+ +hop, da11l*n. *n 0ach*ner2 +*nce +he had 1een a tot. Later +he had
1eco0e her parent:+ a++*+tant, and her .reate+t pr*de wa+ her 0e01er+h*p *n the
)ach*n*+t+: &n*on. (/t what *+ a /n*on card a0on. fr*end+B %/t of her 1*.ne++ of
heart, Kate +ca11ed for 0e. (e+*de+ the da2:+ ta+k and her own 0a*l after work ho/r+,
+he al+o d*d 02 letter+. ha0ele++l2 I took ad4anta.e of her .ood nat/re and
e3plo*ted her for 02 corre+pondence. The ,ederal a/thor*t*e+ had ro11ed 0e of 02
for/0 and of )other "arth, and letter+ 1eca0e 02 platfor0. Cen+or+h*p+ had ta/.ht
0e to e3pre++ pro+cr*1ed *dea+ *n ./*lele++ d*+./*+e.
!*th 02 .ood old co0rade ;aco1 )ar.ol*+ I ar./ed hotl2 the 0er*t+ and de0er*t+
of o4*et #/++*a. I a.reed w*th h*0 on the dan.er to the #e4ol/t*on fro0 the
d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at, 1/t I fo/.ht h*+ lack of fa*th *n the 0en who had helped
%cto1er to 1*rth and who were defend*n. *t+ .a*n+ a.a*n+t a ho+t*le world. I +tre++ed
the po*nt that the t*0e wo/ld /ndo/1tedl2 co0e when the anarch*+t+ wo/ld ha4e to
take *++/e w*th the Len*n6Trot+k2 .ro/p, 1/t not wh*le #/++*a wa+ *n dan.er fro0
ene0*e+ w*th*n and w*tho/t. )2 co0rade repl*ed that he certa*nl2 had no *ntent*on of
+*d*n. w*th the *nter4ent*on*+t+. 8e wa+ concerned, howe4er, *n keep*n. anarch*+0
free fro0 an2 aff*l*at*on+ w*th the pol*t*cal +chool that had alwa2+ fo/.ht /+ *n the
pa+t and wo/ld cr/+h /+ *n #/++*a 7/+t a+ +oon a+ the2 +ho/ld feel the*r tate 0ach*ne
+tron. eno/.h for *t. %/r contro4er+2 cont*n/ed for a con+*dera1le t*0e, pro4*n. a+
+t*0/lat*n. a+ a per+onal talk w*th ;ake.
%ther letter+ to New York fr*end+ were *n defence of #o1ert )*nor, o/r co6worker
*n 4ar*o/+ ca0pa*.n+. 8*+ ca1led art*cle+ on #/++*a, wh*ch had appeared *n one of the
New York da*l*e+, ca/+ed 0/ch *nd*.nat*on *n rad*cal rank+. !h*le +o0e of h*+
cr*t*c*+0+ of the (ol+he4*k* were pla/+*1le, the2 conta*ned pa++a.e+ o14*o/+l2 not
fro0 (o1:+ pen. I felt that h*+ report+ were 1e*n. doctored. I /r.ed that *t wa+ *nfant*le
to +/+pect e4er21od2 a+ a tra*tor who d*d not f/ll2 accept the d*cta of Len*n, Trot+k2,
or D*no4*e4. The2 were h/0an, l*ke the re+t of /+, and l*kel2 to 0ake 0*+take+. To
call attent*on to the latter co/ld not har0 the #e4ol/t*on. A+ for the apparentl2
.ar1led acco/nt+, we +ho/ld ha4e to wa*t for #o1ert )*nor:+ ret/rn to A0er*ca, when
he co/ld e3pla*n th*n.+.
%n h*+ ret/rn to A0er*ca, )*nor pro4ed that h*+ "/ropean art*cle+ had 1een
del*1eratel2 altered *n New York ed*tor*al roo0+ to h/rt #/++*a and to *n7/re h*+
+tand*n. *n rad*cal rank+. 8e planned to +ee a+ha and 0e a+ +oon a+ we +ho/ld 1e
relea+ed and to .*4e /+ a f/ll report of the +*t/at*on *n #/++*a.
An art*cle *n the L*1erator +*.ned 5K5 conta*ned a 4*olent attack on the anarch*+t+
*n #/++*a. tella had 1een a++/red 12 )a3 "a+t0an that a ref/tat*on fro0 0e wo/ld
1e p/1l*+hed, and I de4oted +e4eral /nda2+ to an anal2+*+ of the char.e+ 0ade
a.a*n+t 02 #/++*an co0rade+. I po*nted o/t that the wr*ter had not add/ced a +*n.le
proof for h*+ a++ert*on+, that he had +hown .ro++ *.norance of h*+ +/17ect, and that he
had e4en lacked the co/ra.e to +*.n h*+ na0e. I de0anded that he co0e o/t *n the
open +o that we co/ld ar./e the 0atter fa*rl2. A letter fro0 )a3 "a+t0an +poke
h*.hl2 of 02 art*cle and a++/red 0e that *t wo/ld +oon appear. (/t he d*d not keep h*+
pro0*+e, and 02 ref/tat*on wa+ not p/1l*+hed.
CCG
I wa+ not +/rpr*+ed. %n a pre4*o/+ occa+*on )a3 "a+t0an had de0on+trated h*+
pec/l*ar concept*on of free +peech and pre++. 8*+ poet*c +o/l had alwa2+ cra4ed the+e
r*.ht+ for h*0+elf and h*+ .ro/p, 1/t not for anarch*+t+. )a3 "a+t0an wa+ l*4*n. /p to
the .ood old )ar3*+t trad*t*on.
Lack of fa*rne++ to an opponent *+ e++ent*all2 a +*.n of weakne++. And, tr/th to tell,
)a3 "a+t0an wa+ ne*ther +tron. nor 1ra4e. 8*+ +p*r*t/al +o0er+a/lt at h*+ tr*al, and
h*+ +/dden .lor*f*cat*on of the pol*c*e+ of A0er*ca:+ 5.reate+t +tate+0an *n the !h*te
8o/+e,5 te+t*f*ed to *t. !ell, what of *tB 8e po++e++ed other .*ft+ worth2 a k*n.:+
ran+o0: he wa+ a poet and hand+o0e. (etter a Napoleon *n h*+ own do0a*n than a
co00on +old*er *n the +oc*al 1attle.
It +addened 0e to learn that Cather*ne (re+hko4+ka2a had left A0er*ca w*tho/t
repl2*n. to 02 appeal. Nor had +he e3pre++ed an2 prote+t a.a*n+t the cr*0e+
co00*tted 12 &ncle a0 *n the na0e of loft2 *deal+. )*++ Al*ce tone (lackwell had
>/e+t*oned her +*lence *n the face of +o 0/ch wron.. In repl2 the 4eteran f*.hter had
+a*d that +he co/ld not 7eopard*-e her chance+ of help*n. the de+t*t/te ch*ldren of
#/++*a, for wh*ch p/rpo+e +he had co0e to the &n*ted tate+.
Kate:+ repeated co0pla*nt+ a1o/t /nfa*rne++ to the ,ederal pr*+oner+ f*nall2
1ro/.ht an off*c*al *n4e+t*.ator to >/e+t*on /+. !e were co0pelled to 0ake the +a0e
ta+k a+ the tate pr*+oner+ and we were e>/all2 p/n*+hed *n ca+e of fa*l/re. (/t we d*d
not rece*4e the +a0e 1enef*t+. Ad4ance0ent to @rade A .a4e the ,ederal+ onl2 the
r*.ht of a th*rd letter a week wherea+ the tate pr*+oner+ were rewarded 12 the
red/ct*on of f*4e 0onth+ on each 2ear and were al+o 0ade el*.*1le to parole. The
*n4e+t*.ator *nter4*ewed /+ +eparatel2. 8*+ effort+ were apparentl2 e3ha/+ted 12 a
+*.n*f*cant re0ark to Kate. 5Yo/ and )*++ @old0an,5 he +a*d, 50/+t ha4e +t*ffened
the 1ack+ of the+e .*rl+. I alwa2+ f*nd *t d*ff*c/lt to .et pr*+oner+ to talk frankl2. (/t
th*+ t*0e the2 e3pre++ed the0+el4e+ freel2 and the2 all told the +a0e +tor2.5 The
,ederal+ de+peratel2 cl/n. to the hope that the *n4e+t*.at*on wo/ld 1r*n. re+/lt+. I d*d
not tr2 to d*+co/ra.e the0, tho/.h I knew that e4en )r. Lane, of the /r4e2, had
fa*led to ha4e h*+ cr*t*cal art*cle on cond*t*on+ *n o/r pr*+on accepted 12 the 0a.a-*ne.
A new 1atch of letter+ fro0 ,rank 8arr*+ +er4ed to +tren.then the 0/t/al6
ad0*rat*on +oc*et2 that had +pr/n. /p 1etween /+. I had 1een .reatl2 *0pre++ed 12 h*+
Conte0porar2 =ortra*t+, na0*n. tho+e of Carl2le, !h*+tler, $a4*d+on, )*ddleton, and
*r #*chard (/rton a+ the 0o+t +/cce++f/l. A0on. the +hort +tor*e+ I had cho+en
)onte+ the )atador, The t*.0ata, and )a.*c @la++e+. I wrote ,rank that I re.arded
the0 a+ h*+ l*terar2 0a+terp*ece+. I knew that he wa+ *ncl*ned to feel h/rt *f one d*d
not con+*der all h*+ work+ .reat, and I feared that 02 preference+ 0*.ht *0pa*r o/r
fr*end+h*p. (/t ,rank 8arr*+ heaped coal+ of f*re on 02 +*nf/l head 12 call*n. 0e 5a
.reat and /nerr*n. cr*t*c.5 5Yo/ w*ll 1e o/t +oon,5 one of h*+ letter+ read, 5wh*ch
del*.ht+ 02 +o/l9 1/t I w*ll +t*ll 1e 1o*l*n. *n the f*re+ of the =h*l*+t*ne+. !h2 do the2
not deport 0eB I wo/ld th/+ +a4e pa++a.e 0one2.5 8e a+ked per0*++*on to arran.e a
1an>/et *n 02 hono/r when I +ho/ld 1e relea+ed. 8e had 0ade no 0ent*on of a+ha,
and I *nfor0ed h*0 that, tho/.h I apprec*ated h*+ offer, I co/ld not accept an2
te+t*0on*al of a p/1l*c character that d*d not al+o *ncl/de 02 old pal.
A +*0*lar recept*on wa+ 1e*n. planned 12 )r+. )ar.aret an.er, a+ tella not*f*ed
CCH
0e. I felt 0/ch +/rpr*+ed at *t. ,r*end+h*p *+ 1e+t te+ted *n t*0e of dan.er. !h*le
a+ha:+ fate wa+ han.*n. *n the 1alance *n conne3*on w*th an ,ranc*+co, )r+. an.er
had offered no help and +howed no *ntere+t. he had 1een .ood eno/.h to per0*t her
na0e on the l*+t of h*+ p/1l*c*t2 co00*ttee, 1/t e4er2 lead*n. rad*cal had done no
le++. %/t+*de of that +he had kept ca/t*o/+l2 *n the 1ack.ro/nd, tho/.h +he had alwa2+
cla*0ed to 1e a 4er2 part*c/lar fr*end of a+ha. I had no de+*re to h/rt )r+. an.er,
1/t I had to decl*ne her propo+al.
%n A/./+t C<, 1919 a+ha and I had co0pleted twent2 0onth+ of o/r two62ear
+entence. !*cked anarch*+t+ tho/.h we were, we had earned fo/r 0onth+ each for
.ood 1eha4*o/r. !e had done o/r 1*t 0/ch lon.er than 0an2 of the 1o2+ *n the d/.6
o/t+. !e +ho/ld ha4e 1een hono/ra1l2 d*+char.ed fro0 +er4*ce and allowed to ret/rn
fro0 the pr*+on front. (/t ;/d.e ;/l*/+ )a2er had w*lled *t otherw*+e 12 plac*n. a
h*.h 4al/at*on on o/r head+. Twent2 tho/+and dollar+: f*ne? A &n*ted tate+
co00*++*oner wa+ +ent to the pen*tent*ar2 to >/e+t*on 0e a1o/t 02 f*nanc*al +tand*n..
8e looked *ncred/lo/+ when I told h*0 that anarch*+t propa.anda *+ a plea+/re and not
a pa2*n. 1/+*ne++. 8e .rew +t*ll 0ore d/1*o/+ when I e3pla*ned that the Ka*+er,
ha4*n. 1een /n+ee0l2 h/rr*ed *n h*+ depart/re fro0 @er0an2, had ne.lected to 0ake
pro4*+*on for o/r welfare. The co00*++*oner dec*ded to 5look *nto the 0atter.5
)eanwh*le (erk0an and I wo/ld ha4e to +er4e an e3tra 0onth *n pa20ent of o/r
f*ne, he declared. Two 0onth+ for twent2 tho/+and dollar+? !hen d*d a+ha and I
e4er e3pect to earn +o 0/ch 0one2 *n +o +hort a t*0eB
%nl2 th*rt2 da2+. Then relea+e fro0 the hatef/l +hop, the control, the +/r4e*llance,
the tho/+and h/0*l*at*on+ pr*+on *n4ol4e+. (ack to l*fe and work a.a*n 666 w*th a+ha.
(ack to 02 fa0*l2, co0rade+, and fr*end+. An all/r*n. fanta+2, +oon d*+pelled 12 the
*00*.rat*on a/thor*t*e+. "ll*+ I+land wa+ wa*t*n. for the two d*+t*n./*+hed ./e+t+. I
wondered who wo/ld co0pete for 02 fa4o/r+ ne3t. !o/ld *t 1e #/++*a, the lon.6
awa*ted, or A0er*ca, 02 old fla0eB In o/r /ncerta*n fort/ne+ onl2 one th*n. wa+
certa*n: a+ha and I wo/ld 0eet the f/t/re a+ we had alwa2+ 0et *t *n the pa+t.
The la+t da2+ were draw*n. near. I had 1/t one th*n. to re.ret: the fr*end+ I +ho/ld
ha4e to lea4e 1eh*nd. L*ttle "lla, .rown *nto 02 heart a+ 02 own ch*ld, +t*ll had +*3
0onth+ to +er4e. I wa+ le++ an3*o/+ a1o/t Kate, who wa+ +/re of a pardon 1efore lon..
"lla wo/ld then ha4e no one w*th her, and I .r*e4ed to part fro0 her. And there were
al+o poor l*ttle A..*e, the l*fer, the colo/red orderl2 Add*e, +er4*n. ten 2ear+, and the
other /nfort/nate+ who had 1eco0e dear to 0e. I had tr*ed to *ntere+t +o0e of 02
wo0en fr*end+ *n New York *n Add*e. e4eral had re+ponded and offered to .*4e her
a 7o1 when +he wa+ paroled. $*d I know what +he wa+ 5*n for,5 the2 had *n>/*red,
5and wo/ld +he 1e all r*.htB5 I co/ld ne4er 1r*n. 02+elf to a+k 02 fellow6pr*+oner+
on what char.e+ the2 had 1een +ent /p. I wo/ld wa*t /nt*l the2 conf*ded to 0e of the*r
own accord. I told Add*e what 02 corre+pondent+ had +a*d. 5I don:t 1la0e the0 at
all,5 +he co00ented9 5the2 0*.ht th*nk I:0 here for +teal*n: or /+*n: dope. Tell :e0 I:0
here for k*ll*n: 02 0an, who pla2ed 0e fal+e.5 Con4*ct+ ha4e the*r own code of
eth*c+, I wrote 1ack, and the2 can 1e tr/+ted to l*4e /p to the0, wh*ch *+ 0ore than
co/ld 1e +a*d of a .reat 0an2 people o/t+*de. Al*ce tone (lackwell had a+ked no
>/e+t*on+9 +he had +ec/red e0plo20ent for Add*e and +he wo/ld e4en pa2 her fare.
(/t there the head 0atron had +tepped *n. he fr*.htened Add*e 12 tell*n. her that
5"00a @old0an:+ fr*end+ are (ol+he4*k* and 1ad wo0en.5 he wo/ld onl2 >/eer her
chance+ for parole *f the 1oard +ho/ld learn that +he had +/ch +pon+or+. Add*e
CC<
*0plored 0e to do noth*n. f/rther *n her ca+e.
$/r*n. 02 *0pr*+on0ent death had ro11ed 0e of two 0ore fr*end+, 8orace
Tra/1el and "d*th de Lon. ;ar0/th. I had not known of the*r *llne++, and the new+
wa+ a .reat +hock. The poet*c 1ea/t2 of 8orace:+ l*fe acco0pan*ed h*0 e4en to h*+
.ra4e. The ch/rch ca/.ht f*re 7/+t a+ h*+ fr*end+ had .athered to pa2 the*r la+t tr*1/te.
#ed fla0e+ +hoot*n. on h*.h .reeted h*+ re0a*n+. It +ee0ed appropr*atel2 +201ol*c of
8orace Tra/1el, the re1el and 0an.
"d*th de Lon. ;ar0/th, ;apane+e6look*n. w*th her 1l/e61lack ha*r, al0ond6+haped
e2e+, and 0ar1le6wh*te +k*n, wa+ l*ke a lot/+ flower *n al*en +o*l. he wa+ a +tran.e
and ethereal f*./re *n her wealth2 and hea42 1o/r.eo*+ ho0e *n eattle. Later her
apart0ent on #*4er+*de $r*4e *n New York 1eca0e the rende-4o/+ of rad*cal+ and
*ntellect/al (ohe0*an+. "d*th wa+ the*r 0a.net, and +he felt al*4e to the*r *dea+ and
work. 8er own *ntere+t+, howe4er, had no +oc*al root+9 the2 +pran. fro0 her 2earn*n.
for the e3ot*c and the p*ct/re+>/e. In l*fe a+ *n art "d*th wa+ a drea0er who lacked
creat*4e +tren.th. %ne lo4ed her 0ore for what +he wa+ than for what +he d*d. 8er
per+onal*t2 and nat*4e char0 were her .reate+t .*ft+.
at/rda2, epte01er C<, 1919, I left the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2, acco0pan*ed 12 02
fa*thf/l tella, who had co0e fro0 New York for the occa+*on. %nl2 techn*call2 free,
I wa+ taken to the ,ederal (/*ld*n. to 0ake an aff*da4*t that I po++e++ed no real e+tate
or ca+h. The ,ederal a.ent looked 0e /p and down. 5Yo/:re dre++ed +o +well, f/nn2
2o/ cla*0 to 1e poor,5 he co00ented. 5I a0 a 0/lt*0*ll*ona*re *n fr*end+,5 I repl*ed.
The f*fteen6tho/+and6dollar 1ond de0anded 12 the @o4ern0ent pend*n. *n>/*r*e+
12 the I00*.rat*on (/rea/ wa+ +ec/red, and I wa+ at la+t at l*1ert2.
Chapter F0
IN T. L%&I !" !"#" AL)%T )%(("$ (Y ,#I"N$, #"=%#T"#, and
ca0era60en who had co0e to 0eet /+ at the +tat*on. I co/ld not 1ear to +ee 0an2
people and I wa+ ea.er to 1e left alone.
tella .rew /nea+2 on hear*n. that on o/r wa2 ea+t I *ntended to +top off *n
Ch*ca.o, where (en wa+ l*4*n.. he *0plored 0e to .*4e /p the *dea. 5Yo/ w*ll onl2
lo+e the peace 2o/ ha4e .a*ned thro/.h 0onth+ of +tr/..le to free 2o/r+elf fro0 (en,5
+he pleaded. There wa+ no need for an3*et2, I a++/red her. In the *+olat*on and
lonel*ne++ of the cell one f*nd+ the co/ra.e to face the nakedne++ of one:+ +o/l. If one
+/r4*4e+ the ordeal, one *+ le++ h/rt 12 the nakedne++ of other +o/l+. I had worked 02
wa2 thro/.h 0/ch an./*+h and tra4a*l to a 1etter /nder+tand*n. of 02 relat*on w*th
(en. I had drea0ed of ha4*n. ec+tat*c lo4e w*tho/t the pett*ne++ and 7arr*n.
cond*t*oned *n *t. (/t I learned to +ee that the .reat and the +0all, the 1ea/t*f/l and the
0ean, that had 0ade /p o/r l*fe were *n+epara1le +pr*n.+ fro0 the +a0e +o/rce,
flow*n. to a co00on o/tlet. In 02 clar*f*ed percept*on the f*ne th*n.+ *n (en now
+tood o/t *n 1older rel*ef, and the l*ttle no lon.er 0attered. %ne +o pr*0*t*4e a+ he,
who wa+ alwa2+ 0o4ed 12 h*+ e0ot*on+, co/ld not do th*n.+ half6wa2. 8e .a4e
w*tho/t 0ea+/re or re+tra*nt. 8*+ 1e+t 2ear+, h*+ tre0endo/+ -e+t for work, he had
CC9
de4oted to 0e. It *+ not /n/+/al for wo0an to do a+ 0/ch for the 0an +he lo4e+.
Tho/+and+ of 02 +e3 had +acr*f*ced the*r own talent+ and a01*t*on+ for the +ake of
the 0an. (/t few 0en ha4e done +o for wo0en. (en wa+ one of the few9 he had
ded*cated h*0+elf co0pletel2 to 02 *ntere+t+. "0ot*onal*+0 had ./*ded h*+ pa++*on a+
*t had h*+ l*fe. (/t, l*ke nat/re /nlea+hed, he wo/ld de+tro2 w*th one hand the la4*+h
.*ft+ of the other. I had re4elled *n the 1ea/t2 and +tren.th of h*+ .*4*n., and I had
reco*led fro0 and +tr/..led a.a*n+t the +elf6centred e.ot*+0 wh*ch *.nored and
ann*h*lated o1+tacle+ *n the +o/l of the lo4ed one. "rot*call2 (en and I were of the
+a0e earth, 1/t *n a c/lt/ral +en+e we were +eparated 12 cent/r*e+ of t*0e. !*th h*0
+oc*al *0p/l+e+, +20path2 w*th 0ank*nd, *dea+, and *deal+ were 0ood+ of the
0o0ent, and a+ fleet*n.. 8e had no 0ean+ of +en+*n. 1a+*c 4er*t*e+ or *nner need to
con4ert the0 *nto h*+ own.
)2 l*fe wa+ l*nked w*th that of the race. It+ +p*r*t/al her*ta.e wa+ 0*ne, and *t+
4al/e+ were tran+0/ted *nto 02 1e*n.. The eternal +tr/..le of 0an wa+ rooted w*th*n
0e. That 0ade the a12++ 1etween /+.
In the +ol*t/de of pr*+on I had l*4ed awa2 fro0 the d*+t/r1*n. pre+ence of (en.
%ften 02 heart had called for h*0, 1/t I had +*lenced *t+ cr2. I had pro0*+ed 02+elf
after o/r la+t 1reak ne4er to +ee h*0 a.a*n /nt*l I +ho/ld ha4e 0ade order o/t of 02
e0ot*onal chao+. I had f/lf*lled 02 pled.e9 noth*n. wa+ now left of the confl*ct that
had la+ted +o 0an2 2ear+. Ne*ther lo4e nor hate. %nl2 a new fr*endl*ne++ and a clearer
apprec*at*on of what the 0an had .*4en 0e. I wa+ no lon.er afra*d to 0eet (en.
In Ch*ca.o he called, 1r*n.*n. a lar.e 1o/>/et of flower+. It wa+ the +a0e old
(en, *n+t*nct*4el2 reach*n. o/t and h*+ e2e+ open*n. w*de *n wonder at 0eet*n. no
re+pon+e. No chan.e *n h*0 nor /nder+tand*n. for 0*ne. 8e wanted to .*4e 0e a part2
at h*+ ho0e. !o/ld I co0e, he a+ked. 5%f co/r+e,5 I +a*d, 5I w*ll co0e to 0eet 2o/r
w*fe and 2o/r ch*ld.5 I went. The dead had 1/r*ed the*r dead, and I felt +erene.
In #oche+ter 02 people rece*4ed 0e w*th the*r /+/al affect*on. 8elena had 1een *n
)a*ne, whence +he had wr*tten 0e: 5I don:t know how I .ot here. )*nn*e 1ro/.ht 0e.
8ow an21od2 can th*nk to d*4ert 0e fro0 02 .reat +orrow, I cannot /nder+tand. The
0ore I +ee of nat/re and people, the .reater 02 lo++. )2 0*+fort/ne .oe+ e4er2where
w*th 0e.5 %n o/r wa2 to #oche+ter tella had de+cr*1ed 8elena:+ cond*t*on and had
ca/t*oned 0e to 1e prepared. (/t 02 wor+t 0ental p*ct/re wa+ not +o horr*1le a+ the
+*.ht 02 dear +*+ter pre+ented. "0ac*ated to the 1one, +he wa+ a 1ent old wo0an,
0o4*n. w*th l*fele++ +tep+. 8er face wa+ +hr/nken and a+h2, /n/ttera1le de+pa*r *n her
hollow e2e+. I held her clo+e to 0e, her poor l*ttle 1od2 con4/l+ed w*th +o1+. he had
done noth*n. 1/t weep +*nce the new+ of $a4*d:+ death, 02 people told 0e9 her l*fe
wa+ e11*n. o/t *n tear+.
5Take 0e awa2, let 0e l*4e w*th 2o/ *n New York,5 +he pleaded. It had 1een her
drea0 *n o/r 2o/th to 1e alwa2+ near 0e. Now the 0o0ent had co0e to real*-e *t, +he
re*terated. I wa+ f*lled w*th p*t2 and fear. )2 e3*+tence wa+ +o precar*o/+, new
/ncerta*nt*e+ and dan.er+ were alread2 fac*n. 0e. Co/ld 8elena +tand +/ch a l*feB
(/t e4er2th*n. el+e had fa*led to +a4e her fro0 her+elf. he needed +o0eth*n. to
occ/p2 her 0*nd, ph2+*cal e3ert*on e+pec*all2. =erhap+ look*n. after her da/.hter and
0e wo/ld take her awa2 fro0 her dead. It wa+ a la+t hope, and I held *t o/t to her. I
told her I wo/ld rent an apart0ent *n New York at once, and +oon )*nn*e co/ld 1r*n.
C30
her to 0e. he +*.hed deepl2 and +ee0ed +o0ewhat con+oled.
!*th 8elena:+ collap+e the care of two fa0*l*e+ had fallen /pon 02 +*+ter Lena.
he worked for e4er21od2 w*tho/t co0pla*nt9 +he dr/d.ed far 1e2ond her +tren.th
and a+ked no reward. Lena wa+ of the +t/ff of the 0*ll*on+ who .o thro/.h l*fe
/npra*+ed 12 poet, /n+/n. 12 I2re, hero*c *n the*r +*lent +tren.th. The .loo0 I had
fo/nd on 02 ho0e6co0*n. wa+ 1roken onl2 12 the .olden .low of Ian, o/r adora1le
1a12 of fo/r, and 12 the +pr*.htl2 ener.2 of 02 0other, who wa+ e*.ht26one. he wa+
*n poor health, 1/t +t*ll 1/+2 w*th her char*t2 *ntere+t+, and +he wa+ the 0o4*n. +p*r*t
*n the n/0ero/+ lod.e+ to wh*ch +he 1elon.ed. he wa+ the .rande da0e par
e3cellence, 0ore caref/l of her to*let than her da/.hter+. Alwa2+ +tron. and +elf6
a++ert*4e, )other had, +*nce ,ather:+ death, 1eco0e a 4er*ta1le a/tocrat. No +tate+0an
or d*plo0at e3celled her *n w*t, +hrewdne++, and force of character. !hene4er I
4*+*ted #oche+ter, )other had new con>/e+t+ to report. ,or 2ear+ the orthodo3 ;ew+
of the c*t2 had d*+c/++ed the need of an orphana.e and a ho0e for the *nd*.ent a.ed.
)other d*d not wa+te word+9 +he located two +*te+, p/rcha+ed the0 on the +pot, and
for 0onth+ can4a++ed the ;ew*+h ne*.h1o/rhood for contr*1/t*on+ to pa2 off the
0ort.a.e and 1/*ld the *n+t*t/t*on+ the other+ had onl2 talked a1o/t. There wa+ no
pro/der >/een than )other on the open*n. da2 of the new orphana.e. he *n4*ted 0e
to 5co0e and +peak a p*ece5 on the .reat occa+*on. I had once told her that 02 a*0
wa+ to ena1le the worker+ to reap the fr/*t of the*r la1o/r+, and e4er2 ch*ld to en7o2
o/r +oc*al wealth. A 0*+ch*e4o/+ tw*nkle had co0e *nto her +t*ll +parkl*n. e2e+ a+ +he
repl*ed: 5Ye+, 02 da/.hter, that *+ all 4er2 .ood for the f/t/re9 1/t what *+ to 1eco0e
of o/r orphan+ now, and the old and decrep*t who are alone *n the worldB Tell 0e
that.5 And I had no an+wer to .*4e.
%ne of her e3plo*t+ had 1een to p/t the #oche+ter 0an/fact/rer of +hro/d+ o/t of
1/+*ne++ 1eca/+e of e3or1*tant char.e+. The owner of the 1/+*ne++, a wo0an, had a
0onopol2 of f/rn*+h*n. the 1/r*al .ar0ent+ w*tho/t wh*ch no orthodo3 ;ew 0a2 1e
la*d to f*nal re+t. An old wo0an of the poore+t cla++ needed a +hro/d, 1/t her fa0*l2
co/ld not pa2 the h*.h pr*ce a+ked for *t. !hen 02 0other learned of *t, +he at once
proceeded *n her /+/al ener.et*c 0anner. he called on the heartle++ creat/re who had
enr*ched her+elf on the dead, and de0anded that the .ar0ent 1e +/ppl*ed at once
w*tho/t pa2, threaten*n. to r/*n her *n ca+e of ref/+al. The 0an/fact/rer re0a*ned
/n0o4ed, and 02 0other +et to work forthw*th. he 1o/.ht wh*te 0ater*al and w*th
her own hand+ 0ade a +hro/d for the pa/per9 then +he called on the lar.e+t dr26.ood+
+tore *n the c*t2 and +/cceeded *n con4*nc*n. the owner of the r*che+ he wo/ld +tore
/p *n hea4en *f he wo/ld +ell the 0ater*al *n >/ant*t*e+ at co+t pr*ce. 5An2th*n. for
2o/, )r+. @old0an,5 the 0an had +a*d, )other reported pro/dl2. Then +he or.an*-ed
a .ro/p of ;ew*+h wo0en to +ew the +hro/d+, and +he 0ade *t known *n the
co00/n*t2 that the .ar0ent+ wo/ld 1e f/rn*+hed for ten cent+ ap*ece. The cle4er
+che0e 1ro/.ht a1o/t the 1ankr/ptc2 of the 0onopol*+t.
)an2 anecdote+ c*rc/lated a1o/t 02 0other, character*+t*c of her 4*tal*t2 and
1road +20path*e+, 1/t none a0/+ed 0e +o 0/ch a+ the +tor2 of how )r+. Ta/1e
@old0an had p/t the cha*rlad2 of a powerf/l lod.e 5*n her place.5 At one of the
0eet*n.+ )other had talked rather too lon.. Another 0e01er a+ked for the floor, and
the cha*rlad2 t*0*dl2 +/..e+ted that )r+. @old0an had alread2 e3ceeded her t*0e.
$raw*n. her+elf /p to f/ll +tat/re, 02 0other def*antl2 anno/nced: 5The whole
&n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent co/ld not +top 02 da/.hter "00a @old0an fro0
C31
+peak*n., and a f*ne chance 2o/ ha4e to 0ake her 0other +h/t /p?5
)other had not alwa2+ known how to e3pre++ her affect*on to her ch*ldren, e3cept
to o/r 51a125 1rother, who0 +he had alwa2+ lo4ed 1e+t. (/t I re0e01ered the
occa+*on on wh*ch +he .a4e 0e the .reate+t proof *n her power that +he al+o lo4ed 0e.
)2+ter*o/+l2 +he had taken 0e a+*de to tell 0e that +he had 0ade her w*ll and that +he
had deeded 0e her 0o+t cher*+hed trea+/re. !o/ld I pro0*+e to 0ake /+e of *t after
her deathB ,ro0 a 1/rea/ drawer )other took o/t her 7ewel6ca+e and +ole0nl2 held *t
o/t to 0e. 58ere, 02 da/.hter, *+ what I a0 lea4*n. 2o/,5 +he +a*d a+ +he handed 0e
the 0edal+ +he had rece*4ed fro0 4ar*o/+ char*t2 or.an*-at*on+. #epre++*n. 02
la/.hter w*th d*ff*c/lt2, I a++/red her that I had alread2 rece*4ed too 0an2 0edal+ of
02 own, tho/.h le++ +h*n2 than her+9 I co/ld not 4er2 well wear an2 0ore, 1/t I
wo/ld keep her+ *n lo4*n. e+tee0.
8arr2 !e*n1er.er had .one to Atlanta to 0eet a+ha on h*+ relea+e. The fate+ had
ne4er 1een k*nd to h*0 *n pr*+on9 th*+ t*0e the2 ro11ed h*0 of three da2+. In+tead of
epte01er C<, a+ha wa+ relea+ed on %cto1er 1. A n/01er of detect*4e+ faced h*0 on
h*+ d*+char.e, a0on. the0 repre+entat*4e+ of =ro+ec/tor ,*ckert of an ,ranc*+co.
The2 atte0pted to cla*0 a+ha a+ the*r pr*+oner, 1/t ,ederal off*cer+ declared that
the2 had pr*or cla*0 /pon h*0. ,r*end+ +/ppl*ed h*+ f*fteen6tho/+and6dollar 1ond for
appearance 1efore the *00*.rat*on a/thor*t*e+, and at la+t a+ha wa+ a.a*n *n o/r
0*d+t. 8e looked ha..ard and pale, 1/t otherw*+e apparentl2 h*+ /+/al +to*cal and
h/0oro/+ +elf. (/t +oon we real*-ed that *t wa+ onl2 the fl/+h of h*+ relea+e and the
7o2 of 1e*n. free, for a+ha wa+ 4er2 *ll. &ncle a0:+ pr*+on had +/cceeded *n
acco0pl*+h*n. *n twent26one 0onth+ what the !e+tern =en*tent*ar2 of =enn+2l4an*a
had fa*led to do *n fo/rteen 2ear+. Atlanta had 1roken h*+ health and had +ent h*0
1ack a ph2+*cal wreck, w*th the horror+ of h*+ e3per*ence 1/rned *nto h*+ +o/l.
a+ha had 1een kept *n an /nder.ro/nd d/n.eon for prote+t*n. a.a*n+t the
1r/tal*t*e+ pract*ced on the other *n0ate+. The cell wa+ too +0all to 0o4e a1o/t *n and
fet*d w*th the 1/cket of e3cre0ent that wa+ e0pt*ed onl2 once *n twent26fo/r ho/r+.
8e wa+ allowed onl2 two +0all +l*ce+ of 1read and one c/p of water a da2. Later on,
for *nterced*n. for a colo/red pr*+oner, he wa+ a.a*n p/n*+hed 12 the 5hole,5 wh*ch
0ea+/red two and a half feet 12 fo/r and a half, and where he co/ld not e4en +tand /p
+tra*.ht. The 5hole5 wa+ pro4*ded w*th do/1le door+, one *ron61arred, the other
51l*nd,5 th/+ ent*rel2 e3cl/d*n. all l*.ht and a*r. In that cell, known a+ 5the to01,5 one
*+ +/17ected to .rad/al +/ffocat*on. It *+ the wor+t p/n*+h0ent known *n the Atlanta
pen*tent*ar2, and *t *+ de+*.ned to 1reak the pr*+oner:+ +p*r*t and force h*0 to 1e. for
0erc2. a+ha ref/+ed to do +o. To keep fro0 +/ffocat*n. he had to l*e flat on the floor
w*th h*+ 0o/th clo+e to the .roo4e where the do/1le door+ f*t *nto the +tone ca+*n..
%nl2 th/+ co/ld he keep al*4e. #elea+ed fro0 5the to01,5 he wa+ for three 0onth+
depr*4ed of h*+ 0a*l pr*4*le.e+, allowed no 1ook+ or other read*n.60atter, and not
per0*tted an2 e3erc*+e whate4er. After that he re0a*ned cont*n/o/+l2 *n +ol*tar2 and
*+olat*on for +e4en6and6a6 half 0onth+, fro0 ,e1r/ar2 C1 to the da2 of h*+ d*+char.e,
%cto1er 1.
The 0e0or2 of Atlanta ha/nted a+ha /pon h*+ relea+e. At n*.ht he wo/ld wake
/p *n a cold +weat, tort/red 12 the n*.ht0are of h*+ recent e3per*ence. 8*+ pr*+on
phanto0+ were no new 0*+er2 to 0e, 1/t ,*t-* had not +een h*0 *n +/ch a +tate, and *t
/nner4ed her. he had .one thro/.h 0/ch +/ffer*n. and worr2 +*nce 191G, and +he
C3C
wa+ r/n down and depre++ed. To.ether w*th the re+pon+*1*l*t*e+ of her po+*t*on *n the
=ro4*ncetown =la2ho/+e, +he had carr*ed al0o+t the ent*re 1r/nt of the preparat*on+
for the )oone2 .eneral +tr*ke, the a0ne+t2 ca0pa*.n, and the Nat*onal A0ne+t2 $a2.
The ra*+*n. of f/nd+ for 1a*l and tr*al+ and the care of *0pr*+oned pol*t*cal+ had fallen
0o+tl2 to her. !*th the help of a handf/l of co0rade+, a0on. the0 =a/l*ne, 8*lda and
a0 Ko4ner, )*nna Lowen+ohn, and #o+e Nathan+on, ,*t-* had acco0pl*+hed a
tre0endo/+ a0o/nt of work.
)ore wear*n. than the ph2+*cal e3ert*on *n4ol4ed *n the+e act*4*t*e+ had 1een her
deep d*+appo*nt0ent *n the new ele0ent that had co0e *nto the (*ll*n.+6)oone2
f*.ht. The la1o/r pol*t*c*an+ had well6n*.h e0a+c/lated the 0*l*tant +p*r*t of the
ca0pa*.n for the Cal*forn*a 0en. %w*n. to the*r fa*nt6heartedne++, the .eneral +tr*ke,
+et for the f*r+t week of ;/l2, had co0pletel2 fa*led. The +a0e con+er4at*4e ele0ent+
had 4oted a.a*n+t and r/*ned the chance+ of a +/cce++f/l .eneral +tr*ke *n %cto1er.
o0e of the rad*cal or.an*-at*on+ were not 0/ch 0ore enco/ra.*n.9 the2 had ref/+ed
to *ncl/de *n the propo+ed prote+t the other pol*t*cal and la1o/r pr*+oner+. ,*t-* had
7/+tl2 +tre++ed the ar./0ent that the de0and for a .eneral a0ne+t2 wo/ld +tren.then
the 0o4e0ent for )oone2 and (*ll*n.+, 1/t e4en +o 0*l*tant a 0an a+ "d Nolan had
at f*r+t 4oted a.a*n+t her propo+al, tho/.h later he chan.ed h*+ att*t/de and +/pported
her +tand. The lack of 4*+*on and 1ack1one on the part of the 0a7or*t2 of the la1o/r
or.an*-at*on+ had ca/+ed a +pl*t and had .reatl2 *n7/red all the re1el+ *n pr*+on.
a+ha:+ cond*t*on wa+ .row*n. +tead*l2 wor+e. An e3a0*nat*on 12 o/r fr*end $r.
!o4+ch*n +howed the need of an operat*on, 1/t w*th +t/11orn *nd*fference a+ha
*.nored the ph2+*c*an:+ ad4*ce. ,*t-* and I had to con+p*re w*th the doctor to take o/r
pat*ent 12 +/rpr*+e. Late one afternoon !o4+ch*n arr*4ed w*th an a++*+tant for a
+econd e3a0*nat*on. a+ha wa+ awa2, we knew not where. %n h*+ ret/rn we learned
that he had 1een *n4*ted to a 4er*ta1le ;ew*+h fea+t, +pec*all2 prepared for h*0 12 the
0other of Anna (aron, o/r for0er )other "arth +ecretar2. $r. !o4+ch*n wa+
d*+./+ted9 he had ne4er operated on an2one *00ed*atel2 after a .rand repa+t. (/t *t
had to 1e now or ne4er. The ph2+*c*an +/cceeded *n coa3*n. a+ha on to the ta1le
/nder the prete3t of ha4*n. to look h*0 o4er once 0ore. Then he >/*ckl2 proceeded to
.*4e h*0 ether. a+ha, re+*+t*n. the anS+thet*c, p/t /p a f*erce f*.ht, +ho/t*n. that the
$ep/t2 !arden wa+ tr2*n. to k*ll h*0 and +wear*n. to f*n*+h the +.o.1. I had
/nfort/natel2 1een deta*ned 12 an *0portant en.a.e0ent, and when I ha+tened 1ack
ho0e, I 0et ,*t-* on the +treet r/nn*n. to a dr/. +tore. !h*te a+ a .ho+t, +he told 0e
that eno/.h ether had alread2 1een .*4en a+ha to p/t +e4eral 0en to +leep, 1/t 0ore
wa+ +t*ll needed. I fo/nd the roo0 look*n. l*ke a 1attle6f*eld. The e2e6.la++e+ of the
a++*+tant ph2+*c*an were +0a+hed and h*+ face lacerated. $r. !o4+ch*n had al+o not
e+caped da0a.e. a+ha wa+ on the ta1le, alread2 /ncon+c*o/+, 1/t +t*ll .r*tt*n. h*+
teeth and deno/nc*n. the $ep/t2 !arden. I took h*+ hand *n 0*ne and +poke
+ooth*n.l2 to h*0. =re+entl2 I felt 02 pre++/re ret/rned, and then he >/*eted down.
!hen he ca0e to after the operat*on, he opened h*+ e2e+ and +tared *n terror at the
foot of the 1ed. 5The .odda0 $ep/t2?5 he cr*ed, a1o/t to leap at h*+ throat. !e held
h*0 down, a++/r*n. h*0 that he wa+ a0on. fr*end+. 5,*t-* and I are near 2o/, dear,5 I
wh*+pered9 5no one w*ll har0 2o/.5 8e looked *ncred/lo/+l2 at 0e. 5I can +ee h*0
pla*nl2 r*.ht there,5 he *n+*+ted. It took 0/ch effort to per+/ade h*0 that he wa+ onl2
*0a.*n*n. h*0+elf +t*ll *n Atlanta. 8e .a-ed +tead*l2 *nto 02 e2e+. 5If 2o/ +a2 +o, *t
0/+t 1e tr/e, and I 1el*e4e 2o/,5 he +a*d at la+t, 51/t how +tran.e *+ the h/0an 0*nd?5
C33
8e went peacef/ll2 off to +leep.
%n 02 ret/rn fro0 ;effer+on C*t2 I fo/nd de+tro2ed what we had +lowl2 1/*lt /p
thro/.h a lon. per*od of 2ear+. The l*terat/re conf*+cated *n the ra*d had not 1een
ret/rned to /+, and )other "arth, the (la+t, a+ha:+ =r*+on )e0o*r+, and 02 e++a2+
were /nder the 1an. The lar.e +/0+ of 0one2 ra*+ed wh*le we were *n pr*+on,
*ncl/d*n. the three tho/+and dollar+ contr*1/ted 12 o/r old wed*+h co0rade, had
.one for appeal+ *n ca+e+ of con+c*ent*o/+ o17ector+, *n the pol*t*cal6a0ne+t2
act*4*t*e+, and *n other work. !e had noth*n. left, ne*ther l*terat/re, 0one2, nor e4en
a ho0e. The war tornado had +wept the f*eld clean, and we had to 1e.*n e4er2th*n.
anew.
A0on. 02 f*r+t caller+ wa+ )oll*e te*0er, who ca0e acco0pan*ed 12 another
co0rade. I had ne4er 0et e*ther of the0 1efore, 1/t )oll*e:+ re0arka1le +tand at her
tr*al, and all I knew a1o/t her, 0ade 0e feel a+ *f +he had alwa2+ 1een *n 02 l*fe. I
wa+ .lad to 0eet the 1ra4e .*rl face to face and to tell her of 02 ad0*rat*on and lo4e.
he wa+ d*0*n/t*4e and >/a*nt6look*n., alto.ether ;apane+e *n feat/re+ and +tat/re.
(/t +he had +hown e3cept*onal +tren.th and +he wa+ t2p*cal of the #/++*an
re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n her earne+tne++ and the +e4er*t2 of her dre++.
)oll*e and her e+cort *nfor0ed 0e that the2 had co0e a+ dele.ate+ of the*r .ro/p
to a+k 0e to wr*te for the*r (/llet*n, wh*ch the2 were p/1l*+h*n. /nder.ro/nd.
&nfort/natel2 I co/ld not co0pl2 w*th the*r re>/e+t. "4en *f I were not alread2
o4er1/rdened w*th too 0/ch work, I co/ld not all2 02+elf w*th +ecret act*4*t*e+. I told
the0 that I had tho/.ht of cont*n/*n. )other "arth +/1 ro+a, 1/t had d*+carded the
plan 1eca/+e of the ha-ard *t *n4ol4ed for other+. I wa+ not afra*d of dan.er *f I co/ld
0eet *t *n the open, 1/t I d*d not want to 1e trapped 12 +p*e+ and *nfor0er+, who are
alwa2+ fo/nd *n +ecret re4ol/t*onar2 1od*e+. )oll*e /nder+tood 02 att*t/de. he had
not 2et reco4ered fro0 the +hock +he had e3per*enced at the treacher2 of #o+an+k2,
the 1o2 who had del*4ered her and her co0rade+ to the pol*ce. he felt, howe4er, that,
w*th e4er2 1reath of freedo0 +/ppre++ed *n the co/ntr2, o/r *dea+ 0/+t 1e +pread
e4en at the r*+k of po++*1le 1etra2al. I held that the re+/lt+ of +/ch 0ethod+ are not
co00en+/rate w*th the r*+k, and I ref/+ed to ha4e an2th*n. to do w*th +/ch
*nade>/ate effort+. )2 4*+*tor+ were 0/ch d*+appo*nted, the 2o/n. 0an e4en
*nd*.nant. I d*+l*ked h/rt*n. the0, 1/t I co/ld not alter 02 dec*+*on.
An add*t*onal d*+a.ree0ent 1etween /+ wa+ d/e to 02 att*t/de to o4*et #/++*a.
)2 2o/n. co0rade+ tho/.ht that the (ol+he4*k*, repre+ent*n. a .o4ern0ent, +ho/ld
1e treated 12 anarch*+t+ l*ke other .o4ern0ent+. I *n+*+ted that o4*et #/++*a, the
o17ect of attack 12 the co01*ned react*on*+t+ of the world, wa+ not at all to 1e
con+*dered a+ an ord*nar2 .o4ern0ent. I d*d not o17ect to cr*t*c*+0 of the (ol+he4*k*,
1/t I co/ld not appro4e act*4e oppo+*t*on to the0, an2wa2 not /nt*l the2 +ho/ld 1e *n
a le++ dan.ero/+ +*t/at*on.
I lon.ed to take l*ttle )oll*e *n 02 ar0+, 1/t +he looked +tern *n her 2o/thf/l
fer4o/r. I let her depart w*th 7/+t a fr*endl2 hand+hake. he wa+ a wonderf/l .*rl, w*th
an *ron w*ll and a tender heart, 1/t +he wa+ fearf/ll2 +et *n her *dea+. 5A +ort of
Ale3ander (erk0an *n +k*rt+,5 I 7ok*n.l2 re0arked to tella. )oll*e wa+ a tr/e factor2
ch*ld of re4ol/t*onar2 +p*r*t. he had .one to work at the a.e of th*rteen and +he had
cont*n/ed *n the +hop /nt*l +he fell *nto the hand+ of the a/thor*t*e+. he wa+
C34
e++ent*all2 of the *deal*+t*c 2o/th of #/++*a *n t*0e+ of the T+ar, who +acr*f*ced the*r
l*4e+ 1efore the2 had +carcel2 1e./n to l*4e. !hat a fearf/l fate 666 fro0 the factor2 to
the )*++o/r* pr*+on for f*fteen 2ear+, w*th no 7o2 *n 1etween for 02 lo4el2 2o/n.
co0rade?
I fo/nd a co-2 apart0ent, and +oon )*nn*e arr*4ed w*th her 0other, and the three
of /+ 0o4ed *n. ,or a wh*le *t +ee0ed a+ *f 8elena wo/ld .et her+elf *n hand. he wa+
1/+2 attend*n. to the 0Ena.e, +ew*n. and 0end*n.. To afford her 0ore work, I /+ed
to *n4*te 0an2 fr*end+ to d*nner. $/t*f/ll2 02 +*+ter wo/ld prepare the food, +er4e *t
attract*4el2, and char0 e4er21od2 w*th her per+onal*t2. (/t +oon the no4elt2 wore off
and the old woe wa+ a.a*n /pon her. It wa+ no /+e 666 her l*fe wa+ cr/+hed, +he kept
on +a2*n.9 *t had lo+t 0ean*n. and p/rpo+e. "4er2th*n. *n her wa+ dead, dead a+
$a4*d *n the (o*+ de #appel he co/ld not cont*n/e, +he *n+*+ted, +he 0/+t 0ake an
end of *t, and I 0/+t help her o/t of her p/r.ator2. $a2 after da2 +he wo/ld repeat her
p*teo/+ appeal, and call 0e cr/el and *ncon+*+tent for 02 ref/+al. I had alwa2+
cla*0ed that e4er2one had a r*.ht to do w*th h*+ l*fe what he w*lled, and that per+on+
+/ffer*n. fro0 *nc/ra1le d*+ea+e +ho/ld not 1e co0pelled to l*4e. And 2et I wa+
ref/+*n. her the rel*ef I wo/ld .*4e e4en a +*ck an*0al.
It wa+ 0adne++, and 2et I felt that 8elena wa+ r*.ht. I wa+ *ncon+*+tent. I +aw her
d2*n. 12 *nche+ w*th a de+perate deter0*nat*on to e+cape fro0 l*fe. It wo/ld 1e an act
of h/0an*t2 to help her do +o. I had no do/1t a+ to the 7/+t*f*cat*on of 0ak*n. an end
to one:+ 0*+er2 or a*d*n. another *n *t when there *+ no hope of reco4er2. )o4ed 12
8elena:+ plea, I wo/ld dec*de to co0pl2 w*th her w*+he+9 and 2et I co/ld not 1r*n.
02+elf to c/t +hort her l*fe 666 the l*fe of one who had 1een 0other, +*+ter, fr*end to
0e, e4er2th*n. I had had *n 02 ch*ldhood. I cont*n/ed to +tr/..le w*th her *n the
+*lent ho/r+ of the n*.ht. In the da26t*0e, when I had to lea4e her, I wo/ld .o thro/.h
+*cken*n. terror le+t on 02 ret/rn ho0e I +ho/ld f*nd her da+hed on the +*dewalk. I
co/ld not a1+ent 02+elf /nle++ I knew that +o0eone wa+ +ta2*n. w*th her when
)*nn*e and I were o/t.
)2 deportat*on hear*n., tw*ce po+tponed, wa+ f*nall2 +et for %cto1er CH. a+ha
had alread2 0ade h*+ +tate0ent pr*or to lea4*n. Atlanta. 8e had ref/+ed to an+wer the
>/e+t*on+ of the ,ederal *00*.rat*on a.ent, who had called on h*0 *n the pr*+on to
.*4e h*0 5a hear*n.5 *n the 0atter of deportat*on. In+tead he had *++/ed a declarat*on
of h*+ po+*t*on, *n wh*ch he +a*d:
The p/rpo+e of the pre+ent hear*n. *+ to deter0*ne 02 5att*t/de of 0*nd.5 It
doe+ not, ad0*ttedl2, concern *t+elf w*th 02 act*on+, pa+t or pre+ent. It *+ p/rel2 an
*n>/*r2 *nto 02 4*ew+ and op*n*on+.
I den2 the r*.ht of an2one 666 *nd*4*d/all2 or collect*4el2 666 to +et /p an
*n>/*+*t*on of tho/.ht. Tho/.ht *+, or +ho/ld 1e, free. )2 +oc*al 4*ew+ and pol*t*cal
op*n*on+ are 02 per+onal concern. I owe no one re+pon+*1*l*t2 for the0.
#e+pon+*1*l*t2 1e.*n+ onl2 w*th the effect of tho/.ht e3pre++ed *n act*on. Not 1efore.
,ree tho/.ht, nece++ar*l2 *n4ol4*n. freedo0 of +peech and pre++, I 0a2 ter+el2 def*ne
th/+: no op*n*on a law 666 no op*n*on a cr*0e. ,or the .o4ern0ent to atte0pt to
control tho/.ht, to pre+cr*1e certa*n op*n*on+ or pro+cr*1e other+, *+ the he*.ht of
de+pot*+0.
C3F
Th*+ propo+ed hear*n. *+ an *n4a+*on of 02 con+c*ence. I therefore ref/+e, 0o+t
e0phat*call2, to part*c*pate *n *t.
AL"KAN$"# ("#K)AN
a+ha, not 1e*n. a c*t*-en and not car*n. a1o/t that +*de of the *++/e, ne4erthele++
7o*ned 0e *n 02 f*.ht a.a*n+t deportat*on 1eca/+e he con+*dered +/ch .o4ern0ental
0ethod+ a+ the wor+t for0 of a/tocrac2. I al+o had an add*t*onal rea+on for conte+t*n.
the !a+h*n.ton +che0e to dr*4e 0e o/t of the co/ntr2. The &n*ted tate+
@o4ern0ent +t*ll owed 0e an e3planat*on for the +had2 0ethod+ *t had e0plo2ed *n
1909 to ro1 0e of 02 c*t*-en+h*p. And I wa+ deter0*ned to ha4e the0 d*+clo+ed.
I had alwa2+ lon.ed to re4*+*t #/++*a, and after the ,e1r/ar26%cto1er #e4ol/t*on I
had def*n*tel2 dec*ded to ret/rn to 02 nat*4e land to help *n *t+ recon+tr/ct*on. (/t I
wanted to .o of 02 own free w*ll, at 02 own e3pen+e, and I den*ed the r*.ht of the
.o4ern0ent to force 0e. I wa+ aware of *t+ 1r/tal +tren.th, 1/t I d*d not propo+e to
+/10*t w*tho/t a f*.ht. I wa+ no 0ore dece*4ed *n *t+ o/tco0e than I had 1een *n
re.ard to o/r tr*al. Now, a+ then, I wa+ concerned pr*0ar*l2 *n p/1l*cl2 d*+clo+*n. the
/tter hollowne++ of A0er*can pol*t*cal cla*0+ and the pre+ence that heralded
c*t*-en+h*p *+ a +acred and *nal*ena1le r*.ht.
At 02 hear*n. 1efore the *00*.rat*on off*c*al+ I fo/nd the *n>/*+*tor+ +*tt*n. at a
de+k p*led h*.h w*th 02 do++*er. The doc/0ent+, cla++*f*ed, ta1/lated, and n/01ered,
were pa++ed on to 0e for *n+pect*on. The2 con+*+ted of anarch*+t p/1l*cat*on+ *n
d*fferent lan./a.e+, 0o+t of the0 lon. o/t of pr*nt, and of report+ of +peeche+ I had
del*4ered a decade pre4*o/+l2. No o17ect*on had 1een 0ade to the0 at the t*0e 12 the
pol*ce or the ,ederal a/thor*t*e+. Now the2 were 1e*n. offered a+ proof of 02
cr*0*nal pa+t and a+ 7/+t*f*cat*on for 1an*+h*n. 0e fro0 the co/ntr2. It wa+ a farce I
co/ld not part*c*pate *n, and I con+e>/entl2 ref/+ed to an+wer an2 >/e+t*on+. I
re0a*ned +*lent thro/.ho/t the 5hear*n.,5 at the end of wh*ch I handed to 02
e3a0*ner+ a +tate0ent, read*n. *n part:
If the pre+ent proceed*n.+ are for the p/rpo+e of pro4*n. +o0e alle.ed offence
co00*tted 12 0e, +o0e e4*l or ant*+oc*al act, then I prote+t a.a*n+t the +ecrec2 and
th*rd6de.ree 0ethod+ of th*+ +o called 5tr*al.5 (/t *f I a0 not char.ed w*th an2
+pec*f*c offence or act, *f 666 a+ I ha4e rea+on to 1el*e4e 666 th*+ *+ p/rel2 an *n>/*r2
*nto 02 +oc*al and pol*t*cal op*n*on+, then I prote+t +t*ll 0ore 4*.oro/+l2 a.a*n+t the+e
proceed*n.+, a+ /tterl2 t2rann*cal and d*a0etr*call2 oppo+ed to the f/nda0ental
./arantee+ of a tr/e de0ocrac2. "4er2 h/0an 1e*n. *+ ent*tled to hold an2 op*n*on
that appeal+ to her or h*0 w*tho/t 0ak*n. her+elf or h*0+elf l*a1le to per+ec/t*on....
The free e3pre++*on of the hope+ and a+p*rat*on+ of a people *+ the .reate+t and
onl2 +afet2 *n a +ane +oc*et2. In tr/th, *t *+ +/ch free e3pre++*on and d*+c/++*on alone
that can po*nt the 0o+t 1enef*c*al path for h/0an pro.re++ and de4elop0ent. (/t the
o17ect of deportat*on+ and of the Ant*6Anarch*+t Law, a+ of all +*0*lar repre++*4e
0ea+/re+, *+ the 4er2 oppo+*te. It *+ to +t*fle the 4o*ce of the people, to 0/--le e4er2
a+p*rat*on of la1o/r. That *+ the real and terr*1le 0enace of the +tar6cha01er
proceed*n.+ and of the tendenc2 of e3*l*n. tho+e who do not f*t *nto the +che0e of
th*n.+ o/r *nd/+tr*al lord+ are +o ea.er to perpet/ate.
C3G
!*th all the power and *nten+*t2 of 02 1e*n. I prote+t a.a*n+t the con+p*rac2 of
*0per*al*+t cap*tal*+0 a.a*n+t the l*fe and the l*1ert2 of the A0er*can people.
"))A @%L$)AN
The new+paper+ reported )oll*e te*0er to 1e on a h/n.er6+tr*ke. !e all felt 4er2
an3*o/+ a1o/t her, 1eca/+e the pol*ce, tate and ,ederal, had 1een ho/nd*n. o/r
co0rade e4er +*nce +he had 1een relea+ed on 1a*l. !*th*n ele4en 0onth+ +he had 1een
arre+ted e*.ht t*0e+, kept *n +tat*on6ho/+e+ for a n*.ht or a week, relea+ed and re6
arre+ted w*tho/t def*n*te char.e+ 1e*n. preferred a.a*n+t her. In the recent ra*d of the
#/++*an =eople:+ 8o/+e, where the !orker+: Co/nc*l had the*r off*ce+, )oll*e had
1een ha/led *n 12 the *00*.rat*on a/thor*t*e+, held for e*.ht da2+, and then relea+ed
on a tho/+and6dollar 1ond. Later, wh*le walk*n. on the +treet w*th a fr*end, +he wa+
acco+ted 12 two detect*4e+ and told that 5the 1o++ wanted5 her. he wa+ held *n the
off*ce of the head of the New York 51o01 +>/ad5 for three ho/r+ w*tho/t 1e*n.
>/e+t*oned, then taken to the +tat*on6ho/+e and locked /p. The follow*n. 0orn*n. +he
read *n the pre++ that +he wa+ char.ed w*th 5*nc*t*n. to r*ot.5 he wa+ tran+ferred to
the To01+ and after a week:+ detent*on relea+ed on f*4e tho/+and dollar+: 1a*l. he
had 1arel2 reached her ho0e when +he wa+ 4*+*ted 12 three detect*4e+ w*th a ,ederal
warrant for her arre+t and taken to "ll*+ I+land. There +he had 1een held e4er +*nce.
The ent*re 0ach*ner2 of the &n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent wa+ 1e*n. e0plo2ed to cr/+h
the +l*p of a .*rl, we*.h*n. le++ than e*.ht2 po/nd+.
,*fteen 2ear+ *n pr*+on were fac*n. )oll*e, and I wanted to pre4a*l /pon her not to
wa+te her +tren.th 12 a h/n.er6+tr*ke. A+ her co/n+ellor, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er wa+
per0*tted to 4*+*t her, and the co00*++*oner allowed 0e to acco0pan2 h*0. !e
fo/nd her *n a 4er2 weakened cond*t*on, 1/t her w*ll *ndo0*ta1le. he +howed no
trace of an2 *ll feel*n. a+ a re+/lt of o/r pre4*o/+ d*+a.ree0ent. %n the contrar2, +he
wa+ 4er2 .lad to +ee 0e, +weet and fr*endl2.
he wa+ 1e*n. kept locked /p all the t*0e, )oll*e *nfor0ed /+, den*ed the r*.ht to
0*n.le w*th the other pol*t*cal+ and to a++oc*ate w*th tho+e to 1e deported. he had
repeatedl2 prote+ted *n 4a*n, and f*nall2 +he had dec*ded on a h/n.er6+tr*ke. I a.reed
that her pro4ocat*on wa+ certa*nl2 e3tre0e, 1/t I /r.ed that her l*fe wa+ too *0portant
to o/r 0o4e0ent to 7eopard*-e her health. !o/ld +he ter0*nate her +tr*ke *f we +ho/ld
per+/ade the co00*++*oner to chan.e h*+ treat0ent of herB he wa+ rel/ctant at f*r+t,
1/t f*nall2 con+ented. Th*+ t*0e I d*d not he+*tate to take 02 +plend*d co0rade *n 02
ar0+. he wa+ l*ke a l*ttle ch*ld to 0e who0 I lon.ed to +h*eld fro0 the cr/elt2 of the
world.
!e +/cceeded *n pre4a*l*n. /pon the co00*++*oner to per0*t )oll*e the r*.ht of
a++oc*at*on w*th her co0rade+. To +a4e h*+ face he pro0*+ed 5to look *nto the 0atter
f*r+t,5 and 0ake a chan.e pro4*ded )*++ te*0er wo/ld 50eet h*0 half6wa2.5 !e
+ent )oll*e the 0e++a.e and .ot her con+ent to +/ppl2 her w*th food.
The +a0e e4en*n. a recept*on d*nner for a+ha and 0e wa+ tak*n. place at the
(re4oort 8otel, arran.ed 12 o/r *ndefat*.a1le $oll2 loan. !e had oppo+ed the plan
of an e3cl/+*4e affa*r9 we preferred Carne.*e 8all or +o0e lar.e theatre where a
pop/lar ad0*++*on pr*ce wo/ld per0*t lar.e n/01er+ to attend. (/t no place *n
@reater New York co/ld 1e +ec/red e3cept the (re4oort, who+e 0ana.e0ent alone
C3H
l*4ed /p to the*r ho+p*ta1le trad*t*on+. The e4en*n. wa+ +o0ewhat 0arred 12 the
*ne4*ta1le e3cl/+*on of 0an2 fr*end+ who had tra4elled fro0 afar to 1e w*th /+ on the
occa+*on. (/t the f*ne +p*r*t of the e4en*n. 0ade /p for that d*+appo*nt0ent. Lola
#*d.e, o/r .*fted re1el poet, *n+p*red the a/d*ence 12 rec*t*n. a .raph*c poe0 +he had
ded*cated to a+ha and 0e, and the other +peaker+ were e>/all2 .enero/+ *n pa2*n.
tr*1/te to /+. "4en o/r old co6worker 8arr2 ). Kell2, who had dr*fted awa2 fro0 /+
1eca/+e of the !orld !ar, wa+ a.a*n *n o/r 0*d+t, the +a0e k*ndl2 +o/l.
I +poke of o/r hero*c 2o/n. re1el+ on "ll*+ I+land and of )oll*e, who+e co/ra.e
and re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 p/t 0an2 a 0an to +ha0e. The )oll*e+ of the r*+*n.
.enerat*on had +pr/n. fro0 the +o*l we older anarch*+t+ had helped to plo/.h, I +a*d.
The2 were o/r ch*ldren of the +p*r*t and the2 wo/ld carr2 f/rther the*r her*ta.e. In th*+
pro/d con+c*o/+ne++ we 0*.ht look w*th a++/rance toward+ the f/t/re.
A +*0*lar affa*r *n 1ehalf of Kate #*chard+ %:8are wa+ arran.ed 12 the .ro/p of
rad*cal wo0en that were work*n. for Kate:+ pardon. Cr2+tal "a+t0an pre+*ded, the
+peaker+ of the e4en*n. *ncl/d*n. "l*-a1eth @/rle2 ,l2nn and 0e. I talked a1o/t
Kate:+ l*fe *n the ;effer+on C*t2 pr*+on and of the .ood +he had ach*e4ed for the
/nfort/nate+ there. I dwelt on the f*ne +p*r*t of her co0rade+h*p, and I related +o0e
per+onal deta*l+ of o/r +o7o/rn *n the pen*tent*ar2 that *ll/+trated Kate:+ character. 8er
co0ple3 a1o/t her ha*r part*c/larl2 a0/+ed the a/d*ence. Not for an2th*n. wo/ld +he
appear *n the +hop w*tho/t an ela1orate co*ff/re. The r*t/al re>/*red con+*dera1le t*0e
and effort, and, a+ there wa+ no opport/n*t2 for *t *n the 0orn*n., Kate /+ed to de4ote
the la+t e4en*n. ho/r+ to *t. %nce I wa+ awakened at n*.ht 12 Kate l/+t*l2 +wear*n..
5!hat *+ *t, KateB5 I called to her. 5t/ck a.a*n 12 a ha*rp*n, darn *t,5 +he repl*ed.
5Yo/ w*ll 1e 4a*n,5 I tea+ed her. 5/re,5 +he retorted9 5how el+e a0 I to +how off 02
1ea/t2B Noth*n. *n th*+ world can 1e had w*tho/t a pr*ce, a+ 2o/ well know 2o/r+elf.5
5!ell, I wo/ld not pa2 for +/ch fool*+hne++ a+ c/rled ha*r.5 5!h2, ". @., how 2o/
talk. ;/+t a+k 2o/r 0ale fr*end+, and 2o/:ll f*nd o/t that a f*ne co*ff/re *+ 0ore
*0portant than the 1e+t +peech.5 The d*ner+ roared, and I wa+ +/re 0o+t of the0
a.reed w*th Kate.
The .od+ had ne4er 1een 0*+erl2 *n pro4*d*n. 0e w*th care and work. No +ooner
had a+ha left h*+ +*ck61ed than another pat*ent wa+ on hand: tella wa+ la*d /p and
had to 1e n/r+ed. )2 onl2 chance for re+t wa+ when +o0e fr*end+ 0ana.ed to k*dnap
0e, a+ 02 fr*end Al*ne (arn+dall pre+entl2 d*d.
I had f*r+t 0et her at 02 lect/re+ *n Ch*ca.o. he wa+ keenl2 *ntere+ted *n the
dra0a and +he had +ta.ed +o0e 0odern pla2+ *n that c*t2. !e +pent 0an2 plea+ant
ho/r+ to.ether, and I had an opport/n*t2 of learn*n. that +he wa+ al+o w*de awake to
+oc*al pro1le0+, part*c/larl2 to free 0otherhood and 1*rth6control. 8er *ntere+t *n the
)oone26(*ll*n.+ ca+e pro4ed that her att*t/de wa+ not 0ere theor2. he had 1een
a0on. the f*r+t to contr*1/te to the defence and +he had al+o e3tended a lar.e loan for
the p/rpo+e. It wa+ not /nt*l I wa+ +ent to pr*+on, howe4er, that Al*ne 0ade 0e feel
that +he reall2 cared for 0e. 8er co0*n. to Ch*ca.o fro0 the Coa+t to welco0e 0e on
02 relea+e 1ro/.ht her 4er2 near and helped to ce0ent o/r fr*end+h*p, 1e./n fo/r
2ear+ 1efore. %n her arr*4al *n New York +he carr*ed 0e off and 0ade 0e for.et for a
wh*le the tro/1le+ of the world.
%ne da2, a+ we +at d*+c/++*n. 02 approach*n. deportat*on, I happened to >/ote
C3<
I1+en to the effect that *t *+ the +tr/..le for the *deal that co/nt+, rather than the
atta*n0ent of *t. )2 l*fe had 1een r*ch and colo/rf/l, and I had noth*n. to re.ret.
5!hat a1o/t 0ater*al re+/lt+B5 Al*ne +/ddenl2 a+ked. 5Noth*n. e3cept 02 .ood
look+,5 I repl*ed 7e+t*n.l2. )2 fr*end .rew tho/.htf/l and then *n>/*red whether I
wo/ld 1e a1le to ca+h a che>/e. I co/ld, I told her, 1/t *t were 1etter for her not to
ha4e 02 na0e *n her che>/e61ook. Al*ne declared that +he had the r*.ht to d*+po+e of
her 0one2 a+ +he plea+ed9 the .o4ern0ent had no 1/+*ne++ to control +/ch th*n.+.
Then +he handed 0e a che>/e for f*4e tho/+and dollar+, to 1e appl*ed to the f*.ht
a.a*n+t 02 deportat*on or for 02 need+ *f I +ho/ld 1e co0pelled to lea4e the co/ntr2.
I d*d not tr/+t 02+elf to thank Al*ne for her .rac*o/+ .e+t/re9 I had to .et 02
e0ot*on+ *n hand f*r+t. Later *n the e4en*n. I told her that the 0o+t d*+t/r1*n. feel*n.
*n re.ard to 02 deportat*on wa+ the dread of dependence. Ne4er once +*nce I had
co0e to A0er*ca had I known the fear of not 1e*n. a1le to +tand on 02 own feet. I
+ho/ld rather keep 02 *ndependence *n po4ert2 than .*4e *t /p for wealth. It wa+ the
onl2 trea+/re wh*ch I ./arded a+ a 0*+er doe+ h*+ po++e++*on+. To 1e dr*4en o/t of the
land I had called 02 own, where I had to*led and +/ffered for 2ear+, wa+ not a
cheerf/l pro+pect. (/t to co0e to other +hore+ penn*le++ and w*tho/t the hope of
*00ed*ate ad7/+t0ent wa+ for 0e a cala0*t2 *ndeed. It wa+ not the dread of po4ert2
or want9 *t wa+ the fear of ha4*n. to do the 1*dd*n. of tho+e who ha4e the power to
w*thhold the 0ean+ of e3*+tence. Th*+ +pectre had worr*ed 0e 0o+t. 5Yo/r che>/e *+
not an ord*nar2 .*ft,5 I +a*d to Al*ne9 5*t w*ll 1e the 0ean+ of keep*n. 0e free, and *t
w*ll ena1le 0e to reta*n 02 *ndependence and +elf6re+pect. $o 2o/ /nder+tandB5 he
nodded, and 02 heart e3panded *n .rat*t/de no word+ co/ld e3pre++.
A 2ear had pa++ed +*nce the Ar0*+t*ce, and pol*t*cal a0ne+t2 had 1een .ranted *n
e4er2 "/ropean co/ntr2. A0er*ca alone fa*led to open her pr*+on door+. In+tead,
off*c*al ra*d+ and arre+t+ *ncrea+ed. There wa+ hardl2 a c*t2 where worker+ known a+
#/++*an+ or +/+pected of +20path2 w*th rad*cal *dea+ were not 1e*n. p*cked /p, taken
at the*r work61enche+ or on the +treet. (eh*nd the+e ra*d+ +tood Attorne2 @eneral
)*tchell =al0er, pan*ck2 at the tho/.ht of rad*cal+. )an2 of the arre+t+ were
acco0pan*ed 12 1r/tal 0anhandl*n. of the 4*ct*0+. New York, Ch*ca.o, =*tt+1/r.h,
$etro*t, eattle, and other *nd/+tr*al centre+ had the*r detent*on ho/+e+ and 7a*l+ f*lled
w*th the+e 5cr*0*nal+.5 I wa+ 1e+*e.ed 12 re>/e+t+ for lect/re+. The ,ederal
deportat*on 0an*a wa+ terror*-*n. the fore*.n worker+ of the co/ntr2, and there were
0an2 call+ /pon 0e to +peak on the 0atter and enl*.hten the people on the +/17ect.
%/r own fate wa+ han.*n. *n the 1alance, and a+ha wa+ +t*ll an *n4al*d. It +ee0ed
prepo+tero/+ to 1e.*n a lect/re to/r, 2et I co/ld not ref/+e. I had a fore1od*n. that *t
wo/ld 1e 02 la+t opport/n*t2 to ra*+e 02 4o*ce a.a*n+t the +ha0e of 02 adopted land.
I con+/lted a+ha and he a.reed that I o/.ht to .o. I +/..e+ted that he co0e w*th 0e9
*t wo/ld help h*0 to for.et Atlanta and ena1le h*0 to 1e w*th o/r co0rade+ for
perhap+ the la+t t*0e, and he con+ented.
%/r fr*end+ and co/n+el /ncond*t*onall2 oppo+ed o/r /ndertak*n. the ca0pa*.n.
The >/e+t*on of o/r deportat*on wa+ +t*ll /nder con+*derat*on 12 the ,ederal
@o4ern0ent, and *t wa+ therefore *nad4*+a1le to pre7/d*ce o/r ca+e, the2 ar./ed. (/t
a+ha and I felt that *t wa+ the p+2cholo.*cal 0o0ent to +peak o/t *n 1ehalf of #/++*a.
!e co/ld not allow per+onal *ntere+t+ to *nfl/ence o/r dec*+*on.
C39
,ro0 New York to $etro*t and thence to Ch*ca.o we 0ade a wh*rlw*nd to/r, o/r
0o4e0ent+ watched 12 local and ,ederal a.ent+, e4er2 /tterance noted down and
atte0pt+ 0ade to +*lence /+. &npert/r1ed we cont*n/ed. It wa+ o/r la+t +/pre0e effort
and we felt o/r d*e had 1een ca+t.
Notw*th+tand*n. +en+at*onal pre++ report+ of pol*ce *nterference, warn*n.+ to keep
awa2 fro0 o/r .ather*n.+, and +*0*lar 0ethod+ calc/lated to deter o/r a/d*ence+ fro0
attend*n., o/r 0eet*n.+ *n $etro*t, a+ well a+ *n Ch*ca.o, were crowded 12 tho/+and+.
No ord*nar2 a++e01l*e+, the+e9 0on+ter de0on+trat*on+ the2 were, a te0pe+t of
4ehe0ent *nd*.nat*on a.a*n+t .o4ern0ent a1+ol/t*+0 and of ho0a.e to o/r+el4e+. It
wa+ the elo>/ent 4o*ce of the awakened collect*4e +o/l, thr*lled 12 new hope and
a+p*rat*on. !e 0erel2 art*c/lated *t+ 2earn*n.+ and drea0+.
$/r*n. the farewell d*nner .*4en /+ 12 o/r fr*end+ *n Ch*ca.o, on $ece01er C,
reporter+ da+hed *n w*th the new+ of 8enr2 Cla2 ,r*ck:+ death. !e had not heard of *t
1efore, 1/t the new+paper 0en +/+pected that the 1an>/et wa+ to cele1rate the e4ent.
5)r. ,r*ck ha+ 7/+t d*ed,5 a 1l/+ter*n. 2o/n. reporter addre++ed a+ha. 5!hat ha4e
2o/ .ot to +a2B 5 5$eported 12 @od,5 a+ha an+wered dr2l2. I added that )r. ,r*ck
had collected h*+ de1t *n f/ll fro0 Ale3ander (erk0an, 1/t he had d*ed w*tho/t
0ak*n. .ood h*+ own o1l*.at*on+. 5!hat do 2o/ 0eanB5 the reporter+ de0anded.
5;/+t th*+: 8enr2 Cla2 ,r*ck wa+ a 0an of the pa++*n. ho/r. Ne*ther *n l*fe nor *n
death wo/ld he ha4e 1een re0e01ered lon.. It wa+ Ale3ander (erk0an who 0ade
h*0 known, and ,r*ck w*ll l*4e onl2 *n conne3*on w*th (erk0an:+ na0e. 8*+ ent*re
fort/ne co/ld not pa2 for +/ch .lor2.5
The ne3t 0orn*n. 1ro/.ht a tele.ra0 fro0 8arr2 !e*n1er.er *nfor0*n. /+ that
the ,ederal $epart0ent of La1or had ordered o/r deportat*on, and that we 0/+t
+/rrender on $ece01er F. !e had two 0ore da2+ of freedo0 and another lect/re on
hand. There wa+ 0/ch to attend to *n New York, and a+ha left to arran.e o/r affa*r+
there. I re0a*ned for the la+t 0eet*n.. 8owe4er the +tor0 0*.ht ra.e and the wa4e+
0o/nt h*.h, I wa+ deter0*ned to face *t to the end.
The ne3t da2 I took the fa+te+t tra*n for New York, K*tt2 (eck and (en Cape+
acco0pan2*n. 0e. It wa+ a ro2al +end6off that wa+ .*4en 0e on lea4*n. Ch*ca.o. %/r
fr*end+ and co0rade+ al0o+t 0onopol*-ed the +tat*on platfor0, the +ea of face+
e3pre++*4e of the 0o+t prec*o/+ token of co0plete +ol*dar*t2 and affect*on.
I wa+ on the fa+te+t A0er*can tra*n, tra4ell*n. *n +tate w*th 02 two co0pan*on+.
5A +leeper or co0part0ent on what 0a2 1e 2o/r la+t tr*p *n the &. .B5 02 fr*end+
had declared9 5ne4er?5 A draw*n.6roo0 wa+ none too .ood, and cha0pa.ne to .o
w*th *t. o0ehow (enn2 had 0ana.ed to /nearth a co/ple of 1ottle+ *n +p*te of
=roh*1*t*on. 8e wa+ an old hand at .ett*n. on the .ood +*de of porter+, and he
capt/red o/r dark2:+ heart. %/r porter had 1een 1/+2*n. h*0+elf a1o/t o/r roo0 and
+n*ff*n. the a*r all the t*0e. 5@reat +t/ff,5 he .r*nned, clo+*n. one e2e. 5(et 2o/r l*fe,
@eor.e,5 (enn2 ad0*tted9 5can 2o/ .et /+ a 1/cket of *ceB5 5Yah, +ah, a whole
che+t.5 !e had not eno/.h 1ottle+ to f*ll a refr*.erator, (en told h*0, 1/t he 0*.ht
5co0e *n on the +wa.5 *f he wo/ld 1r*n. an e3tra .la++. The +l2 Ne.ro pro4ed to 1e a
ph*lo+opher and art*+t. 8*+ o1+er4at*on+ on l*fe were keen and h*+ 0*0*cr2 of the
pa++en.er+ and the*r fo*1le+ 0a+terl2.
C40
K*tt2 and I, left alone, talked *nto the wee ho/r+ of the 0orn*n.. 8er l*fe had 1een
4er2 tra.*c, perhap+ 1eca/+e nat/re had 0ade her all too la4*+h. @*4*n. wa+ to her a
r*t/al, to +er4e to the /tter0o+t her onl2 *0p/l+e. !hether *t wa+ the 0an +he lo4ed, a
fr*end, or a 1e..ar, a +tra2 cat or a do., K*tt2 alwa2+ e0pt*ed the f/llne++ of her heart.
he co/ld e3act noth*n. for her+elf, 2et I ha4e +eldo0 known a 1e*n. +o *n need of
affect*on. Tho+e *n her l*fe accepted fro0 her a+ a 0atter of co/r+e9 few, *f an2, of
the0 /nder+tood the cra4*n. of her own heart. K*tt2 wa+ 1orn to .*4e, not to rece*4e.
That wa+ at once her +/pre0e ach*e4e0ent and her defeat.
At the @rand Central ter0*nal *n New York fr*end+ awa*ted /+, *ncl/d*n. a+ha,
,*t-*, tella, 8arr2, and other *nt*0ate+. There wa+ no t*0e left e4en to .o to 02
apart0ent to 1*d 02 dear 8elena .ood12e. !e p*led *nto ta3*+ and dro4e +tra*.ht to
"ll*+ I+land. There a+ha and I +/rrendered, wh*le 8arr2 !e*n1er.er prepared to
de0and the ret/rn of the th*rt2 tho/+and dollar+ depo+*ted a+ o/r 1ond.
5That *+ the end, "00a @old0an, *+n:t *tB5 a reporter re0arked. 5It 0a2 onl2 1e
the 1e.*nn*n.,5 I fla+hed 1ack.
Chapter F1
T8" #%%) I !A AI@N"$ T% %N T8" ILAN$ AL#"A$Y C%NTAIN"$
two occ/pant+, "thel (ern+te*n and $ora L*pk*n, who had 1een ro/nded /p at the ra*d
of the &n*on of #/++*an !orker+. The doc/0ent+ d*+co4ered there con+*+ted of
"n.l*+h .ra00ar+ and te3t61ook+ on ar*th0et*c. The ra*der+ had 1eaten /p and
arre+ted tho+e fo/nd on the pre0*+e+ for po++e++*n. +/ch *nfla00ator2 l*terat/re.
To 02 a0a-e0ent I learned that the off*c*al who had +*.ned the order for o/r
deportat*on wa+ Lo/*+ ,. =o+t, A++*+tant ecretar2 of La1or. It +ee0ed *ncred*1le.
Lo/*+ ,. =o+t, ardent +*n.le6ta3er, cha0p*on of free +peech and pre++, for0er ed*tor of
the =/1l*c, a fearle++ l*1eral weekl2, the 0an who had fla2ed the a/thor*t*e+ for the*r
1r/tal 0ethod+ d/r*n. the )cK*nle2 pan*c, who had defended 0e, and who had
*n+*+ted that e4en Leon C-ol.o+- +ho/ld 1e +afe./arded *n h*+ con+t*t/t*onal r*.ht+ 666
he now a cha0p*on of deportat*onB The rad*cal who had offered to pre+*de at a
0eet*n. arran.ed after 02 relea+e *n conne3*on w*th the )cK*nle2 tra.ed2, now
fa4o/r*n. +/ch 0ethod+B I had 1een a ./e+t at h*+ ho0e and enterta*ned 12 h*0 and
)r+. =o+t. !e had d*+c/++ed anarch*+0 and he had ad0*tted *t+ *deal*+t 4al/e+, tho/.h
he had do/1ted the pract*ca1*l*t2 of the*r appl*cat*on. 8e had a++*+ted /+ *n 4ar*o/+
free6+peech f*.ht+ and he had 4*.oro/+l2 prote+ted 12 pen and 4o*ce a.a*n+t ;ohn
T/rner:+ deportat*on. And he, Lo/*+ ,. =o+t, had now +*.ned the f*r+t order for
deport*n. rad*cal+?
o0e of 02 fr*end+ +/..e+ted that Lo/*+ ,. =o+t, 1e*n. an off*c*al of the ,ederal
@o4ern0ent, co/ld not .o 1ack on h*+ oath to +/pport the 0andate+ of the law. The2
fa*led to con+*der that *n accept*n. off*ce and tak*n. the oath he had .one 1ack on the
*deal+ he had profe++ed and worked for d/r*n. all h*+ pre4*o/+ 2ear+. If he were a 0an
of *nte.r*t2, Lo/*+ ,. =o+t +ho/ld ha4e re0a*ned tr/e to h*0+elf and +ho/ld ha4e
re+*.ned when !*l+on forced the co/ntr2 *nto war. 8e +ho/ld ha4e re+*.ned at lea+t
when he fo/nd h*0+elf co0pelled to order the deportat*on of people for the op*n*on+
C41
the2 enterta*ned. I felt that =o+t had co4ered h*0+elf w*th *.no0*n2.
The lack of +ta0*na and 1ack1one on the part of +/ch A0er*can rad*cal+ wa+
tra.*c. (/t wh2 e3pect a 1ra4er +tand fro0 Lo/*+ ,. =o+t than fro0 h*+ teacher 8enr2
@eor.e, the father of +*n.le6ta3, who had fa*led 02 Ch*ca.o co0rade+ at the ele4enth
ho/rB 8*+ 4o*ce carr*ed .reat we*.ht at the t*0e and he co/ld ha4e helped to +a4e the
0en *n who+e *nnocence he had 1el*e4ed. (/t pol*t*cal a01*t*on pro4ed +tron.er than
h*+ +en+e of 7/+t*ce. Lo/*+ ,. =o+t wa+ now follow*n. *n the foot+tep+ of h*+ ad0*red
+*n.le6ta3 apo+tle.
I +o/.ht co0fort *n the tho/.ht that there +t*ll were +o0e +*n.le6ta3er+ of *nte.r*t2
and 0oral +tren.th. (olton 8all, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er, ,rank tephen+ M02 co0rade+ *n
0an2 free6+peech f*.ht+N, $an*el K*efer, and +core+ of other+ had +tood the*r .ro/nd
666 a.a*n+t war and the new de+pot*+0. ,rank tephen+, arre+ted a+ a con+c*ent*o/+
o17ector, had *n prote+t e4en decl*ned to accept 1a*l. $an*el K*efer wa+ another
l*1ertar*an of tr/e 0etal. L*1ert2 wa+ a l*4*n. force *n h*+ pr*4ate l*fe a+ *n h*+ p/1l*c
act*4*t*e+. 8e wa+ one of the f*r+t +*n.le6ta3er+ to take an act*4e part a.a*n+t A0er*ca:+
entr2 *nto the war and a.a*n+t the 5+elect*4e5 draft. 8e heart*l2 a1horred rene.ade+ of
the t2pe of )*tchell =al0er, Newton $. (aker, and other weak6kneed '/aker+ and
pac*f*+t+. Nor d*d he +pare h*+ fr*end Lo/*+ ,. =o+t for h*+ 1etra2al.
;/d.e ;/l*/+ ). )a2er, of the &n*ted tate+ $*+tr*ct Co/rt, d*+0*++ed 8arr2
!e*n1er.er:+ wr*t of ha1ea+ corp/+ and ref/+ed to ad0*t /+ to 1a*l. (/t the hear*n.
el*c*ted 4al/a1le *nfor0at*on. The attorne2 for the &n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent +tated
that ;aco1 Ker+hner had 1een dead for 2ear+9 *n fact, he wa+ dead at the t*0e h*+
c*t*-en+h*p wa+ re4oked, *n 1909. The off*c*al ad0*++*on def*n*tel2 +ta0ped the act*on
of the ,ederal a/thor*t*e+ a+ a del*1erate atte0pt to depr*4e 0e of c*t*-en+h*p 12
d*+franch*+*n. the dead ;aco1 Ker+hner.
%/r co/n+el wa+ not one to accept defeat ea+*l2. (eaten at one place, he wo/ld
tra*n h*+ ./n+ /pon another. The &n*ted tate+ /pre0e Co/rt wa+ h*+ ne3t o17ect*4e.
8e wo/ld appl2 for a wr*t of error, he *nfor0ed /+, and he wo/ld *n+*+t on o/r 1e*n.
ad0*tted to 1a*l. Then we co/ld proceed w*th the f*.ht for 02 c*t*-en+h*p. 8arr2 wa+
*rrepre++*1le, and I wa+ .lad to take ad4anta.e of e4er2 ho/r left 0e on A0er*can +o*l.
a+ha and I had lon. 1efore dec*ded to wr*te a pa0phlet on deportat*on. !e knew
that the "ll*+ I+land a/thor*t*e+ wo/ld conf*+cate +/ch a 0an/+cr*pt, and *t therefore
1eca0e nece++ar2 to prepare and +end *t o/t +ecretl2. !e wrote at n*.ht, o/r roo06
0ate+ keep*n. watch. In the 0orn*n., d/r*n. o/r 7o*nt walk+, we wo/ld d*+c/++ what
we had wr*tten and e3chan.e +/..e+t*on+. a+ha 0ade the f*nal re4*+*on and .a4e *t to
fr*end+ to +0/..le o/t.
"ach da2 1ro/.ht +core+ of new cand*date+ for deportat*on. ,ro0 4ar*o/+ tate+
the2 ca0e, 0o+t of the0 w*tho/t clothe+ or 0one2. The2 had 1een kept *n 7a*l+ for
0onth+ and were then +h*pped to New York 7/+t a+ the2 were at the t*0e of the*r
/ne3pected arre+t. In that cond*t*on the2 were fac*n. a lon. 4o2a.e *n the w*nter. !e
1o01arded o/r people w*th re>/e+t+ for cloth*n., 1lanket+, +hoe+, and other wear*n.6
apparel. oon +/ppl*e+ 1e.an to arr*4e, and .reat wa+ the re7o*c*n. a0on. the
pro+pect*4e deportee+.
C4C
The cond*t*on of the e0*.rant+ on "ll*+ I+land wa+ noth*n. +hort of fr*.htf/l. The*r
>/arter+ were con.e+ted, the food wa+ a1o0*na1le, and the2 were treated l*ke felon+.
The+e /nfort/nate+ had c/t the*r 0oor*n.+ *n the ho0eland and had p*l.r*0ed to the
&n*ted tate+ a+ the land of pro0*+e, l*1ert2, and opport/n*t2. In+tead the2 fo/nd
the0+el4e+ locked /p, *ll6treated, and kept *n /ncerta*nt2 for 0onth+. I 0ar4elled that
th*n.+ had chan.ed +o l*ttle +*nce 02 Ca+tle @arden da2+ of 1<<G. The e0*.rant+ were
not per0*tted to 0*n.le w*th /+, 1/t we 0ana.ed to .et fro0 the0 note+ that +tra*ned
all o/r l*n./*+t*c ac>/*re0ent+, al0o+t e4er2 "/ropean lan./a.e 1e*n. repre+ented. It
wa+ l*ttle eno/.h we were *n a po+*t*on to do for the0. !e *ntere+ted o/r A0er*can
fr*end+ and d*d the 1e+t we co/ld to +how the for+aken +tran.er+ that not all of the
&n*ted tate+ wa+ repre+ented 12 off*c*al 1ar1ar*an+. !e were loaded w*th work, and
ne*ther a+ha nor I co/ld co0pla*n of enn/*.
An attack of ne/ral.*a pro4ed 4er2 t*0el2. The *+land dent*+t fa*led to alle4*ate 02
pa*n9 the co00*++*oner, howe4er, ref/+ed to let 02 own dent*+t attend 0e. )2 a.on2
1eco0*n. /n1eara1le, I 0ade a 4*.oro/+ prote+t, and f*nall2 the *+land a/thor*t*e+
pro0*+ed to co00/n*cate w*th !a+h*n.ton for *n+tr/ct*on+. ,or fort26e*.ht ho/r+ 02
teeth 1eca0e a ,ederal *++/e. ecret d*plo0ac2 at la+t +ol4ed the .reat pro1le0.
!a+h*n.ton con+ented to let 0e .o to 02 dent*+t, acco0pan*ed 12 a 0ale ./ard and a
0atron
The dent*+t:+ recept*on roo0 1eca0e 02 rende-4o/+. ,*t-*, tella, 8elena, Ye.or,
o/r l*ttle Ian, dear old )a3, and other fr*end+ .athered there. !a*t*n. for treat0ent
1eca0e a 7o2, t*0e pa++*n. all too >/*ckl2.
8arr2 !e*n1er.er wa+ 0eet*n. w*th /ne3pected d*ff*c/lt*e+ *n !a+h*n.ton, d/e to
1/rea/crat*c pett*ne++ and red tape. The Clerk of the Co/rt ref/+ed to accept h*+
paper+ 1eca/+e the2 were not *n pr*nted for0. 8arr2 +/cce++f/ll2 appealed to Ch*ef
;/+t*ce !h*te. %n $ece01er 11 he wa+ per0*tted to ar./e h*+ 0ot*on, 1/t the Co/rt
den*ed /+ the wr*t of error. A +ta2 of deportat*on for a+ha wa+ al+o ref/+ed. The
doc/0ent+ *n 02 ca+e were ordered pr*nted and ret/rned w*th*n one week.
I dec*ded that *f a+ha wa+ to 1e dr*4en o/t of the co/ntr2, I wo/ld .o w*th h*0.
8e had co0e *nto 02 l*fe w*th 02 +p*r*t/al awaken*n., he had .rown *nto 02 4er2
1e*n., and h*+ lon. @ol.otha wo/ld for e4er re0a*n o/r co00on 1ond. 8e had 1een
02 co0rade, fr*end, and co6worker thro/.h a per*od of th*rt2 2ear+9 *t wa+
/nth*nka1le that he +ho/ld 7o*n the #e4ol/t*on and I re0a*n 1eh*nd.
5Yo/ are +ta2*n. to 0ake the f*.ht, aren:t 2o/B5 a+ha a+ked 0e at recreat*on that
da2. I co/ld do 0/ch for the deportee+, he added, a+ well a+ for #/++*a, *f I +ho/ld
e+ta1l*+h 02 r*.ht to re0a*n *n the &n*ted tate+. The +a0e old a+ha, I tho/.ht9
alwa2+ con+*der*n. propa.anda 4al/e+ f*r+t. I co/ld hardl2 re+tra*n the pan. I felt o4er
h*+ detach0ent e4en at +/ch a 0o0ent. Yet I knew the real a+ha9 I knew that
altho/.h he wo/ld not ad0*t *t e4en to h*0+elf, there wa+ a .reat deal of the all6too6
h/0an /nderneath h*+ r*.*d re4ol/t*onar2 e3ter*or. 5It:+ no /+e, old +co/t,5 I +a*d9 52o/
can:t .et r*d of 0e +o ea+*l2. I ha4e 0ade 02 dec*+*on, and I a0 .o*n. w*th 2o/.5 8e
.r*pped hard 02 hand, 1/t he +a*d not a word.
,ew da2+ re0a*ned to /+ on the ho+p*ta1le &n*ted tate+ +hore+, and o/r .*rl+
were 1/+2 a+ 1ea4er+ w*th the f*nal preparat*on+. No effort wa+ too hard for 02
C43
darl*n. tella, no ta+k too d*ff*c/lt for ,*t-*. The2 went a1o/t the*r work w*th ach*n.
heart+, 2et the2 were alwa2+ cheer2 when w*th /+. eparat*on fro0 the0 and fro0
)a3, 8elena, and other lo4ed one+ wa+ po*.nant *ndeed. o0e da2 we 0*.ht all 0eet
a.a*n, howe4er66all e3cept 8elena. I enterta*ned no +/ch hope+ concern*n. 02 poor
+*+ter. I had a feel*n. +he co/ld not la+t 0/ch lon.er, and I knew +he *nt/*t*4el2
echoed 02 tho/.ht. !e cl/n. to each other de+peratel2.
at/rda2, $ece01er C0 wa+ a hect*c da2, w*th 4a./e *nd*cat*on+ that *t 0*.ht 1e
o/r la+t. !e had 1een a++/red 12 the "ll*+ I+land a/thor*t*e+ that we were not l*kel2 to
1e +ent awa2 1efore Chr*+t0a+, certa*nl2 not for +e4eral da2+ to co0e. )eanwh*le we
were photo.raphed, f*n.er6pr*nted, and ta1/lated l*ke con4*cted cr*0*nal+. The da2
wa+ f*lled w*th 4*+*t+ fro0 n/0ero/+ fr*end+ who ca0e *nd*4*d/all2 and *n .ro/p+.
elf6e4*dentl2, reporter+ al+o d*d not fa*l to hono/r /+. $*d we know when we were
.o*n., and whereB And what were 02 plan+ a1o/t #/++*aB 5I w*ll or.an*-e a oc*et2
of #/++*an ,r*end+ of A0er*can ,reedo0,5 I told the0. 5The A0er*can ,r*end+ of
#/++*a ha4e done 0/ch to help l*1erate that co/ntr2. It *+ now the t/rn of free #/++*a
to co0e to the a*d of A0er*ca.5
8arr2 !e*n1er.er wa+ +t*ll 4er2 hopef/l and f/ll of f*.ht. 8e wo/ld +oon .et 0e
1ack to A0er*ca, he *n+*+ted, and I +ho/ld keep 02+elf read2 for *t. (o1 )*nor +0*led
*ncred/lo/+l2. 8e wa+ .reatl2 0o4ed 12 o/r approach*n. depart/re9 we had fo/.ht
to.ether *n 0an2 1attle+ and he wa+ fond of 0e. a+ha he l*terall2 *dol*-ed and he felt
h*+ deportat*on a+ a +e4ere per+onal lo++. The pa*n of +eparat*on fro0 ,*t-* wa+
+o0ewhat 0*t*.ated 12 her dec*+*on to 7o*n /+ *n o4*et #/++*a at the f*r+t
opport/n*t2. %/r 4*+*tor+ were a1o/t to lea4e when !e*n1er.er wa+ off*c*all2 not*f*ed
that we were to re0a*n on the *+land for +e4eral 0ore da2+. !e were .lad of *t and we
arran.ed w*th o/r fr*end+ to co0e a.a*n, perhap+ for the la+t t*0e, on )onda2, no
caller+ 1e*n. allowed on the *+land on the Lord:+ da2.
I ret/rned to the pen I wa+ +har*n. w*th 02 two .*rl co0rade+. The tate char.e of
cr*0*nal anarch2 a.a*n+t "thel had 1een w*thdrawn, 1/t +he wa+ to 1e deported 7/+t
the +a0e. he had 1een 1ro/.ht to A0er*ca a+ a ch*ld9 her ent*re fa0*l2 were *n the
co/ntr2, a+ well a+ the 0an +he lo4ed, a0/el L*p0an, +entenced to twent2 2ear+ at
Lea4enworth. he had no aff*l*at*on+ *n #/++*a and wa+ /nfa0*l*ar w*th *t+ lan./a.e.
(/t +he wa+ cheerf/l, +a2*n. that +he had .ood ca/+e to 1e pro/d: +he wa+ 1arel2
e*.hteen, 2et +he had alread2 +/cceeded *n 0ak*n. the powerf/l &n*ted tate+
@o4ern0ent afra*d of her.
$ora L*pk*n:+ 0other and +*+ter+ l*4ed *n Ch*ca.o. The2 were work*n. people too
poor to afford a tr*p to New York, and the .*rl knew that +he wo/ld ha4e to lea4e
w*tho/t e4en 1*dd*n. her lo4ed one+ .ood612e. L*ke "thel, +he had 1een *n the
co/ntr2 for a lon. t*0e, +la4*n. *n factor*e+ and add*n. to the co/ntr2:+ wealth. Now
+he wa+ 1e*n. k*cked o/t, 1/t fort/natel2 her lo4er wa+ al+o a0on. the 0en to 1e
deported.
I had not 0et e*ther of the .*rl+ 1efore, 1/t o/r two week+ on "ll*+ I+land had
e+ta1l*+hed a +tron. 1ond 1etween /+. Th*+ e4en*n. 02 roo060ate+ a.a*n kept watch
wh*le I wa+ h/rr*edl2 an+wer*n. *0portant 0a*l and penn*n. 02 la+t farewell to o/r
people. It wa+ al0o+t 0*dn*.ht when +/ddenl2 I ca/.ht the +o/nd of approach*n.
foot+tep+. 5Look o/t, +o0eone:+ co0*n.?5 "thel wh*+pered. I +natched /p 02 paper+
C44
and letter+ and h*d the0 /nder 02 p*llow. Then we threw o/r+el4e+ on o/r 1ed+,
co4ered /p, and pretended to 1e a+leep.
The +tep+ halted at o/r roo0. There ca0e the rattl*n. of ke2+9 the door wa+
/nlocked and no*+*l2 thrown open. Two ./ard+ and a 0atron entered. 5@et /p now,5
the2 co00anded, 5.et 2o/r th*n.+ read2?5 The .*rl+ .rew ner4o/+. "thel wa+ +hak*n.
a+ *n fe4er and helple++l2 r/00a.*n. a0on. her 1a.+. The ./ard+ 1eca0e *0pat*ent.
58/rr2, there? 8/rr2?5 the2 ordered ro/.hl2. I co/ld not re+tra*n 02 *nd*.nat*on.
5Lea4e /+ +o we can .et dre++ed?5 I de0anded. The2 walked o/t, the door re0a*n*n.
a7ar. I wa+ an3*o/+ a1o/t 02 letter+. I d*d not want the0 to fall *nto the hand+ of the
a/thor*t*e+, nor d*d I care to de+tro2 the0. )a21e I +ho/ld f*nd +o0eone to entr/+t
the0 to, I tho/.ht. I +t/ck the0 *nto the 1o+o0 of 02 dre++ and wrapped 02+elf *n a
lar.e +hawl.
In a lon. corr*dor, d*0l2 l*t and /nheated, we fo/nd the 0en deportee+ a++e01led,
l*ttle )orr*+ (ecker a0on. the0. 8e had 1een del*4ered to the *+land onl2 that
afternoon w*th a n/01er of other #/++*an 1o2+. %ne of the0 wa+ on cr/tche+9
another, +/ffer*n. fro0 an /lcerated +to0ach, had 1een carr*ed fro0 h*+ 1ed *n the
*+land ho+p*tal. a+ha wa+ 1/+2 help*n. the +*ck 0en pack the*r parcel+ and 1/ndle+.
The2 had 1een h/rr*ed o/t of the*r cell+ w*tho/t 1e*n. allowed e4en t*0e to .ather /p
all the*r th*n.+. #o/ted fro0 +leep at 0*dn*.ht, the2 were dr*4en 1a. and 1a..a.e *nto
the corr*dor. o0e were +t*ll half6a+leep, /na1le to real*-e what wa+ happen*n..
I felt t*red and cold. No cha*r+ or 1enche+ were a1o/t, and we +tood +h*4er*n. *n
the 1arn6l*ke place. The +/ddenne++ of the attack took the 0en 12 +/rpr*+e and the2
f*lled the corr*dor w*th a h/11/1 of e3cla0at*on+ and >/e+t*on+ and e3c*ted
e3po+t/lat*on+. o0e had 1een pro0*+ed a re4*ew of the*r ca+e+, other+ were wa*t*n.
to 1e 1a*led o/t pend*n. f*nal dec*+*on. The2 had rece*4ed no not*ce of the nearne++ of
the*r deportat*on and the2 were o4erwhel0ed 12 the 0*dn*.ht a++a/lt. The2 +tood
helple++l2 a1o/t, at a lo++ what to do. a+ha .athered the0 *n .ro/p+ and +/..e+ted
that an atte0pt 1e 0ade to reach the*r relat*4e+ *n the c*t2. The 0en .ra+ped
de+peratel2 at that la+t hope and appo*nted h*0 the*r repre+entat*4e and +poke+0an.
8e +/cceeded *n pre4a*l*n. /pon the *+land co00*++*oner to per0*t the 0en to
tele.raph, at the*r own e3pen+e, to the*r fr*end+ *n New York for 0one2 and
nece++ar*e+.
)e++en.er 1o2+ h/rr*ed 1ack and forth, collect*n. +pec*al6del*4er2 letter+ and
w*re+ ha+t*l2 +cr*11led. The chance of reach*n. the*r people cheered the forlorn 0en.
The *+land off*c*al+ enco/ra.ed the0 and .athered *n the*r 0e++a.e+, the0+el4e+
collect*n. pa2 for del*4er2 and a++/r*n. the0 that there wa+ plent2 of t*0e to rece*4e
repl*e+.
8ardl2 had the la+t w*re 1een +ent when the corr*dor f*lled w*th tate and ,ederal
detect*4e+, off*cer+ of the I00*.rat*on (/rea/ and Coa+t @/ard+. I reco.n*-ed
Ca0*nett*, Co00*++*oner @eneral of I00*.rat*on, at the*r head. The /n*for0ed 0en
+tat*oned the0+el4e+ alon. the wall+, and then ca0e the co00and: 5L*ne /p?5 A
+/dden h/+h fell /pon the roo0. 5)arch?5 It echoed thro/.h the corr*dor.
$eep +now la2 on the .ro/nd9 the a*r wa+ c/t 12 a 1*t*n. w*nd. A row of ar0ed
c*4*l*an+ and +old*er+ +tood alon. the road to the 1ank. $*0l2 the o/tl*ne+ of a 1ar.e
C4F
were 4*+*1le thro/.h the 0orn*n. 0*+t. %ne 12 one the deportee+ 0arched, flanked on
each +*de 12 the /n*for0ed 0en, c/r+e+ and threat+ acco0pan2*n. the th/d of the*r
feet on the fro-en .ro/nd. !hen the la+t 0an had cro++ed the .an.plank, the .*rl+ and
I were ordered to follow, off*cer+ *n front and *n 1ack of /+.
!e were led to a ca1*n. A lar.e f*re roared *n the *ron +to4e, f*ll*n. the a*r w*th
heat and f/0e+. !e felt +/ffocat*n.. There wa+ no a*r nor water. Then ca0e a 4*olent
l/rch9 we were on o/r wa2.
I looked at 02 watch. It wa+ 4:C0 A.). on the da2 of o/r Lord, $ece01er C1,
1919. %n the deck a1o4e /+ I co/ld hear the 0en tra0p*n. /p and down *n the w*ntr2
1la+t. I felt d*--2, 4*+*on*n. a tran+port of pol*t*cal+ doo0ed to *1er*a, the Etape of
for0er #/++*an da2+. #/++*a of the pa+t ro+e 1efore 0e and I +aw the re4ol/t*onar2
0art2r+ 1e*n. dr*4en *nto e3*le. (/t no, *t wa+ New York, *t wa+ A0er*ca, the land of
l*1ert2? Thro/.h the port6hole I co/ld +ee the .reat c*t2 reced*n. *nto the d*+tance, *t+
+k26l*ne of 1/*ld*n.+ tracea1le 12 the*r rear*n. head+. It wa+ 02 1elo4ed c*t2, the
0etropol*+ of the New !orld. It wa+ A0er*ca, *ndeed, A0er*ca repeat*n. the terr*1le
+cene+ of t+ar*+t #/++*a? I .lanced /p 666 the tat/e of L*1ert2?
$awn wa+ 1reak*n. when o/r 1ar.e p/lled /p alon.+*de of the lar.e +h*p. !e
were >/*ckl2 tran+ferred and a++*.ned to a ca1*n. It wa+ +*3 o:clock. "3ha/+ted, I
crawled *nto 02 1/nk and *00ed*atel2 fell a+leep.
I wa+ awakened 12 +o0eone p/ll*n. at 02 co4er+. A wh*te f*./re +tood at 02
1erth, pro1a1l2 the +tewarde++. !a+ I *ll, +he a+ked, to re0a*n *n 1ed +o lon.. It wa+
alread2 +*3 o:clock *n the e4en*n.. I had +h/t o/t the h*deo/+ +*.ht+ *n twel4e ho/r+ of
1le++ed +leep. tepp*n. *nto the corr*dor, I wa+ +tartled 12 +o0eone ro/.hl2 .ra11*n.
0e 12 the +ho/lder. 5!here are 2o/ .o*n.B5 a +old*er de0anded. 5To the to*let, *f 2o/
0/+t know *t. An2 o17ect*onB5 8e loo+ed h*+ hold and followed 0e9 he wa*ted t*ll I
e0er.ed a.a*n, and acco0pan*ed 0e 1ack to the ca1*n. )2 .*rl co0pan*on+ *nfor0ed
0e that ./ard+ had 1een +tat*oned at o/r door +*nce o/r arr*4al, and that the2 had al+o
1een e+corted to the place of pre++*n. need+ e4er2 t*0e the2 left the ca1*n.
At noon the ne3t da2 we were cond/cted 12 the +entr2 to the off*cer+: d*n*n.6
roo0. At a lar.e ta1le +at the capta*n and h*+ ret*n/e, c*4*l*an and 0*l*tar2. A +eparate
ta1le wa+ a++*.ned to /+.
After l/nch I re>/e+ted to +ee the ,ederal off*c*al *n char.e of the deportee+. 8e
pro4ed to 1e ,. !. (erk+h*re, an *00*.rat*on *n+pector deta*led to 0ana.e the (/ford
e3ped*t*on. $*d we l*ke o/r ca1*n and wa+ the food .ood, he *n>/*red +ol*c*to/+l2. !e
had no co0pla*nt+ to 0ake, I told h*0, 1/t how a1o/t o/r 0en co0rade+B Co/ld we
take o/r 0eal+ w*th the0 and 0eet the0 on deckB 5I0po++*1le,5 (erk+h*re +a*d. I then
de0anded to +ee Ale3ander (erk0an. Al+o *0po++*1le. There/pon I *nfor0ed the
*n+pector that I had no de+*re to ca/+e tro/1le, 1/t that I wo/ld .*4e h*0 twent26fo/r
ho/r+ to chan.e h*+ 0*nd a1o/t allow*n. 0e to talk to 02 fr*end. If 02 de0and
+ho/ld 1e ref/+ed, at the e3p*rat*on of that t*0e I wo/ld .o on a h/n.er6+tr*ke.
In the 0orn*n. a+ha wa+ 1ro/.ht /nder e+cort to +ee 0e. It +ee0ed week+ +*nce I
had 1eheld h*+ dear face. 8e told 0e that the cond*t*on+ of the 0en were harrow*n..
The2 were cooped /p *n the hold of the +h*p, fort26n*ne *n a place 1arel2 lar.e eno/.h
C4G
for half that n/01er. The re+t of the0 were *n two other co0part0ent+. The 1/nk+,
three t*er+ h*.h, were old and worn o/t9 tho+e *n the lower one+ 1/0ped the*r head+
a.a*n+t the w*re nett*n. of the /pper+ e4er2 t*0e the2 t/rned aro/nd. The 1oat, 1/*lt at
the end of the la+t cent/r2, had 1een /+ed a+ a tran+port *n the pan*+h6A0er*can !ar
and later d*+carded a+ /n+afe. The floor of the +teera.e wa+ wet all the t*0e, the 1ed+
and 1lanket+ da0p. %nl2 +alt water wa+ to 1e had for wa+h*n., and no +oap. The food
wa+ a1o0*na1le, e+pec*all2 the 1read, half61aked and /neata1le. And, wor+t of all,
there were onl2 two to*let+ for the two h/ndred and fort26+*3 0en.
a+ha ad4*+ed a.a*n+t pre++*n. o/r re>/e+t to eat w*th the 0en. It wo/ld 1e 1etter
to +a4e what we co/ld fro0 o/r food for the +*ck 1o2+ who co/ld not +to0ach the
rat*on+ .*4en the0. )eanwh*le he wa+ tr2*n. to +ee what *0pro4e0ent+ he co/ld
+ec/re. 8e wa+ ne.ot*at*n. w*th (erk+h*re a l*+t of de0and+ he had +/10*tted. I wa+
happ2 to +ee a+ha f/ll of 4*tal ener.2 a.a*n. 8e had for.otten h*+ own ph2+*cal
tro/1le+ the 0o0ent he +aw that the other+ were depend*n. on h*0.
The off*cer+ cele1rated Chr*+t0a+ *n the d*n*n.6roo0 *n .rand +t2le. "thel and
$ora were too *ll to lea4e the*r 1erth+, and I co/ld not 1ear to 1e alone w*th o/r
7a*ler+. The*r Chr*+t0a+ fea+t wa+ the 4er*e+t 0ocker2 to 0e. $/r*n. the da2 we were
taken o/t on deck, 1/t not allowed to +ee the 0en. In+*+tence 12 a+ha and 02+elf
f*nall2 re+/lted *n per0*++*on for h*0 and $ora:+ fr*end to 4*+*t /+.
,r*ct*on had de4eloped 1etween the deportee+ and tho+e *n char.e of the (/ford.
The 0en were .*4en no e3erc*+e *n the fre+h a*r, and a+ha had prote+ted *n the na0e
of h*+ co0rade+. The ,ederal repre+entat*4e, I00*.rat*on In+pector (erk+h*re, +ee0ed
w*ll*n. to .rant the de0and+, 1/t he e4*dentl2 +tood *n awe of tho+e co00and*n. a
lar.e force of +old*er+. The *n+pector referred the 0en to the 5ch*ef,5 1/t a+ha
ref/+ed to appl2 to the latter on the .ro/nd that the deportee+ were pol*t*cal and not
0*l*tar2 pr*+oner+. =r*+oner+ the2 were, *ndeed, cont*n/o/+l2 locked 1elow deck, w*th
+entr*e+ +tat*oned da2 and n*.ht at the door+. (erk+h*re +ee0ed to real*-e that o/r
co0rade+ were deter0*ned, and no do/1t he felt that the*r re+ent0ent of the treat0ent
the2 were rece*4*n. wa+ 7/+t*f*ed. %n Chr*+t0a+ $a2 he *nfor0ed a+ha that the
5h*.her a/thor*t*e+5 had .ranted the de0anded e3erc*+e.
"4en then we were not allowed to a++oc*ate w*th the0. =ol*t*cal pr*+oner+ *n other
co/ntr*e+ co/ld freel2 0*n.le to.ether d/r*n. recreat*on ho/r+ re.ardle++ of +e3, 1/t
A0er*can p/r*tan*+0 con+*dered +/ch th*n.+ *0proper. To +a4e 0oral*t2 we were kept
locked *n o/r ca1*n wh*le the 0en were o/t for an a*r*n.. The2 had to re0a*n on the
lowe+t deck, w*th the wa4e+ often +weep*n. the 1oat and drench*n. the0.
!e were *n ro/.h water+, and 0an2 of the deportee+ fell *ll. The coar+e and 1adl2
cooked food wa+ ca/+*n. .eneral +to0ach6co0pla*nt+, and the da0pne++ of the 1/nk+
la*d 0an2 of the 0en low w*th rhe/0at*+0. The +h*p:+ doctor, too 1/+2 to attend the
*ncrea+*n. n/01er of pat*ent+, called /pon a+ha to a*d h*0. )2 offer to +er4e a+
n/r+e had 1een ref/+ed, 1/t 02 hand+ were f/ll2 occ/p*ed w*th 02 two .*rl
co0pan*on+, who had to keep to the*r 1ed+ al0o+t all the t*0e. It wa+ a 4er2 +tra*ned
at0o+phere tho+e Chr*+t0a+ da2+, w*th fore1od*n.+ of *0pend*n. +tr*fe.
%/r ./ard+ were e3tre0el2 anta.on*+t*c, 1/t w*th the pa++*n. of t*0e I +ee0ed to
detect a .rad/al chan.e. At f*r+t 4er2 for1*dd*n. and tac*t/rn, the*r +e4er*t2 pre+entl2
C4H
1e.an to decrea+e. The2 entered *nto con4er+at*on w*th /+, alwa2+ on the alert,
howe4er, for the approach of an off*cer. oon the2 conf*ded to 0e that the2 had 1een
tr*cked. The order for d/t2 had reached the0 onl2 the da2 pre4*o/+ to e01arkat*on.
The2 were *n *.norance a1o/t the p/rpo+e and pro1a1le len.th of the 4o2a.e, and
the2 had no *dea of o/r de+t*nat*on. The2 had 1een told that the2 were to ./ard
dan.ero/+ cr*0*nal+ 1e*n. +h*pped +o0ewhere. The2 were 1*tter a.a*n+t the*r off*cer+,
and +o0e c/r+ed the0 openl2.
The +entr2 who had +o ro/.hl2 .ra11ed 0e the f*r+t da2 wa+ hold*n. o/t lon.e+t
a.a*n+t /+. %ne e4en*n. I kept watch*n. h*0 a+ he paced /p and down *n front of o/r
ca1*n. 8e looked e3ha/+ted w*th the endle++ walk*n. and I +/..e+ted that he +*t down
for a wh*le. !hen I placed a ca0p6cha*r 1efore h*0, h*+ re+er4e 1roke down. 5I
daren:t,5 he wh*+pered, 5the +er.eant 0a2 1e alon..5 I offered to chan.e role+ w*th
h*0: I wo/ld re0a*n on the look6o/t. 5)2 @od?5 he e3cla*0ed, /na1le to re+tra*n
h*0+elf an2 lon.er, 5the2 told /+ 2o/ were a de+perado, that 2o/ had k*lled )cK*nle2
and are alwa2+ plott*n. a.a*n+t +o0eone.5 ,ro0 that 0o0ent he 1eca0e 4er2
fr*endl2, read2 to do /+ an2 +er4*ce. 8e had apparentl2 +poken of the *nc*dent to h*+
1/dd*e+, and the2 1e.an to han. aro/nd o/r door, ea.er to +how /+ +o0e k*ndne++.
%/r ca1*n had al+o a +pec*al attract*on for the0: 02 .ood6look*n. 2o/n. co0pan*on
"thel. The +old*er+ were w*ld a1o/t her, d*+c/++ed anarch*+0 e4er2 free 0o0ent at
the*r d*+po+al, and 1eca0e .reatl2 *ntere+ted *n o/r fate. The2 hated the*r +/per*or+.
The2 wo/ld l*ke to drop the0 *nto the +ea, the2 +a*d, 1eca/+e the2 were treated a+
chattel +la4e+ and p/n*+hed on e4er2 prete3t.
%ne of the l*e/tenant+ al+o wa+ 4er2 co/rteo/+ and h/0ane. 8e 1orrowed fro0
0e +o0e 1ook+, and when he ret/rned the0, I fo/nd a note conta*n*n. the new+ that
Kal*n*n had 1eco0e =re+*dent of o4*et #/++*a and h*nt*n. that we were not to 1e
taken to an2 part+ occ/p*ed 12 the !h*te+. &ncerta*nt2 a+ to o/r e3act de+t*nat*on had
all the t*0e 1een a +o/rce of .reat an3*et2 and worr2 a0on. the deportee+. The
*nfor0at*on of the fr*endl2 off*cer pro4ed a .reat rel*ef *n alla2*n. o/r wor+t fear+.
)eanwh*le o/r 0en co0rade+ were 1/+2 5a.*tat*n.5 the*r ./ard+ and fratern*-*n.
w*th the0. The +old*er+ offered the0 the*r e3tra +hoe+ and cloth*n. for +ale 666 5)*.ht
co0e hand2 *n #/++*a,5 the2 +a*d. a+ha:+ tact and h*+ r*ch +tock of h/0oro/+ +tor*e+
helped to w*n the heart+ of &ncle a0:+ 1o2+. =o+t*n. a +entr2 a+ the*r look6o/t, the2
wo/ld crowd *nto h*+ co0part0ent and a+k for f/nn2 2arn+. 8e knew how to aro/+e
the*r *ntere+t, and pre+entl2 the2 1e.an to p/t >/e+t*on+ a1o/t the (ol+he4*k* and the
+o4*et+. The2 were ea.er to know what chan.e+ the #e4ol/t*on had 0ade, and the2
heard w*th a0a-e0ent that *n the #ed Ar02 the +old*er+ the0+el4e+ elected the*r
off*cer+, and that e4en a co00*++ar or .eneral d*d not dare *n+/lt a pr*4ate. The2
tho/.ht *t wonderf/l that off*cer+ and 0en were on a foot*n. of e>/al*t2, and that all
+hared the +a0e rat*on+.
The +teera.e >/arter+ were cold and wet. )an2 of the deportee+ had 1een .*4en
no opport/n*t2 to pro4*de the0+el4e+ w*th war0 cloth*n., and there wa+ 0/ch
+/ffer*n. a+ a re+/lt. a+ha +/..e+ted that tho+e who had +/ppl*e+ +ho/ld +hare what
the2 co/ld +pare w*th the*r le++ fort/nate co0rade+, and the 0en re+ponded
1ea/t*f/ll2. (a.+, +/*t6ca+e+, and tr/nk+ were /npacked, e4er2one donat*n. whate4er
he d*d not a1+ol/tel2 re>/*re for h*0+elf. Coat+, /nderwear, hat+, +ock+, and other
apparel were p*led /p *n one of the co0part0ent+ 1elow deck, and a co00*++*on wa+
C4<
+elected for d*+tr*1/t*on. The +tor2 of the proceed*n.+, a+ told to 0e 12 a+ha,
+tr*k*n.l2 e4*denced the +plend*d +ol*dar*t2 and fellow6feel*n. of the deportee+.
The0+el4e+ not too well pro4*ded for, the2 .a4e of the*r 4er2 la+t. The d*+tr*1/t*on
had pro4ed +o fa*r and 7/+t that there had not 1een a +*n.le co0pla*nt.
The +tra*n+ of #/++*an 0elod*e+, r*n.*n. fro0 a h/ndred throat+, were re+o/nd*n.
thro/.h the (/ford. The 0en were on deck, and the*r l/+t2 4o*ce+ ro+e a1o4e the
roll*n. of the wa4e+, reach*n. /+ *n o/r ca1*n. The powerf/l 1ar*tone of the leader
*ntoned the f*r+t +tan-a+, and then the ent*re crowd 7o*ned *n the chor/+. #e4ol/t*onar2
+on.+ the2 +an., for1*dden old #/++*an folk6t/ne+ +/rchar.ed w*th the .r*ef and
2earn*n. of the pea+ant, or echo*n. Nekra++o4:+ wo0en who hero*call2 followed the*r
lo4er+ to pr*+on and e3*le. All a1oard .rew +*lent, e4en the ./ard+ cea+*n. the*r 0arch
and l*+ten*n. w*th +tra*ned ear+ to the heart6rend*n. 0elod*e+
a+ha had 1eco0e ch/002 w*th the a++*+tant +teward, and 12 0ean+ of h*0 we
or.an*-ed a 0a*l +er4*ce. Cop*o/+ note+ pa++ed e4er2 da2 1etween /+, and we kept
each other *nfor0ed of happen*n.+. %/r fr*end, who0 we had chr*+tened 5)ac,5
1eca0e +o de4oted that he 1e.an to take a per+onal *ntere+t *n o/r fate. 8e wa+ 4er2
cle4er and *n.en*o/+, and he 0ana.ed to appear at the 0o+t /ne3pected 0o0ent+, 7/+t
when he wa+ needed. 8e +ee0ed +/ddenl2 to de4elop the ha1*t of walk*n. w*th h*+
hand+ /nder h*+ apron, and he ne4er ca0e to /+ w*tho/t +o0e l*ttle .*ft h*dden a1o/t
h*+ per+on. $el*cac*e+ fro0 the pantr2, +weet 0or+el+ fro0 the capta*n:+ ta1le, e4en
fr*ed ch*cken and pa+tr2, we wo/ld f*nd +t/ck awa2 /nder o/r 1ed+ or *n a+ha:+ 1/nk.
And then one da2 he 1ro/.ht to a+ha +e4eral +old*er+ who conf*ded to h*0 that the2
had co0e a+ dele.ate+ of the*r co0rade+ *n ar0+. The2 had a +er*o/+ 0*++*on. It wa+
an offer to +/ppl2 the deportee+ w*th ./n+ and a00/n*t*on, to arre+t all tho+e *n
char.e, t/rn the co00and of the (/ford o4er to a+ha, and +a*l w*th all a1oard to
o4*et #/++*a.
It wa+ ;an/ar2 F, 19C0 when we reached the "n.l*+h Channel. The 0a*l61a.
carr*ed awa2 12 the p*lot conta*ned o/r f*r+t letter+ to the &n*ted tate+. ,or the +ake
of +afet2 the2 were addre++ed to ,rank 8arr*+, Ale3ander 8ar4e2, and other A0er*can
fr*end+ who+e corre+pondence wa+ +/17ect to le++ +cr/t*n2 than that of o/r own
people. )r. (erk+h*re had al+o con+ented to let /+ +end a ca1le to A0er*ca. The
fa4o/r wa+ rather co+tl2, a0o/nt*n. to e*.ht dollar+, 1/t *t wa+ worth the rel*ef o/r
fr*end+ wo/ld feel at the 0e++a.e that we were al*4e and +t*ll +afe.
!hen we left the "n.l*+h Channel, we were followed 12 an All*ed de+tro2er.
Twofold fear on the part of the (/ford a/thor*t*e+ wa+ re+pon+*1le for the pre+ence of
the war+h*p. %/r 0en had repeatedl2 co0pla*ned a1o/t the >/al*t2 of the 1read
rat*oned to the0. The*r prote+t *.nored, the2 had threatened to +tr*ke. )r. (erk+h*re
1ro/.ht a+ha 5+tr*ct order+ fro0 the Colonel5 for the deportee+ to +/10*t. The 0en
la/.hed *n h*+ face. 5(erk0an *+ the onl2 :Colonel: we reco.n*-e,5 the2 +ho/ted. The
0*l*tar2 ch*ef +ent for a+ha. 8e +tor0ed a1o/t the d*+or.an*-at*on of the +h*p:+
d*+c*pl*ne, ra4ed a1o/t the deportee+ fratern*-*n. w*th the +old*er+, and threatened to
ha4e the 0en +earched for h*dden weapon+. a+ha 1oldl2 declared that h*+ co0rade+
wo/ld re+*+t. The Colonel d*d not pre++ the 0atter, and *t wa+ e4*dent that he felt he
co/ld not rel2 on the force /nder h*+ co00and. a+ha offered to +ol4e the d*ff*c/lt2
12 p/tt*n. two of the deportee+, who were cook+, *n char.e of the 1aker2, w*tho/t
pa2. The Colonel wa+ loath to accept what he con+*dered a reflect*on /pon h*+
C49
+/pre0e a/thor*t2, 1/t a+ha *n+*+ted and he won (erk+h*re to h*+ +*de. a+ha:+ plan
wa+ f*nall2 adopted, and henceforth e4er2one en7o2ed 1read of the 1e+t >/al*t2. !hat
0*.ht ha4e pro4ed +er*o/+ tro/1le had th/+ 1een a4erted, 1/t the talk of a +tr*ke, and
the or.an*-ed +tand of o/r co0rade+, had had *t+ effect on the co00and*n. off*cer+.
Conf*dence *n the*r e3cl/+*4e power +haken, an All*ed de+tro2er wa+ a /+ef/l th*n. to
ha4e near. !*th a crowd on the (/ford that had no re+pect for epa/let+ and .old 1ra*d,
w*th two h/ndred and fort26n*ne rad*cal+ on hand who 1el*e4ed *n +tr*ke+ and d*rect
act*on, the war+h*p wa+ a 4er*ta1le .od+end.
Another rea+on wa+ the (/ford *t+elf. The 1attered old t/1 had 1een /n+eaworth2
at the +tart, and the lon. 7o/rne2 had not *0pro4ed her cond*t*on. The &n*ted tate+
@o4ern0ent had 1een f/ll2 aware that the 1oat wa+ /n+afe, 2et *t had entr/+ted f*4e
h/ndred or 0ore l*4e+ to *t. !e were head*n. for @er0an water+ and the (alt*c ea,
the latter +t*ll th*ckl2 dotted w*th 0*ne+. The (r*t*+h de+tro2er wa+ +adl2 needed *n
+/ch a ha-ardo/+ +*t/at*on. The capta*n real*-ed the *00*nent per*l. 8e ordered the
l*fe61oat+ held *n read*ne++ and a/thor*-ed a+ha to take char.e of twel4e of the0 and
or.an*-e the 0en for >/*ck act*on *n ca+e of alar0.
)an2 of the deportee+ had left con+*dera1le +/0+ *n A0er*can 1ank+ and po+tal
+a4*n.+. The2 had 1een den*ed t*0e to draw the*r 0one2, nor had the2 1een .*4en an
opport/n*t2 to tran+fer *t to the*r fa0*l*e+. a+ha propo+ed to (erk+h*re that a
+tate0ent 1e prepared of the*r hold*n.+, to 1e +ent to A0er*ca w*th a/thor*-at*on for
the*r k*n to collect. The *n+pector +e*-ed /pon the *dea, 1/t he left the work to a+ha.
,or da2+ and late *nto the n*.ht+ he worked t*rele++l2, collect*n. data and tak*n. down
depo+*t*on+. !hen he .ot thro/.h, th*rt26three aff*da4*t+ were co0pleted, d*+clo+*n.
that O4F,4H0.39 had re0a*ned *n the tate+. o0e of the 0en had depo+*ted the*r
0one2 *n pr*4ate 1ank+ and the2 preferred not to tr/+t the .o4ern0ent that had dr*4en
the0 o/t l*ke do.+. It wa+ all the2 had fro0 lon. 2ear+ of dr/d.er2 and econo02.
After n*neteen da2+ of dan.ero/+ cr/*+*n. we at la+t reached the K*el Canal. (adl2
1attered, the (/ford had to re0a*n for twent26fo/r ho/r+ for repa*r. The 0en were
locked 1elow deck, and +pec*al ./ard+ +tat*oned on watch. @er0an 1ar.e+ ca0e
alon.+*de of o/r +h*p. The2 were *n front of o/r ca1*n, and I threw the0 a note
thro/.h the porthole, tell*n. the0 who we were. The2 con+ented to forward a letter,
and I co4ered two +heet+ *n the +0alle+t @er0an +cr*pt I co/ld wr*te, de+cr*1*n. o/r
deportat*on, the react*on we left 1eh*nd, and the treat0ent of the re4ol/t*on*+t+
*0pr*+oned w*tho/t 1enef*t of a0ne+t2. I addre++ed the letter to the #ep/1l*k, or.an of
the Independent oc*al*+t+, and I added an appeal to the @er0an worker+ to 0ake
the*r re4ol/t*on a+ f/nda0ental a+ that of #/++*a.
The 0en locked *n the +teera.e and al0o+t +/ffocat*n. *n the 4*le a*r 0ade
4*.oro/+ prote+t+, de0and*n. the da*l2 e3erc*+e the2 had won after the f*r+t da2+ of
the 7o/rne2. )eanwh*le the2 were 1o01ard*n. the @er0an worker+ on the dock w*th
0*++*le+ *n wh*ch 0e++a.e+ had 1een +ecreted. =re+entl2 the repa*r 0en, the*r work
done and 02 letter +afe *n the*r hand+, p/lled awa2, +ho/t*n. cheer+ for the pol*t*cal
deportee+ fro0 A0er*ca and d*e +o-*ale #e4ol/t*on. It wa+ a +t*rr*n. de0on+trat*on of
co0radel2 +ol*dar*t2 wh*ch e4en war co/ld not de+tro2.
!e learned that o/r de+t*nat*on wa+ L*1a/, *n we+tern Lat4*a, 1/t two da2+ later a
rad*o.ra0 not*f*ed the capta*n that f*.ht*n. wa+ cont*n/*n. on the (alt*c front, and the
CF0
co/r+e of the (/ford wa+ chan.ed. A.a*n we were at +ea *n 0ore +en+e+ than one.
$eportee+ and crew 1eca0e *0pat*ent and *rr*ta1le w*th the drawn6o/t, per*lo/+
4o2a.e. Lon.*n. f*lled 0e for tho+e I had left 1eh*nd and +*cken*n. /ncerta*nt2 of the
th*n.+ ahead. #oot+ e01edded *n the +o*l of one:+ ent*re l*fe are not ea+*l2
tran+planted. I felt /nea+2 and re+tle++, 1etween hope and do/1t. )2 +p*r*t wa+ +t*ll *n
the &n*ted tate+.
The .ha+tl2 tr*p wa+ o4er at la+t. !e had reached 8an.o, a ,*nn*+h port. /ppl*ed
w*th three da2+: rat*on+, we were t/rned o4er to the local a/thor*t*e+. A0er*ca:+
o1l*.at*on wa+ at an end and +o were her fear+.
%n o/r tr*p thro/.h ,*nland we were kept locked *n the tra*n, w*th +entr*e+ w*th
f*3ed 1a2onet+ *n+*de the car+ and on the platfor0+. "thel and $ora, a+ well a+ a
n/01er of the 0en co0rade+, were *ll, 1/t tho/.h o/r tra*n +topped at +tat*on+ ha4*n.
1/ffet+, no one wa+ allowed to +tep o/t for p/rcha+e+. %n the 1order, at Ter2ok*, o/r
co0part0ent+ were /nlocked and the +entr*e+ w*thdrawn. !e were per0*tted to look
after o/r +/ppl*e+, 1/t to o/r con+ternat*on we d*+co4ered that the .reater part of o/r
pro4*+*on+ had 1een appropr*ated 12 the ,*nn*+h +old*er+. =re+entl2 there appeared a
repre+entat*4e of the ,*nn*+h ,ore*.n %ff*ce and a 0*l*tar2 off*cer of the @eneral
taff. The2 were 4er2 an3*o/+ to 1e r*d of the A0er*can pol*t*cal deportee+ and the2
de0anded that we cro++ o4er at once to #/++*a. !e ref/+ed to co0pl2 w*tho/t f*r+t
not*f2*n. o4*et #/++*a of o/r arr*4al. There followed ne.ot*at*on+ w*th the ,*nn*+h
a/thor*t*e+, and f*nall2 we were .ranted per0*++*on to +end two rad*o+, one to
)o+cow, addre++ed to Ch*cher*n, =eople:+ Co00*++ar for ,ore*.n Affa*r+, the other
to o/r old fr*end (*ll hatoff *n =etro.rad. !*th*n a +hort t*0e the o4*et co00*ttee
arr*4ed. Ch*cher*n had +ent ,e*n1er. a+ h*+ repre+entat*4e, wh*le the =etro.rad o4*et
dele.ated Dor*n, ecretar2 of the Co00/n*+t =art2 of that c*t2, to rece*4e /+. )0e
Andre2e4a, @ork*:+ w*fe, acco0pan*ed the0. Arran.e0ent+ were >/*ckl2 0ade to
tran+fer o/r l/..a.e fro0 the tra*n acro++ the 1order. ;/+t at that 0o0ent the co0plete
ro/t of $en*k*n 12 the 4al*ant #ed Ar02 wa+ anno/nced, and the a*r wa+ rent 12 the
7o2o/+ h/rrah+ of o/r two h/ndred and fort26n*ne deportee+.
All wa+ read2. It wa+ the twent26e*.hth da2 of o/r 7o/rne2, and at la+t we were on
the thre+hold of o4*et #/++*a. )2 heart tre01led w*th ant*c*pat*on and fer4ent hope.
Chapter FC
%AI"T #&IA? AC#"$ @#%&N$, )A@IC ="%=L"? Y%& 8AA" C%)" to
+201ol*-e h/0an*t2:+ hope, 2o/ alone are de+t*ned to redee0 0ank*nd. I ha4e co0e
to +er4e 2o/, 1elo4ed 0at/+hka. Take 0e to 2o/r 1o+o0, let 0e po/r 02+elf *nto 2o/,
0*n.le 02 1lood w*th 2o/r+, f*nd 02 place *n 2o/r hero*c +tr/..le, and .*4e to the
/tter0o+t to 2o/r need+?
At the 1order, on o/r wa2 to =etro.rad, and at the +tat*on there, we were rece*4ed
l*ke dear co0rade+. !e who had 1een dr*4en o/t of A0er*ca a+ felon+ were
welco0ed on o4*et +o*l a+ 1rother+ 12 her +on+ and da/.hter+ who had helped to +et
her free. !orker+, +old*er+, and pea+ant+ +/rro/nded /+, took /+ 12 the hand, and
0ade /+ feel ak*n to the0. =ale6faced and hollow6checked the2 were, a l*.ht 1/rn*n.
CF1
*n the*r +/nken e2e+, and deter0*nat*on 1reath*n. fro0 the*r ra..ed 1od*e+. $an.er
and +/ffer*n. had +teeled the*r w*ll+ and 0ade the0 +tern. (/t /nderneath 1eat the old
ch*ldl*ke, .enero/+ #/++*an heart, and *t went o/t to /+ w*tho/t +t*nt.
)/+*c and +on. .reeted /+ e4er2where and wondro/+ tale+ of 4alo/r and ne4er6
fa*l*n. fort*t/de *n the face of h/n.er, cold, and de4a+tat*n. d*+ea+e. Tear+ of .rat*t/de
1/rned *n 02 e2e+ and I felt .reat h/0*l*t2 1efore tho+e +*0ple folk r*+en to .reatne++
*n the f*re of the re4ol/t*onar2 +tr/..le.
In =etro.rad, after a th*rd recept*on, To4ar*+htch Dor*n, *n who+e co0pan2 we had
0ade the tr*p, *n4*ted a+ha and 0e to co0e w*th h*0 to a wa*t*n. a/to0o1*le.
$arkne++ co4ered the 1*. c*t2, fanta+t*c +hadow+ o4er the .l*+ten*n. +now on the
.ro/nd. The +treet+ were ent*rel2 de+erted, the .ra4e6l*ke +*lence d*+t/r1ed onl2 12 the
rattl*n. of o/r car. !e +ped on, +e4eral t*0e+ halted 12 h/0an for0+ +/ddenl2
e0er.*n. fro0 the 1lackne++ of the n*.ht. old*er+ the2 were, hea4*l2 ar0ed, the*r
fla+hl*.ht+ +earch*n.l2 on /+. 5=rop/+k, to4ar*+htch? M=a++6card, co0rade?N,5 wa+ the*r
c/rt de0and. 5)*l*tar2 preca/t*on+,5 o/r e+cort e3pla*ned9 5=etro.rad ha+ onl2
recentl2 e+caped the 0enace of Y/den*ch. Too 0an2 co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+ are +t*ll
l/rk*n. a1o/t for /+ to take an2 chance+.5 !e cont*n/ed on o/r wa2, and a+ the
a/to0o1*le t/rned a corner and pa++ed a 1r*.htl2 l*.hted 1/*ld*n., Dor*n re0arked:
5The Cheka and o/r 7a*l 666 .enerall2 e0pt2, tho/.h.5 =re+entl2 we halted 1efore a
lar.e ho/+e, l*.ht+ +trea0*n. fro0 *t+ 0an2 w*ndow+. 5The A+tor*a, a fa+h*ona1le
hotel *n t+ar*+t t*0e+,5 Dor*n *nfor0ed /+, 5now the ,*r+t 8o/+e of the =etro6o4*et.5
!e were to roo0 there, he added, wh*le the re+t of the deportee+ wo/ld 1e ho/+ed *n
the 0oln2, for0erl2 the 0o+t e3cl/+*4e 1oard*n.6+chool for the da/.hter+ of the
ar*+tocrac2. 5And the .*rl+B5 I *n>/*red. 5"thel (ern+te*n and $ora L*pk*n 666 I co/ld
not 1ear to 1e +eparated fro0 the0.5 Dor*n pro0*+ed to +ec/re a roo0 for the0 *n the
A+tor*a, altho/.h onl2 part2 0e01er+ were >/artered *n that o4*et ho/+e, 0o+tl2
h*.h off*c*al+, a+ well a+ +pec*al ./e+t+. 8e led /+ to h*+ apart0ent, wh*le place+ for /+
were 1e*n. prepared.
L*-a, Dor*n:+ w*fe, 1ade /+ a heart2 welco0e, her .reet*n. a+ k*ndl2 a+ Dor*n:+
att*t/de had 1een thro/.ho/t the da2. he felt +/re we were h/n.r2. he had not 0/ch
to offer /+, 1/t we +ho/ld partake of e4er2th*n. +he had, wh*ch pro4ed to 1e herr*n.,
ka+ha, and tea. The Dor*n+ looked none too well fed the0+el4e+, and I pro0*+ed
02+elf to replen*+h the*r +cant2 larder when o/r tr/nk+ were /npacked. %/r A0er*can
fr*end+ had pro4*ded /+ w*th a h/.e tr/nkf/l of +/ppl*e+ and we had al+o re+c/ed
+o0e of the rat*on+ .*4en /+ on lea4*n. the (/ford. I ch/ckled *nwardl2 at the tho/.ht
of the &n*ted tate+ @o4ern0ent /nw*tt*n.l2 feed*n. the #/++*an (ol+he4*k+.
The Dor*n+ had l*4ed *n A0er*ca, tho/.h we had ne4er 0et the0 there. (/t the2
knew /+, and L*-a +a*d that +he had attended +o0e of 02 lect/re+ *n New York. (oth
+poke "n.l*+h w*th a +tron. fore*.n accent, 1/t 0ore fl/entl2 than we d*d #/++*an.
Th*rt26f*4e 2ear+ *n the tate+ w*th al0o+t no pract*ce *n o/r nat*4e ton./e had
paral2+ed o/r a1*l*t2 to /+e *t. (e+*de+, the Dor*n+ had 0/ch to relate to /+ and the2
co/ld do *t *n "n.l*+h. The2 told /+ of the #e4ol/t*on, *t+ ach*e4e0ent+ and hope+,
and 0an2 other th*n.+ we wanted to learn a1o/t. The*r +tor2 of the e4ent+ lead*n. /p
to %cto1er and the de4elop0ent+ +*nce, tho/.h 0ore deta*led, wa+ +o0ewhat
repet*t*o/+ of what we had alread2 heard at o/r recept*on+. It concerned the 1lockade
and *t+ fearf/l toll9 the *ron r*n. that +/rro/nded #/++*a and the de4a+tat*n. +a1ota.e
CFC
of the *nter4ent*on*+t+9 the ar0ed attack+ 12 $en*k*n, Kolchak, and Y/den*ch9 the
ha4oc wro/.ht 12 the0 and the re4ol/t*onar2 +p*r*t that kept at *t+ he*.ht a.a*n+t
terr*1le odd+, f*.ht*n. on n/0ero/+ front+ and ro/t*n. *t+ ene0*e+. ,*.ht*n. al+o on
the *nd/+tr*al front, 1/*ld*n. the new #/++*a o/t of the r/*n+ of the old. Alread2 0/ch
con+tr/ct*4e work had 1een ach*e4ed, the2 *nfor0ed /+9 we +ho/ld ha4e the
opport/n*t2 to +ee *t w*th o/r own e2e+. chool+, worker+: colle.e+, +oc*al protect*on
of 0other and ch*ld, care of the a.ed and the +*ck, and 0/ch 0ore were 0ade po++*1le
12 the d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at. %f co/r+e, #/++*a wa+ 4er2 far 2et fro0
perfect*on, w*th e4er2 hand ra*+ed a.a*n+t her. The 1lockade, the *nter4ent*on, the
co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 plotter+ 666 fore0o+t a0on.+t the0 the #/++*an *ntell*.ent+*a 666
the2 were the .reate+t 0enace. It wa+ the2 who were re+pon+*1le for the fearf/l
o1+tacle+ the #e4ol/t*on enco/ntered and for the *ll+ the co/ntr2 wa+ +/ffer*n..
The herc/lean ta+k+ fac*n. #/++*a now 0ade o/r pa+t +tr/..le+ *n A0er*ca appear
p*t*f/ll2 *n+*.n*f*cant9 o/r real te+t 12 f*re wa+ 2et 1efore /+? I tre01led at the tho/.ht
of 02 po++*1le fa*l/re, 02 *na1*l*t2 to +cale the he*.ht+ alread2 atta*ned 12 the
o1+c/re and d/01 0*ll*on+. In the*r earne+tne++ and o14*o/+ con+ecrat*on the Dor*n+
+201ol*-ed th*+ .reatne++ and I felt pro/d to ha4e the0 a+ fr*end+. It wa+ pa+t
0*dn*.ht 1efore we co/ld tear o/r+el4e+ awa2 fro0 the0.
In the hotel corr*dor we ran *nto a 2o/n. wo0an who told /+ that +he wa+ on her
wa2 to the Dor*n+: to call /+. A fr*end fro0 A0er*ca wa+ wa*t*n., ea.er to +ee /+. !e
followed her to an apart0ent on the fo/rth floor, and when the door wa+ opened, I
fo/nd 02+elf *n the e01race of o/r old co0rade (*ll hatoff. 5(*ll, 2o/ here?5 I cr*ed
*n +/rpr*+e9 5wh2, Dor*n told 0e 2o/ had left for *1er*a?5
5!h2 were 2o/ not at the 1order to 0eet /+B $*dn:t 2o/ rece*4e o/r rad*oB5 a+ha
ch*0ed *n.
5None of 2o/r A0er*can +peed,5 (*ll la/.hed: 5let 0e h/. 2o/ f*r+t, dear a+ha,
and let:+ ha4e a .la++ to 2o/r +afe arr*4al *n re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a. Then we:ll talk.5 8e
led /+ to a d*4an, plac*n. h*0+elf 1etween /+. The other+ pre+ent .reeted /+ war0l2:
Anna M(*ll:+ w*feN, her +*+ter #o+e, and the latter:+ h/+1and. I had 0et the .*rl+ *n New
York, 1/t I had not reco.n*-ed #o+e *n the d*0 l*.ht of the corr*dor.
(*ll had p/t on con+*dera1le we*.ht +*nce the farewell +end6off we had .*4en h*0
*n New York. 8*+ 0*l*tar2 /n*for0 accent/ated h*+ 1/l.*n. l*ne+ and 0ade h*+ face
look rather hard. (/t he wa+ the +a0e old (*ll, *0p/l+*4e, affect*onate, and 7o4*al. 8e
pelted /+ w*th a 4olle2 of >/e+t*on+ a1o/t A0er*ca, the an ,ranc*+co la1o/r ca+e+,
o/r *0pr*+on0ent and deportat*on. 5Ne4er 0*nd all that for the pre+ent,5 we parr*ed9
51etter tell /+ f*r+t a1o/t 2o/r+elf. 8ow do 2o/ happen +t*ll to 1e *n =etro.radB And
wh2 were 2o/ not on the recept*on co00*ttee for the A0er*can deportee+B5 (*ll
looked +o0ewhat e01arra++ed and +o/.ht to dod.e o/r >/e+t*on+, 1/t we were
*n+*+tent. I co/ld not 1ear the /ncerta*nt2 a1o/t Dor*n and I wa+ not w*ll*n. to +/+pect
h*0 of del*1erate decept*on. 5I +ee 2o/ ha4e not chan.ed,5 (*ll tea+ed9 52o/ are the
+a0e old per+*+tent pe+t.5 8e tr*ed to e3pla*n that *n the +tren/o/+ l*fe of #/++*a
people had no t*0e for 0ere +oc*a1*l*t2. 8e and Dor*n, ha4*n. d*fferent d/t*e+, rarel2
0et. That 0*.ht e3pla*n Dor*n:+ *0pre++*on that he had departed. 8*+ *1er*an 7o/rne2
had 1een +ettled /pon week+ pre4*o/+l2, 1/t, ow*n. to the d*ff*c/lt2 of proc/r*n. the
nece++ar2 e>/*p0ent for h*+ tr*p, had 1een dela2ed. "4en now 0/ch wa+ to 1e
CF3
attended to 1efore he wo/ld 1e read2 to lea4e. It 0*.ht keep h*0 *n the c*t2 for
another fortn*.ht, 1/t he d*d not 0*nd *t now that we were w*th h*0 666 *t wo/ld .*4e
/+ t*0e to talk th*n.+ o4er, a1o/t A0er*ca and #/++*a. 8e had rece*4ed o/r rad*o and
he had a+ked to 1e on the co00*ttee, 1/t he wa+ ref/+ed. It had 1een con+*dered
/nw*+e to allow h*0 to .*4e /+ o/r f*r+t *0pre++*on+ of #/++*a, *n order not to
pre7/d*ce /+. 5It? It?5 1oth a+ha and I e3cla*0ed. 5!ho *+ that d*ctator*al :*t: that
order+ 2o/r *1er*an tr*p and that ref/+e+ 2o/ the r*.ht to 0eet 2o/r old co0rade+ and
fr*end+B And wh2 co/ld 2o/ not ha4e co0e on 2o/r own acco/ntB5 5The d*ctator+h*p
of the proletar*at,5 (*ll repl*ed, patt*n. 0e on the 1ack *nd/l.entl29 51/t of that +o0e
other t*0e. Now I 7/+t want to tell 2o/,5 he cont*n/ed earne+tl2, 5that the Co00/n*+t
tate *n act*on *+ e3actl2 what we anarch*+t+ ha4e alwa2+ cla*0ed *t wo/ld 1e 666 a
t*.htl2 central*-ed power, +t*ll 0ore +tren.thened 12 the dan.er+ to the #e4ol/t*on.
&nder +/ch cond*t*on+ one cannot do a+ one w*ll+. %ne doe+ not 7/+t hop on a tra*n
and .o, or e4en r*de the 1/0per+, a+ I /+ed to *n the &n*ted tate+. %ne need+
per0*++*on. (/t don:t .et the *dea that I 0*++ 02 A0er*can :1le++*n.+.: )e for #/++*a,
the #e4ol/t*on, and *t+ .lor*o/+ f/t/re?5
(*ll wa+ certa*n we wo/ld co0e to feel 7/+t a+ he d*d a1o/t th*n.+ *n #/++*a. No
need to worr2 a1o/t tr*fle+ l*ke prop/+k+ d/r*n. o/r f*r+t ho/r+ to.ether. 5=rop/+k+? I
ha4e a whole tr/nkf/l of the0, and +o w*ll 2o/ +oon,5 he concl/ded, a 0*+ch*e4o/+
tw*nkle *n h*+ e2e. I ca/.ht h*+ 0ood and d*+0*++ed 02 >/e+t*on+. I wa+ da-ed 12 the
*0pre++*on+ that had crowded the da2. !a+ *t reall2 onl2 one da2, I wondered. I
+ee0ed to ha4e l*4ed 2ear+ +*nce o/r arr*4al.
(*ll hatoff d*d not lea4e for another fortn*.ht, and we +pent to.ether 0o+t of o/r
t*0e, often *nto the wee ho/r+ of the 0orn*n.. The re4ol/t*onar2 can4a+ he /nrolled
1efore /+ wa+ of far lar.er +cope than had 1een pa*nted 1efore 12 an2one el+e. It wa+
no lon.er a few *nd*4*d/al f*./re+ thrown on the p*ct/re, the*r rPle and *0portance
accent/ated 12 the 4a+t 1ack.ro/nd. @reat and +0all, h*.h and low, +tood o/t *n 1old
rel*ef, *01/ed w*th a collect*4e w*ll to ha+ten the co0plete tr*/0ph of the #e4ol/t*on.
Len*n, Trot+k2, D*no4*e4, w*th the*r +0all 1and of *n+p*red co0rade+, had a
tre0endo/+ part to pla2, (*ll declared w*th enth/+*a+t*c con4*ct*on9 1/t the real power
1eh*nd the0 wa+ the awakened re4ol/t*onar2 con+c*o/+ne++ of the 0a++e+. The
pea+ant+ had e3propr*ated the 0a+ter+: land all thro/.h the +/00er of 191H . . .
worker+ had taken po++e++*on of the factor*e+ and +hop+ . . the +old*er+ had flocked
1ack 12 the h/ndred tho/+and+ fro0 the warr*n. front+ . . . the Kron+tadt +a*lor+ had
tran+lated the*r anarch*+t 0otto of d*rect act*on *nto the e4er2da2 l*fe of the
#e4ol/t*on . . . the Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+, a+ al+o the anarch*+t+, had
enco/ra.ed the pea+antr2 *n +oc*al*-*n. the land. . . . All the+e force+ had helped to
ener.*-e the +tor0 that 1roke o4er #/++*a, f*nd*n. f/ll e3pre++*on and relea+e *n the
terr*f*c +weep of %cto1er.
/ch wa+ the ep*c of da--l*n. 1ea/t2 and o4erwhel0*n. power, *nf/+ed w*th
palp*tat*n. l*fe 12 the ardo/r and elo>/ence of o/r fr*end. =re+entl2 (*ll h*0+elf 1roke
the +pell. 8e had +hown /+ the tran+for0at*on *n the +o/l of #/++*a, he cont*n/ed9 he
wo/ld ha4e to let /+ +ee her *ll+ of the 1od2 a+ well. 5Not to pre7/d*ce 2o/,5 he
e0pha+*-ed, 5a+ ha+ 1een feared 12 people who+e cr*ter*on of re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2
*+ a 0e01er+h*p card.5 (efore lon. we wo/ld o/r+el4e+ 0eet the appall*n. affl*ct*on+
that were +app*n. the co/ntr2:+ +tren.th, he +a*d. 8*+ o17ect wa+ 0erel2 to prepare /+
666 to help /+ d*a.no+e the +o/rce of the d*+ea+e, to po*nt o/t the dan.er of *t+
CF4
+pread*n. and ena1le /+ to +ee that onl2 the 0o+t dra+t*c 0ea+/re+ co/ld effect a c/re.
The #/++*an e3per*ence had ta/.ht h*0 that we anarch*+t+ had 1een the ro0ant*c*+t+
of re4ol/t*on, for.etf/l of the co+t *t wo/ld enta*l, the fr*.htf/l pr*ce the ene0*e+ of
the #e4ol/t*on wo/ld e3act, the f*end*+h 0ethod+ the2 wo/ld re+ort to *n order to
de+tro2 *t+ .a*n+. %ne cannot f*.ht f*re and +word w*th onl2 the lo.*c and 7/+t*ce of
one:+ *deal. The co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+ had co01*ned to *+olate and +tar4e #/++*a, and
the 1lockade wa+ tak*n. fr*.htf/l toll of h/0an l*fe. The *nter4ent*on and the
de+tr/ct*on *n *t+ wake, the n/0ero/+ !h*te attack+, co+t*n. ocean+ of 1lood, the
horde+ of $en*k*n, Kolchak, and Y/den*ch9 the*r po.ro0+, 1e+t*al re4en.e, and the
.eneral ha4oc wro/.ht had *0po+ed on the #e4ol/t*on a warfare that *t+ 0o+t
far+*.hted e3ponent+ had ne4er drea0ed a1o/t. A warfare not alwa2+ *n keep*n.
w*tho/t ro0ant*c *dea+ of re4ol/t*onar2 eth*c+, *nd*+pen+a1le none the le++ to dr*4e off
the h/n.r2 wol4e+ read2 to tear the #e4ol/t*on l*01 fro0 l*01. 8e had not cea+ed to
1e an anarch*+t, (*ll a++/red /+9 he had not 1eco0e *nd*fferent to the 0enace of a
)ar3*an tate 0ach*ne. That dan.er wa+ no lon.er a +/17ect for theoret*c d*+c/++*on,
1/t an act/al real*t2 1eca/+e of the e3*+t*n. 1/rea/crac2, *neff*c*enc2, and corr/pt*on.
8e loathed the d*ctator+h*p and *t+ hand0a*den, the Cheka, w*th the*r r/thle++
+/ppre++*on of tho/.ht, +peech, and *n*t*at*4e. (/t *t wa+ an /na4o*da1le e4*l. The
anarch*+t+ had 1een the f*r+t to re+pond to Len*n:+ e++ent*all2 anarch*+t*c call to
re4ol/t*on. The2 had the r*.ht to de0and an acco/nt*n.. 5And we w*ll? Ne4er do/1t
that,5 (*ll fa*rl2 +ho/ted, 5we w*ll? (/t not now, not now? Not wh*le e4er2 ner4e 0/+t
1e +tra*ned to +a4e #/++*a fro0 the react*onar2 ele0ent+ wh*ch are de+peratel2
f*.ht*n. to co0e 1ack to power.5 8e had not 7o*ned the Co00/n*+t =art2, and ne4er
wo/ld, (*ll a++/red /+. (/t he wa+ w*th the (ol+he4*k* and he wo/ld cont*n/e /nt*l
e4er2 front had 1een l*>/*dated and the la+t ene02 dr*4en to co4er, l*ke Y/den*ch,
$en*k*n, and the re+t of the t+ar*+t .an.. 5And +o w*ll 2o/, dear "00a and a+ha,5
(*ll concl/ded9 5I a0 certa*n of *t.5
%/r co0rade wa+ the enth/+*a+t*c 1ard of old, h*+ +on. the +a.a of the #e4ol/t*on,
the 0o+t +t/pendo/+ e4ent of o/r t*0e. It+ 0*racle+ were 0an2, *t+ horror+ and woe
the 0art2rdo0 of a people na*led to the cro++.
(*ll wa+ ent*rel2 r*.ht, we tho/.ht. Noth*n. wa+ of 0o0ent co0pared w*th the
+/pre0e need of .*4*n. one:+ all to +afe./ard the #e4ol/t*on and *t+ .a*n+. The fa*th
and fer4o/r of o/r co0rade +wept 0e alon. to ec+tat*c he*.ht+. Yet I co/ld not
ent*rel2 free 02+elf fro0 an /nderc/rrent of /nea+*ne++ one often feel+ when left
alone *n the dark. #e+ol/tel2 I +tro4e to dr*4e *t 1ack, 0o4*n. l*ke a +leep6walker
thro/.h enchanted +pace. o0et*0e+ I wo/ld +t/01le 1ack to earth onl2 half6aro/+ed
12 a har+h 4o*ce or an /.l2 +*.ht. The .a..*n. of free +peech at the +e++*on of the
=etro6o4*et that we had attended, the d*+co4er2 that 1etter and 0ore plent*f/l food
wa+ +er4ed =art2 0e01er+ at the 0oln2 d*n*n.6roo0 and 0an2 +*0*lar *n7/+t*ce+
and e4*l+ had attracted 02 attent*on. )odel +chool+ where the ch*ldren were +t/ffed
w*th +weet+ and cand*e+, and +*de 12 +*de w*th the0 +chool+ d*+0al, poorl2 e>/*pped,
/nheated, and f*lth2, where the l*ttle one+, h/n.r2 all the t*0e, were herded to.ether
l*ke cattle. A +pec*al ho+p*tal for Co00/n*+t+, w*th e4er2 0odern co0fort, wh*le
other *n+t*t/t*on+ lacked the 1are+t 0ed*cal and +/r.*cal nece++*t*e+. Th*rt26fo/r
d*fferent .rade+ of rat*on+ 666 /nder alle.ed Co00/n*+0? 666 wh*le +o0e 0arket+ and
pr*4*le.ed +tore+ were do*n. a l*4el2 1/+*ne++ *n 1/tter, e..+, chee+e, and 0eat. The
worker+ and the*r wo0enfolk +tand*n. lon. ho/r+ *n endle++ >/e/e+ for the*r rat*on of
fro-en potatoe+, wor02 cereal+, and deca2ed f*+h. @ro/p+ of wo0en, the*r face+
CFF
1loated and 1l/e, acco0pan*ed 12 #ed +old*er+ and 1ar.a*n*n. w*th the0 for the*r
p*t*f/l ware+.
I talked to Dor*n a1o/t the+e th*n.+, to the 2o/n. anarch*+t K*1alch*ch, l*4*n. *n the
A+tor*a, to D*no4*e4 and other+, po*nt*n. o/t the+e contrad*ct*on+. 8ow were the2 to
1e 7/+t*f*ed or e3pla*nedB All of the0 repeated the +a0e refra*n: 5!hat w*ll 2o/, w*th
the 1lockade aro/nd /+, the +a1ota.e of the *ntell*.ent+*a, the attack+ of $en*k*n,
Kolchak, and Y/den*ch?5 The2 alone were to 1la0e, the2 re*terated. %ld e4*l+ co/ld
not 1e erad*cated /nt*l the front+ were l*>/*dated. 5Co0e and work w*th /+,5 the2
+a*d, 52o/ and (erk0an. Yo/ can ha4e an2 po+*t*on 2o/ choo+e and 2o/ can help /+ a
.reat deal.5
I wa+ profo/ndl2 0o4ed to +ee the+e people reach*n. ea.erl2 o/t for w*ll*n. hand+.
!e wo/ld 7o*n the09 we wo/ld work w*th the0 w*th o/r 1e+t ener.2 and +tren.th a+
+oon a+ we fo/nd o/r 1ear*n.+, knew where we 1elon.ed and where we co/ld 1e of
.reate+t /+e.
D*no4*e4 d*d not look the for0*da1le leader h*+ rep/tat*on wo/ld ha4e led one to
a++/0e. 8e *0pre++ed 0e a+ fla112 and weak. 8*+ 4o*ce wa+ adole+cent, h*.h6p*tched
and lack*n. *n appeal. (/t he had fa*thf/ll2 helped the #e4ol/t*on to *t+ 1*rth and he
wa+ *ndefat*.a1l2 work*n. for *t+ f/rther de4elop0ent, we had 1een told. 8e certa*nl2
de+er4ed conf*dence and re+pect. 5The 1lockade,5 he re*terated, 5Kolchak, $en*k*n,
Y/den*ch, the co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t a4*nko4, a+ well a+ the )en+he4*k tra*tor+ and
the oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+ of the #*.ht, are a con+tant 0enace. The are eternall2
plott*n. 4en.eance and the death of the #e4ol/t*on.5 D*no4*e4:+ pla*nt added tra.*c
0o0ent/0 to the .eneral chor/+. I 7o*ned *n w*th the re+t.
oon, howe4er, other 4o*ce+ ro+e fro0 the depth+, har+h, acc/+*n. 4o*ce+ that
.reatl2 d*+t/r1ed 0e. I had 1een a+ked to attend a conference of anarch*+t+ *n
=etro.rad, and I wa+ a0a-ed to f*nd that 02 co0rade+ were co0pelled to .ather *n
+ecret *n an o1+c/re h*d*n.6place. (*ll hatoff had +poken w*th .reat pr*de of the
co/ra.e +hown 12 o/r co0rade+ *n the #e4ol/t*on and on the 0*l*tar2 front+, and he
had e3tolled the hero*c part the2 had pla2ed. !h2 +ho/ld people w*th +/ch a record, I
wondered, 1e dr*4en /nder co4er.
=re+entl2 ca0e the an+wer 666 fro0 worker+ *n the =/t*lo4 Ironwork+, fro0
factor*e+ and 0*ll+, fro0 the Kron+tadt +a*lor+, fro0 #ed Ar02 0en, and fro0 an old
co0rade who had e+caped wh*le /nder +entence of death. The 4er2 1rawn of the
re4ol/t*onar2 +tr/..le wa+ cr2*n. o/t *n an./*+h and 1*tterne++ a.a*n+t the people the2
had helped place *n power. The2 +poke of the (ol+he4*k 1etra2al of the #e4ol/t*on, of
the +la4er2 forced /pon the to*ler+, the e0a+c/lat*on of the +o4*et+, the +/ppre++*on of
+peech and tho/.ht, the f*ll*n. of pr*+on+ w*th recalc*trant pea+ant+, worker+, +old*er+,
+a*lor+, and re1el+ of e4er2 k*nd. The2 told of the ra*d w*th 0ach*ne6./n+ /pon the
)o+cow head>/arter+ of the anarch*+t+ 12 the order of Trot+k29 of the Cheka and the
whole+ale e3ec/t*on+ w*tho/t hear*n. or tr*al. The+e char.e+ and den/nc*at*on+ 1eat
/pon 0e l*ke ha00er+ and left 0e +t/nned. I l*+tened ten+e *n e4er2 ner4e, hardl2
a1le clearl2 to /nder+tand what I heard, and fa*l*n. to .ra+p *t+ f/ll 0ean*n.. It
co/ldn:t 1e tr/e 666 th*+ 0on+ter *nd*ct0ent? 8ad not Dor*n po*nted the 7a*l o/t to /+
and a++/red /+ that *t wa+ al0o+t e0pt2B Cap*tal p/n*+h0ent he had +a*d, had 1een
a1ol*+hed. And had not (*ll hatoff pa*d .low*n. tr*1/te to Len*n and h*+ co6worker+,
CFG
.lor*f2*n. the*r 4*+*on and 4alo/rB (*ll had not co4ered /p the dark +pot+ on the
o4*et hor*-on9 he had e3pla*ned the rea+on for the0 and the 0ethod+ the2 had forced
/pon the (ol+he4*k*, and *ndeed /pon all re1el+ +er4*n. the #e4ol/t*on.
The 0en *n that d*+0al hall 0/+t 1e 0ad, I tho/.ht, to tell +/ch *0po++*1le and
prepo+tero/+ +tor*e+, w*cked to conde0n the Co00/n*+t+ for the cr*0e+ the2 0/+t
know were d/e to the co/nterre4ol/t*onar2 .an., to the 1lockade and the !h*te
.eneral+ attack*n. the #e4ol/t*on. I procla*0ed 02 con4*ct*on to the .ather*n., 1/t
02 4o*ce wa+ drowned *n the la/.hter of der*+*on and 7eer+. I wa+ ro/ndl2 deno/nced
for 02 w*lf/l 1l*ndne++. 5That:+ the .a. the2 ha4e .*4en 2o/?5 02 co0rade+ +ho/ted
at 0e. 5Yo/ and (erk0an ha4e fallen for *t and +wallowed *t whole. And Dor*n, the
1*.ot who hate+ anarch*+t+ and wo/ld +hoot the0 all *n cold 1lood? (*ll hatoff, too,
the rene.ade?5 the2 +ho/ted9 52o/ 1el*e4e the0 and not /+. !a*t, wa*t /nt*l 2o/ ha4e
+een th*n.+ w*th 2o/r own e2e+. Yo/ w*ll +*n. another +on. then.5
!hen the *nd*.nant /proar had +/1+*ded, the f/.*t*4e fro0 the death6+entence
de0anded the floor. 8*+ pale face wa+ deepl2 f/rrowed, +/ffer*n. +poke fro0 h*+
lar.e, h/nted e2e+, and he talked *n a 4o*ce tre01l*n. w*th +/ppre++ed e3c*te0ent. 8e
dwelt at len.th on the recent e4ent+ and the d*ff*c/lt*e+ *n the wa2 of the #e4ol/t*on.
The anarch*+t+ d*d not clo+e the*r e2e+ to the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 0enace, he +a*d.
The2 were f*.ht*n. *t tooth and na*l, a+ pro4ed 12 the n/0ero/+ co0rade+ on the
front+ and the .reat n/01er+ that had la*d down the*r l*4e+ *n the 1attle+ a.a*n+t the
ene02. In fact, *t wa+ Ne+tor )akhno, an anarch*+t, who w*th h*+ pea+ant re1el ar02
of po4+tant+2 had helped to ro/t $en*k*n and th/+ +a4ed )o+cow and the #e4ol/t*on
at the 0o+t cr*t*cal per*od. Anarch*+t+ *n e4er2 part of #/++*a were at the 4er2 0o0ent
on the f*r*n. l*ne, dr*4*n. 1ack the ene0*e+ of the #e4ol/t*on. (/t the2 were al+o
f*.ht*n. the pla./e that had 1ro/.ht *n the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 pe+t: the (re+t6
L*to4+k peace, wh*ch had d*+*nte.rated the re4ol/t*onar2 +p*r*t of the 0a++e+ and had
1een the f*r+t wed.e to 1reak the proletar*an force+ and the*r /n*t2. The anarch*+t+ and
the Left oc*al #e4ol/t*on*+t+ had oppo+ed *t fro0 the 4er2 f*r+t a+ a per*lo/+ +tep and
a 1reach of fa*th on the part of the (ol+he4*k*. The pol*c2 of the ra-4er+tka,
*ntrod/ced 12 the (ol+he4*k*, the forc*1le .ather*n. of prod/ct+ 12 *rre+pon+*1le
0*l*tar2 detach0ent+, had added f/el to the f*re+ of pop/lar 1*tterne++. It had aro/+ed
hatred a0on. the pea+ant+ and worker+ and had 0ade the0 fert*le +o*l for co/nter6
re4ol/t*onar2 plot+. 5hatoff know+ all th*+,5 the 0an cr*ed9 5wh2 d*d he h*de the+e
fact+ fro0 2o/B (/t (*ll hatoff ha+ 1eco0e a :o4*et+k2: anarch*+t and he *+ +er4*n.
the 0en *n the Kre0l*n. That *+ wh2 Len*n ha+ +a4ed h*0 fro0 the Cheka and ha+
e3*led h*0 to *1er*a *n+tead. !orker+ and pea+ant+, +old*er+ and +a*lor+ had 1een
+hot for le++er offence+ than the +had2 0an*p/lat*on+ w*th h*+ 1o/r.eo*+ cron*e+ that
hatoff en.a.ed *n a+ 4*rt/al .o4ernor of =etro.rad. The (ol+he4*k* are .ratef/l
0a+ter+. hatoff had r/led =etro.rad w*th an *ron hand. 8e had h*0+elf r/+hed after
the flee*n. Kane.*e++er, the +la2er of the +ad*+t &r*t+k2, ch*ef of the =etro.rad Cheka.
hatoff, the anarch*+t, had ca/.ht the /nfort/nate pre2, 1ro/.ht h*0 1ack *n tr*/0ph,
and t/rned h*0 o4er to the Cheka to 1e +hot?5
5top, +top?5 I +crea0ed9 5I:4e had eno/.h of 2o/r l*e+? (*ll wo/ld ne4er do +/ch a
th*n.. I ha4e known (*ll for 2ear+ a+ the k*nde+t and .entle+t of 1e*n.+. I co/ld ne4er
1el*e4e h*0 capa1le of +/ch th*n.+.5 In ra.e I +tr/ck o/t at the+e people who called
the0+el4e+ anarch*+t+ and 2et were +o 4*nd*ct*4e and 0ean6+p*r*ted. I fo/.ht for the
*nte.r*t2 of Dor*n and defended D*no4*e4 a+ an a1le and ener.et*c leader. I
CFH
cha0p*oned (*ll, 02 old co0rade and fr*end, e3toll*n. the no1*l*t2 of h*+ character,
h*+ 1*. +p*r*t and clear 4*+*on. I ref/+ed to ha4e 02 1/rn*n. fa*th e3t*n./*+hed 12 the
po*+ono/+ f/0e+ I had 1een *nhal*n. for three da2+.
a+ha had 1een la*d /p w*th a +e4ere cold and wa+ too *ll to attend the conference
of the anarch*+t .ro/p. (/t I had kept h*0 *nfor0ed, and now I 1/r+t *nto h*+ roo0 *n
.reat 0ental t/r0o*l to tell h*0 of th*+ la+t dreadf/l da2. 8e d*+0*++ed the char.e+ a+
the *rre+pon+*1le prattle of *neffect*4e and d*+.r/ntled 0en. The =etro.rad anarch*+t+
were l*ke +o 0an2 *n o/r rank+ *n A0er*ca who /+ed to do lea+t and cr*t*c*-e 0o+t, he
+a*d. =erhap+ the2 had 1een na*4e eno/.h to e3pect anarch*+0 to e0er.e o4ern*.ht
fro0 the r/*n+ of a/tocrac2, fro0 the war and 1l/nder+ of the =ro4*+*onal
@o4ern0ent. It wa+ a1+/rd to deno/nce the (ol+he4*k* for the dra+t*c 0ea+/re+ the2
were /+*n., a+ha /r.ed. 8ow el+e were the2 to free #/++*a fro0 the +tran.lehold of
co/nter6re4ol/t*on and +a1ota.eB o far a+ he wa+ concerned, he d*d not th*nk an2
0ethod+ too har+h to deal w*th th*+. #e4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2 7/+t*f*ed all 0ea+/re+,
howe4er we 0*.ht d*+l*ke the0. A+ lon. a+ the #e4ol/t*on wa+ *n 7eopard2, tho+e
+eek*n. to /nder0*ne *t 0/+t pa2 the penalt2. *n.le6hearted and clear6e2ed a+ e4er
wa+ 02 old pal. I a.reed w*th h*09 +t*ll, the /.l2 report+ of 02 co0rade+ kept
d*+t/r1*n. 0e.
a+ha:+ *llne++ had dr*4en 1ack the phanto0+ of 02 +leeple++ n*.ht+. =h2+*c*an+
were few, 0ed*c*ne +carce, and d*+ea+e ra0pant *n =etro.rad. Dor*n had *00ed*atel2
+ent o/t for a doctor, 1/t the pat*ent:+ fe4er wa+ too alar0*n. for a lon. wa*t. )2 old
profe++*onal e3per*ence ne4er +er4ed a 1etter p/rpo+e. !*th the help of 02 +0all,
well6e>/*pped 0ed*c*ne che+t wh*ch the k*ndl2 doctor of the (/ford had .*4en 0e, I
+/cceeded *n 1reak*n. a+ha:+ fe4er. Two week+ of caref/l n/r+*n. 1ro/.ht h*0 o/t of
1ed, look*n. th*n and pale, 1/t on the road to co0plete reco4er2. A1o/t th*+ t*0e two
0en were +ent /p to +ee /+: @eor.e Lan+1/r2, ed*tor of the London $a*l2 8erald, and
)r. (arr2, an A0er*can corre+pondent. The2 had not 1een e3pected and no pro4*+*on
had 1een 0ade for an "n.l*+h6+peak*n. per+on to 0eet the0. The2 d*d not /nder+tand
a word of #/++*an and the2 wanted to .et to )o+cow. !e co00/n*cated the*r pl*.ht
to )0e #a4*ch, head of the Inter*or $epart0ent and ch*ef of the ,ore*.n %ff*ce *n
=etro.rad. he re>/e+ted a+ha to acco0pan2 the "n.l*+h 4*+*tor+ to )o+cow, and he
con+ented.
8*+ depart/re left 0e free to .o a1o/t a.a*n. The Dor*n+ were alwa2+ w*ll*n. to
take 0e to place+ of *ntere+t, 1/t I wa+ 1e.*nn*n. to p*ck /p 02 #/++*an and I
preferred to .o alone. The anarch*+t conference ha4*n. 1een held /nder co4er, I had
not 1een *n a po+*t*on to talk to the Dor*n+ a1o/t *t, 0/ch le++ tell the0 what I had
heard. It 0ade 0e feel +o0ewhat ./*lt2 *n the*r pre+ence. Added to *t wa+ 02
*0pre++*on that Dor*n wa+ p/rpo+el2 keep*n. 0e awa2 fro0 certa*n th*n.+. I had
a+ked h*0 whether I co/ld 4*+*t +o0e factor*e+. 8e had pro0*+ed to +ec/re a prop/+k
for 0e, 1/t he had fa*led to do +o. 8e had al+o +hown *0pat*ence w*th L*-a when +he
had a+ked 0e to addre++ the .*rl+ of a +hop6collect*4e. Not that I had con+ented9 02
#/++*an wa+ +t*ll too halt*n.. )oreo4er, I had co0e to #/++*a to learn and not to
teach. Dor*n +ee0ed .reatl2 rel*e4ed at 02 ref/+al. I had pa*d no attent*on to h*+
pec/l*ar att*t/de at the t*0e, 1/t when he al+o 1roke h*+ pro0*+e to take 0e to the
0*ll+, I 1e.an to wonder whether there wa+ not +o0eth*n. wron. there. I d*d not
1el*e4e that cond*t*on+ were a+ 1ad a+ de+cr*1ed at the conference9 wh2, then, +ho/ld
Dor*n ref/+e to let 0e +ee the0B 8owe4er, 02 relat*on+ w*th the Dor*n+ cont*n/ed
CF<
4er2 fr*endl2. The2 were ardent re1el+, /tterl2 w*tho/t tho/.ht of the0+el4e+ and the*r
need+. The2 were /nw*ll*n. to accept an2th*n. fro0 /+, tho/.h alwa2+ read2 to +hare
the*r own 0ea.re +/ppl*e+. Dor*n wa+ part*c/larl2 ada0ant. "4er2 t*0e I wo/ld 1r*n.
+o0e of o/r A0er*can pro4*+*on+, he wo/ld warn 0e that we +ho/ld +oon .o h/n.r2
o/r+el4e+ *f we cont*n/ed .*4*n. o/r th*n.+ awa2. L*-a al+o wa+ d*ff*c/lt to per+/ade.
he wa+ e3pect*n. her 1a12, and I wa+ /r.*n. her to let 0e help her prepare a few
th*n.+ for the new arr*4al. 5Non+en+e,5 +he wo/ld repl29 5*n proletar*an #/++*a no one
f/++e+ a1o/t 1a12 clothe+9 we lea4e that to the pa0pered 1o/r.eo*+ wo0en *n
cap*tal*+t co/ntr*e+. !e ha4e 0ore *0portant th*n.+ to do.5
I wo/ld ar./e that the 1a1*e+ of toda2 were .o*n. to 1e the *nher*tor+ of that f/t/re
+he wa+ work*n. for. ho/ldn:t the*r f*r+t need+ 1e con+*dered e4en 1efore the*r 1*rthB
(/t L*-a wo/ld la/.h *t off and call 0e +ent*0ental, not at all the f*.hter +he had
tho/.ht 0e. I l*ked and ad0*red the*r +terl*n. >/al*t*e+, *n +p*te of the*r narrow
part*+an tra*t+. I d*d not +ee >/*te +o 0/ch of the0, howe4er, a+ *n the f*r+t week+.
There wa+ no need for *t, a+ I co/ld now .o a1o/t 12 02+elf9 0oreo4er, other people
had co0e *nto 02 l*fe.
%ne th*n. (*ll hatoff had told /+ a1o/t wa+ certa*nl2 not o4erdrawn: the 0atter of
prop/+k+. The2 pla2ed a .reater rPle *n o4*et #/++*a than pa++port+ had /nder the
t+ar+. %ne co/ld not e4en .et *n or o/t of o/r hotel w*tho/t a per0*t, not to +peak of
4*+*t*n. an2 o4*et *n+t*t/t*on or *0portant off*c*al. Al0o+t e4er2one carr*ed
portfol*o+ +tocked w*th prop/+k+ and oodo+to4eren2a+ M*dent*f*cat*on paper+N. Dor*n
had told 0e that the2 con+t*t/ted a nece++ar2 preca/t*on a.a*n+t co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
plotter+, 1/t the lon.er I +ta2ed *n #/++*a, the le++ I +aw the*r 4al/e. =aper wa+ at a
h*.h pre0*/0, 2et rea0+ /pon rea0+ of *t were /+ed for 5per0*t+,5 and 0/ch t*0e
wa+ wa+ted *n +ec/r*n. the0. %n the other hand, the 4er2 >/ant*t2 of the0 defeated
an2 real control. !hat +ane co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t, I ar./ed, wo/ld e3po+e h*0+elf to
d*+co4er2 12 +tand*n. for ho/r+ *n l*ne wa*t*n. for a prop/+kB 8e co/ld 0ore ea+*l2
+ec/re *t *n other wa2+. (/t *t wa+ /+ele++9 e4er2 Co00/n*+t I 0et +ee0ed to +/ffer
fro0 co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 f*3at*on, no do/1t d/e to the attack+ alread2 end/red.
8ow co/ld I take *++/e w*th the0B )2 +ta2 *n #/++*a had 1een too +hort for 0e to
ad4*+e the0 on the 0o+t pract*cal 0ethod of cop*n. w*th the ene0*e+ of the
#e4ol/t*on. And what d*d the pe+k2 p*ece+ of paper 0atter *n 4*ew of the .reat th*n.+
alread2 ach*e4edB "4er2where I w*tne++ed +/1l*0e co/ra.e, +elfle++ de4ot*on, and
+*0ple .rande/r on the part of tho+e hold*n. the re4ol/t*onar2 fort a.a*n+t the ent*re
*n*0*cal world. Th/+ I rea+oned w*th 02+elf, deter0*nedl2 ref/+*n. to +ee the re4er+e
+*de of #/++*a:+ face. (/t *t+ +carred and tw*+ted co/ntenance wo/ld not 1e *.nored. It
kept call*n. 0e 1ack, /r.*n. 0e to look, forc*n. 0e to 4*ew *t+ +/ffer*n.. I wanted to
+ee onl2 *t+ 1ea/t2 and rad*ance, lon.ed pa++*onatel2 to 1el*e4e *n *t+ +tren.th and
power, 2et the 4er2 h*deo/+ne++ of the other +*de co0pelled w*th an *rre+*+t*1le
appeal. 5Look, look?5 *t .r*nned, 5w*th*n reach of =etro.rad are 4a+t +tretche+ of
fore+t, eno/.h to heat e4er2 ho0e and 0ake e4er2 factor2 wheel t/rn. Yet the c*t2 *+
per*+h*n. fro0 cold, and the 0ach*ne+ are fro-en. The ra-4er+tka Mforc*1le collect*on
of foodN dra*n+ the pea+antr2 to feed =etro.rad, the2 are told9 fert*le &kra*ne *+ forced
to +h*p carload+ of pro4*+*on+ northward, 2et the pop/lat*on of the c*t*e+ *+ +tar4*n.. A
.oodl2 half of the pro4*+*on+ +o0ehow 4an*+he+ alon. the ro/te, the re+t reach*n., *n
the 0a*n, the 0arket+ rather than the h/n.r2 0a++e+9 and the con+tant +hoot*n.+ on
the @orokho4a2a MCheka head>/arter+N, ha4e 2o/ 1een deaf to tho+eB And the
planned pr*+on for 0orall2 defect*4e ch*ldren66ha+ 2o/r *nd*.nat*on not 1een aro/+ed
CF9
12 th*+, 2o/ who ha4e for th*rt26f*4e 2ear+ h/rled anathe0a at the trad/cer+ of ch*ld6
l*feB !hat a1o/t all the+e .ha+tl2 1lotche+ +o +k*lf/ll2 h*dden 12 Co00/n*+t ro/.eB5
L*ke a ra11*t *n a trap I da+hed a1o/t *n 02 ca.e, 1eat*n. a.a*n+t the 1ar+ of the+e
fearf/l contrad*ct*on+. (l*ndl2 I reached o/t for +o0eone to ward off the 0ortal 1low.
D*no4*e4 and ;ohn #eed, who had 7/+t ret/rned fro0 )o+cow, co/ld e3pla*n, I
tho/.ht. And )a3*0 @ork*, he wo/ld +/rel2 tell 0e wh*ch +*de of the #/++*an face
wa+ the real one and wh*ch one fal+e. 8e wo/ld help 0e, he the .reat real*+t, who+e
clar*on 4o*ce had th/ndered a.a*n+t e4er2 wron. and who had ca+t*.ated the cr*0e+
a.a*n+t ch*ldhood *n word+ of f*re.
I d*+patched a note to @ork*, re>/e+t*n. h*0 to +ee 0e. I felt lo+t *n the la12r*nth of
o4*et #/++*a, +t/01l*n. con+tantl2 o4er the 0an2 o1+tacle+, 4a*nl2 .rop*n. for the
re4ol/t*onar2 l*.ht. I needed h*+ fr*endl2, ./*d*n. hand, I wrote h*0. )eanwh*le I
t/rned to D*no4*e4. 5,ore+t+ w*th*n ea+2 reach of =etro.rad,5 I +a*d9 5wh2 0/+t the
c*t2 free-eB5 5An2 a0o/nt of f/el,5 D*no4*e4 repl*ed9 51/t of what a4a*lB %/r ene0*e+
ha4e de+tro2ed o/r 0ean+ of tran+portat*on9 the 1lockade ha+ k*lled off o/r hor+e+ a+
well a+ o/r 0en. 8ow are we to .et at the woodlandB5 5!hat a1o/t the pop/lat*on of
=etro.radB5 I per+*+ted. 5Co/ld *t not 1e appealed to for co6operat*onB Co/ld *t not 1e
*nd/ced to .o en 0a++e w*th p*ck and a3 and rope+ to ha/l wood for *t+ own /+eB
!o/ld not +/ch a concerted effort alle4*ate 0/ch +/ffer*n. and at the +a0e t*0e
decrea+e the anta.on*+0 a.a*n+t 2o/r part2B5 It 0*.ht help to d*0*n*+h the 0*+er2
fro0 cold, D*no4*e4 repl*ed, 1/t *t wo/ld *nterfere w*th the carr2*n. o/t of the 0a*n
pol*t*cal pol*c*e+. !hat were the2B 5Concentrat*on of all power *n the hand+ of the
proletar*an a4ant6.arde,5 D*no4*e4 e3pla*ned, 5the a4ant6.arde of the #e4ol/t*on,
wh*ch *+ the Co00/n*+t =art2.5 5#ather a dear pr*ce to pa2,5 I o17ected.
5&nfort/natel2,5 he a.reed9 51/t the d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at *+ the onl2
worka1le pro.ra0 d/r*n. a re4ol/t*onar2 per*od. Anarch*+t .ro/p+, free *n*t*at*4e of
co00/ne+, a+ 2o/r .reat teacher+ ha4e +/..e+ted, 0a2 1e fea+*1le *n cent/r*e+ to
co0e, 1/t not now *n #/++*a, w*th the $en*k*n+ and Kolchak+ read2 to cr/+h /+. The2
ha4e doo0ed the whole of #/++*a, 2et 2o/r co0rade+ fret a1o/t the fate of one c*t2.5
%ne c*t2, w*th a 0*ll*on and a half *nha1*tant+ red/ced to fo/r h/ndred tho/+and? A
0ere 1a.atelle *n the e2e+ of the Co00/n*+t pol*t*cal pro.ra0? $*+heartened, I left
the 0an +o cock6+/re of h*+ part2:+ w*+do0, +o en+conced *n the hea4enl2 )ar3*an
con+tellat*on and +elf6con+c*o/+ of 1e*n. one of *t+ 0a7or +tar+.
;ohn #eed had 1/r+t *nto 02 roo0 l*ke a +/dden ra2 of l*.ht, the old 1/o2ant,
ad4ent/ro/+ ;ack that I /+ed to know *n the tate+. 8e wa+ a1o/t to ret/rn to A0er*ca,
12 wa2 of Lat4*a. #ather a ha-ardo/+ 7o/rne2, he +a*d, 1/t he wo/ld take e4en .reater
r*+k+ to 1r*n. the *n+p*r*n. 0e++a.e of o4*et #/++*a to h*+ nat*4e land. 5!onderf/l,
0ar4ello/+, *+n:t *t, ".@.B5 he e3cla*0ed. 5Yo/r drea0 of 2ear+ now real*-ed *n
#/++*a, 2o/r drea0 +corned and per+ec/ted *n 02 co/ntr2, 1/t 0ade real 12 the 0a.*c
wand of Len*n and h*+ 1and of de+p*+ed (ol+he4*k+. $*d 2o/ e4er e3pect +/ch a th*n.
to happen *n the co/ntr2 r/led 12 the t+ar+ for cent/r*e+B5
5Not 12 Len*n and h*+ co0rade+, dear ;ack,5 I corrected, 5tho/.h I do not den2
the*r .reat part. (/t 12 the whole #/++*an people, preceded 12 a .lor*o/+
re4ol/t*onar2 pa+t. No other land of o/r da2+ ha+ 1een +o l*terall2 n/rt/red 12 the
1lood of her 0art2r+, a lon. proce++*on of p*oneer+ who went to the*r death that new
l*fe 0a2 +pr*n. fro0 the*r .ra4e+.5
CG0
;ack *n+*+ted that the 2o/n. .enerat*on cannot for e4er 1e t*ed to the apron6+tr*n.+
of the old, part*c/larl2 when tho+e +tr*n.+ are t*.htl2 drawn aro/nd *t+ throat. 5Look at
2o/r old p*oneer+, the (re+hko4+ka2a+ and Tcha*ko4+k2+, the Cherno4+ and
Keren+k2+ and the re+t of the0,5 he cr*ed heatedl29 5+ee where the2 are now? !*th the
(lack 8/ndred+, the ;ew61a*ter+, and the d/cal cl*>/e, a*d*n. the0 to cr/+h the
#e4ol/t*on. I don:t .*4e a da0n for the*r pa+t. I a0 concerned onl2 *n what the
treachero/+ .an. ha+ 1een do*n. d/r*n. the pa+t three 2ear+. To the wall w*th the0? I
+a2. I ha4e learned one 0*.ht2 e3pre++*4e #/++*an word, :ra-+trell2at:?5 Me3ec/te 12
+hoot*n.N.
5top, ;ack? top?5 I cr*ed9 5th*+ word *+ terr*1le eno/.h *n the 0o/th of a #/++*an.
In 2o/r hard A0er*can accent *t free-e+ 02 1lood. *nce when do re4ol/t*on*+t+ +ee *n
whole+ale e3ec/t*on the onl2 +ol/t*on of the*r d*ff*c/lt*e+B In t*0e of act*4e co/nter6
re4ol/t*on *t *+ no do/1t *ne4*ta1le to .*4e +hot for +hot. (/t cold61loodedl2 and
0erel2 for op*n*on:+ +ake, do 2o/ 7/+t*f2 +tand*n. people a.a*n+t the wall /nder +/ch
c*rc/0+tance+B5 I went on to po*nt o/t to h*0 that the o4*et @o4ern0ent 0/+t ha4e
real*-ed the f/t*l*t2 of +/ch 0ethod+, not to +peak of the*r 1ar1ar*t2, 1eca/+e *t had
a1ol*+hed cap*tal p/n*+h0ent. Dor*n had told 0e that. !a+ the decree re4oked, that
;ack +poke +o .l*1l2 of +tand*n. 0en a.a*n+t the wallB I 0ent*oned the fre>/ent
+hoot*n. I heard *n the c*t2 at n*.ht. Dor*n had +a*d that *t wa+ tar.et pract*ce of
k/r+ant2 MCo00/n*+t +t/dent+ at the 0*l*tar2 tra*n*n.6+chool for off*cer+N. 5$o 2o/
know an2th*n. a1o/t *t, ;ackB5 I >/e+t*oned. 5Tell 0e the tr/th.5
8e d*d know, he +a*d, that f*4e h/ndred pr*+oner+, con+*dered co/nter6
re4ol/t*on*+t+, had 1een +hot on the e4e the decree wa+ to .o *nto force. It had 1een a
+t/p*d 1l/nder on the part of o4er6-ealo/+ Chek*+t+ and the2 had 1een +e4erel2
repr*0anded for *t. 8e had not heard of an2 other +hoot*n.+ +*nce, 1/t he had alwa2+
tho/.ht 0e a re4ol/t*on*+t of the p/re+t d2e, one who wo/ld not +h*rk an2 0ea+/re *n
defence of the #e4ol/t*on. 8e wa+ +/rpr*+ed to +ee 0e +o worked /p o4er the death of
a few plotter+. A+ *f that 0attered *n the +cale+ of the world re4ol/t*on?
5I 0/+t 1e cra-2, ;ack,5 I +a*d, 5or el+e I ne4er /nder+tood the 0ean*n. of
re4ol/t*on. I certa*nl2 ne4er 1el*e4ed that *t wo/ld +*.n*f2 callo/+ *nd*fference to
h/0an l*fe and +/ffer*n., or that *t wo/ld ha4e no other 0ethod of +ol4*n. *t+
pro1le0+ than 12 whole+ale +la/.hter. ,*4e h/ndred l*4e+ +n/ffed o/t on the e4e of a
decree a1ol*+h*n. the death6penalt2? Yo/ call *t a +t/p*d 1l/nder. I call *t a da+tardl2
cr*0e, the wor+t co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 o/tra.e co00*tted *n the na0e of the
#e4ol/t*on.5
5That:+ all r*.ht,5 +a*d ;ack, tr2*n. to cal0 0e9 52o/ are a l*ttle conf/+ed 12 the
#e4ol/t*on *n act*on 1eca/+e 2o/ ha4e dealt w*th *t onl2 *n theor2. Yo/:ll .et o4er
that, clear6+*.hted re1el that 2o/ are, and 2o/:ll co0e to +ee *n *t+ tr/e l*.ht e4er2th*n.
that +ee0+ +o p/--l*n. now. Cheer /p, and 0ake 0e a c/p of the .ood old A0er*can
coffee 2o/ ha4e 1ro/.ht w*th 2o/. Not 0/ch to .*4e 2o/ *n ret/rn for all 02 co/ntr2
ha+ taken fro0 2o/, 1/t .reatl2 apprec*ated *n +tar4*n. #/++*a 12 her nat*4e +on.5
I 0ar4elled at h*+ capac*t2 to chan.e +o >/*ckl2 to a l*.ht tone. It wa+ the +a0e old
;ack, w*th h*+ -e+t for the ad4ent/re+ of l*fe. I lon.ed to 7o*n *n h*+ .a2 0ood, 1/t 02
heart wa+ hea42. ;ack:+ appearance had 1ro/.ht 1ack 0e0or*e+ of 02 recent l*fe, 02
CG1
people, 8elena and tho+e dear to 0e. Not a word fro0 an2one had reached 0e *n two
0onth+. &ncerta*nt2 a1o/t the0 added to 02 depre++*on and re+tle++ne++. a+ha:+
letter, +/..e+t*n. that I co0e to )o+cow, p/t new ener.2 *nto 0e. )o+cow wa+ 0/ch
0ore al*4e than =etro.rad, he wrote, and there were *ntere+t*n. people to 0eet. A few
week+ *n the cap*tal 0*.ht help to clar*f2 the re4ol/t*onar2 +*t/at*on to 0e. I wanted
to .o *00ed*atel2. I had alread2 learned, howe4er, that *n o4*et #/++*a one doe+ not
7/+t 1/2 a t*cket and 1oard a tra*n. I had +een people +tand*n. *n >/e/e+ for da2+ and
n*.ht+ to o1ta*n a per0*t for the*r 7o/rne2 and then a.a*n wa*t *n lon. l*ne+ to
p/rcha+e the*r t*cket+. "4en w*th the helpf/l co6operat*on of Dor*n *t re>/*red ten da2+
1efore I co/ld lea4e. 8e had arran.ed for 0e to 1e *n the part2 of o4*et off*c*al+
.o*n. to )o+cow, he *nfor0ed 0e. $e02an (edn2, the off*c*al poet, wo/ld 1e there
and he wo/ld place 0e *n the 8otel Nat*onal. Dor*n wa+ a+ o1l*.*n. a+ e4er, tho/.h
+o0ewhat d*+tant.
Arr*4ed at the +tat*on, I fo/nd 02+elf *n d*+t*n./*+hed co0pan2. Karl #adek, who
had e+caped the fate of L*e1knecht, #o+a L/3e01/r., and Landa/er, wa+ there.
Ch*pero4*ch, head of the =etro.rad la1o/r /n*on+, )a3*0 @ork*, and +e4eral le++er
l*.ht+ were al+o *n the +a0e car w*th 0e.
@ork* had pre4*o/+l2 repl*ed to 02 letter and had a+ked 0e to call for a talk. I d*d,
1/t there wa+ no talk. I fo/nd h*0 +/ffer*n. fro0 a hea42 cold and con+tantl2
co/.h*n., wh*le fo/r wo0en were fl/tter*n. a1o/t h*0, 0*n*+ter*n. to h*+ need+.
!hen he +aw 0e *n the car, he +a*d we co/ld ha4e o/r po+tponed talk en ro/te9 he
wo/ld co0e to 02 co0part0ent later. I wa*ted ea.erl2 the lar.e+t part of the da2.
@ork* d*d not appear, nor an2one el+e e3cept the porter w*th +andw*che+ and tea for
the o4*et part2. #adek, *n the ne3t co0part0ent, wa+ e4*dentl2 hold*n. co/rt. In tr/e
#/++*an fa+h*on e4er21od2 talked at once. (/t the l*ttle, ner4o/+ #adek 0ana.ed to
o/t+tr*p the other+. ,or ho/r+ he rattled on. )2 1ra*n .rew wear2 and I do-ed off.
I wa+ ro/+ed fro0 02 +leep 12 a .a/nt and lank2 f*./re tower*n. a1o4e 0e.
)a3*0 @ork* +tood 1efore 0e, h*+ pea+ant face deepl2 l*ned w*th pa*n. I a+ked h*0 to
+*t down 1e+*de 0e and he cr/0pled *nto the +eat, a t*red and lan./*d 0an, 0/ch
older than h*+ f*ft2 2ear+.
I had looked forward w*th 0/ch ant*c*pat*on to the chance of talk*n. to @ork*, 2et
now I d*d not know how to 1e.*n. 5@ork* know+ noth*n. a1o/t 0e,5 I wa+ +a2*n. to
02+elf.... 58e 0a2 th*nk 0e 0erel2 a refor0er, oppo+ed to the #e4ol/t*on a+ +/ch. %r
he 0a2 e4en .et the *0pre++*on that I a0 7/+t fa/lt6f*nd*n. on acco/nt of per+onal
.r*e4ance+ or 1eca/+e I co/ld not ha4e :1/ttered toa+t and .rape6fr/*t for 1reakfa+t: or
other 0ater*al A0er*can 1le++*n.+.5 /ch an *nterpretat*on had act/all2 1een .*4en to
the co0pla*nt of )orr*+ (ecker a1o/t the /n1eara1l2 p/tr*d a*r *n the +hop where he
wa+ work*n., the /nnece++ar2 f*lth and d*rt. 5Yo/ are a pa0pered 1o/r.eo*+,5 the
Co00*++ar had 1ellowed at h*09 52o/ p*ne for the co0fort+ of cap*tal*+t A0er*ca.
The proletar*an d*ctator+h*p ha+ 0ore *0portant th*n.+ to con+*der than 4ent*lat*on or
locker+ to keep 2o/r 1read and tea clean.5 I had la/.hed to tear+ o4er that +tor2, 1/t
now I wa+ /p+et 12 the apprehen+*on le+t )a3*0 @ork* con+*der 0e al+o a pa0pered
1o/r.eo*+, d*++at*+f*ed 1eca/+e I had fa*led to f*nd *n o4*et #/++*a the fle+h6pot+ of
cap*tal*+t A0er*ca. (/t *t wa+ r*d*c/lo/+ to th*nk @ork* capa1le of the +*ll2 prattle of a
+/1ord*nate (ol+he4*k off*c*al, I +o/.ht to rea++/re 02+elf. /rel2 the +eer who co/ld
detect 1ea/t2 *n the 0eane+t l*fe and d*+co4er no1*l*t2 *n the 1a+e+t wa+ too
CGC
penetrat*n. to 0*+/nder+tand 02 .rop*n.. 8e 0ore than an2 other 0an wo/ld .ra+p
*t+ ca/+e and *t+ pa*n.
At la+t I 1e.an 12 +a2*n. that I +ho/ld f*r+t ha4e to *ntrod/ce 02+elf 1efore I co/ld
talk to h*0 a1o/t the th*n.+ that were d*+tre++*n. 0e. 58ardl2 nece++ar2,5 @ork*
*nterr/pted9 5I know a .ood deal a1o/t 2o/r act*4*t*e+ *n the &n*ted tate+. (/t e4en *f
I knew noth*n. a1o/t 2o/, the fact that 2o/ were deported for 2o/r *dea+ wo/ld 1e
proof eno/.h of 2o/r re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2. I need noth*n. 0ore.5 5That *+ 0o+t
k*nd of 2o/,5 I repl*ed, 52et I 0/+t *n+*+t on a l*ttle prel*0*nar2.5 @ork* nodded, and I
proceeded to tell h*0 of 02 fa*th *n the (ol+he4*k* fro0 the 4er2 1e.*nn*n. of the
%cto1er #e4ol/t*on, and 02 defence of the0 and of o4*et #/++*a at a t*0e when
e4en 4er2 few rad*cal+ dared +peak /p for Len*n and h*+ co0rade+. I had e4en t/rned
fro0 Cather*ne (re+hko4+ka2a, who had 1een o/r torch for a .enerat*on. It had 1een
no ea+2 ta+k to cr2 *n the w*lderne++ of f/r2 and hate *n defence of people who *n
po*nt of theor2 had alwa2+ 1een 02 pol*t*cal opponent+. (/t who co/ld th*nk of +/ch
d*fference+ when the l*fe of the #e4ol/t*on wa+ at +takeB Len*n and h*+ co6worker+
per+on*f*ed that l*fe to 0e and to 02 neare+t co0rade+ and fr*end+. Therefore we had
fo/.ht for the0 and we wo/ld ha4e cheerf/ll2 .*4en o/r l*4e+ for the 0en who were
hold*n. the re4ol/t*onar2 fort. 5I hope 2o/ w*ll not con+*der 0e 1oa+tf/l or th*nk that
I ha4e e3a..erated the d*ff*c/lt*e+ and dan.er+ of o/r +tr/..le *n A0er*ca for o4*et
#/++*a,5 I +a*d. @ork* +hook h*+ head and I cont*n/ed: 5I al+o hope 2o/ w*ll 1el*e4e
0e when I +a2 that, tho/.h an anarch*+t, I had not 1een na*4e eno/.h to th*nk that
anarch*+0 co/ld r*+e o4ern*.ht, a+ *t were, fro0 the de1r*+ of old #/++*a.5
8e +topped 0e w*th a .e+t/re of h*+ hand. 5If that *+ +o, and I do not do/1t 2o/,
how can 2o/ 1e +o perple3ed at the *0perfect*on+ 2o/ f*nd *n o4*et #/++*aB A+ an
old re4ol/t*on*+t 2o/ 0/+t know that re4ol/t*on *+ a .r*0 and relentle++ ta+k. %/r poor
#/++*a, 1ackward and cr/de, her 0a++e+, +teeped *n cent/r*e+ of *.norance and
darkne++, 1r/tal and la-2 1e2ond an2 other people *n the world?5 I .a+ped at h*+
+weep*n. *nd*ct0ent of the ent*re #/++*an people. 8*+ char.e wa+ terr*1le, *f tr/e, I
told h*0. It wa+ al+o rather no4el. No #/++*an wr*ter had e4er +poken *n +/ch ter0+
1efore. 8e, )a3*0 @ork*, wa+ the f*r+t to ad4ance +/ch a pec/l*ar 4*ew, and the f*r+t
not to p/t all the 1la0e /pon the 1lockade, the $en*k*n+ and Kolchak+. o0ewhat
*rr*tated, he repl*ed that the 5ro0ant*c concept*on of o/r .reat l*terar2 .en/*+e+5 had
ent*rel2 0*+repre+ented the #/++*an and had wro/.ht no end of e4*l. The #e4ol/t*on
had d*+pelled the 1/11le of the .oodne++ and naI4etE of the pea+antr2. It had pro4ed
the0 +hrewd, a4ar*c*o/+, and la-2, e4en +a4a.e *n the*r 7o2 of ca/+*n. pa*n. The rPle
pla2ed 12 the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 Y/den*che+, he added, wa+ too o14*o/+ to need
+pec*al e0pha+*+. That *+ wh2 he had not con+*dered *t nece++ar2 e4en to 0ent*on
the0, nor the *ntell*.ent+*a, wh*ch had 1een talk*n. re4ol/t*on for o4er f*ft2 2ear+ and
then wa+ the f*r+t to +ta1 *t *n the 1ack w*th +a1ota.e and con+p*rac*e+. (/t all the+e
were contr*1/tor2 factor+, not the 0a*n ca/+e. The root+ were *nherent *n #/++*a:+
1r/tal and /nc*4*l*-ed 0a++e+, he +a*d. The2 ha4e no c/lt/ral trad*t*on+, no +oc*al
4al/e+, no re+pect for h/0an r*.ht+ and l*fe. The2 cannot 1e 0o4ed 12 an2th*n.
e3cept coerc*on and force. All thro/.h the a.e+ the #/++*an+ had known noth*n. el+e.
I prote+ted 4ehe0entl2 a.a*n+t the+e char.e+. I ar./ed that *n +p*te of h*+ e4*dent
fa*th *n the +/per*or >/al*t*e+ of other nat*on+, *t wa+ the *.norant and cr/de #/++*an
people that had r*+en f*r+t *n re4olt. The2 had +haken #/++*a 12 three +/cce++*4e
re4ol/t*on+ w*th*n twel4e 2ear+, and *t wa+ the2 and the*r w*ll that .a4e l*fe to
CG3
5%cto1er.5
5Aer2 elo>/ent,5 @ork* retorted, 51/t not >/*te acc/rate.5 8e ad0*tted the +hare of
the pea+antr2 *n the %cto1er /pr*+*n., tho/.h e4en that, he tho/.ht, wa+ not con+c*o/+
+oc*al feel*n., 1/t 0ere wrath acc/0/lated for decade+. If not checked 12 Len*n:+
./*d*n. hand, *t wo/ld ha4e +/rel2 de+tro2ed rather than ad4anced the .reat
re4ol/t*onar2 a*0+. Len*n, @ork* *n+*+ted, wa+ the real parent of the %cto1er
#e4ol/t*on. It had 1een conce*4ed 12 h*+ .en*/+, n/rt/red 12 h*+ 4*+*on and fa*th, and
1ro/.ht to 0at/r*t2 12 h*+ far6+*.hted and pat*ent care. %ther+ had helped to del*4er
the l/+t2 ch*ld, part*c/larl2 the +0all 1and of (ol+he4*k*, a*ded 12 the =etro.rad
worker+, to.ether w*th the +a*lor+ and +old*er+ of Kron+tadt. *nce the 1*rth of %cto1er
*t wa+ a.a*n Len*n who wa+ +teer*n. *t+ de4elop0ent and .rowth.
5)*racle6worker, 2o/r Len*n,5 I cr*ed9 51/t I +ee0 to re0e01er that 2o/ ha4e not
alwa2+ tho/.ht h*0 a .od or h*+ co0rade+ *nfall*1le.5 I re0*nded @ork* of h*+
+cath*n. arra*.n0ent of the (ol+he4*k* *n the 7o/rnal Dh*-n, ed*ted 12 h*0 *n the da2+
of Keren+k2. !hat had ca/+ed h*+ chan.eB 8e had attacked the (ol+he4*k*, @ork*
acknowled.ed, 1/t the 0arch of e4ent+ had con4*nced h*0 that a re4ol/t*on *n a
pr*0*t*4e co/ntr2 w*th a 1ar1aro/+ people co/ld not +/r4*4e w*tho/t re+ort to dra+t*c
0ethod+ of +elf6defence. The (ol+he4*k* had 0ade 0an2 0*+take+ and the2 cont*n/ed
do*n. +o. The2 ad0*tted *t the0+el4e+. (/t the +/ppre++*on of the r*.ht+ of the
*nd*4*d/al for the +ake of the whole, the Cheka, pr*+on, terror, and death were not of
the*r cho*ce. The+e 0ethod+ had 1een forced /pon o4*et #/++*a and the2 were
/na4o*da1le *n the re4ol/t*onar2 +tr/..le.
8e looked e3ha/+ted, and I d*d not deta*n h*0 when he ro+e to lea4e. 8e +hook 02
hand and walked o/t w*th a wear2 .a*t. I, too, wa+ t*red and /n/ttera1l2 +ad. !h*ch of
the two @ork*+, I wondered, had co0e clo+er to the #/++*an +o/l. !a+ *t the creator of
)akar Tch/dra and Tchelka+h, the a/thor of In the $epth+, of Twent26+*3 and %ne,
the 5d/01 and cr/el +a4a.e+5 of the #/++*an 0a++B 8ow h/0an @ork* had 0ade
the0, how ch*ldl*ke and ./*lele++, how 0o4*n. *n the*r fr/+trat*on? 8e had l*4ed w*th
the0, *n the 5nether0o+t where there *+ na/.ht 1/t 0/rk and +l/+h59 he had heard
the*r 5har+h cr2 for l*fe,5 and he had 5co0e /p to 1ear w*tne++ to the +/ffer*n. he had
left 1eh*nd.5 !a+ that the tr/e +o/l of #/++*a, or wa+ *t a+ p*ct/red 12 @ork* the
wor+h*pper of Len*nB 5A h/ndred 0*ll*on people, cr/el +a4a.e+ need*n. 1ar1aro/+
0ethod+ to keep the0 *n lea+h.5 $*d he act/all2 1el*e4e +/ch 0on+tro/+ th*n.+, or had
he *n4ented the0 to enhance the .lor2 of h*+ .odB
)a3*0 @ork* had 1een 02 *dol, and I wo/ld not +ee h*+ feet of cla2. I 1eca0e
con4*nced, howe4er, of one th*n.: ne*ther he nor an2one el+e co/ld +ol4e 02
pro1le0+. %nl2 t*0e and pat*ent +eek*n. co/ld do *t, a*ded 12 +20pathet*c
/nder+tand*n. of ca/+e and effect *n the re4ol/t*onar2 +tr/..le of #/++*a.
The occ/pant+ of the car had ret*red, and all wa+ >/*et. The tra*n +ped on. I tr*ed to
.a*n +o0e +leep, 1/t fo/nd 02+elf th*nk*n. of Len*n. !hat wa+ th*+ 0an and what the
power that drew e4er2one to h*0, e4en tho+e who d*+a.reed w*th h*+ co/r+eB Trot+k2,
D*no4*e4, (/khar*n, and the other pro0*nent 0en I had co0e acro++, all d*ffered on
0an2 pro1le0+, 2et were /nan*0o/+ *n the*r appra*+al of Len*n. 8*+ wa+ the cleare+t
0*nd *n #/++*a, e4er2one a++/red 0e, of *ron w*ll and do..ed per+e4erance *n p/r+/*t
of h*+ a*0+, no 0atter what the co+t. It wa+ pec/l*ar, tho/.h, that no one e4er referred
CG4
to an2 .enero/+ *0p/l+e+ of the 0an. I tho/.ht of $ora Kaplan, Len*n:+ a++a*lant. 8er
+tor2, told 0e 12 a fr*end of (*ll hatoff, who wa+ ent*rel2 for the (ol+he4*k* and
Len*n, had 1een a0on. the f*r+t +hock+ of 02 =etro.rad da2+. 8e ro/ndl2 conde0ned
the attack on Len*n a+ fra/.ht w*th 0o+t d*+a+tro/+ effect+ on #/++*a had Len*n not
+/r4*4ed h*+ wo/nd+. (/t he +poke w*th the h*.he+t re.ard of $ora and her
re4ol/t*onar2 *deal*+0 and +tren.th of character, wh*ch 1affled e4en her Cheka
tor0entor+. he had 1een 0ot*4ated 12 her con4*ct*on that Len*n had 1etra2ed the
#e4ol/t*on 12 h*+ (re+t6L*to4+k ne.ot*at*on+. 8er att*t/de wa+ +hared 12 her ent*re
part2, the Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+, a+ well a+ 12 the anarch*+t+. "4en a .oodl2
n/01er *n Co00/n*+t rank+ held the +a0e 4*ew. Trot+k2, (/khar*n, ;offe, and other
fore0o+t (ol+he4*k* had +tren/o/+l2 fo/.ht the*r leader on the *++/e of 0ak*n. peace
w*th the Ka*+er. Len*n:+ *nfl/ence, +/pported 12 h*+ *n.en*o/+ +lo.an of a pered*+hka
M.ett*n. one:+ 1reathN, had con>/ered all oppo+*t*on. )an2 cla*0ed that the pered*+hka
wo/ld, *n real*t2, pro4e a -ad*+hka Mdeath 12 +tran./lat*onN. It wo/ld 0ean the end of
the #e4ol/t*on, the2 *n+*+ted, and Len*n wo/ld 1e re+pon+*1le for *t. $ora Kaplan, a
0ere +l*p of a .*rl, had tran+lated the 0ental t/r0o*l of the 0o0ent *nto act*on. he
had atte0pted to +la2 Len*n 1efore he co/ld +la2 the #e4ol/t*on?
5%nl2 the Cheka work+ fa+t *n #/++*a,5 02 *nfor0ant had re0arked w*th a c2n*cal
+0*le. 5No t*0e wa+ wa+ted on a tr*al, and no chance+ were taken w*th a hear*n..5
Tort/re ha4*n. fa*led to *nd/ce $ora Kaplan to *n4ol4e other+ *n her act, +he wa+ p/t
o/t of her a.on2 12 a +tead*er hand than her+. Len*n had .a*ned the lo4e and ad/lat*on
of 0*ll*on+ *n e4er2 land, 1/t he d*d noth*n. to +a4e that /nfort/nate 2o/n. wo0an.
The .ha+tl2 +tor2 had ha/nted 0e for week+. #el*ef ca0e and renewed fa*th *n Len*n:+
h/0an*t2 when I learned that he had +a4ed (*ll hatoff fro0 the 5>/*ck act*on5 of the
Cheka. 8e co/ld r*+e to .enero/+ he*.ht+, after all, I tho/.ht. =erhap+ he had 1een too
*ll to *ntercede for $ora *n t*0e9 po++*1l2, al+o, the fact of her 1e*n. tort/red had 1een
kept fro0 h*0. Al0o+t two 0onth+ had pa++ed +*nce then. Now I wa+ on 02 wa2
perhap+ to 0eet the 0an once ho/nded a+ a cr*0*nal and e3*le and who wa+ now
hold*n. the fate and f/t/re of #/++*a *n h*+ hand+.
8alf a+leep I heard the porter call o/t 5)o+cow?5 !hen I reached the platfor0, I
fo/nd that 02 fellow6pa++en.er+ had alread2 departed, *ncl/d*n. $e02an (edn2. I
had no 0ean+ of not*f2*n. a+ha of 02 arr*4al, and no one el+e *n the cap*tal knew of
02 co0*n.. I felt >/*te lo+t *n the no*+e and 1/+tle of the +tat*on and helple++ w*th 02
1a.+ and 1/ndle+. I had 1een warned that th*n.+ had a wa2 of 4an*+h*n. *n #/++*a
/nder one:+ 4er2 e2e+. I co/ld not .o *n +earch of an *-4o+tch*k and I +tood
*rre+ol/tel2 wonder*n. what to do. =re+entl2 a fa0*l*ar 4o*ce +tr/ck 02 ear+. It wa+
Karl #adek talk*n. to +o0e fr*end+. 8e had not co0e near 0e d/r*n. the ent*re
7o/rne2, nor d*d he +how an2 +*.n that he knew 02 *dent*t2. I felt awkward a1o/t
t/rn*n. to h*0 for help. /ddenl2 he wheeled ro/nd and approached 0e. !a+ I
wa*t*n. for an2one, he *n>/*red, or co/ld he 1e of a*dB I co/ld ha4e h/..ed the dear
l*ttle 0an for h*+ k*ndl2 *ntere+t, 1/t I wa+ afra*d of +candal*-*n. h*0 12 +/ch a
d*+pla2 of 51o/r.eo*+ +ent*0ental*t2.5 I had fre>/entl2 heard the e3pre++*on /+ed w*th
.reat der*+*on. a++/red #adek that he wa+ 0ore ch*4alro/+ than the chaperon Dor*n
had .*4en 0e. 8e had fa*thf/ll2 pro0*+ed to +ee 0e +afel2 to )o+cow and +ec/re a
roo0 for 0e there, and he had 1a+el2 r/n awa2. 5Ch*4alr2, non+en+e?5 la/.hed
#adek9 5we are co0rade+, aren:t we, e4en *f 2o/ are not a 0e01er of 02 part2B5 5(/t
how do 2o/ know who I a0B5 5New+ tra4el+ >/*ckl2 *n #/++*a,5 he repl*ed. 5Yo/:re
an anarch*+t, 2o/ are "00a @old0an, and 2o/ were dr*4en o/t of pl/tocrat*c
CGF
A0er*ca. That:+ three .ood rea+on to ent*tle 2o/ to 02 co0rade+h*p and a++*+tance.5
8e *n4*ted 0e to acco0pan2 h*0 and to .*4e the 5co0rade cha/ffe/r5 d*rect*on+
where to let 0e off. I e3pla*ned that I had onl2 the na0e and n/01er of the +treet
where 02 co0rade Ale3ander (erk0an wa+ +topp*n.. 8e wa+ not e3pect*n. 0e and
he wo/ld pro1a1l2 not 1e *n. )oreo4er, he had no roo0 of h*+ own. #adek de0anded
to know 5what +w*ne5 had left 0e 5*n +/ch a pred*ca0ent.5 I re0arked that he wo/ld
not appl2 +/ch a ter0 to the 0an *f he knew how *0portant he wa+. 5!h2, he *+
+/1+t*t/t*n. off*c*al 7*n.le+ for the da*l2 1read,5 I +a*d. 5$e02an?5 #adek +hr*eked9
57/+t l*ke that fat p*. to +h*rk a d*ff*c/lt ta+k.5 It wa+ certa*nl2 not .o*n. to 1e ea+2 to
+ec/re a roo0 for 0e *n )o+cow, he re0arked9 the c*t2 wa+ o4ercrowded and few
>/arter+ were a4a*la1le. (/t I +ho/ld not worr29 he:d take 0e to h*+ apart0ent *n the
Kre0l*n and then we +ho/ld +ee.
After the de+olat*on of =etro.rad, )o+cow appeared a 4er*ta1le ca/ldron of
act*4*t2. Crowd+ e4er2where, al0o+t e4er2one l/..*n. 1/ndle+ or p/ll*n. loaded
+le*.h+, r/+h*n. a1o/t and 7o+tl*n., p/+h*n. and +wear*n. a+ onl2 #/++*an+ can. Aer2
con+p*c/o/+ wa+ the n/01er of +old*er+ and hard6faced 0en *n leather 7acket+, w*th
./n+ *n the*r 1elt+. ;ack #eed had not e3a..erated when he told 0e that )o+cow wa+
l*ke an ar0ed ca0p. =etro.rad al+o d*d not lack 0*l*tar2 d*+pla2, 1/t *n the ten week+
I had +pent there, I d*d not +ee +o 0an2 0en *n /n*for0, 0/ch le++ Chek*+t+, a+ on 02
f*r+t 0orn*n. *n )o+cow.
#adek and h*+ car were e4*dentl2 well known to the +entr*e+ alon. o/r ro/te. !e
were not halted, not e4en when the a/to da+hed thro/.h the portal+ of the Kre0l*n.
The +*.ht of *t+ +tone wall+ 1ro/.ht 1ack to 0e 0e0or*e+ of the t+ar*+t re.*0e.
Thro/.h the cent/r*e+ *t+ r/ler+ had dwelt *n the 0a.n*f*cence of the h/.e palace+,
the*r dr/nken or.*e+ and 1lack deed+ echo*n. thro/.h the 4a+t hall+. )ore 0*rac/lo/+
than le.end, I 0/+ed, were the chan.*n. face+ of t*0e. (/t 2e+terda2 entrenched *n
*n4*olate power, the*r a/thor*t2 *nal*ena1le a+ the +tar+, toda2 h/rled fro0 the*r
throne+, 1e0oaned 12 a handf/l, 12 the 0an2 for.ot. The 1/*lder+ of the new #/++*a
*n the +eat+ of the 0*.ht2 of old +ee0ed *ncon.r/o/+ *n the e3tre0e. 8ow co/ld the2
feel co0forta1le or a ea+e *n the creep*n. +hadow+ of the .r/e+o0e pa+t, I wondered.
A few ho/r+ *n the Kre0l*n were eno/.h to .*4e 0e the /ncann2 feel*n. of the dead
tr2*n. to co0e to l*fe a.a*n. The .enero/+ ho+p*tal*t2 of )0e #adek, and her ch/112
1a12 1l*++f/ll2 /ncon+c*o/+ of the +/rro/nd*n.+ of the 12.one da2+, helped to d*+pel
02 oppre++*4e tho/.ht+. Karl #adek wa+ a 4er*ta1le d2na0o of ener.2, all the t*0e
r/+h*n. a1o/t, ha+ten*n. to the telephone, da+h*n. 1ack to p*ck /p the 1a12 and
dan.le *t on h*+ knee+, talk*n. and .*..l*n. l*ke a +chool.*rl. 8e apparentl2 co/ld not
+*t +t*ll a 0*n/te, not e4en d/r*n. the 0eal. 8e +ee0ed e4er2where and nowhere at the
+a0e t*0e. )0e #adek, who 0othered her h/+1and 0ore than her 1a12 d*d not +ee0
to 0*nd h*+ ner4o/+ +tate. "4er2 t*0e he went /p l*ke a 1alloon, her re+tra*n*n. hand
wo/ld .entl2 deta*n h*0 and threaten to feed h*0 l*ke the *nfant *f he d*d not f*n*+h
the 0or+el +he had +et 1efore h*0. It wa+ an a0/+*n. +cene, tho/.h +o0ewhat
wear*n. thro/.h con+tant repet*t*on.
After l/ncheon 02 ho+t *n4*ted 0e to h*+ +t/d2. !e entered a tall and +tatel2 roo0
flooded w*th +/n+h*ne. (ea/t*f/ll2 car4ed old f/rn*t/re wa+ a1o/t, the wall+ l*ned
w*th 1ook+ fro0 floor to ce*l*n.. 8ere #adek 1eca0e a chan.ed 0an. 8*+
ner4o/+ne++ d*+appeared and a +tran.e po*+e wa+ /pon h*0. 8e 1e.an +peak*n. of the
CGG
@er0an #e4ol/t*on and the fa*l/re of the oc*al*+t+ to 0ake *t a+ thoro/.h a+ the
#/++*an %cto1er. No f/nda0ental chan.e+ had taken place, he declared. The few
rad*cal ach*e4e0ent+ were *n+*.n*f*cant, and the cowardl2 oc*al*+t @o4ern0ent had
not e4en d*+ar0ed the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 ;/nker+. No wonder the partac/+
/pr*+*n. had 1een +t*fled *n the 1lood of the worker+. 8e +poke w*th deep feel*n.
a1o/t the dreadf/l end of Karl L*e1knecht, #o+a L/3e01/r., and the anarch*+t @/+ta4
Landa/er. I had rea+on to 1e pro/d of 02 co0rade, he +a*d, for he wa+ a .reat 0*nd
and a rare +p*r*t. Tho/.h +cholar and h/0an*+t, Landa/er had 7o*ned the 0a++e+ *n the
#e4ol/t*on and d*ed a+ he l*4ed, hero*c to the end. 5If onl2 we had +/ch anarch*+t+ a+
@/+ta4 Landa/er to work w*th /+?5 #adek e3cla*0ed enth/+*a+t*call2. 5(/t 2o/ do
ha4e 0an2 anarch*+t+ work*n. w*th 2o/,5 I repl*ed, 5+o0e of the0 e3tre0el2 a1le, I
/nder+tand.5 5Tr/e,5 he ad0*tted, 51/t the2 are not Landa/er+. )an2 of the0 ha4e a
1o/r.eo*+ *deolo.2, kle*n1Tr.erl*ch *n the*r *nterpretat*on of the re4ol/t*onar2
+tr/..le. %ther+ a.a*n are po+*t*4el2 co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 and a d*rect dan.er to
o4*et #/++*a.5 8*+ tone now wa+ d*fferent fro0 h*+ 0anner at the +tat*on or at the
l/ncheon a wh*le a.o. It wa+ har+h and *ntolerant.
%/r talk wa+ *nterr/pted 12 4*+*tor+, wh*ch I d*d not re.ret. I felt 0/ch *nde1ted to
#adek, 1/t h*+ Co00/n*+t o0n*potence wa+ too 0/ch for 0e. I went 1ack to pla2
w*th the 1a12, +t*ll free fro0 do.0a and creed and refre+h*n. *n *t+ *nnocence of the
p/er*le effort+ of all a/thor*t*e+ to ca+t h/0an*t2 *nto one 0o/ld.
The repeated telephon*n. of #adek to the co00andant of the Nat*onal a1o/t a
roo0 for 0e f*nall2 1ro/.ht re+/lt+. At ten *n the e4en*n. he +ent 0e off *n h*+ car to
the hotel, 1/ndle+ and all. 8e wa+ 0o+t cord*al, a++/r*n. 0e that I co/ld call on h*0 *n
an2 e0er.enc2.
)o+cow at that ho/r wa+ a+ de+erted a+ =etro.rad and e>/all2 dark. N/0ero/+
+entr*e+ were alon. the ro/te, halt*n. o/r a/to0o1*le w*th the +a0e +tereot2ped:
5=rop/+k, to4ar*+htch.5 )2 tho/.ht+ were +t*ll at the #adek+:. The2 had .*4en o/t of
the f/llne++ of the*r heart+ to a +tran.er. (/t wo/ld the2 ha4e done +o *f the2 had
fo/nd 0e want*n. *n the*r pol*t*cal fa*thB =oor, lo4*n. h/0an heart, +o k*nd and
.enero/+ when free fro0 cla++ and part2 +tr*fe, +o warped and hardened 12 1oth.
Chapter FC MCont*n/ed, pp. H496<0C.N
It wa+ a no4el +en+at*on to 1e w*th a+ha *n the +a0e c*t2 and not 1e a1le to reach
h*0. #adek had tr*ed all thro/.h the da2 to .et hold of h*0, 1/t he wa+ not *n. ee*n.
02 an3*et2, #adek had a++/red 0e that (erk0an wo/ld +/rel2 1e at h*+ lod.*n.+
1efore 0*dn*.ht. 8e co/ld re0a*n nowhere el+e, *t 1e*n. +tr*ctl2 proh*1*ted a+ a
protect*onar2 0ea+/re a.a*n+t co/nter6re4ol/t*on. No one wo/ld dare keep h*0
o4ern*.ht w*tho/t re.*+ter*n. h*0 w*th the ho/+e co00andant, and the latter wo/ld
not per0*t a per+on /nknown to h*0 to +ta2 after ho/r+. (/t how co/ld #adek offer to
let 0e pa++ the n*.ht *n h*+ apart0ent, I a+ked. The Kre0l*n, he e3pla*ned, wa+ an
e3cept*on. It wa+ hea4*l2 ./arded a.a*n+t /nwelco0e ./e+t+, and a+ onl2 the 0o+t
re+pon+*1le part2 0e01er+ l*4ed there, the2 co/ld 1e tr/+ted not to har1o/r
/nde+*ra1le or +/+p*c*o/+ +tran.er+. An2wa2, I co/ld call (erk0an a.a*n after
0*dn*.ht, #adek ad4*+ed9 he wo/ld +/rel2 1e *n then.
CGH
#adek pro4ed r*.ht. At one o:clock I reached a+ha. Not ha4*n. e3pected 0e, he
had left for the da2. 8e co/ld not co0e to 0e then, 1eca/+e h*+ prop/+k wa+ .ood
onl2 t*ll 0*dn*.ht, 1/t he wo/ld call *n the 0orn*n..
a+ha:+ 4o*ce o4er the telephone wa+ alread2 a .reat co0fort. It helped to take the
ed.e fro0 the lonel*ne++ I felt *n the .reat, +tran.e c*t2. )2 dear old pal arr*4ed 1r*.ht
and earl2 5to dr*nk a c/p of coffee w*th 2o/,5 he +a*d. 8e had had noth*n. l*ke *t +*nce
he had left =etro.rad, he told 0e, nor 0/ch of an2th*n. el+e. A .lance at h*+ hollow
cheek+ con4*nced 0e that he had .one h/n.r2. I tho/.ht *t +tran.e, a+ I knew he had
taken eno/.h pro4*+*on+ fro0 o/r A0er*can +/ppl*e+ to la+t h*0 +e4eral week+.
Lan+1/r2 had e4en tea+ed h*0 a1o/t *t. A+ the ./e+t of the o4*et @o4ern0ent he
wo/ld not .o +hort, Lan+1/r2 had +a*d, and of co/r+e he wo/ld al+o +hare w*th h*+
5co0rade (erk0an.5 a+ha had 0ent*oned *n h*+ letter to 0e that he wa+ not feel*n.
well, 1/t not a word a1o/t +carc*t2 of food or whether Lan+1/r2 had kept h*+ pro0*+e.
I *n>/*red *f he had /nder.one a c/re to red/ce for 1ea/t2:+ +ake. 5No need for that *n
#/++*a,5 a+ha la/.hed9 1/t h*+ +/ppl*e+ d*d not .o 4er2 far, he e3pla*ned, 1eca/+e he
had fo/nd +o 0an2 +tar4*n., e4en *f h*+ loa4e+ o/td*d Chr*+t:+ *n feed*n. lar.e
n/01er+ on a few p*ece+. A+ to the co0rade+h*p of )r. Lan+1/r2, *t had la+ted onl2
/nt*l the latter wa+ taken *n char.e 12 an off*c*al repre+entat*4e of the ,ore*.n %ff*ce.
The "n.l*+h ed*tor wa+ ho/+ed *n the palat*al ho0e of a for0er +/.ar6k*n., now the
re+*dence of A++*+tant ,ore*.n Co00*++ar Karakhan9 1/t apparentl2 no roo0 co/ld
1e fo/nd there for a+ha, nor had Lan+1/r2 +hown an2 *ntere+t *n whether h*+
tra4ell*n. co0pan*on and *nterpreter co/ld f*nd lod.*n.+ an2where el+e. a+ha wa+
*nfor0ed that he had not 1een e3pected. )oreo4er, he had not a +crap of paper to
*dent*f2 h*0+elf. ,*nall2 *t wa+ dec*ded to +end h*0 to a o4*et ho/+e on
Khar*tonen+ka2a treet. There al+o the co00andant declared that he had no +pare
roo0. a+ha wa+ +a4ed fro0 h*+ pred*ca0ent 12 a oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t +ta2*n. *n
the ho/+e. The 0an had recentl2 co0e fro0 *1er*a to 1r*n. a report to head>/arter+
fro0 the local Co00/n*+t+ w*th who0 he wa+ work*n.. 8e *n4*ted a+ha to +hare h*+
roo0, e4en at the r*+k of ro/+*n. the *re of the all6powerf/l ho/+e co00andant. Th*+
d*ff*c/lt2 te0porar*l2 +ol4ed, a+ha called on Ch*cher*n, who *00ed*atel2 pro4*ded
h*0 w*th a credent*al. That p*ece of paper pro4ed a 4er*ta1le 0a.*c ke2, wh*ch had
alread2 /nlocked 0an2 door+ for h*0, a+ well a+ +o0e heart+. The co00andant of the
Khar*tonen+k2 o4*et ho/+e +/ddenl2 d*+co4ered that there wa+ a 4acant roo0 there,
after all, and other off*c*al+ 1eca0e fr*endl2 the 0o0ent a+ha prod/ced h*+ tal*+0an?
The food at the Khar*tonen+k2 wa+ not 1ad, 1/t ent*rel2 *n+/ff*c*ent for ad/lt+. The
other ./e+t+ at the ho/+e +o0ehow 0ana.ed to +/ppl2 the0+el4e+ w*th e3tra 0or+el+,
wh*ch the2 wo/ld 1r*n. to the co00on d*nner6ta1le, 1/t a+ha d*d not care to do th*+.
8*+ 0a*n d*ff*c/lt2, howe4er, wa+ the 1lack 1read, wh*ch wa+ ca/+*n. h*0 +er*o/+
+to0ach tro/1le. In fact, he had 1een co0pelled to +top eat*n. *t alto.ether. (/t now
he wo/ld p*ck /p lo+t we*.ht >/*ckl2, he 7oked9 now that I wa+ *n )o+cow, he wa+
+/re I wo/ld 0ana.e to prepare .ood 0eal+ o/t of +crap+, a+ I had alwa2+ done. )2
dear a+ha? !hat a0a-*n. capac*t2 for adaptat*on and what +plend*d +en+e for the
co0*c +*de+ of l*fe?
The 0a*n attract*on of the place where he l*4ed, a+ha related, wa+ the *ntere+t*n.
t2pe+ of h/0an*t2 do0*c*led there. Ch*ne+e, Korean+, ;apane+e, and 8*nd/ dele.ate+,
co0e to +t/d2 the ach*e4e0ent+ of 5%cto1er5 and to enl*+t a*d for the work of
l*1erat*on *n the*r nat*4e co/ntr*e+.
CG<
%/r co0rade+ *n )o+cow, a+ha *nfor0ed 0e, +ee0ed to en7o2 con+*dera1le
freedo0. The Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ of the .ro/p @olo+ Tr/da were p/1l*+h*n.
anarch*+t l*terat/re and +ell*n. *t openl2 at the*r 1ook6+hop on the T4er+ka2a. The
&n*4er+al*+t Anarch*+t+ had cl/16roo0+ w*th a co6operat*4e re+ta/rant and held open
weekl2 .ather*n.+ at wh*ch re4ol/t*onar2 pro1le0+ were freel2 d*+c/++ed. A l*ttle
anarch*+t +heet wa+ al+o p/1l*+hed 12 o/r old @eor.*an co0rade Atta1ek*an, a do+e
fr*end of =eter Kropotk*n, who had h*+ own pr*nt6+hop. 5!hat an e3traord*nar2
+*t/at*on,5 I re0arked, 5to .rant anarch*+t+ *n )o+cow +o 0/ch freedo0, and none at
all to the =etro.rad c*rcle? )o+t of the dreadf/l char.e+ I heard there a.a*n+t the
(ol+he4*k* 0/+t ha4e 1een 0ere fa1r*cat*on, 1/t one th*n. wa+ o14*o/+: the2 were
co0pelled to 0eet *n +ecret.5 a+ha e3pla*ned that he had co0e /pon >/*te a n/01er
of +tran.e contrad*ct*on+. Th/+, 0an2 of o/r co0rade+ were *n pr*+on, for no ca/+e
apparentl2, wh*le other+ were not 0ole+ted *n the*r act*4*t*e+. (/t I wo/ld ha4e a0ple
opport/n*t2 to learn e4er2th*n. at f*r+t hand, he added9 the &n*4er+al*+t .ro/p had
*n4*ted /+ to a +pec*al conference where the anarch*+t an.le of the #e4ol/t*on and
c/rrent e4ent+ wo/ld 1e pre+ented 12 three a1le +peaker+.
I co/ld hardl2 wa*t for the approach*n. 0eet*n., wh*ch held o/t the hope of 1etter
/nder+tand*n. of #/++*an real*t2. In the 0eant*0e I tra0ped )o+cow 0an2 ho/r+ a
da2, +o0et*0e+ w*th, 1/t 0ore often w*tho/t, a+ha. 8e l*4ed too far awa2, a f/ll
ho/r:+ walk fro0 the Nat*onal, and there were no +treet6car+ and 1/t few *-4o+tch*k2.
(/t I /r.ed a+ha to ha4e at lea+t one 0eal a da2 w*th 0e. 8e needed 1/*ld*n. /p,
and I had 1ro/.ht w*th 0e part of o/r .rocer*e+ fro0 =etro.rad. The 0arket+ *n
)o+cow were w*de open, do*n. a r/+h*n. 1/+*ne++. I +aw no 1etra2al of the
#e4ol/t*on *n 1/2*n. nece++ar*e+ there. Dor*n had *ndeed told 0e that trad*n. of an2
k*nd wa+ the wor+t co/nter6re4ol/t*on and wa+ +tr*ctl2 proh*1*ted. !hen I had called
h*+ attent*on to the open 0arket+, he had a++/red 0e that onl2 +pec/lator+ were to 1e
fo/nd there. I tho/.ht *t wa+ +heer non+en+e to e3pect people to +tar4e to death *n
+*.ht of food. There wa+ no hero*+0 *n that, nor co/ld the #e4ol/t*on prof*t 12 *t.
tar4*n. people co/ld not prod/ce, and w*tho/t prod/ct*on re4ol/t*on *+ doo0ed to
fa*l/re. Dor*n had *n+*+ted that the 1lockade, the All*ed *nter4ent*on, and the !h*te
.eneral+ were re+pon+*1le for the lack of food. (/t I had .rown wear2 of the +a0e
ro+ar2 a1o/t the ca/+e+ of #/++*a:+ *ll+. I d*d not d*+p/te the fact+ a+ pre+ented 12
Dor*n and other Co00/n*+t+, 1/t I d*d th*nk that *f the o4*et @o4ern0ent fa*led to
pre4ent food reach*n. the 0arket+, *t +ho/ld at lea+t clo+e the0. If food wa+ allowed
to 1e +old *n p/1l*c place+, *t wa+ add*n. *n+/lt to *n7/r2 to for1*d the 0a++e+ to take
ad4anta.e of +ec/r*n. pro4*+*on+, the 0ore +o a+ 0one2 wa+ per0*tted to c*rc/late,
the @o4ern0ent co*n*n. *t whole+ale. To +/ch ar./0ent+ Dor*n repl*ed that onl2 02
theoret*c concept*on+ of re4ol/t*on were o1+c/r*n. the need+ of the pract*cal +*t/at*on.
The 0a*n 0arket *n )o+cow wa+ the once fa0o/+ o/khare4ka, wh*ch pre+ented
the 0o+t a0a-*n. p*ct/re of *ncon.r/*t2 I had 2et +een *n #/++*a. =eople of e4er2 k*nd
and +tat*on were .athered there, +tr*pped of the trapp*n.+ of ca+te and +tat*on. The
ar*+tocrat and the pea+ant, the c/lt/red and the /nco/th, the 1o/r.eo*+, the +old*er, and
the worker r/11ed el1ow+ w*th the ene02 of 2e+terda2, p*t*f/ll2 cr2*n. o/t the*r
ware+ or fe4er*+hl2 1/2*n.. ,or0er 1arr*er+ were 1roken down, not 12 the e>/*t2 of
co00/n*+0, 1/t 12 the co00on need for 1read, 1read, 1read. 8ere one co/ld f*nd
e3>/*+*tel2 car4ed *kon+ and r/+t2 na*l+, 1ea/t*f/l 7ewelr2 and .a/d2 tr*nket+, da0a+k
+hawl+ and faded cotton >/*lt+. A0*d+t the re0nant+ of for0er l/3/r2 and the la+t
CG9
cher*+hed o17ect+ of wealth, the crowd+ 7o+tled, 0otle2 .ather*n.+ +cra01l*n. to
po++e++ the0+el4e+ of co4eted art*cle+. Tr/l2 an o4erpower*n. +pectacle of pr*0*t*4e
*n+t*nct+, a++ert*n. the0+el4e+ w*tho/t re+tra*nt or fear.
The o/khare4ka 0ade 0ore fla.rant the d*+cr*0*nat*on a.a*n+t +0aller place+ of
1arter. The l*ttle 0arket near the Nat*onal wa+ 1e*n. con+tantl2 ra*ded. Yet there were
1/t the poore+t of the poor de+peratel2 tr2*n. to keep al*4e: old wo0en, ch*ldren *n
tatter+, derel*ct 0en, the*r ware+ a+ wretched a+ the0+el4e+. Ill6+0ell*n. t+hch*
M4e.eta1le +o/pN, fro-en potatoe+, 1*+c/*t+ 1lack and hard, or a few 1o3e+ of 0atche+66
the2 held the0 o/t to the pa++er+612 w*th tre01l*n. hand+, *n tre01l*n. 4o*ce+
plead*n.: 5(/2, 1ar*n2a Mlad2N, 1/2, for the lo4e of Chr*+t, 1/2?5 In the ra*d+ the*r
0ea+l2 ware+ wo/ld 1e +e*-ed, the*r +o/p and k4a++ po/red o/t on the +>/are, and the
/nfort/nate+ dra..ed off to pr*+on a+ +pec/lator+. Tho+e l/ck2 eno/.h to e+cape the
ra*der+ wo/ld +oon crawl 1ack, .ather /p the 0atche+ and c*.arette+ +trewn a1o/t, and
1e.*n the*r wretched trade a.a*n.
The (ol+he4*k*, *n co00on w*th other +oc*al re1el+, had alwa2+ +tre++ed the
potenc2 of h/n.er a+ the ca/+e of 0o+t of the e4*l+ *n cap*tal*+t +oc*et2. The2 ne4er
.rew t*red of conde0n*n. the +2+te0 that p/n*+hed the effect+ wh*le lea4*n. the*r
+o/rce+ *ntact. 8ow co/ld the2 now p/r+/e the +a0e +t/p*d and *ncred*1le co/r+e, I
wondered. Tr/e, the appall*n. h/n.er wa+ not of the*r 0ak*n.. The 1lockade and the
*nter4ent*on*+t+ were ch*efl2 re+pon+*1le for that. )ore rea+on, then, *t +ee0ed to 0e,
wh2 the 4*ct*0+ +ho/ld not 1e ho/nded and p/n*+hed. !*tne++*n. +/ch a ra*d, a+ha
had 1een aro/+ed 12 *t+ cr/elt2 and *nh/0an*t2. 8e had 4*.oro/+l2 prote+ted a.a*n+t
the 1r/tal 0anner *n wh*ch the +old*er+ and the Chek*+t+ d*+per+ed the crowd, and he
had 1een h*0+elf +a4ed fro0 arre+t onl2 12 the credent*al Ch*cher*n had .*4en h*0.
,orthw*th the Chek*+t had chan.ed h*+ tone and 0anner, offer*n. prof/+e apolo.*e+ to
the 5fore*.n to4ar*+htch.5 8e wa+ onl2 do*n. h*+ d/t2, he +a*d, carr2*n. o/t the order+
of h*+ +/per*or+, and he co/ld not 1e 1la0ed.
It wa+ e4*dent that the new power *n the Kre0l*n wa+ feared no le++ than the old,
and that *t+ off*c*al +eal had the +a0e awe+o0e effect. 5!here*n *+ the chan.eB5 I
a+ked a+ha. 5Yo/ can:t 0ea+/re a .*.ant*c /phea4al 12 a few +peck+ of d/+t,5 he
repl*ed. (/t were the2 0ere +peck+, I wondered, for the2 +ee0ed to 0e ./+t+ that
were threaten*n. to p/ll down the ent*re re4ol/t*onar2 ed*f*ce I had con+tr/cted *n
A0er*ca aro/nd the (ol+he4*k*. Yet 02 fa*th *n the*r *nte.r*t2 wa+ too +tron. to
char.e the0 w*th re+pon+*1*l*t2 for the e4*l+ and wron.+ I wa+ w*tne++*n. at e4er2
+tep. The+e kept .row*n. da*l2, /.l2 fact+ /tterl2 at 4ar*ance w*th what o4*et #/++*a
had 1een procla*0*n. to the world. I tr*ed to a4o*d fac*n. the0, 1/t the2 l/rked *n
e4er2 corner and wo/ld not 1e *.nored.
The Nat*onal, al0o+t e3cl/+*4el2 occ/p*ed 12 Co00/n*+t+, wa+ 0anned 12 a lar.e
k*tchen force that wa+ wa+t*n. t*0e and prec*o/+ food+t/ff+ *n prepar*n. /neata1le
0eal+. Ne3t to *t wa+ another k*tchen w*th pr*4ate +er4ant+ cook*n. all da2 for the*r
0a+ter+, pro0*nent o4*et off*c*al+. The2 and the*r fr*end+ were per0*tted +pec*al
pr*4*le.e+, often rece*4*n. three and e4en 0ore rat*on+, wh*le the ord*nar2 0ortal+
were wear*n. o/t the*r depleted +tren.th to atta*n the*r 0ea.re d/e.
The ho/+*n. arran.e0ent+ d*+clo+ed +*0*lar fa4o/r*t*+0 and *n7/+t*ce. Lar.e and
well6f/rn*+hed apart0ent+ were ea+*l2 o1ta*na1le for a 0onetar2 con+*derat*on, 1/t *t
CH0
re>/*red week+ of h/0*l*at*on 1efore pett2 off*c*al+ to +ec/re one roo0 *n a d*+0al
flat w*tho/t water, heat, or l*.ht. L/ck2 *ndeed the per+on *f, after all h*+ e3ha/+t*n.
effort+, he d*d not f*nd +o0eone el+e occ/p2*n. the +a0e roo0. Th*+ +ee0ed ent*rel2
too fanta+t*c to 1el*e4e, 1/t the per+onal e3per*ence of 4ar*o/+ fr*end+, a0on. the0 a
2o/n. .*rl I knew, a+ well a+ of )an2a and Aa++*l2 e0enoff, old co0rade+ fro0 the
tate+, left no do/1t. The2 had 1een a0on. the f*r+t to ha+ten 1ack to #/++*a at the
4er2 o/t1reak of the #e4ol/t*on. *nce then the2 had fa*thf/ll2 worked *n o4*et
*n+t*t/t*on+ at the harde+t ta+k+, 2et the2 had 1een co0pelled to wa*t 0onth+ and
can4a++ n/0ero/+ depart0ent+ 1efore the2 were .ranted lod.*n.+. The*r happ*ne++
wa+, howe4er, +hort6l*4ed. %n reach*n. the place a++*.ned to her the 2o/n. wo0an
fo/nd a 0an alread2 *n po++e++*on of *t. 5(/t we can:t 1oth l*4e *n the +a0e roo0,5
+he had told h*0. 5!h2 notB5 he repl*ed9 5*n o4*et #/++*a one 0/+tn:t 1e +o
part*c/lar. I worked too hard to +ec/re th*+ hole and I can:t afford to .*4e *t /p. (/t I
can +leep on the floor and let 2o/ ha4e the 1ed,5 he offered. 5It wa+ 4er2 decent of
h*0,5 the .*rl +a*d, 51/t I co/ld not face +/ch clo+e pro3*0*t2 w*th an /tter +tran.er. I
left the roo0 and re+/0ed 02 +earch for another place.5
The h*deo/+ +ore+ on re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a co/ld not for lon. 1e *.nored. The fact+
pre+ented at the .ather*n. of the )o+cow anarch*+t+, the anal2+*+ of the +*t/at*on 12
lead*n. Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+, and 02 talk+ w*th +*0ple people who cla*0ed
no pol*t*cal aff*l*at*on+ ena1led 0e to look 1eh*nd the +cene+ of the re4ol/t*onar2
dra0a and to 1ehold the d*ctator+h*p w*tho/t *t+ +ta.e 0ake6/p. It+ role wa+ +o0ewhat
d*fferent fro0 the one procla*0ed *n p/1l*c. It wa+ forc*1le ta36collect*on at the po*nt
of ./n+, w*th *t+ de4a+tat*n. effect on 4*lla.e+ and town+. It wa+ the el*0*nat*on fro0
re+pon+*1le po+*t*on+ of e4er2one who dared th*nk alo/d, and the +p*r*t/al death of the
0o+t 0*l*tant ele0ent+ who+e *ntell*.ence, fa*th, and co/ra.e had reall2 ena1led the
(ol+he4*k* to ach*e4e the*r power. The anarch*+t+ and Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+
had 1een /+ed a+ pawn+ 12 Len*n *n the %cto1er da2+ and were now doo0ed to
e3t*nct*on 12 h*+ creed and pol*c*e+. It wa+ the +2+te0 of tak*n. ho+ta.e+ for pol*t*cal
ref/.ee+, not e3e0pt*n. e4en old parent+ and ch*ldren of tender a.e. The n*.htl2
o1la4a+ M+treet and ho/+e ra*d+N 12 the Cheka, the pop/lat*on fr*.htened o/t of +leep,
the*r few 1elon.*n.+ t/rned /p+*de down and r*pped open for +ecret doc/0ent+, the
dra.net of +old*er+ left 1eh*nd to ha/l *n the crop of /n+/+pect*n. caller+ at the
1e+*e.ed ho/+e. The penalt*e+ for fl*0+2 char.e+ often a0o/nted to lon. pr*+on ter0+,
e3*le to de+olate part+ of the co/ntr2, and e4en e3ec/t*on. hatter*n. *n *t+ c/0/lat*4e
effect, the e++ence of the +tor2 wa+ the +a0e a+ told 0e 12 02 =etro.rad co0rade+. I
had 1een too da--led then 12 the p/1l*c .lare and .l*tter of (ol+he4*+0 to cred*t the
4erac*t2 of the acc/+at*on+. I had ref/+ed to tr/+t the*r 7/d.0ent and the*r 4*ewpo*nt.
(/t now (ol+he4*+0 wa+ +horn of *t+ pre+ence, *t+ naked +o/l e3po+ed to 02 .a-e.
t*ll I wo/ld not 1el*e4e. I wo/ld not +ee w*th 02 *nner e2e the tr/th +o e4*dent to 02
o/ter +*.ht. I wa+ +t/nned, 1affled, the .ro/nd p/lled fro0 /nder 0e. Yet I h/n. on,
h/n. on 12 a thread a+ a drown*n. 0an. In 02 an./*+h I cr*ed: 5(ol+he4*+0 *+ the
0ene, tekel o4er e4er2 throne, the 0enace of cra4en heart+, the hated ene02 of
or.an*-ed wealth and power. It+ path ha+ 1een thorn2, *t+ o1+tacle+ 0an2, *t+ cl*01
+teep. 8ow co/ld *t help fall*n. 1eh*nd at t*0e+, how co/ld *t help 0ak*n. 0*+take+B
(/t to 1el*e *t+elf, to pla2 ;/da+ to the fer4ent hope of the d*+*nher*ted and oppre++ed,
to 1etra2 *t+ own /lt*0ate a*0+B No, ne4er co/ld *t 1e ./*lt2 of +/ch an ecl*p+e of the
world:+ 0o+t l/0*no/+ +tar?5
"4en the )o+cow Anarch*+t Conference had not .one +o far *n *t+ *nd*ct0ent. The
CH1
o4*et tate wa+ d*fferent fro0 cap*tal*+t and 1o/r.eo*+ .o4ern0ent+, the2 had told /+
when we o17ected to the*r a1+/rdl2 *llo.*cal re+ol/t*on a+k*n. for the le.al*+at*on of
the*r work and the relea+e of o/r co0rade+ fro0 pr*+on. 5In no co/ntr2 ha4e the
anarch*+t+ e4er 1e..ed fa4o/r+ fro0 the .o4ern0ent,5 we ar./ed, 5nor do the2
1el*e4e *n lo2alt2 to the tate. !h2 do *t here, *f the (ol+he4*k* ha4e 1roken fa*thB5
The (ol+he4*k .o4ern0ent wa+ re4ol/t*onar2 *n +p*te of *t+ offence+9 *t wa+
proletar*an *n *t+ nat/re and p/rpo+e+, the #/++*an co0rade+ *n+*+ted. !here/pon we
had +*.ned the pet*t*on and a.reed to pre+ent *t to the proper a/thor*t*e+.
(oth a+ha and I held on to the f*r0 1el*ef that the (ol+he4*k* were o/r 1rother+ *n
a co00on f*.ht. %/r 4er2 l*4e+ and all o/r re4ol/t*onar2 hope+ were +taked /pon *t.
Len*n, Trot+k2, and the*r co6worker+ were the +o/l of the #e4ol/t*on, we were +/re,
and *t+ keene+t defender+. !e wo/ld .o to the0, to L/nachar+k2, Kollonta2,
(ala1anoff. ;ack #eed had +poken of the0 w*th deepe+t ad0*rat*on and affect*on.
The2 were capa1le of other cr*ter*a than a 0e01er+h*p card *n e+t*0at*n. people and
e4ent+, ;ack had +a*d. The2 wo/ld help 0e +ee th*n.+ *n the*r proper l*.ht. I wo/ld
+eek the0 o/t. And o/r old teacher, =eter Kropotk*n 666 we had dr*fted apart o4er o/r
+tand on the !orld !ar, 1/t o/r lo4e and e+tee0 for h*+ .reat per+onal*t2 and ac/te
0*nd had not chan.ed. I wa+ certa*n that h*+ feel*n. for /+ had al+o re0a*ned the
+a0e. !e had 1een ea.er to +ee o/r dear co0rade *00ed*atel2 /pon o/r arr*4al *n
#/++*a. 8e wa+ l*4*n. *n the 4*lla.e of $0*tro4, we had 1een *nfor0ed, a1o/t +*3t2
4er+t+ fro0 )o+cow, *n h*+ own l*ttle ho/+e, and he wa+ well +/ppl*ed w*th all
nece++ar*e+ 12 the o4*et @o4ern0ent. Tra4el wa+ *0po++*1le then, 1/t o/r tr*p wo/ld
1e arran.ed *n the +pr*n., Dor*n had a++/red /+.
ee*n. =eter wa+ too *0perat*4e for 0e now to +top at the hard+h*p+ of tra4el. I
wo/ld reach h*0 +o0ehow, I dec*ded. 8e, of all people, wo/ld 1e+t 1e a1le to help 0e
o/t of the p*t of do/1t and de+pa*r. 8e had ret/rned to #/++*a after the ,e1r/ar2
#e4ol/t*on and he had w*tne++ed the 5%cto1er.5 8e had +een +o0e part of h*+
cher*+hed drea0 real*-ed. 8*+ wa+ a penetrat*n. 0*nd. 8e wo/ld +tr*ke the r*.ht ke2. I
0/+t .o to h*0.
Ale3andra Kollonta2 and An.el*ca (ala1anoff were w*th*n ea+2 reach, a+ the2
were l*4*n. *n the Nat*onal. I +o/.ht o/t the for0er f*r+t. )0e Kollonta2 looked
re0arka1l2 2o/n. and rad*ant, con+*der*n. her f*ft2 2ear+ and the +e4ere operat*on
+he had recentl2 /nder.one. A tall and +tatel2 wo0an, e4er2 *nch the .rande da0e
rather than the f*er2 re4ol/t*on*+t. 8er att*re and +/*te of two roo0+ 1e+poke .ood
ta+te, the ro+e+ on her de+k rather +tartl*n. *n the #/++*an .re2ne++. The2 were the f*r+t
I had +een +*nce o/r deportat*on. 8er hand+hake wa+ l*0p and aloof, tho/.h +he d*d
+a2 that +he wa+ .lad to 0eet 0e at la+t *n 5.reat, 4*tal #/++*a.5 8ad I alread2 fo/nd
02 place, +he *n>/*red, and the work I wanted to doB I repl*ed that I +t*ll felt too
/ncerta*n of 02 .ro/nd to dec*de where I co/ld 1e of 1e+t /+e. =erhap+ I +ho/ld know
1etter after I had talked w*th her a1o/t the th*n.+ that d*+t/r1ed 0e, the contrad*ct*on+
I had fo/nd. I +ho/ld tell her e4er2th*n., +he +a*d9 +he wa+ +/re +he co/ld help 0e
o4er 02 f*r+t d*ff*c/lt per*od. "4er2 new6co0er pa++e+ thro/.h the +a0e +tate, +he
a++/red 0e, 1/t e4er2one +oon learn+ to +ee the .reatne++ of o4*et #/++*a. The l*ttle
th*n.+ do not 0atter. I tr*ed to tell her that 02 pro1le0+ d*d not concern the0+el4e+
w*th l*ttle th*n.+9 the2 were 4*tal and all6*0portant to 0e. In fact, 02 4er2 1e*n.
depended on the*r r*.ht *nterpretat*on. 5All r*.ht, .o ahead,5 +he re0arked
nonchalantl2. he leaned 1ack *n her ar06cha*r and I 1e.an +peak*n. of the harrow*n.
CHC
th*n.+ that had co0e to 02 knowled.e. he l*+tened attent*4el2 w*tho/t *nterr/pt*n.
0e, 1/t there wa+ not the +l*.hte+t *nd*cat*on *n her cold, hand+o0e face of an2
pert/r1at*on on acco/nt of 02 rec*tal. 5!e do ha4e +o0e d/ll .re2 +pot+ *n o/r 4*4*d
re4ol/t*onar2 p*ct/re,5 +he +a*d when I had concl/ded. 5The2 are /na4o*da1le *n a
co/ntr2 +o 1ackward, w*th a people +o dark and a +oc*al e3per*0ent of +/ch
0a.n*t/de, oppo+ed 12 the ent*re world a+ *t *+. The2 w*ll d*+appear when we ha4e
l*>/*dated o/r 0*l*tar2 front+ and when we +hall ha4e ra*+ed the 0ental le4el of o/r
0a++e+.5 I co/ld help *n that, +he cont*n/ed. I co/ld work a0on. the wo0en9 the2
were *.norant of the +*0ple+t pr*nc*ple+ of l*fe, ph2+*cal and otherw*+e, *.norant of
the*r own f/nct*on+ a+ 0other+ and c*t*-en+. I had done +/ch f*ne work of that k*nd *n
A0er*ca, and +he co/ld a++/re 0e of a 0/ch 0ore fert*le f*eld *n #/++*a. 5!h2 not
7o*n 0e and +top 2o/r 1rood*n. o4er a few d/ll .re2 +pot+B5 +he +a*d *n concl/+*on9
5the2 are noth*n. 0ore, dear co0rade, reall2 noth*n. 0ore.5
=eople ra*ded, *0pr*+oned, and +hot for the*r *dea+? The old and the 2o/n. held a+
ho+ta.e+, e4er2 prote+t .a..ed, *n*>/*t2 and fa4o/r*t*+0 ra0pant, the 1e+t h/0an
4al/e+ 1etra2ed, the 4er2 +p*r*t of re4ol/t*on da*l2 cr/c*f*ed 666 were all the+e noth*n.
1/t 5.re2, d/ll +pot+,5 I wondered? I felt ch*lled to the 0arrow of 02 1one+.
Two da2+ later I went to +ee Anatol L/nachar+k2. 8*+ >/arter+ were *n the
Kre0l*n, the *0penetra1le c*tadel of a/thor*t2 *n the pop/lar 0*nd of #/++*a. I 1ore
+e4eral credent*al+, and 02 e+cort wa+ a 5o4*et+k25 anarch*+t held *n h*.h e+tee0 12
the Co00/n*+t+. Ne4erthele++ we 0ade 4er2 +low pro.re++ *n reach*n. the +eat of the
=eople:+ Co00*++ar for "d/cat*on. #epeatedl2 the +entr*e+ +cr/t*n*-ed o/r prop/+k+
and a+ked >/e+t*on+ re.ard*n. the p/rpo+e of o/r co0*n.. At la+t we fo/nd o/r+el4e+
*n a recept*on roo0, a lar.e +alon f*lled w*th 0an2 o17ect+ of art and a crowd of
people. The2 were art*+t+, wr*ter+, and teacher+ awa*t*n. an a/d*ence, 02 co0pan*on
e3pla*ned. A +orr2 and /nderno/r*+hed lot the2 were, the*r .a-e +tead*l2 r*4eted on the
door lead*n. to the Co00*++ar:+ pr*4ate off*ce. 8ope and fear 1/rned *n the*r e2e+. I
too wa+ an3*o/+, tho/.h 02 rat*on+ d*d not depend on the 0an who pre+*ded o4er the
c/lt/ral po+*t*on+. L/nachar+k2:+ .reet*n. wa+ war0er and 0ore cord*al than
Kollonta2:+. 8e al+o *n>/*red whether I had alread2 fo/nd +/*ta1le work. If not, he
co/ld +/..e+t a n/01er of occ/pat*on+ *n h*+ depart0ent. The A0er*can +2+te0 of
ed/cat*on wa+ 1e*n. *ntrod/ced *n o4*et #/++*a, he +a*d, and I, co0*n. fro0 that
co/ntr2, wo/ld /ndo/1tedl2 1e a1le to 0ake 4al/a1le +/..e+t*on+ *n re.ard to *t+
proletar*an appl*cat*on. I .a+ped. I for.ot all a1o/t the p/rpo+e of 02 4*+*t. The
ed/cat*onal +2+te0 fo/nd want*n. and re7ected 12 the 1e+t peda.o./e+ *n the &n*ted
tate+ now accepted a+ a 0odel *n re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*aB L/nachar+k2 looked 0/ch
a+ton*+hed. !a+ the +2+te0 reall2 1e*n. oppo+ed *n A0er*ca, he *n>/*red, and 12
who0B !hat chan.e+ had the2 +/..e+tedB I +ho/ld e3pla*n the whole 0atter to h*0
and h*+ teacher+, and he wo/ld call a +pec*al conference for the p/rpo+e. I co/ld do
0/ch .ood, he /r.ed, and I co/ld 1e of .reat help to h*0 *n h*+ +tr/..le w*th the
react*onar2 ele0ent+ a0on. the teacher+ who were cla0o/r*n. for the old 0ethod+ *n
deal*n. w*th the ch*ld and who e4en fa4o/red pr*+on for the 0ental defect*4e+.
8*+ ea.erne++ to learn le++ened +o0ewhat 02 re+ent0ent at the atte0pt to
tran+plant to #/++*a the A0er*can p/1l*c6+chool +2+te0. It wa+ e4*dent that
L/nachar+k2 knew noth*n. of the *n+/r.ent 0o4e0ent that had for 2ear+ 1een tr2*n.
to 0odern*-e that hoar2 and f/t*le *n+t*t/t*on. I 0/+t po*nt o/t to the ed/cator+ of
#/++*a the a1+/rd*t2 of ap*n. tho+e ant*>/ated 0ethod+ *n the land of new l*fe and
CH3
4al/e+. (/t A0er*ca wa+ 0*ll*on+ of 0*le+ awa2 fro0 02 0*nd. #/++*a wa+
con+/0*n. 0e, #/++*a w*th all her wonder+ and woe+.
L/nachar+k2 cont*n/ed to talk of h*+ d*ff*c/lt*e+ w*th the con+er4at*4e *n+tr/ctor+
and of the contro4er+2 ra.*n. *n the o4*et pre++ a1o/t defect*4e ch*ldren and the*r
treat0ent. 8e and )a3*0 @ork* were +tand*n. o/t a.a*n+t pr*+on a+ a refor0at*4e
*nfl/ence9 he h*0+elf wa+ e4en oppo+ed to 0*lder for0+, *n fact to an2 for0, of
coerc*on *n deal*n. w*th the 2o/n.. 5Yo/ are 0ore *n t/ne w*th the 0odern approach
to the ch*ld than )a3*0 @ork*,5 I +a*d. In part, howe4er, he a.reed w*th @ork*, he
repl*ed, for 0o+t of #/++*a:+ 2o/n. .enerat*on were ta*nted w*th 1ad hered*t2, wh*ch
the 2ear+ of war and c*4*c +tr*fe had accent/ated. (/t re7/4enat*on co/ld not 1e
1ro/.ht a1o/t 12 p/n*+h0ent or terror, he e0pha+*-ed. 5That *+ +plend*d,5 I re0arked9
51/t are not terror and p/n*+h0ent the 0ethod+ of d*ctator+h*pB And do 2o/ not
appro4e of the latterB5 8e d*d, 1/t onl2 a+ a tran+*tor2 factor, wh*le #/++*a wa+ 1e*n.
1led 12 the 1lockade and attacked on n/0ero/+ front+. 5%nce the+e ha4e 1een
l*>/*dated, we w*ll 1e.*n *n earne+t to 1/*ld the real oc*al*+t #ep/1l*c, and the
d*ctator+h*p w*ll then .o, of co/r+e.5 8e con+*dered *t +t/p*d to hold $en*k*n,
Y/den*ch, and the*r k*nd re+pon+*1le for all the +hortco0*n.+ of o4*et #/++*a wh*le
*.nor*n. the e4*l of the .row*n. new 1/rea/crac2 and the *ncrea+*n. power of the
Cheka. It wa+ al+o 4er2 1ad pol*c2 to procla*0 #/++*a:+ ed/cat*onal ach*e4e0ent+
fro0 the ho/+e6top+, he tho/.ht. )/ch wa+ 1e*n. done for the ch*ld, 1/t the real
herc/lean ta+k wa+ +t*ll ahead. 5#ather heret*cal?5 I re0arked. 8e repl*ed la/.h*n.l2
that he wa+ con+*dered e4en wor+e than a 0ere heret*c 1eca/+e he had *n+*+ted that the
*ntell*.ent+*a, 1e+*de+ 1e*n. *nd*+pen+a1le, wa+, after all, al+o h/0an and +ho/ld not
1e forced to d*e 12 +tar4at*on. 8e had .reat fa*th *n the proletar*at, 1/t he ref/+ed to
+wear 12 *t+ *nfall*1*l*t2. 5If 2o/ don:t look o/t, 2o/:ll 1e e3co00/n*cated,5 I warned
h*0. 5Ye+, or p/t *n a corner /nder the watchf/l e2e of a teacher,5 he co/ntered, w*th
a know*n. +0*le.
L/nachar+k2 d*d not .*4e the *0pre++*on of a 4*tal per+onal*t2, 1/t he had 1road
h/0an*t2 and I l*ked h*0 for that. I wanted to 1roach 02 own pro1le0+, 1/t I had
alread2 taken /p too 0/ch t*0e and I wa+ con+c*o/+ of the people wa*t*n. 1eh*nd the
door and /ndo/1tedl2 c/r+*n. 0e. (efore I left, L/nachar+k2 once 0ore re*terated
that h*+ depart0ent wa+ the r*.ht place for 0e, and that I 0/+t not lea4e )o+cow /nt*l
I had addre++ed the conference he wa+ .o*n. to call.
%n 02 wa2 1ack to the Nat*onal I learned fro0 02 e+cort that the =eople:+
Co00*++ar for "d/cat*on wa+ con+*dered not onl2 +ent*0ental, 1/t al+o a +catter6
1ra*n and a wa+trel. 8e wa+ do*n. 4er2 l*ttle for the proletc/lt Mproletar*an c/lt/reN,
+pend*n. h/.e +/0+ *n+tead to protect 1o/r.eo*+ art. !or+t of all, he wa+ de4ot*n.
0o+t of h*+ t*0e to +a4*n. the la+t re0nant+ of the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 *ntell*.ent+*a.
!*th the co6operat*on of )a3*0 @ork* he had +/cceeded *n re*n+tat*n. the old
profe++or+ and teacher+ *n the $o0 &tchen*2 M8o0e of the LearnedN. There the2
co/ld keep war0 wh*le at work and .et the*r rat*on+ w*tho/t +tand*n. *n l*ne. 8e had
al+o co00*tted a .ra4e offence *n e+ta1l*+h*n. the +o6called acade0*c rat*on for the
0ore noted wr*ter+, th*nker+, and +c*ent*+t+ of #/++*a, *rre+pect*4e of part2 aff*l*at*on.
The acade0*c rat*on wa+ far fro0 l/3/r2 and 12 no 0ean+ too plent*f/l9 0an2 of the
re+pon+*1le Co00/n*+t+ rece*4ed e4en 1etter pro4*+*on+, 1/t the2 were 1*tter a.a*n+t
L/nachar+k2 for 5fa4o/r*n.5 the *ntell*.ent+*a, 02 *nfor0ant declared.
CH4
The poor 1*.ot+, I tho/.ht, to who0 the #e4ol/t*on 0eant onl2 4en.eance and a
r/n. on the +oc*al ladder? The2 were the dead we*.ht threaten*n. to +*nk the
re4ol/t*onar2 +h*p. L/nachar+k2 wa+ aware of *t. And Kollonta2B I wa+ certa*n +he
too knew 1etter. (/t +he wa+ a d*plo0at tr2*n. to +0ooth o4er cr/de and hard place+.
!o/ld (ala1anoff al+o t/rn o/t to 1e of the +a0e t2pe, I wondered. =re+entl2 I had an
opport/n*t2 to con4*nce 02+elf that +he wa+ >/*te the re4er+e.
The two lead*n. Co00/n*+t wo0en of #/++*a pro4ed the .reate+t contra+t.
An.el*ca (ala1anoff lacked what Kollonta2 po++e++ed *n a1/ndance: the latter:+ f*ne
f*./re, .ood look+, and 2o/thf/l l*thene++, a+ well a+ her worldl2 pol*+h and
+oph*+t*cat*on. (/t An.el*ca had +o0eth*n. that far o/twe*.hed the e3ternal attr*1/te+
of her hand+o0e co0rade. In her lar.e +ad e2e+ there +hone prof/nd*t2, co0pa++*on,
and tenderne++. The tr*1/lat*on+ of her people, the 1*rth6pan.+ of her nat*4e land, the
+/ffer*n. of the downtrodden +he had +er4ed her whole l*fe were deepl2 .ra4en on her
pall*d face. I fo/nd her *ll, cr/0pled /p on the co/ch of her +0all roo0, 1/t +he
*00ed*atel2 1eca0e all *ntere+t and concern for 0e. !h2 had I not let her know that I
wa+ her ne*.h1o/r, +he a+ked. he wo/ld ha4e co0e to 0e at once. And wh2 had I
wa*ted +o lon. 1efore +eek*n. her o/tB $*d I need an2th*n.B he wo/ld +ee to *t that
02 want+ +ho/ld 1e looked after. Co0*n. fro0 the tate+, I 0/+t f*nd *t 4er2 hard to
ad7/+t 02+elf to #/++*a:+ po4ert2. It wa+ d*fferent w*th the nat*4e 0a++e+, who had
ne4er known an2th*n. e3cept h/n.er and want. Ah, the #/++*an 0a++e+, the*r power
of end/rance, the*r capac*t2 for +/ffer*n., the*r hero*+0 *n the face of +/ch fearf/l
odd+? Ch*ldren *n the*r weakne++, .*ant+ *n the*r +tren.th? he had co0e to know the0
1etter +*nce 5%cto1er5 than *n all her pre4*o/+ 2ear+ *n #/++*a. he had .rown to
1el*e4e *n the0 w*th a 0ore a1*d*n. fa*th and to feel w*th the0 an all6e01rac*n. lo4e.
It wa+ d/+k9 the c*t2:+ no*+e+ d*d not penetrate the cell6l*ke roo0. Yet *t wa+ 4*1rant
w*th +t*rr*n. +o/nd+. The face 1efore 0e, +hr/nken and a+h2, wa+ 1ea/teo/+ now *n
the .low of *t+ *nner l*.ht. !*tho/t a word fro0 0e An.el*ca (ala1anoff had ./e++ed
02 do/1t+ and tra4a*l. I +en+ed that her tr*1/te to the #/++*an 0a++e+ wa+ her /n*>/e
wa2 of 0ak*n. 0e feel that noth*n. 0attered +o 0/ch to the /lt*0ate tr*/0ph of the
#e4ol/t*on a+ the +p*r*t/al re+o/rce+ of the people the0+el4e+. I *n>/*red whether that
wa+ her 0ean*n., and +he nodded a++ent. he knew fro0 her own +tr/..le that 0*ne
0/+t 1e 4er2 hard and +he wanted 0e ne4er to lo+e +*.ht of the peak+ of the 5%cto1er5
a+cendanc2.
I walked to her co/ch and +troked her th*ck 1ra*ded 1lack ha*r, alread2 +treaked
w*th .re2. I 0/+t call her An.el*ca, +he +a*d, draw*n. 0e to her heart. he a+ked 0e
to r*n. for a co0rade on the +a0e floor to 1r*n. the +a0o4ar. he had +o0e 4aren2a
Mfr/*t 7ell2N, and wed*+h co0rade+ had .*4en her +o0e 1*+c/*t+ and 1/tter. he felt
4er2 ./*lt2 to en7o2 +/ch l/3/r*e+ when the people d*d not ha4e eno/.h 1read. (/t her
+to0ach wa+ 1ad9 +he co/ld d*.e+t noth*n., and +o perhap+ +he wa+ not +o
*ncon+*+tent a+ *t 0*.ht appear. /ch +elfle++ne++ a0*d+t the callo/+ *nd*fference I had
fo/nd e4er2where 0o4ed 0e deepl2. I 1roke down and wept a+ I had not +*nce I had
held 02 dear 8elena *n 02 ar0+ at o/r f*nal part*n.. An.el*ca 1eca0e fr*.htened.
8ad +he +a*d an2th*n. to ca/+e 0e pa*n, or wa+ I *ll or *n tro/1leB I opened 02 heart
to her and po/red o/t e4er2th*n., 02 +hock+, d*+*ll/+*on0ent+, and n*.ht0are+, all the
dreadf/l th*n.+ and tho/.ht+ that had 1een oppre++*n. 0e +*nce 02 arr*4al. !hat wa+
the an+wer, what the e3planat*on, and where the re+pon+*1*l*t2B
CHF
L*fe *t+elf *+ 1eh*nd all fr/+trat*on, An.el*ca repl*ed, *n an *nd*4*d/al a+ well a+ *n a
+oc*al +en+e. L*fe wa+ hard and cr/el, and tho+e who wo/ld l*4e 0/+t al+o .row cr/el
and hard. L*fe *+ replete w*th edd*e+ and wh*rlpool+9 *t+ c/rrent+ are 4*olent and
de+tr/ct*4e. The +en+*t*4e, tho+e +hr*nk*n. fro0 h/rt, cannot hold the*r own a.a*n+t *t.
A+ w*th 0an, +o w*th h*+ *dea+ and *deal+. The f*ner the2 are, the 0ore h/0ane, the
+ooner the*r death fro0 the *0pact of L*fe. 5(/t th*+ *+ fatal*+0 w*th a 4en.eance,5 I
prote+ted9 5how can 2o/ har0on*-e +/ch an att*t/de w*th 2o/r +oc*al*+t*c 4*ew+ and
0ater*al*+t*c concept*on of h*+tor2 and h/0an de4elop0entB5 An.el*ca e3pla*ned that
#/++*an real*t2 had con4*nced her that l*fe, and not theor*e+, d*ctate+ the co/r+e of
h/0an e4ent+. 5L*fe? L*fe?5 I cr*ed *0pat*entl2, 5what *+ *t 1/t what the .en*/+ of 0an
*0part+ to *tB And what *+ the /+e of h/0an +tr*4*n. *f +o0e 02+ter*o/+ power called
L*fe can t/rn *t to na/.htB5 An.el*ca repl*ed that there reall2 wa+ no part*c/lar +en+e
*n o/r effort+, e3cept that l*4*n. 0eant +tr*4*n., reach*n. o/t for +o0eth*n. 1etter. (/t
I +ho/ld not 0*nd her, +he ha+tened to add. he wa+ pro1a1l2 all wron., and tho+e
other+ r*.ht who co/ld pa2 the f/ll 0ea+/re l*fe e3act+. 5Yo/ 0/+t .o to +ee :Il*ch,:5
+he ad4*+ed9 onl2 he, Len*n, co/ld help 0e, for he knew how to 0eet the de0and+ of
L*fe. he wo/ld arran.e an *nter4*ew for 0e.
I left the dear l*ttle wo0an w*th 0*3ed feel*n.+. oothed and co0forted 12 her r*ch
fo/nt of lo4e, I at the +a0e t*0e d*+appro4ed of her ac>/*e+cence *n the e4*l+ and
a1/+e+ a1o/t her. I had known of her a+ a f*.hter, alwa2+ f*r0 and /nfl*nch*n. *n her
+tand. !hat had 0ade her +o pa++*4e now, I wondered. Co00/n*+t+ en7o2ed the r*.ht
of cr*t*c*+0, a+ I had learned fro0 the (ol+he4*k pre++. !h2, then, d*d An.el*ca not
/+e her pen and 4o*ce *n and o/t of the part2B It kept worr2*n. 0e and I +o/.ht an
opport/n*t2 to +peak to her wo0an co0rade who had +er4ed /+ tea. ,ro0 her I
learned that An.el*ca had 1een +ecretar2 of the Th*rd Internat*onal. In that capac*t2
+he had fo/.ht deter0*nedl2 a.a*n+t the .row*n. 1/rea/crac2 of the cl*>/e led 12
D*no4*e4, #adek, and (/khar*n. A+ a re+/lt +he wa+ 0o+t /ncere0on*o/+l2 k*cked o/t
and den*ed all re+pon+*1le work. It wa+ not that An.el*ca cared a1o/t the per+onal
*n7/+t*ce and *n+/lt. (/t +he felt that the 0ethod+ of *ntr*./e and +lander e0plo2ed
a.a*n+t her were al+o 1e*n. /+ed a.a*n+t other +*ncere co0rade+ at 4ar*ance w*th the
leader+. Th*+ po*+on wa+ eat*n. *nto the 4er2 1od2 of the part2, and An.el*ca knew
that *t wa+ fra/.ht w*th d*+a+tro/+ re+/lt+ to the #e4ol/t*on. 5I+ there no wa2 of
p/tt*n. a +top to +/ch nefar*o/+ 0ethod+B5 I a+ked An.el*ca:+ fr*end. There wa+ none,
+he a++/red 0e, none w*th*n #/++*a, and no one wo/ld th*nk of a prote+t a1road a+
lon. a+ the #e4ol/t*on wa+ *n dan.er. Th*+ awarene++ had /nder0*ned An.el*ca:+
health and had paral2+ed her w*ll. 8er 0ental +tate wa+ d/e to the 0ethod+ e0plo2ed
12 her part2, *ncl/d*n. the w*de+pread +/ffer*n., the terror, and the cheapne++ of
h/0an l*fe. An.el*ca co/ld not face the0.
$ear, +weet An.el*ca 666 I 1e.an to /nder+tand her 1etter and what +he 0eant 12
the c/rrent+ of l*fe. (/t I co/ld not +hare her att*t/de. I co/ld not +/10*t. I 0/+t pro1e
*nto the h*dden +o/rce+ of #/++*a:+ *ll+, I felt9 I 0/+t /nearth the*r ca/+e+ and procla*0
the0 alo/d. No part2 cl*>/e +ho/ld t*e 02 ton./e.
I had not +een a+ha for +e4eral da2+. The lon. tr*p fro0 Khar*tonen+ka2a to the
Nat*onal wa+ too e3ha/+t*n., he +a*d. (/t the 0orn*n. after 02 4*+*t w*th An.el*ca I
rece*4ed a h/rr2 call to co0e to h*+ lod.*n.+. I fo/nd a+ha *ll *n 1ed, w*th no help
near. I dropped e4er2th*n. and took /p 02 old profe++*on of n/r+*n.. 8*+ fe4er wa+
+t/11orn, 1/t h*+ do..ed w*ll to l*4e pre+entl2 won o/t. 8*+ *llne++ left h*0 weak and
CHG
+pent, howe4er, and *n no cond*t*on to re0a*n alone. I co/ld not +top at the
Khar*tonen+ka2a, nor co/ld a+ha, for that 0atter, for the ho/+e co00andant had
*nfor0ed h*0 that h*+ t*0e had e3p*red and that he wo/ld ha4e to 4acate h*+ roo0.
!e were plann*n. to lea4e for =etro.rad w*th*n a week and *t wa+ therefore /+ele++ to
ar./e w*th the off*c*al to4ar*+htch. !e went to the Nat*onal, 02 roo0 fort/natel2
1e*n. lar.er than the one I had occ/p*ed *n the A+tor*a, and pro4*ded w*th an e3tra
co/ch. !hen An.el*ca learned of a+ha:+ *llne++ and h*+ pre+ence *n the Nat*onal, +he
*00ed*atel2 con+t*t/ted her+elf h*+ ./ard*an an.el. 8er fa0*l2 of wed*+h,
Norwe.*an, and $/tch co0rade+ +ee0ed to *ncrea+e all the t*0e, and fro0 the0 +he
wo/ld 1r*n. a+ha +a0e del*cate 0or+el+. I had learned thro/.h 4ar*o/+ +o/rce+ that
An.el*ca wa+ looked /pon 12 her co0rade+ a+ a 5+ent*0ental 1o/r-hoo2.5 he wa+
wa+t*n. her t*0e, the2 +a*d, on ph*lanthrop2, alwa2+ tr2*n. to proc/re 0*lk for +o0e
+*ck 1a12, e3tra th*n.+ for a pre.nant wo0an, or old clothe+ for people of /+ele++ a.e.
!hen An.el*ca had +/..e+ted that I .o to +ee Len*n, I dec*ded to work o/t a
0e0orand/0 of the 0o+t +al*ent contrad*ct*on+ *n o4*et l*fe, 1/t, not ha4*n. heard
an2th*n. 0ore a1o/t the propo+ed *nter4*ew, I had not done an2th*n. a1o/t the
0atter. An.el*ca:+ telephone 0e++a.e one 0orn*n., *nfor0*n. 0e that 5Ill*ch5 wa+
wa*t*n. to +ee a+ha and 0e, and that h*+ a/to had co0e for /+, wa+ therefore 0o+t
d*+concert*n.. !e knew Len*n wa+ +o crowded w*th work that he wa+ al0o+t
*nacce++*1le. The e3cept*on *n o/r fa4or wa+ a chance we co/ld not 0*++. !e felt that
e4en w*tho/t o/r 0e0orand/0 we +ho/ld f*nd the r*.ht approach to o/r d*+c/++*on9
0oreo4er, we +ho/ld ha4e the opport/n*t2 to pre+ent to h*0 the re+ol/t*on+ o/r
)o+cow co0rade+ had entr/+ted to /+.
Len*n:+ a/to r/+hed at f/r*o/+ +peed alon. the con.e+ted +treet+ and *nto the
Kre0l*n, pa+t e4er2 +entr2 w*tho/t 1e*n. halted for prop/+k+. At the entrance of one
of the anc*ent 1/*ld*n.+ that +tood apart fro0 the re+t, we were a+ked to al*.ht. An
ar0ed ./ard wa+ at the ele4ator, e4*dentl2 alread2 appr*+ed of o/r co0*n.. !*tho/t a
word, he /nlocked the door and 0ot*oned /+ w*th*n, then locked *t and p/t the ke2
*nto h*+ pocket. !e heard o/r na0e+ +ho/ted to the +old*er on the f*r+t floor, the call
repeated *n the +a0e lo/d 4o*ce at the ne3t and the ne3t. A chor/+ wa+ anno/nc*n.
o/r co0*n. a+ the ele4ator +lowl2 a+cended. At the top a ./ard repeated the proce++ of
/nlock*n. and lock*n. the ele4ator, then /+hered /+ *nto a 4a+t recept*on hall w*th the
anno/nce0ent: 5To4ar*+htch2 @old0an and (erk0an.5 !e were a+ked to wa*t a
0o0ent, 1/t al0o+t an ho/r pa++ed 1efore the cere0on2 of lead*n. /+ to the +eat of
the h*.he+t wa+ re+/0ed. A 2o/n. 0an 0ot*oned /+ to follow h*0. !e pa++ed
thro/.h a n/01er of off*ce+ tee0*n. w*th act*4*t2, the cl*ck of t2pewr*ter+, and 1/+2
co/r*er+. !e were halted 1efore a 0a++*4e door orna0ented w*th 1ea/t*f/ll2 car4ed
work. "3c/+*n. h*0+elf for 7/+t a 0*n/te, o/r attendant d*+appeared 1eh*nd *t.
=re+entl2 the hea42 door opened fro0 w*th*n, and o/r ./*de *n4*ted /+ to +tep *n,
h*0+elf 4an*+h*n. and clo+*n. the door 1eh*nd /+. !e +tood on the thre+hold awa*t*n.
the ne3t c/e *n the +tran.e proceed*n.+. Two +lant*n. e2e+ were f*3ed /pon /+ w*th
p*erc*n. penetrat*on. The*r owner +at 1eh*nd a h/.e de+k, e4er2th*n. on *t arran.ed
w*th the +tr*cte+t prec*+*on, the re+t of the roo0 .*4*n. the *0pre++*on of the +a0e
e3act*t/de. A 1oard w*th n/0ero/+ telephone +w*tche+ and a 0ap of the world
co4ered the ent*re wall 1eh*nd the 0an9 .la++ ca+e+ f*lled w*th hea42 to0e+ l*ned the
+*de+. A lar.e o1lon. ta1le h/n. w*th red9 twel4e +tra*.ht61acked cha*r+, and +e4eral
ar06cha*r+ at the w*ndow+. Noth*n. el+e to rel*e4e the orderl2 0onoton2, e3cept the
1*t of fla0*n. red.
CHH
The 1ack.ro/nd +ee0ed 0o+t f*tt*n. for one rep/ted for h*+ r*.*d ha1*t+ of l*fe and
0atter6of6factne++. Len*n, the 0an 0o+t *dol*-ed *n the world and e>/all2 hated and
feared, wo/ld ha4e 1een o/t of place *n +/rro/nd*n.+ of le++ +e4ere +*0pl*c*t2.
5Ill*ch wa+te+ no t*0e on prel*0*nar*e+. 8e .oe+ +tra*.ht to h*+ o17ect*4e,5 Dor*n
had once +a*d to 0e w*th e4*dent pr*de. Indeed, e4er2 +tep Len*n had 0ade +*nce 191H
te+t*f*ed to th*+. (/t *f we had 1een *n do/1t, the 0anner of o/r recept*on and the
0ode of o/r *nter4*ew wo/ld ha4e >/*ckl2 con4*nced /+ of the e0ot*onal econo02 of
Il*ch. 8*+ >/*ck percept*on of *t+ +/ppl2 *n other+ and h*+ +k*ll *n 0ak*n. the /t0o+t
/+e of *t for h*+ p/rpo+e were e3traord*nar2. No le++ a0a-*n. wa+ h*+ .lee o4er
an2th*n. he con+*dered f/nn2 *n h*0+elf or h*+ 4*+*tor+. "+pec*all2 *f he co/ld p/t one
at a d*+ad4anta.e, the .reat Len*n wo/ld +hake w*th la/.hter +o a+ to co0pel one to
la/.h w*th h*0.
8*+ +harp +cr/t*n2 ha4*n. 1ared /+ to the 1one, we were treated to a 4olle2 of
>/e+t*on+, one follow*n. the other, l*ke arrow+ fro0 h*+ fl*nt6l*ke 1ra*n. A0er*ca, her
pol*t*cal and econo0*c cond*t*on+ 666 what were the chance+ of re4ol/t*on there *n the
near f/t/reB The A0er*can ,ederat*on of La1or 666 wa+ *t all hone2co01ed w*th
1o/r.eo*+ *deolo.2 or wa+ *t onl2 @o0per+ and h*+ cl*>/e, and wa+ the rank and f*le a
fert*le +o*l for 1or*n. fro0 w*th*nB The I.!.!. 666 what wa+ *t+ +tren.th, and were the
anarch*+t+ act/all2 a+ effect*4e a+ o/r recent tr*al wo/ld +ee0 to *nd*cateB 8e had 7/+t
f*n*+hed read*n. o/r +peeche+ *n co/rt. 5@reat +t/ff? Clear6c/t anal2+*+ of the cap*tal*+t
+2+te0, +plend*d propa.anda?5 Too 1ad we co/ld not ha4e re0a*ned *n the &n*ted
tate+, no 0atter at what pr*ce. !e were 0o+t welco0e *n o4*et #/++*a, of co/r+e,
1/t +/ch f*.hter+ were 1adl2 needed *n A0er*ca to help *n the approach*n. re4ol/t*on,
5a+ 0an2 of 2o/r 1e+t co0rade+ had 1een *n o/r+.5 And 2o/, To4ar*+htch (erk0an,
what an or.an*-er 2o/ 0/+t 1e, l*ke hatoff. Tr/e 0etal, 2o/r co0rade hatoff9
+hr*nk+ fro0 noth*n. and can work l*ke a do-en 0en. In *1er*a now, co00*++ar of
ra*lroad+ *n the ,ar "a+tern #ep/1l*c. )an2 other anarch*+t+ hold *0portant po+*t*on+
w*th /+. "4er2th*n. *+ open to the0 *f the2 are w*ll*n. to co6operate w*th /+ a+ tr/e
*de*n2 anarch*+t+. Yo/, To4ar*+htch (erk0an, w*ll +oon f*nd 2o/r place. A p*t2,
tho/.h, that 2o/ were torn awa2 fro0 A0er*ca at th*+ portento/+ t*0e. And 2o/,
To4ar*+htch @old0anB !hat a f*eld 2o/ had? Yo/ co/ld ha4e re0a*ned. !h2 d*dn:t
2o/, e4en *f To4ar*+htch (erk0an wa+ +ho4ed o/tB !ell, 2o/:re here. 8a4e 2o/ an2
tho/.ht of the work 2o/ want to doB Yo/ are *de*n2 anarch*+t+, I can +ee that 12 2o/r
+tand on the war, 2o/r defen+e of :%cto1er,: and 2o/r f*.ht for /+, 2o/r fa*th *n the
+o4*et+. ;/+t l*ke 2o/r .reat co0rade )alate+ta, who *+ ent*rel2 w*th o4*et #/++*a.
!hat *+ *t 2o/ prefer to doB
a+ha wa+ the f*r+t to .et h*+ 1reath. 8e 1e.an *n "n.l*+h, 1/t Len*n at once
+topped h*0 w*th a 0*rthf/l la/.h. 5$o 2o/ th*nk I /nder+tand "n.l*+hB Not a word.
Nor an2 other fore*.n lan./a.e+. I a0 no .ood at the0, tho/.h I ha4e l*4ed a1road for
0an2 2ear+. ,/nn2, *+n:t *tB5 And off he went *n peal+ of la/.hter. a+ha cont*n/ed *n
#/++*an. 8e wa+ pro/d to hear h*+ co0rade+ pra*+ed +o h*.hl2, he +a*d9 1/t wh2 were
anarch*+t+ *n o4*et pr*+on+B 5Anarch*+t+B5 Il*ch *nterr/pted9 5non+en+e? !ho told 2o/
+/ch 2arn+, and how co/ld 2o/ 1el*e4e the0B !e do ha4e 1and*t+ *n pr*+on, and
)akhno4t+2, 1/t no *de*n2 anarch*+t+.5
5I0a.*ne,5 I 1roke *n, 5cap*tal*+t A0er*ca al+o d*4*de+ the anarch*+t+ *nto two
CH<
cate.or*e+, ph*lo+oph*c and cr*0*nal. The f*r+t are accepted *n h*.he+t c*rcle+9 one of
the0 *+ e4en h*.h *n the co/nc*l+ of the !*l+on Ad0*n*+trat*on. The +econd cate.or2,
to wh*ch we ha4e the honor of 1elon.*n., *+ per+ec/ted and often *0pr*+oned. Yo/r+
al+o +ee0+ to 1e a d*+t*nct*on w*tho/t a d*fference. $on:t 2o/ th*nk +oB5 (ad
rea+on*n. on 02 part, Len*n repl*ed, +heer 0/ddle6headedne++ to draw +*0*lar
concl/+*on+ fro0 d*fferent pre0*+e+. ,ree +peech *+ a 1o/r.eo*+ pre7/d*ce, a +ooth*n.
pla+ter for +oc*al *ll+. In the !orker+: #ep/1l*c econo0*c well61e*n. talk+ lo/der than
+peech, and *t+ freedo0 *+ far 0ore +ec/re. The proletar*an d*ctator+h*p *+ +teer*n. that
co/r+e. ;/+t now *t face+ 4er2 .ra4e o1+tacle+, the .reate+t of the0 the oppo+*t*on of
the pea+ant+. The2 need na*l+, +alt, te3t*le+, tractor+, electr*f*cat*on. !hen we can .*4e
the0 the+e, the2 w*ll 1e w*th /+, and no co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 power w*ll 1e a1le to
+wer4e the0 1ack. In the pre+ent +tate of #/++*a all prattle of freedo0 *+ 0erel2 food
of the react*on tr2*n. to down #/++*a. %nl2 1and*t+ are ./*lt2 of that, and the2 0/+t
1e kept /nder lock and ke2.
a+ha handed Len*n the re+ol/t*on+ of the anarch*+t conference and e0pha+*-ed the
a++/rance of the )o+cow co0rade+ that the *0pr*+oned co0rade+ were *de*n2 and not
1and*t+. 5The fact that o/r people a+k to 1e le.al*-ed *+ proof that the2 are w*th the
#e4ol/t*on and the o4*et+,5 we ar./ed. Len*n took the doc/0ent and pro0*+ed to
+/10*t *t to the ne3t +e++*on of the =art2 "3ec/t*4e. !e wo/ld 1e not*f*ed of *t+
dec*+*on, he +a*d, 1/t *n an2 e4ent *t wa+ a 0ere tr*fle, noth*n. to d*+t/r1 an2 tr/e
re4ol/t*on*+t. !a+ there an2th*n. el+eB !e had fo/.ht *n A0er*ca for the pol*t*cal
r*.ht+ e4en of o/r opponent+, we told h*0, the den*al of the0 to o/r co0rade+ wa+
therefore no tr*fle to /+. I, for one, felt, I *nfor0ed h*0, that I co/ld not co6operate
w*th a rE.*0e that per+ec/ted anarch*+t+ or other+ for the +ake of 0ere op*n*on.
)oreo4er, there were e4en 0ore appall*n. e4*l+. 8ow were we to reconc*le the0 w*th
the h*.h .oal he wa+ a*0*n. at. I 0ent*oned +o0e of the0. 8*+ repl2 wa+ that 02
att*t/de wa+ 1o/r.eo*+ +ent*0ental*t2. The proletar*an d*ctator+h*p wa+ en.a.ed *n a
l*fe6and6death +tr/..le, and +0all con+*derat*on co/ld not 1e per0*tted to we*.h *n the
+cale. #/++*a wa+ 0ak*n. .*ant +tr*de+ at ho0e and a1road. It wa+ *.n*t*n. world
re4ol/t*on, and here I wa+ la0ent*n. o4er a l*ttle 1lood6lett*n.. It wa+ a1+/rd and I
0/+t .et o4er *t. 5$o +o0eth*n.,5 he ad4*+ed9 5that w*ll 1e the 1e+t wa2 of re.a*n*n.
2o/r re4ol/t*onar2 1alance.5
Len*n 0*.ht 1e r*.ht, I tho/.ht. I wo/ld take ad4anta.e of h*+ ad4*ce. I wo/ld +tart
at once, I +a*d. Not w*th an2 work w*th*n #/++*a, 1/t w*th +o0eth*n. of propa.anda
4al/e for the &n*ted tate+. I +ho/ld l*ke to or.an*-e a +oc*et2 of #/++*an ,r*end+ of
A0er*can ,reedo0, an act*4e 1od2 to .*4e +/pport to A0er*ca:+ +tr/..le for l*1ert2,
a+ the A0er*can ,r*end+ of #/++*an ,reedo0 had done *n a*d of #/++*a a.a*n+t the
t+ar*+t rE.*0e.
Len*n had not 0o4ed *n h*+ +eat d/r*n. the ent*re t*0e, 1/t now he al0o+t leaped
o/t of *t. 8e +w/n. ro/nd and +tood fac*n. /+. 5That:+ a 1r*ll*ant *dea?5 he e3cla*0ed,
ch/ckl*n. and r/11*n. h*+ hand+. 5A f*ne pract*cal propo+al. Yo/ 0/+t proceed to
carr2 *t o/t at once. And 2o/, To4ar*+htch (erk0an, w*ll 2o/ co6operate *n *tB5 a+ha
repl*ed that we had talked the 0atter o4er and had alread2 worked o/t the deta*l+ of
the plan. !e co/ld +tart *00ed*atel2 *f we had the nece++ar2 e>/*p0ent. No
d*ff*c/ltl2 *n that, Len*n a++/red /+, we wo/ld 1e +/ppl*ed w*th e4er2th*n. 666 an
off*ce, a pr*nt*n. o/tf*t, co/r*er+, and whate4er f/nd+ wo/ld 1e needed. !e 0/+t +end
h*0 o/r pro+pect/+ of work and the *te0*-ed e3pen+e+ *n4ol4ed *n the pro7ect. The
CH9
Th*rd Internat*onal wo/ld take care of the 0atter. It wa+ the proper channel for o/r
4ent/re, and *t wo/ld afford /+ e4er2 help.
In 1lank a+ton*+h0ent we looked at each other and at Len*n. *0/ltaneo/+l2 we
1e.an to e3pla*n that o/r effort+ co/ld pro4e effect*4e onl2 *f free fro0 an2 aff*l*at*on
w*th known (ol+he4*k or.an*-at*on+. It 0/+t 1e carr*ed o/t *n o/r own wa29 we know
the A0er*can p+2cholo.2 and how 1e+t to cond/ct the work. (/t 1efore we co/ld
proceed f/rther, o/r ./*de +/ddenl2 appeared, a+ /no1tr/+*4el2 a+ he had left, and
Len*n held o/t h*+ hand to /+ *n .ood612e. 5$on:t for.et to +end 0e the pro+pect/+,5
he called after /+.
The 0ethod+ of the 5cl*>/e5 *n the pol*t1/rea/ of the part2 were al+o per4ad*n. the
Internat*onal and po*+on*n. the ent*re la1o/r 0o4e0ent, An.el*ca:+ fr*end had told
0e. !a+ Len*n aware of *tB And wa+ that al+o a 0ere tr*fle *n h*+ e+t*0at*onB I wa+
certa*n now that he knew e4er2th*n. that wa+ .o*n. on *n #/++*a. Noth*n. e+caped h*+
+earch*n. e2e, noth*n. co/ld take place w*tho/t f*r+t ha4*n. 1een we*.hed *n h*+ +cale
and appro4ed 12 h*+ a/thor*tat*4e +eal. An *ndo0*ta1le w*ll ea+*l2 1end*n. e4er2one
to *t+ own c/r4e and 7/+t a+ ea+*l2 1reak*n. 0en *f the2 fa*led to 2*eld. !o/ld he al+o
1end or 1reak /+B The dan.er wa+ *00*nent *f we 0ade the f*r+t fal+e +tep, *f we
accepted the t/tela.e of the Co00/n*+t Internat*onal. !e were ea.er to help #/++*a
and to cont*ne o/r work for A0er*ca:+ l*1erat*on, to wh*ch we had .*4en the 1e+t 2ear+
of o/r l*4e+. (/t *t wo/ld 0ean a 1etra2al of o/r ent*re pa+t and the co0plete
a1ro.at*on of o/r *ndependence to +/10*t to the control of the cl*>/e. !e wrote Len*n
to that effect and enclo+ed a deta*led o/tl*ne of o/r plan, caref/ll2 prepared 12 a+ha.
!e a.reed w*th Len*n *n one th*n., the need of .ett*n. to work. Not, howe4er, *n
an2 pol*t*cal capac*t2 or *n a o4*et 1/rea/. !e 0/+t f*nd +o0eth*n. that wo/ld 1r*n.
/+ *n d*rect to/ch w*th the 0a++e+ and ena1le /+ to +er4e the0. )o+cow wa+ the +eat
of @o4ern0ent w*th 0ore tate f/nct*onar*e+ than worker+, 1/rea/crat*c to the la+t
de.ree. a+ha had 4*+*ted a n/01er of factor*e+, all of the0 *n a palpa1l2 ne.lected
and de+erted cond*t*on. In 0o+t of the0 the o4*et off*c*al+ and 0e01er+ of the
Co00/n*+t 2ache*ka McellN far o/tn/01ered the act/al prod/cer+. 8e had talked w*th
the worker+ and fo/nd the0 e01*ttered 12 the arro.ance and ar1*trar2 0ethod+ of the
*nd/+tr*al 1/rea/crac2. a+ha:+ *0pre++*on+ onl2 +er4ed to +tren.then 02 con4*ct*on
that )o+cow wa+ no place for /+. If at lea+t L/nachar+k2 had kept h*+ pro0*+e? (/t he
wa+ +wa0ped w*th work, he wrote, and /na1le 7/+t then to call the teacher+:
conference. It 0*.ht take week+ 1efore *t co/ld 1e done. 8e /nder+tood how d*ff*c/lt
*t wa+ for people /+ed to do*n. th*n.+ *n the*r own *ndependent 0anner to f*t
the0+el4e+ *nto a .roo4e. (/t *t wa+ the onl2 effect*4e place *n #/++*a and I wo/ld
ha4e to reconc*le 02+elf to that. )eanwh*le I 0/+t keep *n to/ch w*th h*0, h*+ letter
concl/ded.
It wa+ a +/1tle h*nt that the d*ctator+h*p wa+ all6per4ad*n. and that *t wo/ld 1rook
no *ndependent effort. Not *n )o+cow, at an2 rate. After all, e4er2 +eat of .o4ern0ent
*ne4*ta1l2 1reed+ the 0art*net and the fl/nke2, the co/rt*er and the +p2, a herd of
han.er+6on fed 12 the off*cal hand. )o+cow wa+ e4*dentl2 no e3cept*on. !e co/ld
not f*nd o/r place there, nor co0e clo+e to the to*l*n. 0a++e+. %ne 0ore th*n. we
wo/ld atte0pt 666 .et to +ee o/r co0rade Kropotk*n and then 1ack to =etro.rad, we
dec*ded.
C<0
!e learned that @eor.e Lan+1/r2 and )r. (arr2 were a1o/t to .o to $0*tro4 *n a
+pec*al tra*n. !e dec*ded to a+k per0*++*on to 7o*n the0, tho/.h we were not elated
o4er the pro+pect of +ee*n. =eter *n the pre+ence of two new+paper 0en. !e had not
1een a1le to arran.e a tr*p to $0*tro4, and th*+ wa+ an /ne3pected and e3cept*onal
opport/n*t2. a+ha ha+tened to +ee Lan+1/r2. The latter con+ented to ha4e /+
acco0pan2 h*0 and e4en e3pre++ed h*+ w*ll*n.ne++ that we 1r*n. w*th /+ an2one el+e
we 0*.ht want. 8e a++/red a+ha that he had lon. wanted to +ee 0e a.a*n and that he
wo/ld 1e del*.hted at the chance. Con+*der*n. that he had all alon. known of 02
pre+ence *n )o+cow and that he had not taken the tro/1le to look 0e /p, h*+ del*.ht
+ee0ed rather >/e+t*ona1le. (/t the 0a*n th*n. wa+ to 0eet =eter, and we al+o *n4*ted
o/r co0rade Ale3ander chap*ro to co0e w*th /+.
The tra*n crawled +na*l6l*ke, +topp*n. at e4er2 water6tank. It wa+ late e4en*n.
when we at la+t reached the ho/+e. !e fo/nd =eter *ll and worn6look*n.. 8e appeared
a 0ere +hadow of the +t/rd2 0an I had known *n =ar*+ and London *n 190H. *nce 02
co0*n. to #/++*a I had 1een repeatedl2 a++/red 12 the 0o+t pro0*nent Co00/n*+t+
that Kropotk*n l*4ed *n 4er2 co0forta1le c*rc/0+tance+ and that he lacked ne*ther
food nor f/el9 and here were =eter, h*+ w*fe, oph*e, and the*r da/.hter, Ale3andra,
act/all2 l*4*n. *n one roo0 12 no 0ean+ +/ff*c*entl2 heated. The te0perat/re *n the
other roo0+ wa+ 1elow -ero, +o that the2 co/ld not 1e *nha1*ted. The*r rat*on+,
+/ff*c*ent to e3*+t on, had /nt*l recentl2 1een +/ppl*ed 12 the $0*tro4 co6operat*4e
+oc*et2. That or.an*-at*on had +*nce 1een l*>/*dated, l*ke +o 0an2 other +*0*lar
*n+t*t/t*on+, and 0o+t of *t+ 0e01er+ arre+ted and taken to the (/t*rk2 pr*+on *n
)o+cow. 8ow d*d the2 0ana.e to e3*+t, we *n>/*red. oph*e e3pla*ned that the2 had
a cow and eno/.h prod/ce fro0 her .arden for the w*nter. The co0rade+ fro0 the
&kra*ne, part*c/larl2 )akhno, had contr*4ed to +/ppl2 the0 w*th e3tra pro4*+*on+.
The2 wo/ld ha4e 0ana.ed to 1etter ad4anta.e had not =eter 1een a*l*n. of late and *n
need of 0ore no/r*+h*n. food.
Co/ld noth*n. 1e done to ro/+e the re+pon+*1le Co00/n*+t+ to the fact that one of
the .reate+t 0en of #/++*a wa+ +tar4*n. to deathB "4en *f the2 had no *ntere+t *n h*0
a+ an anarch*+t, the2 0/+t know h*+ worth a+ a 0an of +c*ence and letter+. Len*n,
L/nachar+k2, and the other+ *n h*.h po+*t*on were pro1a1l2 not *nfor0ed a1o/t =eter:+
+*t/at*on. Co/ld I not call the*r attent*on to h*+ cond*t*onB Lan+1/r2 a.reed w*th 0e.
5It *+ *0po++*1le,5 he +a*d, 5that the 1*. people *n the o4*et @o4ern0ent wo/ld let +o
.reat a per+onal*t2 a+ =eter Kropotk*n want for the nece++ar*e+ of l*fe. !e *n "n.land
wo/ld not +tand for +/ch an o/tra.e.5 8e wo/ld *00ed*atel2 take the 0atter /p w*th
the o4*et co0rade+, he declared. oph*e had 1een repeatedl2 p/ll*n. at h*+ +lee4e to
0ake h*0 +top. he d*d not want =eter to hear o/r talk. (/t that dear +o/l wa+ deepl2
*00er+ed *n con4er+at*on w*th the two Ale3ander+, >/*te /naware that we were
d*+c/++*n. h*+ welfare.
=eter wo/ld accept noth*n. fro0 the (ol+he4*k*, oph*e told /+. %nl2 a +hort t*0e
pre4*o/+l2, when the ro/1le +t*ll +tood well, he had ref/+ed the offer of CF0,000
ro/1le+ fro0 the @o4ern0ent =/1l*cat*on $epart0ent for the r*.ht to *++/e h*+ l*terar2
work. *nce the (ol+he4*k* had e3propr*ated other+, the2 0*.ht a+ well help
the0+el4e+ to h*+ 1ook+ he had +a*d. (/t *t wo/ld not 1e done w*th h*+ con+ent. 8e
had ne4er w*ll*n.l2 dealt w*th an2 .o4ern0ent and he had no *ntent*on of do*n. +o
w*th the one that *n the na0e of +oc*al*+0 had a1ro.ated e4er2 re4ol/t*onar2 and
eth*cal 4al/e. oph*e had not e4en 1een a1le to *nd/ce =eter to accept the acade0*c
C<1
rat*on L/nachar+k2 had ordered for h*0. 8*+ *ncrea+*n. fee1lene++ had co0pelled her
to take *t w*tho/t h*+ knowled.e. 8*+ health, +he apolo.*-ed, wa+ 0ore *0portant to
her than h*+ +cr/ple+. (e+*de+, a+ a +c*ent*f*c 1otan*+t +he wa+ her+elf ent*tled to the
acade0*c rat*on.
a+ha wa+ +peak*n. to =eter of the 0a-e of re4ol/t*onar2 contrad*ctor+ we had
fo/nd *n #/++*a, the 4ar*ed *nterpretat*on+ we had heard of the ca/+e+ of the cr2*n.
e4*l+, and o/r *nter4*ew w*th Len*n. !e were ea.er to hear =eter:+ 4*ew6po*nt and .et
h*+ react*on+ to the +*t/at*on. 8e repl*ed that *t wa+ what *t had alwa2+ 1een to
)ar3*+0 and *t+ theor*e+. 8e had fore+een *t+ dan.er+ and he had alwa2+ warned
a.a*n+t the0. All anarch*+t+ had done +o, and he h*0+elf had dealt w*th the0 *n nearl2
e4er2 one of h*+ wr*t*n.+. Tr/e, none of /+ had f/ll2 real*-ed to what proport*on+ the
)ar3*an 0enace wo/ld .row. =erhap+ *t wa+ not +o 0/ch )ar3*+0 a+ the ;e+/*t*cal
+p*r*t of *t+ do.0a+. The (ol+he4*k* were po*+oned 12 *t, the*r d*ctator+h*p +/rpa++*n.
the a/tocrac2 of the In>/*+*t*on. The*r power wa+ +tren.thened 12 the 1l/+ter*n.
+tate+0en of "/rope. The 1lockade, the All*ed +/pport of the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
ele0ent+, the *nter4ent*on, and all the other atte0pt+ to cr/+h the #e4ol/t*on had
re+/lted *n +*lenc*n. e4er2 prote+t a.a*n+t (ol+he4*k t2rann2 w*th*n #/++*a *t+elf. 5I+
there no one to +peak o/t a.a*n+t *tB5 I de0anded, 5no one who+e 4o*ce wo/ld carr2
we*.htB Yo/r+, for *n+tance, dear co0radeB5 =eter +0*led +adl2. I wo/ld know 1etter,
he +a*d, after I had 1een awh*le lon.er *n the co/ntr2. The .a. wa+ the 0o+t co0plete
*n the world. 8e had prote+ted, of co/r+e, and +o had other+, a0on. the0 the
4enera1le Aera ,*.ner, a+ well a+ )a3*0 @ork* on +e4eral occa+*on+. It had no effect
whate4er, nor wa+ *t po++*1le to do an2 wr*t*n. w*th the Cheka con+tantl2 at one:+
door. %ne co/ld not keep 5*ncr*0*nat*n.5 th*n.+ *n one:+ ho/+e nor e3po+e other+ to
the per*l of d*+co4er2. It wa+ not fear9 *t wa+ the real*-at*on of the f/t*l*t2 and
*0po++*1*l*t2 of reach*n. the world fro0 the *nner pr*+on+ of the Cheka. The 0a*n
draw1ack, howe4er, wa+ the ene0*e+ +/rro/nd*n. #/++*a. An2th*n. +a*d or wr*tten
a.a*n+t the (ol+he4*k* wa+ 1o/nd to 1e *nterpreted 12 the o/t+*de world a+ an attack
/pon the #e4ol/t*on and a+ al*.n0ent w*th the react*onar2 force+. The anarch*+t+ *n
part*c/lar were 1etween two f*re+. The2 co/ld not 0ake peace w*th the for0*da1le
power of the Kre0l*n, nor co/ld the2 7o*n hand+ w*th the ene0*e+ of #/++*a. The*r
onl2 alternat*4e at pre+ent, *t +ee0ed to =eter, wa+ to f*nd +o0e work of d*rect 1enef*t
to the 0a++e+. 8e wa+ .lad that we had dec*ded on that. 5#*d*c/lo/+ of Len*n to want
to 1*nd 2o/ to the apron6+tr*n.+ of the part2,5 he declared. 5It +how+ how far 0ere
+hrewdne++ *+ fro0 w*+do0. No one can den2 Len*n:+ +hrewdne++, 1/t ne*ther *n h*+
att*t/de to the pea+ant+ nor *n h*+ appra*+al of tho+e w*th*n or o/t+*de the reach of
corr/pt*on ha+ he +hown real 7/d.0ent or +a.ac*t2.5
It wa+ .row*n. late and oph*e had 1een tr2*n. to pre4a*l /pon =eter to ret*re. (/t
he per+*+tentl2 decl*ned. 8e had 1een +o lon. c/t off fro0 h*+ co0rade+ 666 *ndeed,
fro0 an2 k*nd of *ntellect/al contact, he +a*d. %/r 4*+*t at f*r+t +ee0ed to e3ert a
1rac*n. effect /pon h*0. (/t pre+entl2 he 1e.an to +how +*.n+ of e3ha/+t*on, and we
felt *t wa+ h*.h t*0e to .o. @entle and .allant wa+ o/r =eter e4en *n h*+ fat*./e.
Noth*n. wo/ld do 1/t he 0/+t +ee /+ to the e3*t and once 0ore cla+p /+ lo4*n.l2 to
h*+ heart.
%/r tra*n wa+ not to +tart t*ll two a.0., and *t wa+ onl2 ele4en. The wo0an porter
wa+ fa+t a+leep. he had for.otten to look after the f*re, and the car wa+ 1*tterl2 cold.
The 1o2+ +et to work o4er the +to4e, 1/t *t wo/ld 2*eld noth*n. e3cept +0oke.
C<C
)eanwh*le Lan+1/r2, wrapped /p to h*+ ear+ *n h*+ .reat f/r coat, held forth on what a
p*t2 *t wa+ that =eter Kropotk*n:+ a.e d*+>/al*f*ed h*0 fro0 tak*n. an act*4e part *n
o4*et affa*r+. L*4*n. awa2 fro0 the centre, Kropotk*n wa+ not *n a po+*t*on to do
7/+t*ce to the .rand*o+e ach*e4e0ent+ of the (ol+he4*k*, he re*terated. I wa+ al0o+t
fro-en and too 0*+era1le o4er =eter:+ cond*t*on to ar./e. (/t the 1o2+ d*d *t for the
three of /+. At the )o+cow +tat*on a+ha had another t*lt w*th the London ed*tor.
tar4ed and half6naked ch*ldren 1e+*e.ed /+ for a p*ece of 1read. I had +andw*che+ on
hand and we .a4e the0 to the k*d+, who de4o/red the0 ra4eno/+l2. 5A terr*1le +*.ht,5
a+ha re0arked. 5Look here, (erk0an, 2o/ are too +ent*0ental,5 Lan+1/r2 retorted9
5I co/ld +how 2o/ an2 n/01er of po4ert26+tr*cken ch*ldren *n the "a+t "nd of
London.5 5I a0 +/re 2o/ co/ld,5 a+ha repl*ed, 51/t 2o/ for.et that the #e4ol/t*on
ha+ taken place *n #/++*a, not *n "n.land.5
%/r 7o/rne2 la*d 0e /p w*th a hea42 cold and fe4er for a fortn*.ht. An.el*ca wa+
a.a*n 1ea/t*f/ll2 +ol*c*to/+, call*n. e4er2 da2 to look after 0e and ne4er e0pt26
handed. The co0rade+ of the &n*4er+al*+t Cl/1 were al+o 4er2 helpf/l. The*r care and
that of .entle An.el*ca ena1led 0e to lea4e 02 +*ck61ed 0/ch >/*cker than *f I had
1een le++ fort/nate *n fr*end+ and attent*on. The2 /r.ed 0e to +ta2 at lea+t another
week. Tra4el*n. wa+ dan.ero/+ at 1e+t and I wa+ not 2et co0pletel2 reco4ered. (/t I
co/ld not 1ear )o+cow an2 lon.er. It had .rown *nto a 4er*ta1le 0on+ter that I had to
e+cape le+t *t de+tro2 0e. =etro.rad held o/t the hope of rel*ef *n /+ef/l la1o/r. And
there wa+ al+o 02 .naw*n. lon.*n. for new+ fro0 02 old ho0e. ,*4e 0onth+ had
pa++ed w*tho/t a word fro0 an2one. The addre++ we had left w*th o/r fr*end+ *n
A0er*ca wa+ =etro.rad. )2 2earn*n. wa+ 0*n.led w*th +o0e /nacco/nta1le
apprehen+*on, 1oth co01*n*n. *nto the *dEe f*3e that I 0/+t ha+ten 1ack to the
northern c*t2.
)a*l wa+ act/all2 awa*t*n. /+ there, rece*4ed fo/r week+ pre4*o/+l2. !h2 had *t
not 1een forwarded, we a+ked L*-a Dor*n. 5!hat wa+ the /+eB5 +he repl*ed9 5I d*d not
th*nk an2th*n. fro0 A0er*ca +o *0portant and *ntere+t*n. a+ what 2o/ 0/+t ha4e +een
and heard *n )o+cow.5 The letter+ were fro0 ,*t-* and tella. Not 5+o *0portant5 666
onl2 new+ of the death of 02 1elo4ed 8elena. !hat co/ld per+onal +orrow 0ean to
people who had 1eco0e co.+ *n the wheel that wa+ cr/+h*n. +o 0an2 at e4er2 t/rnB I
02+elf +ee0ed to ha4e t/rned *nto one of the co.+. I co/ld f*nd no tear+ for the lo++ of
02 darl*n. +*+ter, no tear+ or re.ret+. %nl2 paral2+*n. n/01ne++ and a lar.er 4o*d.
)2 deportat*on, tella wrote, had pro4ed the la+t 1low to 8elena:+ +hattered
cond*t*on. he had .rown +tead*l2 wor+e fro0 the 0o0ent +he had heard a1o/t *t.
$eath wa+ 0ore k*nd to her than l*fe: *t ca0e >/*ckl2 thro/.h a +troke. $ear, +weet
+*+ter, 0erc*f/l *ndeed wa+ 2o/r end, 2o/r +/pre0e w*+h f/lf*lled +*nce $a4*d:+ lo++.
Yo/r tort/red +p*r*t at la+t fo/nd relea+e *n eternal re+t, 02 1elo4ed. Yo/ are at peace.
Not +o tho+e who+e l*4e+ are +trewn w*th the a/t/0n lea4e+ of hope, the w*thered
1ranche+ of a d2*n. fa*th.
,*t-*:+ letter conta*ned another 1low. %/r fr*end Al*ne (arn+dall had 0ade all
arran.e0ent+ to .o to #/++*a and +he had *n4*ted ,*t-* to co0e w*th her. (/t at the
la+t 0o0ent !a+h*n.ton had ref/+ed the0 pa++port+. ). "leanor ,*t-.erald wa+ too
well known a+ 5a notor*o/+ anarch*+t, the co6worker of Ale3ander (erk0an and
"00a @old0an,5 the a/thor*t*e+ had declared, and +he wa+ therefore not allowed to
lea4e the co/ntr2. Al*ne (arn+dall:+ aff*l*at*on+ w*th rad*cal+ had al+o 1een traced
C<3
thro/.h the che>/e +he had .*4en 0e. ,*t-* had no 0ean+, e4en *f +he co/ld ha4e
fo/nd +o0e +/1 ro+a wa2 of reach*n. #/++*a. he wa+ all 1roken /p o4er her fa*l/re
to 7o*n /+, 1/t +he knew we wo/ld /nder+tand.
%n o/r ret/rn to =etro.rad we fo/nd o/r fellow6pa++en.er+ of the (/ford
con+*dera1l2 d*0*n*+hed *n n/01er+. o0e of the0 had +/cceeded *n .ett*n. +ent to
the*r nat*4e place+. %ther+, who *n A0er*ca had 1een 1*tter opponent+ of o/r defen+e
of the (ol+he4*k*, 1eca0e reconc*led to the o4*et rE.*0e. In #o0e now, the2 ar./ed,
the2 wo/ld howl w*th the #o0an+. The ele4en Co00/n*+t+ a0on. the deportee+
were ent*rel2 *n clo4er. The2 fo/nd the fle+h6pot+ prepared for the0, and the ta1le+
laden. The2 had 1/t to .ra1 the 1e+t place and 0or+el+.
The re0a*n*n. .ro/p wa+ *n a deplora1le cond*t*on. The*r atte0pt+ to +ec/re /+ef/l
work, for wh*ch 2ear+ of la1o/r *n the &n*ted tate+ had >/al*f*ed the0, 1ro/.ht no
re+/lt+. The2 were 1e*n. +ent fro0 one *n+t*t/t*on to another, fro0 co00*++ar to
co00*++ar, w*tho/t an2one a1le to dec*de whether the*r effort+ were needed and
where.
8ere wa+ #/++*a, fa0*+hed for what the+e 0en co/ld and lon.ed to .*4e, 2et the*r
prod/ct*4e capac*t*e+ were co0pelled to l*e fallow, and e4er2th*n. wa+ 1e*n. done to
t/rn the*r de4ot*on to hatred. !a+ th*+ to 1e the lot of other worker+ to 1e deported
fro0 the &n*ted tate+ and of tho+e who wo/ld flock to o4*et #/++*a to a*d the
#e4ol/t*on, we wondered. !e co/ld not +*t 12 w*tho/t at lea+t e++a2*n. +o0e effort to
pre4ent the repet*t*on of +/ch cr*0*nal +t/p*d*t2. a+ha propo+ed a clear*n.6ho/+e for
the A0er*can deportee+, tho+e alread2 *n #/++*a and the other+ that were 1e*n.
e3pected. 8e worked o/t a plan for the*r recept*on, wh*ch wa+ to 1e le++ o+tentat*o/+
than on the occa+*on of o/r arr*4al, 1/t wh*ch wo/ld a++/re .reater +ec/r*t2 of food
and lod.*n., 1etter econo02 and pract*cal +en+e. 8*+ pro7ect *ncl/ded the
cla++*f*cat*on of the ref/.ee+ 12 trade and occ/pat*on and a++*.n0ent to /+ef/l and
needed work. 5Th*nk of the .a*n to the #e4ol/t*on *f A0er*can tra*n*n. and
e3per*ence were +en+*1l2 d*rected *nto prod/ct*4e channel+,5 a+ha co00ented. 8*+
plan al+o pro4*ded an *00ed*ate open*n. for o/r own /+ef/lne++ and that of other
deportee+ *n the c*t2.
I +/..e+ted that we .et *n to/ch w*th )0e #a4*ch a1o/t the 0atter. 8er+elf a
prod*.*o/+ worker and 4er2 eff*c*ent, +he wo/ld 1e >/*ck to +ee the 4al/e of a+ha:+
*dea. Ch*cher*n:+ repre+entat*4e *n the =etro.rad ,ore*.n %ff*ce wa+ al+o ch*ef of the
c*t2:+ 0*l*t*a a+ well a+ co00*++ar of the factor2 wo0en:+ collect*4e+. he l*4ed *n the
A+tor*a and we knew the lon. ho/r+ +he re0a*ned at her de+k. I phoned to her at two
a.0. and a+ked for an appo*nt0ent. he re>/e+ted 0e to call at once, add*n. that +he
had 7/+t rece*4ed a 0e++a.e fro0 Ch*cher*n for 5To4ar*+htch2 @old0an and
(erk0an.5
A Iar.e cont*n.ent of A0er*can deportee+ were on the*r wa2 to #/++*a )0e
#a4*ch *nfor0ed /+, and Co0rade Ch*cher*n had *n+tr/cted her to p/t /+ *n char.e of
the*r recept*on. It wa+ a 0o+t prop*t*o/+ occa+*on to 1roach a+ha:+ plan. #e.ardle++
of the late ho/r and her fat*./e, )0e #a4*ch wo/ld not con+ent to o/r lea4*n. /nt*l
we had f/ll2 e3pla*ned the pro7ect. !e co/ld co/nt ent*rel2 on her co6operat*on, +he
a++/red /+, and +he wo/ld *00ed*atel2 *++/e d*rect*on+ to her +ecretar2 to fac*l*tate
o/r work *n e4er2 wa2.
C<4
)0e #a4*ch kept her word, e4en +/ppl2*n. /+ w*th an a/to0o1*le to +a4e t*0e *n
.ett*n. a1o/t. 8er a++*+tant, Kaplan, pro4ed an earne+t and w*ll*n. a*d, ar0*n. /+ w*th
n/0ero/+ prop/+k+ to +ec/re /+ acce++ to 4ar*o/+ depart0ent+. In h*+ ea.erne++ to
help he e4en propo+ed to ha4e a to4ar*+htch Chek*+t acco0pan2 /+, to ena1le /+ to .et
>/*cker re+/lt+. I a++/red h*0 that I knew of a le++ dra+t*c and 0ore effect*4e wa2,
*ron*c and h/01l*n. tho/.h *t wa+ to ad0*t *t. !a+ there reall2 +/ch a 0ethod *n the
o4*et #ep/1l*c, he *n>/*red. Ala+, not ho0e.rown, 1/t *0ported fro0 the &n*ted
tate+, I told h*0. It wa+ A0er*can chocolate, c*.arette+, and conden+ed 0*lk. The*r
+often*n. and +ooth*n. effect had pro4ed *rre+*+t*1le to 0an2 o4*et heart+, *nd/c*n.
act*on and w*ll*n.ne++ where coa3*n., co00and+, and threat+ had fa*led.
Now the2 ach*e4ed *n a fortn*.ht what #a4*ch and Kaplan ad0*tted wo/ld ha4e
ord*nar*l2 taken 0onth+ to acco0pl*+h. Three old .er06eaten 1/*ld*n.+ were
reno4ated and e>/*pped for the /+e of the e3pected deportee+9 the d*+tr*1/t*on of the*r
rat*on+ or.an*-ed +o a+ to +a4e the*r +tand*n. *n >/e/e+, 0ed*cal attent*on prepared *n
ca+e of need, and e0plo20ent +ec/red for the 5+w*00*n.5 cont*n.ent.
a+ha and "thel had *n the 0eant*0e taken char.e of the welco0e to 1e .*4en the
deportee+ on the Lat4*an 1order. The2 were awa*t*n. the0 there, w*th two tra*n+ held
*n read*ne++ to 1r*n. the e3pected tho/+and ref/.ee+ to =etro.rad. The2 +pent two
week+ *n 4a*n wa*t*n., onl2 to f*nd o/t that another 1l/nder had 1een added to the
chao+ and conf/+*on of the o4*et +*t/at*on. The w*rele++ anno/nc*n. ret/rn*n. war
pr*+oner+ had 1een 0*+read 12 the ,ore*.n %ff*ce to 0ean A0er*can deportee+. a+ha
had repeatedl2 tele.raphed to Ch*cher*n to e3pla*n the 0*+take and offer*n. to /+e h*+
tra*n+ for 1r*n.*n. the war pr*+oner+ to =etro.rad. 8e wa+ ordered, howe4er, to re0a*n
on the 1order to awa*t the A0er*can deportee+9 the war pr*+oner+ wo/ld 1e taken care
of 12 the !ar Co00*++ar*at. (/t a+ha had po+*t*4el2 a+certa*ned fro0 the war
pr*+oner+: con4o2 that no pol*t*cal ref/.ee+ were on the*r wa2 fro0 A0er*ca. In+tead
of keep*n. h*+ tra*n+ and pro4*+*on+ for the 02th*cal deportee+, a+ d*rected 12
)o+cow, and lea4*n. the f*fteen h/ndred war pr*+oner+ to the*r fate+ on the
/n*nha1*ted pla*n, w*tho/t food or 0ed*cal a*d, a+ha dec*ded to p/t h*+ tra*n+ at the*r
d*+po+al and +end the0 on to =etro.rad.
!e propo+ed to /+e the 1/*ld*n.+ we had prepared for the 1enef*t of the war
pr*+oner+, and )0e #a4*ch fa4o/red the +/..e+t*on. (/t the 0en were /nder the
7/r*+d*ct*on of the !ar $epart0ent, and +he felt +he 0/+t f*r+t .et per0*++*on.
Noth*n. f/rther wa+ heard of the 0atter. The >/arter+ reno4ated w*th +o 0/ch effort
and t*0e were +ealed /p and three a1le61od*ed 0*l*t*a0en +tat*oned on ./ard. All o/r
la1o/r wa+ wa+ted, and a+ha:+ plan of or.an*-*n. the deportee+ or the war pr*+oner+
for /+ef/l work wa+ allowed to .o 12 the 1oard.
The +a0e d*+hearten*n. re+/lt+ 0et o/r other atte0pt+ to do pract*cal work o/t+*de
of the tate 0ach*ne. !e wo/ld not 1e da/nted, howe4er.
The palat*al re+*dence+ of the for0er r*ch *n the part of =etro.rad known a+
Ka00enn2 %+tro4 MI+landN were to 1e t/rned *nto re+t6ho0e+ for to*ler+. 5)ar4elo/+
*dea, *+n:t *tB5 Dor*n re0arked to /+9 5we 0/+t co0plete *t w*th*n +*3 week+.5 %nl2
A0er*can +peed and eff*c*enc2 co/ld acco0pl*+h the 7o1 on t*0e. !o/ld we helpB
!e took the work *n hand and 1eca0e a1+or1ed *n *t, /nt*l a.a*n we +tr/ck the
C<F
*0pa++a1le wall of o4*et 1/rea/crac2.
,ro0 the +tart we had *n+*+ted that at lea+t one war0 0eal a da2 +ho/ld 1e
pro4*ded for the worker+ e0plo2ed *n the preparat*on of re+t6ho0e+ for the*r 1rother+.
I had /ndertaken to +/per4*+e the cook*n. and the e>/*ta1le d*+tr*1/t*on of the rat*on+.
,or a wh*le all went well9 the 0en were +at*+f*ed w*th the arran.e0ent+, and the*r
la1o/r+ were 0ak*n. /n/+/al pro.re++ 666 /n/+/al for #/++*an+, at an2 rate. (/t
pre+entl2 the (ol+he4*k +taff+ and the*r fa4o/r*te+ 1e.an to *ncrea+e and the rat*on+ of
the worker+ to d*0*n*+h. The latter were not lon. *n perce*4*n. that the2 were 1e*n.
ro11ed of the*r +hare for the +ake of /nnece++ar2 off*ce6holder+ and han.er+6on. The*r
*ntere+t *n the work +howed +*.n+ of wan*n. and pre+entl2 the effect+ 1eca0e
apparent. !e prote+ted to Dor*n a.a*n+t the farce of *ll6treat*n. one +et of worker+ to
ena1le another +et to en7o2 le*+/re and a re+t. ">/all2 we o17ected to the pere0ptor2
e4*ct*on fro0 the*r ho0e+ of people who+e onl2 offen+e wa+ a /n*4er+*t2 de.ree. %ld
teacher+ and profe++or+ had 1een occ/p2*n. +o0e ho/+e+ on the *+land e4er +*nce
%cto1er, and no one had tro/1led the0 *n an2 wa2. Now the2 and the*r fa0*l*e+ were
to 1e depr*4ed of ho0e w*tho/t an2 po++*1*l*t2 of +ec/r*n. another roof o4er the*r
head+. Dor*n had re>/e+ted a+ha to ha4e the e4*ct*on order+ carr*ed o/t. (/t a+ha
e0phat*call2 ref/+ed to act a+ the 1/ll2 of the Co00/n*+t tate.
Dor*n felt *nd*.nant at o/r 5rank +ent*0ental*t2.5 A 0an w*th (erk0an:+
re4ol/t*onar2 record, he +a*d, +ho/ld not +hr*nk fro0 an2 ta+k9 *t 0ade no d*fference
whether the 1o/r.eo*+ para+*te+ ended *n the ./tter or threw the0+el4e+ *nto the Ne4*.
!e repl*ed that tran+lat*n. Co00/n*+0 *nto the e4er2da2 l*fe of #/++*a wa+ 0ore
re4ol/t*onar2 than *t+ den*al and 1etra2al *n 1ehalf of an alle.ed f/t/re. (/t Dor*n had
1eco0e too 1l*nded 12 h*+ creed to +ee *t+ d*+*nte.rat*n. and de4a+tat*n. effect. 8e
cea+ed call*n. for /+ on h*+ da*l2 r*de to the *+land. !e d*d not want h*0 to th*nk that
o/r *ntere+t *n the work depended on the co0fort of h*+ car and we cont*n/ed to 0ake
the lon. 7o/rne2 on foot, wh*ch re>/*red a1o/t three ho/r+: walk. (efore lon.,
howe4er, we fo/nd other+ *n o/r place+, per+on+ 0ore pl*a1le *n the hand+ of the
pol*t*cal 0ach*ne. !e /nder+tood.
The re+t6ho0e+ were *na/./rated w*th 0/ch Eclat. To /+ the row+ of r/+t2 *ron
1ed+tead+ *n the 4a+t +alon+, w*th the*r f/rn*t/re of faded +*lk and pl/+h, looked
tawdr2, cold, and /n*n4*t*n.. No worker w*th an2 +elf6re+pect co/ld feel at ea+e or
en7o2 a re+t *n +/ch +/rro/nd*n.+. )an2 +hared o/r 4*ew+, and +o0e e4en felt
con4*nced that none 1/t tho+e w*th*n the part2 or han.*n. on to *t+ coat6ta*l+ wo/ld
e4er +ee the *n+*de of the #e+t 8o0e+ for !orker+ on the Ka00enn2 %+tro4.
!e went o/r wa2 *n pa*nf/l conte0plat*on of the real tra.ed2 of the #e4ol/t*on
1eco0e o4er.rown w*th po*+ono/+ weed+ +app*n. *t+ prec*o/+ l*fe. t*ll we wo/ld not
de+pa*r or .*4e /p. o0ewhere, +o0ehow *t 0/+t 1e po++*1le to /ndertake the
clear*n. of the path. The +0alle+t 1e.*nn*n., we wanted noth*n. 0ore. /rel2 we
+ho/ld f*nd that 0/ch, *f onl2 we per+e4ered *n o/r +earch.
The o4*et+k2 +o/p6k*tchen+ were an a1o0*nat*on, Dor*n had repeatedl2 told /+.
Co/ld we +/..e+t +o0e *0pro4e0ent, he a+ked. a+ha a.a*n 1eca0e all *ntere+t,
co0pletel2 *00er+*n. h*0+elf *n h*+ new pro7ect of reor.an*-*n. the na/+eat*n.
d*n*n.6roo0+. In a few da2+ he had o/tl*ned a co0plete pro7ect, e4er2 *te0 pro4*ded
for *n h*+ /+/al pa*n+tak*n. 0anner. A cha*n of cafeter*a+ wa+ to co4er the ent*re c*t2,
C<G
planned to el*0*nate the .reat wa+te of food and the +/perfl/o/+ e0plo2ee+ *n the
e3*+t*n. k*tchen+. "4en w*th the .*4en +/ppl*e+, +carce tho/.h the2 were, +*0ple 1/t
palata1le d*+he+ wo/ld 1e +er4ed *n clean and cheerf/l +/rro/nd*n.+. a+ha wo/ld
/ndertake the work and he wa+ +/re I wo/ld a++*+t. A few cafeter*a+ to 1e.*n w*th,
later to 1e e3tended.
An a0a-*n. *dea, D*no4*e4 +a*d appro4*n.l2. !h2 had no one tho/.ht of *t 1eforeB
Aer2 +*0ple and ea+*l2 carr*ed o/t. There wa+ .reat enth/+*a+0 o4er *t on all +*de+,
and plent2 of pro0*+e+. =etro.rad wa+ f*lled w*th +tore+, locked and +ealed +*nce the
#e4ol/t*on. a+ha co/ld +elect the nece++ar2 f/rn*+h*n.+, .et 0en to re0odel the
place+ and ha4e the +/ppl*e+ and e4er2th*n. el+e needed. )2 pal wa+ a.a*n on deck,
h*+ or.an*-*n. *n.en/*t2 on f*re *n 1ehalf of h*+ plan.
Th*+ t*0e there co/ld 1e no h*tch, we were a++/red. (/t a.a*n the 1/rea/crac2
1locked e4er2 0o4e *n*t*ated w*tho/t the0. $*ff*c/lt*e+ 1e.an to appear *n the 0o+t
/ne3pected >/arter+. %ff*c*al+ were too 1/+2 to a*d a+ha:+ work, and, after all,
whole+o0e eat*n.6place+ were not +o *0portant *n the +cale of the world re4ol/t*on
that wa+ e3pected to 1reak o/t 0o0entar*l2. It wa+ a1+/rd to la2 +tre++ on *00ed*ate
a0el*orat*on *n the face of the .eneral +*t/at*on. At 1e+t *t co/ld ha4e no 4*tal effect
on the co/r+e of the #e4ol/t*on. And (erk0an co/ld do 0ore *0portant work. 8e
+ho/ld not 1/+2 h*0+elf a+ a refor0er. It wa+ 0o+t d*+appo*nt*n., for e4er2one had
tho/.ht h*0 to 1e a re4ol/t*on*+t of +teel and *ron. It wa+ naI4e of (erk0an to cla*0
that feed*n. the 0a++e+ wa+ the f*r+t concern of the #e4ol/t*on, the care of the people,
the*r content0ent and 7o2, *t+ 0a*n hope and +afet2, and *ndeed *t+ onl2 ra*+on d:Qtre
and 0oral 0ean*n.. /ch +ent*0ental*t2 wa+ the p/re+t 1o/r.eo*+ *deolo.2. The #ed
Ar02 and the Cheka were the +tren.th of the #e4ol/t*on, and *t+ 1e+t defence. The
cap*tal*+t world knew *t and wa+ tre01l*n. 1efore the 0*.ht of ar0ed #/++*a.
%ne 0ore hope per*+hed, l*ke the preced*n. one+. Yet to 1e re1orn a.a*n *n e4er2
p/l+e61eat of a +to/t heart. a+ha:+ deter0*nat*on and +tren.th had ne4er 1een .reater.
)2 Y*dd*+h per+e4erance al+o ref/+ed to +/rrender. All o4*et +trea0+ do not lead to
the +a0e 0/dd2 pool+, we tho/.ht. There 0/+t 1e other+ r/nn*n. *nto the deep,
1rac*n. +ea. !e 0/+t per+e4ere and +tr*ke o/t for other f*eld+.
I talked to the w*fe of La+he4*ch, D*no4*e4:+ fr*end, h*.h *n the (ol+he4*k co/nc*l+,
a1o/t the cond*t*on of the ho+p*tal+. I wa+ a tra*ned n/r+e and I +ho/ld 1e happ2 to
.*4e 02 +er4*ce+ *n *0pro4*n. the0. he 4ol/nteered to call the 0atter to the
attent*on of Co0rade =er4o/kh*n, the =etro.rad (oard of 8ealth Co00*++ar. !eek+
pa++ed 1efore I rece*4ed word to call on h*0. I ha+tened to the (oard of 8ealth.
A tra*ned n/r+e, 0onth+ *n #/++*a alread2 and 2et not a++*.ned to h*0 for +er4*ce,
=er4o/kh* e3cla*0ed. I +ho/ld ha4e known that he wa+ de+peratel2 *n need of 7/+t
+/ch a*d. The ho+p*tal+ were *n a wretched cond*t*on9 there wa+ .reat +carc*t2 of
d*+pen+ar*e+ and a lack of tra*ned help, not to +peak of the dearth of 0ed*cal fac*l*t*e+
and +/r.*cal *n+tr/0ent+. 8e co/ld /+e +e4eral h/ndred A0er*can n/r+e+ and here I
had 1een do*n. noth*n. all th*+ t*0e. I 0/+t +tart *n at once, he /r.ed. A+ to co6
operat*on, I co/ld co/nt on h*0 to the l*0*t, *ncl/d*n. an a/to to 0ake 02 ro/nd+. 8e
wo/ld take 0e for the f*r+t to/r of *n+pect*on a+ +oon a+ I wa+ read2 to +tart. Co/ld I
talk to h*0 *n the 0orn*n.B
C<H
I wo/ld co0e earl2, I repl*ed, 1/t he +ho/ld not o4er6e+t*0ate 02 a1*l*t*e+ and
*0portance *n the colo++al ta+k on hand. I wo/ld do 02 /t0o+t, of co/r+e, I co/ld
pro0*+e h*0 that. 8e wo/ld e3pect noth*n. el+e fro0 a to4ar*+htch, he repl*ed, fro0
an old re4ol/t*on*+t and Co00/n*+t, a+ he had 1een *nfor0ed. I wa+ *ndeed a
Co00/n*+t, I a++ented, 1/t of the anarch*+t +chool. %h 2e+, he /nder+tood that, 1/t
there wa+ reall2 no d*fference. )an2 anarch*+t+ had real*-ed th*+ and the2 were
ent*rel2 w*th the part2, work*n. w*th the (ol+he4*k* and do*n. f*nel2. 5I al+o a0 w*th
2o/,5 I +a*d, 5*n the defence of the #e4ol/t*on, e4en to 02 la+t 1reath.5 Not w*th the
Co00/n*+0 of the d*ctator+h*p, howe4er, I e3pla*ned. I had not 1een a1le to
reconc*le 02+elf to that, for I co/ld not +ee the re0ote+t relat*on+h*p 1etween the
coerced and forced for0 of tate co00/n*+0 and that of the free and 4ol/ntar2 co6
operat*on of anarch*+t co00/n*+0.
I had +o often +een Co00/n*+t+ on +/ch occa+*on+ *n+tantl2 alter the*r tone and
0anner that I wa+ not +/rpr*+ed at the +/dden chan.e *n Co00*++ar =er4o/kh*n. The
k*ndl2 ph2+*c*an +o deepl2 concerned *n the people:+ health, the h/0an*tar*an who
had a 0o0ent pre4*o/+l2 +o la0ented h*+ lack of n/r+e+ to 0*n*+ter to the *ll and
affl*cted, *00ed*atel2 1eca0e the pol*t*cal fanat*c fa*rl2 oo-*n. anta.on*+0 and
re+ent0ent. $*d 02 d*ffer*n. 4*ew6po*nt 0atter *n the care of the +*ck, or d*d he th*nk
*t wo/ld affect 02 /+ef/lne++ a+ a n/r+e, I *n>/*red. 8e forced a +*ckl2 +0*le, repl2*n.
that *n o4*et #/++*a e4er2one who want+ to work *+ welco0e. 8*+ *dea+ are not
>/e+t*oned, pro4*ded he *+ a tr/e re4ol/t*on*+t w*ll*n. to +et all pol*t*cal con+*derat*on+
a+*de. !o/ld I do +oB I co/ld 0ake no pled.e+ e3cept one, I repl*ed. I wo/ld help h*0
to the 1e+t of 02 a1*l*t2.
I called the ne3t da2 and e4er2 da2 for a week. =er4o/kh*n d*d not take 0e on the
planned to/r of *n+pect*on. ,or ho/r+ he kept 0e *n h*+ off*ce ar./*n. the *nfall*1*l*t2
of the Co00/n*+t tate and the *00ac/late concept*on of the (ol+he4*k d*ctator+h*p.
%ne 0/+t e*ther accept the0 w*tho/t >/e+t*on or 1e +h/t o/t of the fold. @ha+tl2
ho+p*tal+, lack of 0ed*cal +/ppl*e+, no ade>/ate care of the pat*ent+ 666 tho+e were
p*ffl*n. 0atter+ a+ co0pared w*th the re>/*red fa*th *n the new tr*n*t2. I wa+ e4*dentl2
no lon.er 5de+peratel2 needed.5 I wa+ +h/t o/t.
!*th the help of 02 A+tor*a 8otel ne*.h1o/r, 2o/n. K*1alch*ch, I +/cceeded *n
4*+*t*n. a few ho+p*tal+. The*r cond*t*on wa+ appall*n.. The tr/e ca/+e of *t wa+ not +o
0/ch poor e>/*p0ent or the lack of n/r+e+. It wa+ the o0n*pre+ent 0ach*ne, the
Co00/n*+t 5cell,5 the co00*++ar+, the eternal +/+p*c*on and +/r4e*llance. =h2+*c*an+
and +/r.eon+ w*th +plend*d record+ *n the*r profe++*on, to/ch*n.l2 de4oted to the*r
work, were ha0pered at e4er2 t/rn and paral2+ed *n the at0o+phere of dread, hatred,
and fear. "4en the Co00/n*+t+ a0on. the0 were helple++. o0e of the0 had not 2et
1een ent*rel2 d*4e+ted of h/0an feel*n. 12 the rE.*0e. (e*n. of the *ntell*.ent+*a,
the2 were con+*dered do/1tf/l character+ and were kept *n lea+h. I /nder+tood wh2
=er4o/kh*n co/ld not ha4e 0e on h*+ +taff.
The+e r/de awaken*n.+ *n the o4*et Arcad*a of d*ctator+h*p were followed 12
repeated and 0ore forc*1le 7olt+. The2 helped +t*ll f/rther to /proot 02 cher*+hed
1el*ef *n the (ol+he4*k* a+ the clar*on 4o*ce of 5%cto1er.5
The 0*l*tar*-at*on of la1o/r, r/+hed thro/.h the n*nth =art2 Con.re++ w*th t2p*cal
Ta00an2 8all +tea06roller 0ethod+, def*n*tel2 t/rned e4er2 worker *nto a .alle26
C<<
+la4e. The +/1+t*t/t*on of one60an power *n the +hop+ and 0*ll+ *n place of co6
operat*4e 0ana.e0ent placed the 0a++e+ a.a*n /nder the th/01 of the 4er2 ele0ent+
the2 had for three 2ear+ 1een ta/.ht to hate a+ the wor+t 0enace. The 5+pec*al*+t+5 and
profe++*onal 0en of the *ntell*.ent+*a, for0erl2 deno/nced a+ 4a0p*re+ and ene0*e+
./*lt2 of +a1ota.*n. the #e4ol/t*on, were now *n+talled *n h*.h po+*t*on+ and clothed
w*th al0o+t +/pre0e power o4er the 0en *n the factor*e+. It wa+ a +tep that w*th one
+troke de+tro2ed the pr*nc*pal ach*e4e0ent+ of 5%cto1er,5 the r*.ht of the worker+ to
*nd/+tr*al control. In+/lt wa+ added to *n7/r2 12 the *ntrod/ct*on of the la1o/r 1lock,
wh*ch 4*rt/all2 +ta0ped e4er2one a felon, ro11ed h*0 of the la+t 4e+t*.e+ of freedo0,
depr*4ed h*0 of the cho*ce of place and occ/pat*on, and fa+tened h*0 to a .*4en
d*+tr*ct w*tho/t the r*.ht of +tra2*n. too far, on pa*n of +e4ere+t penalt*e+. Tr/e, the+e
react*onar2 and ant*6re4ol/t*onar2 0ea+/re+ were deter0*nedl2 fo/.ht 12 a
+/1+tant*al 0*nor*t2 w*th*n the part2, a+ well a+ deno/nced 12 the people at lar.e. !e
were a0on. the0, a+ha e4en 0ore 4*.oro/+l2 than I, altho/.h h*+ fa*th *n the
(ol+he4*k* wa+ +t*ll 4er2 +tron.. 8e wa+ not 2et read2 to +ee w*th h*+ *nner 4*+*on the
th*n.+ alread2 o14*o/+ to h*+ o/ter e2e, nor prepared to ad0*t the tra.*c fate that the
(ol+he4*k ,ranken+te*n 0on+ter wa+ p/ll*n. down the 5%cto1er5 ed*f*ce.
,or ho/r+ he wo/ld ar./e a.a*n+t 02 5*0pat*ence5 and def*c*ent 7/d.0ent of far6
reach*n. *++/e+, 02 k*d6.lo4e approach to the #e4ol/t*on. I had alwa2+ deprec*ated
the econo0*c factor a+ the 0a*n ca/+e of cap*tal*+t e4*l+, he declared. Co/ld I fa*l to
+ee now that econo0*c nece++*t2 wa+ the 4er2 rea+on wh*ch wa+ forc*n. the hand of
the 0en at the o4*et hel0B The cont*n/ed dan.er fro0 the o/t+*de, the nat/ral
*ndolence of the #/++*an worker and h*+ fa*l/re to *ncrea+e prod/ct*on, the pea+ant+:
lack of the 0o+t nece++ar2 *0ple0ent+, and the*r re+/ltant ref/+al to feed the c*t*e+
had co0pelled the (ol+he4*k* to pa++ tho+e de+perate 0ea+/re+. %f co/r+e he
re.arded +/ch 0ethod+ a+ co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 and 1o/nd to defeat the*r p/rpo+e.
t*ll, *t wa+ prepo+tero/+ to +/+pect 0en l*ke Len*n or Trot+k2 of del*1erate treacher2
to the #e4ol/t*on. !h2, the2 had ded*cated the*r l*4e+ to that ca/+e, the2 had +/ffered
per+ec/t*on, cal/0n2, pr*+on, and e3*le for the*r *deal+? The2 co/ld not .o 1ack on
the0 to +/ch an e3tent?
I a++/red a+ha that noth*n. wa+ f/rther fro0 02 tho/.ht than to char.e the
(ol+he4*k* w*th treacher2. Indeed, I con+*dered the0 >/*te con+*+tent, tr/er to the*r
a*0+ than tho+e of o/r own co0rade+ were work*n. w*th the0. "+pec*all2 d*d I feel
Len*n a+ a 0an hewn o/t of one p*ece. To 1e +/re, h*+ pol*c*e+ had /nder.one
e3traord*nar2 chan.e+9 there wa+ no den2*n. h*+ .reat a.*l*t2 a+ a pol*t*cal acro1at.
(/t he had ne4er de4*ated fro0 h*+ o17ect*4e. 8*+ 1*ttere+t ene0*e+ wo/ld not acc/+e
h*0 of that. (/t h*+ o17ect*4e wa+ the 4er2 cr/3 of #/++*a:+ tra.ed2, I *n+*+ted. It wa+
the Co00/n*+t tate, *t+ a1+ol/te +/pre0ac2 and e3cl/+*4e power. !hat *f *t de+tro2
the #e4ol/t*on, conde0n 0*ll*on+ to death, and drench #/++*a *n the 1lood of *t+ 1e+t
+on+ and da/.hter+B That co/ld not d*+0a2 the *ron 0an *n the Kre0l*n. The2 were
5tr*fle+, a l*ttle 1lood6lett*n..5 It co/ld not affect h*+ /lt*0ate p/rpo+e. In po*nt of
clar*t2 of 4*+*on, concentrat*on of w*ll, and /nfla..*n. deter0*nat*on Len*n had 02
re+pect. (/t a+ to the effect of h*+ p/rpo+e+ and 0ethod+ /pon the #e4ol/t*on, I
con+*dered h*0 the .reate+t 0enace, 0ore pern*c*o/+ than the co01*ned
*nter4ent*on*+t+, 1eca/+e h*+ o17ect*4e wa+ 0ore el/+*4e, h*+ 0ethod+ 0ore decept*4e.
a+ha d*d not .a*n+a2 th*+, nor wa+ he le++ con4*nced than I of the hopele++ne++ of
o/r f/rther atte0pt+ to f*t *nto the .arrotte of the pol*t*cal 0ach*ne. (/t he tho/.ht
C<9
that I wa+ hold*n. Len*n and h*+ co6worker+ re+pon+*1le for 0ethod+ *0po+ed /pon
the0 12 d*re re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2. hatoff had 1een the f*r+t to e0pha+*-e th*+. All
the le4el6headed co0rade+, a+ha cla*0ed, +hared that att*t/de. And he h*0+elf had
co0e to +ee that re4ol/t*on *n act*on *+ a >/*te d*fferent th*n. fro0 re4ol/t*on *n the
real0 of theor2 0o/thed 12 parlo/r rad*cal+. It 0eant 1lood and *ron, and *t wa+
/na4o*da1le.
The dear co0pan*on+h*p of 02 old pal and o/r *ntellect/al har0on2 had 0*t*.ated
0/ch of the lacerat*n. proce++ of f*nd*n. 02 wa2 thro/.h the o4*et la12r*nth. a+ha
wa+ all that had 1een left 0e fro0 the tornado that had +wept o4er 02 l*fe. 8e
repre+ented e4er2th*n. dear to 0e, and I felt h*0 a +afe anchor *n the roar*n. +ea of
#/++*a. %/r d*+a.ree0ent, +pr*n.*n. /p +o +/ddenl2, o4erwhel0ed 0e l*ke a 0*.ht2
wa4e, lea4*n. 0e 1r/*+ed and 1attered. I wa+ certa*n 02 fr*end wo/ld *n t*0e real*-e
the fal+*t2 of h*+ po+*t*on. I knew that h*+ de+perate atte0pt to defend (ol+he4*k
0ethod+ wa+ h*+ la+t +tand *n a lo+t 1attle, the 1attle we had 1een the f*r+t to wa.e *n
the &n*ted tate+ *n 1ehalf of the %cto1er #e4ol/t*on.
A0on. o/r 0an2 caller+ d/r*n. o/r )o+cow +ta2 had 1een an *ntere+t*n. 2o/n.
wo0an, Ale3andra T*0ofe2e4na hakol. he had learned fro0 chap*ro of o/r
pre+ence *n the c*t2, and, an anarch*+t her+elf, +he wa+ ea.er to 0eet her fa0o/+
A0er*can co0rade+. (e+*de+, +he wanted to talk to /+ a1o/t a pro7ect *n*t*ated 12 the
=etro.rad )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on. An e3ped*t*on wa+ 1e*n. planned, +he
e3pla*ned, that wa+ to co4er the len.th and 1readth of the co/ntr2 *n +earch of
doc/0ent+ 1ear*n. on the re4ol/t*on and the re4ol/t*onar2 0o4e0ent of #/++*a +*nce
*t+ *ncept*on. The collected 0ater*al wo/ld /lt*0atel2 +er4e a+ arch*4e+ for the +t/d2
of the .reat /phea4al. !o/ld we 7o*n +/ch a 4ent/reB
,or a 0o0ent we had 1een carr*ed awa2 12 the plan and 12 the opport/n*t2 *t
offered to +ee #/++*a *n her #e4ol/t*onar2 e4er2da2 l*fe, to learn at f*r+t hand what the
#e4ol/t*on had done for the 0a++e+ and how *t affected the*r e3*+tence. !e 0*.ht
ne4er ha4e +/ch another chance. (/t on the +econd tho/.ht we felt *t 1*tter *ron2 that
wo/ld conde0n /+ to collect dead 0ater*al a0*d+t the ra.*n. l*fe of #/++*a. Th*rt2
2ear+ lon. we had +tood *n the 4er2 th*ck of the +oc*al 1attle, alwa2+ on the f*r*n. l*ne.
Co/ld we now 1e content w*th an2th*n. le++ *n o/r re1orn nat*4e landB !e lon.ed for
0ore 4*tal work, +o0eth*n. that wo/ld ena1le /+ to .*4e o/t of the f/llne++ of o/r
heart+ and the 1e+t of o/r a1*l*t*e+ to the .reat ta+k.
*nce o/r ret/rn to =etro.rad we had 1een +o 1/+2 cha+*n. o4*et w*nd0*ll+, +o
ea.erl2 reach*n. o/t for a new hold, that we had hardl2 tho/.ht of o/r co0rade
hakol and her propo+al. (/t w*th e4er2 hope of /+ef/l work .one, her offer once
0ore ca0e to o/r 0*nd+. It 0*.ht afford an e+cape fro0 o/r 0ean*n.le++ e3*+tence. If
the 0ater*al we +ho/ld collect wo/ld a*d f/t/re h*+tor*an+ *n e+ta1l*+h*n. the r*.ht
relat*on+h*p 1etween the #e4ol/t*on and the (ol+he4*k*, t* wo/ld 1e worth the effort,
a+ha and I a.reed. =erhap+ *t wo/ld al+o help /+ to .et the r*.ht per+pect*4e. The
4ar*o/+ part+ of the co/ntr2 we +ho/ld 4*+*t, the people we +ho/ld co0e *n contact
w*th, ther*r l*4e+, c/+to0+, and ha1*t+, wo/ld pro4e a /+ef/l +chool, we co0forted
each other. !e f*nall2 dec*ded to tr2 *t, +*nce noth*n. el+e wa+ open to /+. 5If onl2 the
new pro7ect w*ll al+o not t/rn o/t a 1/11le,5 I +a*d to a+ha on o/r wa2 to the !*nter
=alace, where the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on wa+ located.
C90
!e fo/nd hakol a1+ent and we were d*+tre++ed to learn that +he had 1arel2
e+caped death fro0 t2ph/+, wh*ch +he had contracted *n )o+cow. he wa+
con4ale+c*n. now, 1/t +he wo/ld not 1e 1ack to work for another fortn*.ht. he had
*nfor0ed the 0/+e/0, howe4er, that we had pro0*+ed to 4*+*t *t, and we were
rece*4ed 12 the +ecretar2, ). (. Kaplan, a 0an *n the 0*ddle th*rt*e+, of plea+ant and
*ntell*.ent appearance. 8e offered to take /+ thro/.h the *n+t*t/t*on and +how /+ what
had alread2 1een acco0pl*+hed. A n/01er of roo0+ were f*lled w*th 4al/a1le
0ater*al, a0on. the0 the +ecret arch*4e+ of the t+ar*+t rE.*0e, *ncl/d*n. the record+
of the Th*rd =ol*t*cal ect*on, d*+clo+*n. the work*n.+ of *t+ +p2 +2+te0. )/ch of the
4a+t collect*on had alread2 1een arran.ed, cla++*f*ed, and prepared for e3h*1*t*on *n
the near f/t/re. 5%/r ta+k *+ onl2 1e.*nn*n.,5 the +ecretar2 e3pla*ned9 5*t w*ll re>/*re
2ear+ to ach*e4e o/r o17ect of e+ta1l*+h*n. *n #/++*a a 0/+e/0 0ore co0plete and
/n*>/e than an2th*n. e3h*+t*n. at pre+ent *n an2 other co/ntr2, not e3cept*n. the
(r*t*+h )/+e/0, the 0ore +o a+ no co/ntr2 conta*n+ +/ch a wealth of re4ol/t*onar2
trea+/re+ +cattered a1o/t the land and wa*t*n. to 1e re+c/ed fro0 lo++ and
de+tr/ct*on.5 It wa+ for that rea+on that the 0/+e/0 wa+ an3*o/+ to +end the collect*n.
e3ped*t*on a+ +oon a+ po++*1le, 1eca/+e 0/ch wa+ 1e*n. lo+t 12 dela2. Kaplan wa+
heart and +o/l for the pro7ect, and h*+ colla1orat*or+ were e>/all2 enth/+*a+t*c a1o/t
the f/t/re of the 0/+e/0 and the work planned 12 *t. All were an3*o/+ to +ec/re o/r
help.
Tho/.h *t wa+ the latter part of )a2, the 4a+t cha01er+ of the !*nter =alace were
1reath*n. a penetrat*n. ch*ll. !e were war0l2 clad, 2et we >/*ckl2 felt 1en/01ed
w*th the cold. !e 0ar4elled at the 0en and wo0en work*n. *n the fearf/l da0pne++
all thro/.h the +e4ere 0onth+ of the =etro.rad w*nter. The2 had 1een e0plo2ed there
for al0o+t three 2ear+ now. The*r face+ were +treaked w*th 1l/e 1lotche+, the*r hand+
fro+t61*tten. o0e had contracted +e4ere ca+e+ of rhe/0at*+0 and t/1erc/lar
affect*on+. 8*+ own health had 1eco0e /nder0*ned, the +ecretar2 ad0*tted. (/t *t wa+
re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a, and he and h*+ co6worker+ were happ2 to 1e pr*4ele.ed to help
*n 1/*ld*n. *t+ f/t/re. )o+t of the0, l*ke h*0+lef, were non6part*+an.
8e wa+ all ea.erne++ to 1e a1le to co/nt on o/r a*d. 8*+ enth/+*a+0 wa+ too
*nfect*o/+ to re+*+t, and we a.reed. 5Then 2o/ had 1etter report for d/t2 at once,5 he
+/..e+ted. There wa+ a .reat deal to 1e done 2et to .et the e3ped*t*on /nder wa2. The
nece++ar2 e>/*p0ent for the 7o/rne2 wa+ to 1e proc/red and two ra*lroad car+
prepared, one for the +taff, wh*ch wa+ to con+*+t of +*3 per+on+, the other to hold the
0ater*al to 1e collected. Aar*o/+ for0al*t*e+ had al+o to 1e looked after, the con+ent of
n/0ero/+ depart0ent+, prop/+k+, and +/ppl*e+ to 1e +ec/red, and the r*.ht of wa2 for
the e3ped*t*on. 8a+te wa+ *0perat*4e and we 0/+t 1e.*n *00ed*atel2.
!e left the .en*al +ecretar2 and h*+ colla1orator+ *n a 0ore cheerf/l fra0e of 0*nd.
!e d*d not 2et feel a1o/t the work 1efore /+ a+ d*d the other 0e01er+ of the 0/+e/0.
!e knew we co/ld not for lon. 1e content w*th 0erel2 collect*n. parch0ent+ when
0ore *0portant work wa+ needed wh*ch we 0*.ht do. (/t the de4ot*on and fort*t/de
of tho+e people had l*fted the we*.ht of de+pa*r fro0 o/r heart+. It wa+ the 0o+t
enco/ra.*n. feat/re of o4*et l*fe. ,re>/entl2 we had co0e /pon th*+ new +p*r*t of
#/++*a, e4en *n ent*rel2 /ne3pected place+. In the darke+t ho/r+ of o/r .rop*n. we
wo/ld often d*+co4er the 0o+t hero*c end/rance and de4ot*on h*dden /nder the
off*c*al o4*et +/rface. Not the k*nd da*l2 accla*0ed *n p/1l*c place+ and fea+ted w*th
+how2 de0on+trat*on+ and 0*l*tar2 d*+pla2. No one o/t+*de the part2 1el*e4ed *n that
C91
off*c*al 1rand. "4en w*th*n *t+ rank+ there were lar.e n/01er+ who hated the e0pt2
1o01a+t and pre+ence, tho/.h the2 were powerle++ a.a*n+t the 0ach*ne. The2 0ade
/p for the 4/l.ar o+tentat*on 12 the*r own +*n.lene++ of p/rpo+e and pro1*t2. *lentl2
the2 plodded at the*r ta+k+, .*4*n. the*r all to the #e4ol/t*on and a+k*n. noth*n. *n
ret/rn for the0+el4e+ e*ther *n rat*on+, pra*+e, or other reco.n*t*on. The+e .reat +o/l+
redee0ed for /+ 0/ch that wa+ hatef/l *n the (ol+he4*k rE.*0e.
=reparat*on+ for the e3ped*t*on were pro.re++*n. rather +lowl2, lea4*n. /+ t*0e to
4*+*t 0/+e/0+, art .aller*e+, and +*0*lar place+ of *ntere+t, a+ well a+ to attend to other
th*n.+. A report had reached /+ of the arre+t of two anarch*+t .*rl+, a.ed f*fteen and
+e4enteen, char.ed w*th the c*rc/lat*on of a prote+t a.a*n+t the de.rad*n. a+pect+ of
the la1o/r 1ook and al+o a.a*n+t the /n1eara1le cond*t*on+ of the pol*t*cal+ *n the
hpalern2 and @orokho4a2a 7a*l+ *n the c*t2. e4eral =etro.rad co0rade+ called on /+
*n the 0atter and we *00ed*atel2 addre++ed o/r+el4e+ to the lead*n. (ol+he4*k*.
Dor*n had lon. a.o .*4en /+ /p a+ lo+t for h*+ hea4en. D*no4*e4 d*d not +ee0 to l*ke
0e part*c/larl29 the +ent*0ent wa+, *ndeed, 0/t/al. 8e wa+ alwa2+ e3tre0el2 n*ce to
a+ha, howe4er, and the latter therefore called to +ee h*0 a1o/t the arre+ted
anarch*+t+. %n the +a0e errand I 4*+*ted )0e #a4*ch, who0 I +t*ll .reatl2 ad0*red for
her +*0ple and /na++/0*n. per+onal*t2 and her read*ne++ to ad0*t and /ndo off*c*al
a1/+e+. &nfort/natel2, pol*t*cal pr*+oner+ were o/t+*de her 7/r*+d*ct*on. /ch 0atter+
were /nder the control of the Cheka, who+e =etro.rad ch*ef, the Co00/n*+t (aka2e4,
wa+ known a+ 4er2 4*nd*ct*4e toward+ anarch*+t+. %n the 4er2 f*r+t da2 of the arr*4al
of the (/ford deportee+ (aka2e4 had *0pre++ed /pon the0 that 5no anarch*+t
fool*+hne++ *+ tolerated *n o4*et #/++*a.5 /ch l/3/r*e+ were f*t onl2 for cap*tal*+t
co/ntr*e+, he had told the0. &nder the proletar*an d*ctator+h*p anarch*+t+ had e*ther to
+/10*t or to 1e +>/elched. &pon o/r 1o2+: re+ent*n. +/ch a .reet*n., (aka2e4 had
ordered the ent*re .ro/p of two h/ndred and fort26+e4en /nder ho/+e arre+t. !e had
learned of *t onl2 the th*rd da2 and we had 1een 0/ch wro/.ht /p o4er *t. Dor*n had
0*n*0*-ed the occ/rrence a+ an /nfort/nate 0*+/nder+tand*n. and had al+o pre4a*led
/pon h*+ Chek*+t co0rade to w*thdraw the ar0ed ./ard fro0 the dor0*tor*e+ of o/r
people *n the 0oln2. Ala+, +*nce then we had +een too 0an2 of +/ch 5/nfort/nate
0*+/nder+tand*n.+.5
%n th*+ occa+*on a w*nk fro0 D*no4*e4 and )0e #a4*ch had *00ed*ate effect
/pon (aka2e4. 8e al+o l*4ed at the A+tor*a and he phoned 0e to call on h*0. 8e
wo/ld relea+e the arre+ted anarch*+t .*rl+, he *nfor0ed 0e, pro4*ded we were w*ll*n.
to 4o/ch for *t that that wo/ld +top the*r 51and*t act*4*t*e+.5 I e3pre++ed a0a-e0ent at
h*+ appl*cat*on of the ter0 to two 2o/n. .*rl+ ./*lt2 onl2 of p/1l*+h*n. a prote+t
a.a*n+t the 0ethod+ the2 con+*dered co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2. 5Yo/r part2 cannot 1e
4er2 +/re of *t+elf or *t wo/ld not 1e con+tantl2 ha/nted 12 *0a.*nar2 1and*t+ and
co/nterre4ol/t*on*+t+,5 I +a*d. I decl*ned to 4o/ch for an2one, know*n. that I 02+elf
wo/ld not keep +*lent *f I +aw the need of 4o*c*n. 02 +ent*0ent+. Nor co/ld I +peak
for Co0rade Ale3ander (erk0an, I *nfor0ed (aka2e4, tho/.h I knew that he wo/ld
ref/+e to 1*nd an2one 12 0ak*n. pro0*+e+ for h*0. A+ to the *ll treat0ent of pol*t*cal
pr*+oner+, I a++/red the Cheka ch*ef that *t wo/ld 1e .r*+t to the A0er*can pr*+on 0*ll+
to learn that the 7a*l+ *n o4*et #/++*a were no 1etter than tho+e *n the tate+. Th*+
+ee0ed to reach (aka2e4 *n the r*.ht +pot. 8e wo/ld .*4e the .*rl+ another chance, he
declared, for, after all, the2 were proletar*an+ e4en *f the2 had not 2et real*-ed that
the2 0/+t not *n7/re the*r own cla++ 12 cr*t*c*-*n. the d*ctator+h*p. 8e wo/ld al+o +ee
what *0pro4e0ent the 7a*l+ re>/*red, tho/.h cond*t*on+ had 1een .reatl2 e3a..erated.
C9C
@ett*n. people o/t of 7a*l had 1een a0on. o/r 4ar*o/+ act*4*t*e+ *n A0er*ca. (/t
we had ne4er drea0ed that we +ho/ld f*nd the +a0e nece++*t2 *n re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a.
Certa*nl2 not we who had fo/.ht f*ercel2 the lea+t +/..e+t*on of +/ch a prepo+tero/+
e4ent/al*t2. Yet o/r onl2 po+*t*4e work +o far had 1een 7/+t that 666 plead*n. for o/r
*0pr*+oned co0rade+ w*th Len*n, w*th Kre+t*n+k2, and now w*th a le++er l*.ht. !e
were +t*ll a1le to +ee the patho+ and the h/0o/r of the +*t/at*on and we had not 2et
for.otten how to la/.h at o/r own foll*e+, tho/.h 0ore often 02 la/.hter onl2 th*nl2
4e*led 02 tear+.
Ne4erthele++ we had rea+on not to re.ret o/r effort+, part*c/larl2 *n the ca+e of one
of o/r f*ne+t co0rade+, A+e4olod Aol*n. 8e had 1een ed/cat*onall2 act*4e *n the rank+
of the &kra*n*an pea+ant re1el+ headed 12 the anarch*+t Ne+tor )akhno, who0 the
(ol+he4*k* had for0erl2 accla*0ed a+ an effect*4e leader of the 0a++e+, a 0an of
.reat +trate.*c ac/0en and e3cept*onal co/ra.e. Not w*tho/t rea+on, +*nce *t had 1een
)akhno and h*+ po4+tant+2 ar02 who had ro/ted 4ar*o/+ co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
ad4ent/rer+ and who had 0ater*all2 helped the #ed force+ to dr*4e 1ack the horde+ of
@eneral $en*k*n. ,or ref/+*n. to +/10*t h*+ ar02 to the a1+ol/te co00and of
Trot+k2, )akhno had 1een declared an ene02 and 1and*t and h*+ ent*re force+
deno/nced a+ co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2. Aol*n wa+ an ed/cator and *n no wa2 a
part*c*pant *n the 0*l*tar2 operat*on+ of )akhno. (/t the &kra*n*an Cheka 0ade no
+/ch f*ne d*+t*nct*on. At the f*r+t opport/n*t2 the2 had arre+ted Aol*n and held h*0
*nco00/n*cado *n the Kharko4 pr*+on, dan.ero/+l2 *ll w*th fe4er tho/.h he wa+. %/r
co0rade+ *n )o+cow real*-ed the per*lo/+ po+*t*on of Aol*n, for Trot+k2 had *n the
0eant*0e +ent tele.raph*c order+ to ha4e h*0 e3ec/ted. The2 tr*ed to .et the pr*+oner
tran+ferred to )o+cow, where he wa+ well known to the lead*n. Co00/n*+t+ a+ a
0an of re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 and h*.h *ntellect/al atta*n0ent+. The2 had c*rc/lated
an appeal for h*+ tran+fer, wh*ch wa+ +*.ned 12 e4er2 anarch*+t then pre+ent *n the
cap*tal, and the2 had cho+en a+ha and the local co0rade A+karoff to pre+ent the
pet*t*on to Kre+t*n+k2, ecretar2 of the Co00/n*+t =art2.
Kre+t*n+k2 pro4ed 4er2 fanat*cal and 1*tter a.a*n+t the anarch*+t+, cla*0*n. at f*r+t
that Aol*n wa+ a co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t de+er4*n. death and a.a*n pretend*n. that he
had alread2 1een 1ro/.ht to )o+cow. a+ha +/cceeded *n con4*nc*n. h*0 that he wa+
wron. on 1oth po*nt+ and that Aol*n 1e at lea+t .*4en a chance to +tate h*+ ca+e, wh*ch
opport/n*t2 he wo/ld not ha4e *n Kharko4. Kre+t*n+k2 f*nall2 2*elded to a+ha:+
ar./0ent+. 8e pro0*+ed to tele.raph to the proper a/thor*t*e+ *n Kharko4 to ha4e
Aol*n re0o4ed to the cap*tal. Apparentl2 he kept h*+ word, 1eca/+e 1efore lon. o/r
co0rade wa+ 1ro/.ht to )o+cow and placed *n the (/t*rk2 pr*+on. hortl2 after that
A+e4olod Aol*n wa+ ent*rel2 relea+ed.
8a4*n. f*nall2 effected the relea+e of the two =etro.rad .*rl+, we felt we 0*.ht t/rn
to other th*n.+ 1efore the e3ped*t*on wo/ld 1e read2 to +tart on *t+ lon. 7o/rne2. ,*r+t
of all we proceeded to 4*+*t the *nd/+tr*e+.
I had heard 4ar*o/+ r/0o/r+ a1o/t factor2 cond*t*on+, 1/t a+ I had not 2et 1een
a1le to .a*n acce++ to the factor*e+, I wa+ loath to cred*t the +tor*e+. I had lon. a.o
real*-ed that *n a co/ntr2 depr*4ed of pre++ and +peech, p/1l*c op*n*on 0/+t need+ 1e
1a+ed on e3a..erat*on+ and fal+ehood+. I wo/ld ha4e to *n+pect the 0*ll+ and +hop+
02+elf, I alwa2+ told 02 *nfor0ant+, 1efore reach*n. concl/+*on+.
C93
)2 lon.6awa*ted opport/n*t2 to 4*+*t factor*e+ and po++*1l2 to talk to the worker+
at the 1ench ca0e when )0e #a4*ch re>/e+ted 0e to act a+ ./*de to a certa*n
A0er*can 7o/rnal*+t who had +/ddenl2 appeared *n =etro.rad. It wa+, I d*+co4ered,
one of the new+paper 0en who had *nter4*ewed /+ on o/r land*n. *n Terr2ok*, on o/r
wa2 thro/.h ,*nland. It +ee0ed a.e+ and a.e+ a.o. The 0an had repeatedl2 tr*ed to
.et *nto o4*et #/++*a, a+ he had *nfor0ed a+ha on the 1order, re>/e+t*n. h*0 at the
+a0e t*0e to +peak a .ood word for h*0 to Ch*cher*n, *n who+e hand+ la2 the dec*+*on
a1o/t the ad0*++*on of 7o/rnal*+t+. The 2o/n. 0an had 0ade a fa4o/ra1le *0pre++*on
12 h*+ frank e3pre++*on and 0anner, 1/t a+*de fro0 that we knew a1o/t h*0 noth*n.
whate4er, not e4en h*+ na0e nor the paper he repre+ented. %nl2 at the la+t 0o0ent, a+
we walked acro++ the 1order, d*d he hand /+ h*+ card. a+ha had pro0*+ed to tran+0*t
h*+ 0e++a.eto the =eople:+ Co00*++ar for ,ore*.n Affa*r+, +tat*n., howe4er, that he
co/ld not plead *n h*+ 1ehalf. a+ha had *ndeed kept h*+ pro0*+e, ha4*n. *nfor0ed
Ch*cher*n that the 2o/n. 7o/rnal*+t, ;ohn Cla2ton 12 na0e, wa+ an3*o/+ to co0e to
#/++*a, and that he repre+ented the Ch*ca.o Tr*1/ne, one of the react*onar2
new+paper+ *n the &n*ted tate+.
!e had heard no 0ore a1o/t the 0atter, and *n the hect*c l*fe of #/++*a we had
for.otten all a1o/t Cla2ton:+ e3*+tence. I wa+ therefore not a l*ttle +/rpr*+ed when on
02 ret/rn to =etro.rad )0e #a4*ch telephoned 0e to *n>/*re whether I knew a 0an
12 the na0e of ;ohn Cla2ton. 8e had 1een arre+ted on the 1order tr2*n. to cro++ o4er
to #/++*a and he wa+ 1e*n. held 12 the Cheka. 8e had .*4en o/r na0e+ a+ proof that
he knew tr/+tworth2 people and that the2 wo/ld *ntercede for h*0. I repeated to
#a4*ch what a+ha had pre4*o/+l2 told Ch*cher*n, add*n. that, +*nce the 0an wa+
alread2 on o4*et +o*l, *t wo/ld 1e 1etter pol*c2 to +et h*0 free. 8e co/ld not +ee 0ore
than the o4*et .o4ern0ent wo/ld per0*t, and he co/ld not +end o/t an2 new+
w*tho/t the (ol+he4*k cen+or+h*p pa++*n. /pon *t. !h2, then, 1e afra*dB )0e #a4*ch
dec*ded to report to the 1order Cheka what I had +a*d and lea4e the 0atter to the0 for
f*nal act*on. A.a*n there wa+ noth*n. 0ore heard a1o/t Cla2ton, and .reat wa+ 02
a+ton*+h0ent to 0eet h*0 one da2 at the door of 02 roo0 *n the A+tor*a. 5!here do
2o/ co0e fro0B5 I 1l/rted o/t 1efore e4en *n4*t*n. h*0 *n. 5%h, don:t a+k 0e,5 he
repl*ed p*teo/+l29 5I ha4e r*+ked 02 l*fe to .et *nto the co/ntr2. I co0e w*th the 1e+t
*ntent*on+ and a0 treated wor+e than a do..5 5!hat ha+ happenedB5 I de0anded. 5,or
the lo4e of )*ke,5 Cla2ton cr*ed, 5aren:t 2o/ 0ean not e4en to a+k 0e to +tep *nto
2o/r roo0B I need a whole da2 to tell 2o/ all 02 ad4ent/re+.5 The poor 0an d*d look
forlorn, and I ne4er l*ked to 1e r/de, e4en to an A0er*can reporter, tho/.h few people
had a+ .ood rea+on a+ I to 1e +o. 5Co0e *n, old fellow, and 0ake a clean 1rea+t of *t,5
I +a*d l*.htl2. 8*+ face 1r*.htened. 5Thank+, ".@.,5 he repl*ed, 5I knew the2 co/ldn:t
t/rn 2o/ *nto a hardened (ol+he4*k.5 5Non+en+e,5 I corrected h*0, 5all (ol+he4*k* are
not hardened, and tho+e that are ha4e 1een 0ade +o lar.el2 12 the .race of 2o/r
@o4ern0ent *n lea./e w*th the other+ to +tar4e the #/++*an 0a++e+.5
Cla2ton related that he had +k*:d and 1r*1ed h*+ wa2 fro0 ,*nland, had 1een
ca/.ht, thrown *nto a f*lth2 Cheka pr*+on, and f*nall2 +h*pped to )o+cow, where he
had 1een 5free5 the pa+t +*3 week+. 5,reeB5 I *n>/*red *n +/rpr*+e. Ye+, 1/t he 0*.ht a+
well not ha4e 1een for all he had .ot to +ee or to hear. Not a +crap of an2th*n. e4en
for a f*r+t 0ea+l2 +tor2. A+ for h*0+elf, e4er2 k*nd of d*+cr*0*nat*on and ch*caner2
had 1een e0plo2ed a.a*n+t h*0 e4er +*nce he had reached )o+cow. 5#otten I call *t,
and 1ad 7/d.0ent to treat a new+paper 0an +o,5 he declared 1*tterl2.
C94
The wa2 to a 0an:+ heart *+ pro4er1*all2 thro/.h h*+ +to0ach, and +o0eth*n. wa+
needed to +ooth Cla2ton:+ r/ffled +p*r*t. 5=lent2 of t*0e to d*+c/++ all that,5 I +a*d,
5after 2o/ ha4e had a c/p of coffee.5 5@ee, that wo/ld 1e a real treat,5 he cr*ed *n
.lee. After ha4*n. partaken of two c/p+ h*+ cha.r*n +o0ewhat +/1+*ded and he
1eca0e 0ore a0ena1le to rea+on. (efore we +tarted on o/r factor26*n+pect*on to/r,
Cla2ton wa+ w*ll*n. to ad0*t how /ntena1le h*+ po+*t*on wa+ and how a1+/rd *t wa+
to feel h/rt. After all, he wa+ an /nknown >/ant*t2, and h*+ credent*al+ fro0 the
Ch*ca.o Tr*1/ne an2th*n. 1/t rea++/r*n.. p*e+ and con+p*rac*e+ had 1eco0e a 0an*a
w*th the Co00/n*+t+. It wa+ nat/ral *n 4*ew ofthe per+ec/t*on #/++*a wa+ end/r*n.
fro0 the ene0*e+ of the #e4ol/t*on. 8e wo/ld ha4e to +ee h*+ /nplea+ant e3per*ence+
*n a lar.er l*.ht *f h*+ *ntent*on+ were reall2 a+ .ood a+ he had a++/red 0e. "l+e he
wo/ld 1e a1le to report onl2 the +a0e +t/p*d*t2 a+ h*+ collea./e+ a1o/t the alle.ed
nat*onal*-at*on of wo0en, 1o/r.eo*+ ear+ and f*n.er+ fed to the people, and +*0*lar
7/*c2 atroc*t*e+ that had 1een p/1l*+hed 12 the A0er*can pre++. Cla2ton +wore he
wo/ld ne4er 1e ./*lt2 of +/ch 0*+repre+entat*on. 5!a*t and +ee,5 he a++/red 0e. I had
wa*ted for th*rt2 2ear+, +earch*n. all the t*0e w*th a $*o.ene+ lantern for fa*rne++ or
acc/rac2 a0on. A0er*can new+paper 0en. I had fo/nd +o0e e3cept*on+, of co/r+e,
4er2 few and far 1etween. None of the0, howe4er, on the Ch*ca.o Tr*1/ne. I hoped
he wo/ld pro4e to 1e one of the e3cept*on+
The f/nct*on of an off*c*al c*cerone wa+ not e3actl2 to 02 l*k*n.. (/t I d*d not care
to ref/+e #a4*ch who had alwa2+ 1een re+pon+*4e to 02 *nterce++*on for /nfort/nate+.
)oreo4er, I felt that the #/++*an +*t/at*on wa+ too .reat and 4*tal and that I had not
2et .ra+ped *t f/ll2, tho/.h I had reached a def*n*te dec*+*on not to work w*th*n
(ol+he4*k pol*t*cal conf*ne+. )o+t *0portant to 0e wa+ *t not to 1e >/oted 12 an2
A0er*can paper a.a*n+t o4*et #/++*a, not wh*le the latter wa+ +t*ll forced to f*.ht for
l*fe *t+elf on +o 0an2 front+. I wa+ therefore *n the pred*ca0ent of not want*n.
Cla2ton to +ec/re *nfor0at*on 12 02 a*d and I d*d not cher*+h the pro+pect of ha4*n.
to tell h*0 del*1erate l*e+. I rea+oned that )0e #a4*ch knew what +he wa+ a1o/t
when +he had .*4en Cla2ton per0*++*on to 4*+*t factor*e+. The2 were pro1a1l2 not +o
1ad a+ had 1een reported to 0e. %r +he 0a2 ha4e tho/.ht that w*th 0e a+ ./*de th*n.+
wo/ld 1e 0ade to appear le++ har+h. ,ort/natel2 a+ha wa+ acco0pan2*n. /+. That
wo/ld .*4e one of /+ a chance to la. 1eh*nd and talk to the worker+ wh*le the other
wo/ld *nterpret to Cla2ton the off*c*al 4er+*on of cond*t*on+.
The =/t*lo4 work+ pro4ed to 1e *n a forlorn +tate, 0o+t of the 0ach*ne+ de+erted,
other+ o/t of repa*r, the place f*lth2 and ne.lected. !h*le a+ha wa+ e3pla*n*n. to
Cla2ton what the +/per*ntendent of the +hop wa+ relat*n., I l*n.ered 1eh*nd. I fo/nd
the 0en 4er2 /nw*ll*n. to talk /nt*l I 0ent*oned that I wa+ a to4ar*+htch fro0
A0er*ca and not a (ol+he4*k. That 0ade a 1*. d*fference. The2 co/ld tell 0e a .reat
deal, the2 +a*d, 1/t e4en the wall+ had ear+. Not a da2 pa++ed 1/t what +o0e of the*r
fellow+ fa*led to ret/rn to work. *ckB No, 1/t the2 had prote+ted a l*ttle too lo/d. I
/r.ed that, a+ the a/thor*t*e+ had *nfor0ed 0e, the worker+ *n the =/t*lo4+k2, 1e*n.
en.a.ed *n one of the 4*tal *nd/+tr*e+, rece*4ed con+*dera1l2 1etter rat*on+ than other
to*ler+ 666 two po/nd+ of 1read a da2 and +pec*al +hare+ of other prod/ct+. The 0en
+tared at 0e *n a0a-e0ent. I 0*.ht tr2 the*r 1read, one of the0 +/..e+ted, hold*n. o/t
a 1lack ch/nk to 0e. 5(*te hard,5 he +a*d *ron*call2. I tr*ed, 1/t know*n. I co/ld *ll
afford a dent*+t:+ 1*ll, I had to ret/rn the leather2 p*ece, 0/ch to the a0/+e0ent of the
.ro/p cl/+tered a1o/t 0e. I +/..e+ted that the Co00/n*+t+ co/ld not 1e 1la0ed for
C9F
the 1ad 1read and the +carc*t2 of *t. If the =/t*lo4 worker+ and the*r 1rother+ *n other
*nd/+tr*e+ wo/ld *ncrea+e prod/ct*on, the pea+ant+ wo/ld 1e a1le to ra*+e 0ore .ra*n.
Ye+, the2 repl*ed, that wa+ the 2arn .*4en the0 e4er2 da2 *n e3planat*on of the
0*l*tar*-at*on of la1o/r. It had 1een hard eno/.h to work on e0pt2 +to0ach+ when
the2 were not 1e*n. dr*4en. Now *t wa+ alto.ether *0po++*1le. The new decree had
onl2 added to the .eneral 0*+er2 and 1*tterne++. It wa+ tak*n. the worker+ too far
awa2 fro0 the*r 4*lla.e+, wh*ch for0erl2 had helped the0 o/t w*th pro4*+*on+.
(e+*de+, the n/01er of off*c*al+ and o4er+eer+ had 1een *ncrea+ed and the2 too had to
1e fed. 5%f the +e4en tho/+and e0plo2ed here, onl2 two tho/+and are act/al
prod/cer+,5 an old worker near 0e re0arked. 8adn:t I +een the 0arket+, another 0an
de0anded *n a wh*+per. 8ad I not*ced 0/ch +carc*t2 there for tho+e who had the pr*ce
to pa2B There wa+ no t*0e for a repl2. At a warn*n. fro0 the*r ne*.h1o/r+ the 0en
ha+tened 1ack to the*r 1enche+ and I 7o*ned 02 co0pan*on+.
%/r ne3t o17ect*4e looked l*ke a 0*l*tar2 ca0p, w*th ar0ed +ent*nel+ +tat*oned all
aro/nd the h/.e wareho/+e and a1o/t the 0*ll *n+*de. 5!h2 +o 0an2 ./ard+B5 a+ha
a+ked the Co00*++ar *n char.e. The flo/r had of late 1een d*+appear*n. 12 the
carload, ca0e the repl2, and the +old*er+ were there to cope w*th the e4*l. The2 had
not +/cceeded *n +topp*n. the theft+, 1/t +o0e offender+ had 1een apprehended. The2
had pro4ed to 1e worker+ 0*+led 12 a .an. of +pec/lator+. o0ehow the off*c*al
e3planat*on d*d not +o/nd pla/+*1le. I +lackened 02 pace *n the hope of .ett*n. clo+e
to +o0e of the 0*ll0en. I knew the r*.ht pa++word: 5,ro0 A0er*ca, 1r*n.*n. 2o/ the
+ol*dar*c .reet*n.+ of the 0*l*tant proletar*at and the*r .*ft of c*.arette+.5 A 2o/n.
chap w*th a f*r0 7aw and *ntell*.ent e2e+ attracted 02 attent*on a+ he pa++ed 0e w*th
a +ack of flo/r on h*+ +ho/lder+. !hen he ret/rned to p*ck /p another, I tr*ed 02
0a.*c ke2. It worked. !o/ld he tell 0e wh2 ar0ed +old*er+ were thereB $*dn:t I
know of the new decree 0*l*tar*-*n. la1o/r, he de0anded. The worker+ had re+ented
*t a+ an *n+/lt to the*r re4ol/t*onar2 0anhood. A+ a re+/lt the*r 1rother +old*er+, who
had helped the0 d/r*n. the %cto1er da2+, were now *n+talled o4er the0 a+ watch6
do.+.I a+ked a1o/t the theft of flo/r and whether the ./ard+ were not there to pre4ent
*t. The 0an +0*led +adl2. No one knew 1etter than the co00*++ar+, he +a*d, who wa+
+teal*n. the flo/r, for the2 the0+el4e+ pa++ed *t thro/.h the .ate+. 5And the
#e4ol/t*onB 8a+ *t .*4en 2o/ worker+ noth*n.B5 I >/e+t*oned. 5%h, 2e+,5 he repl*ed,
51/t *t ha+ 1een checked lon. a.o. Now *t *+ a +ta.nant pool. It w*ll 1reak o/t a.a*n,
tho/.h, ne4er fear.5
In the e4en*n., when a+ha and I co0pared note+, we a.reed that we had +een all
we wanted to know of o4*et factor2 cond*t*on+. !e co/ld lea4e the do/1tf/l hono/r
to the off*c*al ./*de+, who were le++ +>/ea0*+h a1o/t t/rn*n. 1lack *nto wh*te, and
.re2 *nto cr*0+on h/e+. a+ha e0phat*call2 ref/+ed to act a.a*n a+ c*cerone and I
co0pleted 02 /n+ol*c*ted 7o1 12 tak*n. Cla2ton the ne3t 0orn*n. to the Lafer0
To1acco !ork+. !e fo/nd the0 *n .ood cond*t*on, 1eca/+e the for0er owner and
0ana.er h*0+elf wa+ +t*ll *n char.e.
(efore lon., Cla2ton departed, declar*n. that he wo/ld +oon ret/rn for a lon.er
+ta2 and a 0ore thoro/.h +t/d2 of cond*t*on+. 8*+ w*fe wa+ #/++*an, he +a*d, and +he
wo/ld +er4e a+ h*+ ./*de, wh*ch wo/ld 0ake *t /nnece++ar2 for h*0 to *0po+e on o/r
t*0e and .ood w*ll. 8e wo/ld ./ard a.a*n+t 0ak*n. 0*+lead*n. +tate0ent+ concern*n.
#/++*a, he fa*thf/ll2 pro0*+ed.
C9G
5)*+lead*n. I 0/+ed. The poor chap co/ld not know that e4er2 da2 of 02 #/++*an
e3*+tence wa+ 0*+lead*n., 0*+lead*n. other+ a+ well a+ 02+elf. !o/ld the t*0e e4er
co0e when I +ho/ld once 0ore +tand f*r0l2 *n 02 own 1oot+, I wondered.
=reparat*on+ for the e3ped*t*on were pro.re++*n. 4er2 +lowl2, wh*le 02 ner4o/+
ten+*on al0o+t reached 1reak*n.6po*nt. !hate4er po*+e I had of late .a*ned had 1een
de+tro2ed 12 02 recent *0pre++*on+ of the appall*n. cond*t*on+ /nder wh*ch the
0a++e+ were l*4*n. and to*l*n.. The arr*4al of An.el*ca (ala1anoff +o0ewhat helped
to l*.hten 02 fra0e of 0*nd.
he had 1een +ent fro0 )o+cow to co0plete arran.e0ent+ for the recept*on of the
e3pected (r*t*+h La1o/r )*++*on. =oor An.el*ca, +he too had 1een rele.ated to the
rPle of ./*de, and I wa+ certa*n +he wo/ld a.on*-e a+ 0/ch a+ I *n ha4*n. to pla2
h*de6and6+eek w*th the +hadow of her once .low*n. fa*th.
The Nar*+hk*n =alace on the Ne4a, one of the 0o+t 1ea/t*f/l *n the cap*tal, wa+
a++*.ned to the /+e of the d*+t*n./*+hed "n.l*+h ./e+t+. It had 1een locked /p +*nce the
%cto1er da2+, and An.el*ca a+ked 0e to help her p/t *t *n order. I cheerf/ll2
con+ented, tho/.h +he reall2 d*d not need 0e for the work. An arra2 of +er4ant+ had
1een co00andeered to do the clean*n. that three eff*c*ent per+on+ co/ld ha4e
acco0pl*+hed *n le++ t*0e. I ./e++ed that An.el*ca wa+ lonel2, and a .lance at her
+howed 0e that +he wa+ a.a*n *n 1ad health. he felt at ho0e w*th 0e and I lo4ed to
1e w*th her e4en *f I co/ld ne4er .et 02+elf to talk frankl2 to her a1o/t the +/17ect we
1oth had 0o+t at heart. It wo/ld ha4e 1een l*ke d*..*n. *nto an open wo/nd. An.el*ca
wa+ al+o 4er2 fond of a+ha and +he had alread2 +ec/red h*+ help a+ *nterpreter and
tran+lator of the te+t*0on*al+ of welco0e that were 1e*n. prepared *n hono/r of the
4*+*tor+.
The 0*++*on at la+t arr*4ed, 0o+t of *t+ 0e01er+ of the /+/al An.lo6a3on 1etter6
than6tho/ att*t/de. The2 were a.a*n+t *nter4ent*on, of co/r+e, and the2 1oa+ted of
ha4*n. rep/d*ated the attack+ on o4*et #/++*a, 1/t a+ to re4ol/t*on or co00/n*+0,
no, thank 2o/, none of that for the0. The*r recept*on wa+ calc/lated to +peak to the
lar.er a/d*ence of the (r*t*+h la1o/r*n. 0a++e+ and to the worker+ of the ent*re world.
No effort wa+ to 1e +pared to 0ake the occa+*on propa.and*+t*call2 effect*4e. The
.rand 0*l*tar2 d*+pla2 on the +>/are of the &r*t+k2 =alace wa+ 1/t the *n*t*al part of
the pro.ra0. %ther f/nct*on+ were to pro4e e4en 0ore per+/a+*4e. The d*nner+ at the
Nar*+hk*n =alace, *t+ ta1le+ laden w*th the 1e+t +tar4*n. #/++*a co/ld co00and, the
per+onall2 cond/cted to/r+ thro/.h the 0odel +chool+, +elected factor*e+, and re+t6
ho0e+, theatr*cal perfor0ance+, 1allet+, concert+, and opera, w*th the 0e01er+ of the
0*++*on *n the for0er T+ar:+ lo.e, co0po+ed +o0e of the fe+t*4*t*e+. (r*t*+h re+er4e
co/ld not re+*+t +/ch ho+p*tal*t2. )o+t 0e01er+ of the 0*++*on fell for the +how and
1eca0e the 0ore pl*a1le the lon.er the2 +ta2ed.
o0e of the0 e3erted the*r 1e+t lo.*c to per+/ade 0e that the d*ctator+h*p and the
Cheka were *ne4*ta1le *n a co/ntr2 a+ 1ackward a+ #/++*a, w*th her people for
cent/r*e+ /+ed to de+pot*c r/le. 5!e "n.l*+h0en wo/ld not +tand for *t,5 one dele.ate
declared, 51/t *t *+ d*fferent w*th the *.norant #/++*an 0a++e+, +tran.er+ to c*4*l*-ed
wa2+.5 The o4*et @o4ern0ent, he ar./ed, had +hown a0a-*n. *ntell*.ence and +k*ll
*n ha4*n. +/cceeded +o well w*th *t+ raw h/0an 0ater*al. (/t the a4era.e
"n.l*+h0an, of co/r+e, wo/ld not p/t /p w*th +/ch th*n.+. 5The a4era.e "n.l*+h0an,5
C9H
I retorted, 5prefer+ to r/n three 1lock+ after a ca1 +o he can act the fl/nke2 for a
.entle0an and earn the 0/n*f*cent +/0 of two pence.5 5If 2o/ +aw +/ch a +*.ht *n
London, *t wa+ certa*nl2 onl2 the dre.+ of the c*t2,5 he repl*ed. 5=rec*+el2,5 I +a*d9
5there *+ 0ore than eno/.h of +/ch dre.+ *n "n.land and the2 wo/ld 1e the wor+t
+t/01l*n. 1lock to an2 f/nda0ental econo0*c chan.e+ *n 2o/r co/ntr2. (/t I for.et
that 2o/ "n.l*+h0en w*ll ha4e none of re4ol/t*on. That co/ld onl2 happen *n *.norant
and /nc*4*l*-ed #/++*a.5
I walked awa2 to the rear of the 1o3 to watch the re+t of the 1allet /nd*+t/r1ed 12
(r*t*+h co0placent +/per*or*t2. =re+entl2 the door opened and a 0an *n 0*l*tar2
/n*for0 entered. !hen the l*.ht+ went on a.a*n, I reco.n*-ed h*0 a+ Leon Trot+k2.
!hat a chan.e *n h*+ appearance and 1ear*n. w*th*n three 2ear+? 8e wa+ no lon.er the
pale, lean, and narrow6cheated e3*le I had +een *n New York *n the +pr*n. of 191H.
The 0an *n the 1o3 +ee0ed to ha4e .rown *n 1readth and he*.ht, tho/.h he +howed
no +/perfl/o/+ fle+h. 8*+ pale face wa+ 1ron-e now, h*+ redd*+h ha*r and 1eard
con+*dera1l2 +treaked w*th .re2. 8e had ta+ted power and he looked con+c*o/+ of h*+
a/thor*t2. 8e carr*ed h*0+elf w*th pro/d 0*en, and there wa+ d*+da*n *n h*+ e2e+, e4en
conte0pt, a+ he .lanced at the (r*t*+h ./e+t+. 8e +poke to no one and +oon left. 8e d*d
not reco.n*-e 0e, nor d*d I 0ake 02+elf known to h*0. The ./lf 1etween o/r world+
had w*dened too far to 1e reached acro++.
There were certa*n 0e01er+ of the (r*t*+h )*++*on, howe4er, not ent*rel2 *ncl*ned
to look *n open60o/thed wonder at the th*n.+ a1o/t the0, w*th the*r 0ental e2e+ +h/t.
The+e were not of the la1o/r*n. ele0ent. %ne of the0 wa+ )r. (ertrand #/++ell.
Aer2 pol*tel2 1/t dec*+*4el2 he had fro0 the 4er2 f*r+t ref/+ed to 1e off*c*all2
chaperoned. 8e preferred to .o a1o/t h*0+elf. 8e al+o +howed no elat*on o4er the
hono/r of 1e*n. >/artered *n a palace and fed on +pec*al 0or+el+. /+p*c*o/+ per+on,
that #/++ell, the (ol+he4*k* wh*+pered. (/t then, what can 2o/ e3pect of a 1o/r.eo*+B
An.el*ca al0o+t 1roke her heart o4er +/ch talk. he ar./ed that *t wa+ +t/p*d and
cr*0*nal to tr2 to p/ll the wool o4er e4er21od2:+ e2e+. =eople +ho/ld 1e allowed to
+ee cond*t*on+ a+ the2 were, +he *n+*+ted, to real*-e the harrow*n. want and 0*+er2 of
1lockaded #/++*a. =erhap+ that wo/ld help to aro/+e the con+c*ence of the world
a.a*n+t the power+ that were +tar4*n. the co/ntr2. (/t the Cheka tho/.ht otherw*+e,
tho/.h *t d*d not too o14*o/+l2 *nterfere w*th the 0o4e0ent+ of the dele.ate+.
)r. #/++ell called on /+ one da2 w*th 8enr2 @. Al+1er., an A0er*can
corre+pondent acco0pan2*n. the 0*++*on, who wa+ repre+ent*n. the New York
Nat*on and the London $a*l2 8erald. ;ohn Cla2ton, who0 Al+1er. had 0et *n
"+thon*a, had *nfor0ed h*0 that we were +ta2*n. at the A+tor*a and had al+o .*4en
h*0 +o0e pro4*+*on+ for /+. The /ne3pected replen*+h0ent of o/r larder de+er4ed
+o0e k*nd of cele1rat*on, and we *n4*ted o/r caller+ to +ta2 for l/nch, wh*ch I
proceeded to prepare *n 02 *0pro4*+ed k*tchenette. It wa+ 12 no 0ean+ an ela1orate
0eal, 1/t o/r ./e+t+ a++/red 0e that the2 en7o2ed *t 0ore than the2 wo/ld ha4e the
repa+t at the palace +er4ed *n the fe+tal Nar*+hk*n +alon on da0a+k and f*ne plate.
!*th /+, the2 +a*d, one co/ld +peak freel2 and .et a +e.0ent of #/++*an real*t2 free
fro0 fear or fa4o/r. It wa+ o/r f*r+t contact w*th the world o/t+*de of #/++*a, w*th
per+on+ earne+tl2 concerned *n the weal of the co/ntr2. !e cher*+hed e4er2 0o0ent
w*th o/r 4*+*tor+ and I l*ked 8enr2 Al+1er. *n part*c/lar. 8e 1ro/.ht w*th h*0 a wh*ff
of the 1e+t that wa+ *n A0er*ca 666 +*ncer*t2 and ea+2 7o4*al*t2, d*rectne++ and
ca0arader*e. )r. #/++ell wa+ of a 0ore re+er4ed nat/re, 1/t of .rac*o/+ and +*0ple
C9<
per+onal*t2.
An.el*ca had *n4*ted /+ to the la+t +oc*al f/nct*on for the )*++*on 1efore *t+
depart/re for )o+cow. !e went *n the capac*t2 of *nterpreter+. The +a0e e4en*n. +he
left w*th the dele.ate+. Noth*n. wo/ld do 1/t +he 0/+t ha4e a+ha w*th her. 8e had
0/ch to attend to for the 0/+e/0 e3ped*t*on, a+ no car had 2et 1een +ec/red for o/r
7o/rne2. (/t who co/ld ref/+e An.el*caB
All wa+ read2 for o/r e3ped*t*on e3cept the pr*nc*pal th*n. 666 a ra*lroad car. The
Co00*++ar of the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on, Yat0ano4, a pro0*nent Co00/n*+t,
and ecretar2 Kaplan had for week+ 1een tr2*n. to .et one for /+, 1/t w*tho/t +/cce++.
The2 were +/re a+ha co/ld 0ana.e the 0atter thro/.h D*no4*e4, w*th who0 he
+ee0ed to ha4e a p/ll. (/t a+ha wa+ +t*ll *n )o+cow w*th the (r*t*+h La1o/r
)*++*on. It wa+ e3a+perat*n. to re0a*n *dle for one who+e whole l*fe had 1een f*lled
w*th *nten+e act*4*t2. I had learned, howe4er, +*nce I ca0e to #/++*a, to po++e++ 02
+o/l *n pat*ence. The d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at wa+ 1/*ld*n. for etern*t29 what
co/ld a few week+, 0onth+, or e4en 2ear+ 0atterB
a+ha pre+entl2 ret/rned and w*th h*0 a 0ore *nten+e dr*4e for a car. 8e had not
1een happ2 *n the cap*tal. The =/nch and ;/d2 +how for the (r*t*+h La1o/r )*++*on
had d*+tre++ed h*0. =oor An.el*ca had of co/r+e noth*n. to do w*th *t. he had 1een
thr/+t a+*de a+ +oon a+ +he had del*4ered the ./e+t+ to Karakhan and h*+ ho+t+ of
0ana.er+ at the )o+cow +tat*on. The2 had carr*ed the (r*t*+her+ off, lea4*n. onl2
(ertrand #/++ell 1eh*nd. No one +ee0ed to know h*0 or h*+ place *n the world of
+c*ence and ad4anced tho/.ht. a+ha had +a4ed the +*t/at*on 12 ha*l*n. Karakhan,
who wa+ a1o/t to dr*4e off *n h*+ l/3/r*o/+ a/to0o1*le, wh*ch he wa+ occ/p2*n.
alone. Karakhan *n>/*red who the 0an wa+, re0ark*n. that he had ne4er heard of
(ertrand #/++ell. 8owe4er, he wo/ld take a+ha:+ word for *t that the 0an w*th h*0
wa+ worth 1other*n. a1o/t, /pon wh*ch he *n4*ted a+ha and #/++ell to h*+ car.
a+ha had a1+ented h*0+elf fro0 the p/1l*c e3h*1*t*on+ and de0on+trat*on+ *n
hono/r of the (r*t*+h )*++*on. 8e had had eno/.h of tho+e +how+. Nor d*d he feel that
he co/ld +er4e a+ *nterpreter of the 1o01a+t*c +peeche+ at the p/1l*c f/nct*on+ and the
fal+ehood+ pal0ed off on the /n+/+pect*n. "n.l*+h0en. 8e had tran+lated for
An.el*ca +o0e re+ol/t*on+ and he had acco0pan*ed the dele.ate+ to +hop+ and
factor*e+ on to/r+ of *n+pect*on. Karl #adek had a+ked h*0 to tran+late +o0eth*n.
Len*n had wr*tten and had +ent one of the off*c*al a/to+ to 1r*n. a+ha to the
head>/arter+ of the Th*rd Internat*onal. There #adek had handed h*0 Len*n:+
0an/+cr*pt on the 5Infant*le $*+ea+e+ of Left*+0.5 5I0a.*ne 02 +/rpr*+e,5 a+ha
related, 5when a .lance at the pa.e+ +howed 0e that *t wa+ a 4*tr*ol*c attack on all the
re4ol/t*on*+t+ d*ffer*n. fro0 the (ol+he4*k att*t/de. I told #adek I wo/ld tran+late *t
onl2 on cond*t*on of 1e*n. per0*tted to wr*te a preface to the 1roch/re.5 5#adek 0/+t
ha4e tho/.ht 2o/ 0ad to 1e ./*lt2 of +/ch lE+e60a7e+tL,5 5I re0arked. 5Ye+, he wa+ +o
0ad he took 0e for h*+ 1rother l/nat*c,5 02 h/0oro/+ fr*end repl*ed. #adek d*d not
pre++ the 0atter an2 f/rther and a+ha had .one h*+ wa2. (/t there were other th*n.+
that +oon en.a.ed h*+ ent*re attent*on *n )o+cow. A n/01er of o/r people were *n
pr*+on a.a*n, a0on. the0 o/r co0rade A1e @ord*n, of the &n*4er+al*+t Cl/1, who
had taken a pro0*nent part *n the re4ol/t*onar2 e4ent+ of 191H. The2 were 1e*n. held
w*tho/t an2 char.e+ 0ade a.a*n+t the0. The*r repeated de0and+ to know the rea+on
for the*r arre+t ha4*n. fa*led to 1r*n. re+/lt+, the2 had declared a h/n.er6+tr*ke *n
C99
prote+t. a+ha had 1een kept 1/+2 tr2*n. to *nd/ce the a/thor*t*e+ to +pec*f2 o/r
co0rade+: offence or relea+e the0. After 0/ch d*ff*c/lt2 he had +/cceeded *n .ett*n.
an a/d*ence w*th =reo1ra-hen+k2, ecretar2 of the Co00/n*+t =art2. a+ha /r.ed
that the 0en *n 7a*l had .rown dan.ero/+l2 weak fro0 the*r lon. h/n.er6+tr*ke and
=reo1ra-hen+k2 coldl2 declared that 5the >/*cker the2 d*ed, the 1etter for /+.5 a+ha
had a++/red h*0 that the #/++*an anarch*+t+ had no *ntent*on of o1l*.*n. h*0 or h*+
part2. )oreo4er, *f h*+ rE.*0e cont*n/ed to per+ec/te h*+ co0rade+, *t wo/ld ha4e
onl2 *t+elf to 1la0e for an2th*n. that 0*.ht happen. 5I+ th*+ a threatB5 the ecretar2
had de0anded. 5%nl2 an /na4o*da1le fact, wh*ch 2o/ a+ an old re4ol/t*on*+t +ho/ld
know,5 a+ha had repl*ed.
%/r )o+cow co0rade+ had en7o2ed a 0od*c/0 of freedo0. !hat co/ld 1e the
p/rpo+e of the new pol*c2 of del*1erate e3ter0*nat*on, we wondered. a+ha tho/.ht *t
wa+ d/e to the +tand of the )o+cow anarch*+t conference e3pre++ed *n the re+ol/t*on+
we had handed to Len*n. The repl2 of the Co00/n*+t =art2 "3ec/t*4e, a cop2 of
wh*ch had 1een e3pre++l2 +ent to /+, declared that 5*de*n2 anarch*+t are work*n. w*th
the o4*et @o4ern0ent.5 The other+, who d*d not, were con+*dered ene0*e+ of the
#e4ol/t*on and a+ +/ch not ent*tled to 0ore con+*derat*on than co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+
l*ke the oc*al #e4ol/t*on*+t+ or the )en+he4*k*. The Cheka had taken the h*nt and
proceeded accord*n.l2.
It wa+ a terr*1le +*t/at*on, 1/t we were powerle++. An2 prote+t on o/r part w*th*n
#/++*a wo/ld ha4e no .reater effect than that of =eter Kropotk*n or Aera ,*.ner. !*th
the co/ntr2 endan.ered on the =ol*+h front, we felt we co/ld not *++/e an2 appeal to
the worker+ a1road.
At the f*r+t new+ of war w*th =oland I had +et a+*de 02 cr*t*cal att*t/de and offered
02 +er4*ce+ a+ n/r+e at the front. )0e #a4*ch wa+ a1+ent fro0 =etro.rad at the t*0e
and I went to Dor*n a1o/t *t. *nce the 1*rth of L*-a:+ ch*ld I wa+ a.a*n +ee*n. a .reat
deal of the Dor*n+. )other and ch*ld had 1een 4er2 *ll and I had taken care of the0.
Th*+ +o0ewhat +oftened Dor*n:+ d*+appro4al of /+ +*nce o/r d*+a.ree0ent o4er the
re+t6ho0e+. )2 offer to a*d o4*et #/++*a *n her ho/r of need +ee0ed to 0o4e h*0
deepl2. 8e had known that a+ha and I wo/ld f*nall2 co0e to colla1orate w*th h*+
part2, he declared. !e onl2 needed t*0e, he tho/.ht, to real*-e that the d*ctator+h*p
and the #e4ol/t*on were *dent*cal and that to +er4e one 0eant to work for the other.
8e pro0*+ed to +ee the proper a/thor*t*e+ a1o/t 02 offer and to *nfor0 0e of re+/lt+.
(/t he ne4er d*d. That of co/r+e co/ld ha4e no 1ear*n. on 02 deter0*nat*on to help
the co/ntr2, *n whate4er capac*t2 po++*1le. Noth*n. +ee0ed +o *0portant 7/+t then.
a+ha had *n the 0eant*0e +/cceeded *n +ec/r*n. a car for the )/+e/0
"3ped*t*on. It wa+ an old d*lap*dated =/ll0an conta*n*n. +*3 co0part0ent+, 1/t +oon
he had *t cleaned /p, pa*nted, and d*+*nfected for o/r /+e. 8a4*n. pro4ed +o +/cce++f/l
where other+ had fa*led, the 0/+e/0 appo*nted a+ha .eneral 0ana.er of the
e3ped*t*on. hakol wa+ no0*nated +ecretar2, wh*le I wa+ entr/+ted w*th three 7o1+,
1e+*de+ the work of collect*n. h*+tor*cal 0ater*al, *n wh*ch we all +hared. I wa+
cho+en trea+/rer, ho/+ekeeper, and cook. A #/++*an co/ple on o/r +taff were
+/ppo+ed to 1e e3pert+ on re4ol/t*onar2 doc/0ent+. The +*3th *n o/r .ro/p wa+ a
2o/n. ;ew*+h Co00/n*+t, who+e +pec*al work wa+ to 4*+*t local part2 *n+t*t/t*on+. A+
the onl2 Co00/n*+t *n o/r c*rcle he felt at f*r+t >/*te lo+t, 1e*n. a0on. three
anarch*+t+ and two non6part*+an+.
300
%/r car needed 0attre++e+, 1lanket+, d*+he+, and +*0*lar /ten+*l+, for wh*ch I
rece*4ed an order fro0 Yat0ano4 on the +/ppl*e+ of the !*nter =alace. ">/*pped w*th
th*+ 5order,5 I went down to the 1a+e0ent+ of the palace, where the T+ar:+ ho/+ehold
.ood+ were +tored. The tran+*tor*ne++ of +tat*on and power had ne4er 1efore +tr/ck 0e
+o forc*1l2 a+ when look*n. at the wealth that had 1/t recentl2 1een /+ed 12 the
re*.n*n. fa0*l2 on *t+ tate occa+*on+. The to*l of e4er2 co/ntr2 and cl*0e wa+
.athered there *n pr*cele++ porcela*n, rare +*l4er, copper, .la++, and da0a+k. #oo0
after roo0 wa+ +tacked to the ce*l*n. w*th /ten+*l+ and plate, th*ckl2 co4ered w*th
d/+t, 0/te w*tne++e+ to the .lor2 that wa+ no 0ore. And there I wa+, r/00a.*n. *n all
that 0a.n*f*cence for d*+he+ for o/r e3ped*t*on? Co/ld an2 le.end 1e 0ore fanta+t*c,
0ore +*.n*f*cant of the ephe0eral nat/re of h/0an de+t*n2B
It took a whole da2 to +elect what wa+ +/*ta1le for o/r /+e, and e4en at that the
th*n.+ were 0ore f*t for a 0/+e/0. I co/ld not .et e3c*ted o4er the fact that we +ho/ld
eat o/r herr*n. and potatoe+, and *f l/ck2 al+o 1or+cht, fro0 the plate that had fed the
Lord of all the #/++*a+ and h*+ fa0*l2. It a0/+ed 0e to th*nk, howe4er, how the
new+paper+ *n A0er*ca wo/ld pla2 /p +/ch an *nc*dent. (erk0an and @old0an, arch6
anarch*+t+, /+*n. the cre+ted l*nen and ch*na of the #o0ano4+? And the free61orn
A0er*can+, +/ch a+ the $a/.hter+ of the #e4ol/t*on, d2*n. for the +*.ht of ro2alt2,
dead or al*4e, or e4en for +o0e +o/4en*r of an old 1oot that had +>/ee-ed a ro2al foot?
%n ;/ne 30, 19C0 7/+t +e4en 0onth+ after we had landed on o4*et +o*l, o/r
reno4ated car wa+ h*tched to a n*.ht tra*n, known a+ 5)a3*0 @ork*,5 and headed for
)o+cow. It 1e*n. the 5centre,5 we had to +top off there for add*t*onal credent*al+ fro0
4ar*o/+ depart0ent+, *ncl/d*n. tho+e of ed/cat*on and p/1l*c health, and fro0 the
,ore*.n %ff*ce, not for.ett*n. al+o the Cheka. ,ro0 the latter we had to +ec/re a
doc/0ent .*4*n. /+ *00/n*t2 for the po++e++*on of co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 doc/0ent+,
the collect*on of wh*ch wa+ part of o/r ta+k. !e e3pected that a few da2+ *n the
cap*tal wo/ld +/ff*ce to co0plete o/r arran.e0ent+, 1/t *t took two week+ *n+tead.
The c*t2 wa+ *n a fer0ent o4er *nc*dent+ of recent occ/rrence. The 1aker+ had 1een
on +tr*ke9 the*r ent*re e3ec/t*4e co00*ttee wa+ now d*++ol4ed and *t+ 0e01er+ *n
pr*+on. The =r*nter+: &n*on had 0et a +*0*lar fate for a 0ore he*no/+ offence. The2
had or.an*-ed a 0eet*n. w*th the 0e01er+ of the (r*t*+h La1o/r )*++*on a+ the*r
./e+t+. The +/rpr*+e of the occa+*on wa+ the +/dden appearance on the platfor0 of
Tcherno4, leader of the oc*al #e4ol/t*on*+t+ and for0er =re+*dent of the Con+t*t/ent
A++e01l2. The Cheka had for a lon. t*0e 1een look*n. for Tcherno4, who wa+ *n
h*d*n.. 8e appeared d*+./*+ed 12 a lon. 1lack 1eard, and he wa+ not at f*r+t
reco.n*-ed. 8*+ *0pa++*oned +peech a.a*n+t the (ol+he4*k* ro/+ed the a++e01l2 to an
o4at*on, 1/t when the co00/n*+t cha*r0an of the 0eet*n. called for the arre+t of the
0an, he had d*+appeared *n the crowd a1o/t h*0.
There wa+ .reat e3c*te0ent *n the c*t2, d/e to the arr*4al of a n/01er of fore*.n
dele.ate+ for the econd Con.re++ of the #ed Trade6&n*on Internat*onal. A0on.
the0 we were del*.hted to f*nd +o0e Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ fro0 pa*n, ,rance, Ital2,
@er0an2, and cand*na4*a. There were al+o la1o/r 0en fro0 "n.land, 0ore 0*l*tant
and le++ co0forta1le than the*r co/ntr20en on the (r*t*+h )*++*on. Learn*n. of o/r
pre+ence *n )o+cow, the2 +o/.ht /+ o/t and we had 0an2 conference+ to.ether. The
cleare+t 0*nd+ a0on. the0 were two anarch*+t+, =*+tan*a fro0 pa*n and A/./+t*n
301
o/ch2 fro0 @er0an2, repre+ent*n. the Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ la1o/r 1od*e+ of the*r
re+pect*4e co/ntr*e+. The+e two 0en were ent*rel2 w*th the #e4ol/t*on and
+20pathet*c w*th the (ol+he4*k*. The2 were, howe4er, not the k*nd who co/ld 1e
feted *nto +ee*n. e4er2th*n. *n ro+eate colo/r+. The2 ca0e a+ earne+t +t/dent+ of the
+*t/at*on, de+*ro/+ of .ett*n. the fact+ at f*r+t hand and of o1+er4*n. the #e4ol/t*on *n
act*on. The2 *n>/*red, a0on. other th*n.+, how o/r co0rade+ were far*n. /nder the
Co00/n*+t tate. All +ort+ of r/0o/r+ had f*ltered to "/rope a1o/t the per+ec/t*on of
anarch*+t+ and other re4ol/t*on*+t+. The co0rade+ a1road, the2 told /+, had ref/+ed to
cred*t +/ch report+ a+ lon. a+ the2 had not heard fro0 /+ a1o/t the 0atter. The2 had
a+ked that we +end 1ack word thro/.h o/ch2 and =*+tan*a a1o/t the act/al +tate of
affa*r+. a+ha e3pla*ned that the r/0o/r+ were /nfort/natel2 not /nfo/nded.
Anarch*+t+, Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+, 0*l*tant worker+ and pea+ant+ were
*0pr*+oned *n o4*et 7a*l+ and detent*on ca0p+, deno/nced a+ 1and*t+ and co/nter6
re4ol/t*on*+t+. The2 were noth*n. of the k*nd, of co/r+e, 1/t +*ncere co0rade+, 0o+t
of who0 had taken an act*4e part *n the %cto1er da2+. %/r effort+ had 1een effect*4e
for 1/t few of the0. =o++*1l2 the Anarcho62nd*cal*+t dele.ate+, a+ repre+entat*4e+ of
lar.e Left la1o/r or.an*-at*on+ a1road, wo/ld 1e 0ore +/cce++f/l w*th the o4*et
a/thor*t*e+. The2 +ho/ld *n+*+t on the*r r*.ht to 4*+*t the pr*+on+ and talk to the
pr*+oner+. a+ha al+o +/..e+ted that the dele.ate+ de0and redre++ for o/r people. (/t
he wa+ rel/ctant to talk to the 0en of the .eneral +*t/at*on. 8*+ own *0pre++*on+ had
not 2et +/ff*c*entl2 clar*f*ed, he +a*d9 he co/ld not +peak the f*nal word and he d*d not
want to pre7/d*ce the dele.ate+. The2 wo/ld ha4e to learn for the0+el4e+.
I felt d*fferentl2 on the 0atter. %/r fore*.n co0rade+ were accred*ted
repre+entat*4e+ of 0*l*tant la1o/r 1od*e+. The2 were not l*kel2 to /+e an2th*n. I 0*.ht
tell the0 to the detr*0ent of the #e4ol/t*on, a+ new+paper reporter+ 0*.ht do. I had
no *ntent*on of 1*a+*n. the0, 1/t ne*ther d*d I th*nk that I +ho/ld keep the fact+ fro0
the0. I wanted at lea+t o/r own co0rade+ *n "/rope and A0er*ca to 1ehold the
re4er+e +*de of the +h*n2 o4*et 0edal. o/ch2, =*+tan*a, and a (r*t*+h I.!.!. 0an
attent*4el2 l*+tened to 02 narrat*4e, 1/t I co/ld read on the*r face+ that the2 were a+
*ncred/lo/+ a+ I had 1een of (re+hko4+ka2a, (o1 )*nor, and the other fr*end+ who
had told 0e of the act/al cond*t*on+ *n #/++*a. Nor d*d I 1la0e the0. To the
oppre++ed of the world the (ol+he4*k* had 1eco0e the +2non20 of the #e4ol/t*on
*t+elf. The re4ol/t*on*+t+ o/t+*de of #/++*a co/ld not ea+*l2 cred*t how far that wa+
fro0 the tr/th. %ne +eldo0 learn+ fro0 the e3per*ence of other+. Ne4erthele++ I d*d
not re.ret ha4*n. talked frankl2 to the dele.ate+. !hate4er the*r own *0pre++*on+,
the2 wo/ld know that I had not den*ed the0 02 conf*dence and tr/+t.
"/rope and A0er*ca +ee0ed re0o4ed fro0 0e 12 decade+. It wa+ .rat*f2*n. to
ha4e the0 1ro/.ht clo+er 12 o/r fore*.n 4*+*tor+ and to learn fro0 the0 a1o/t the
anarch*+t and re4ol/t*onar2 la1o/r act*4*t*e+ o/t+*de of #/++*a. To the re>/e+t of the
dele.ate+ that I +end a 0e++a.e to the worker+ a1road, I repl*ed: 5)a2 the2 e0/late
the +p*r*t of the*r #/++*an 1rother+ *n the co0*n. re4ol/t*on, 1/t not the*r naI4e fa*th
*n pol*t*cal leader+, no 0atter how fer4ent the*r prote+tat*on+ and how red the*r
+lo.an+? That alone can +afe./ard f/t/re re4ol/t*on+ fro0 1e*n. harne++ed to the tate
and en+la4ed a.a*n 12 *t+ 1/rea/crat*c wh*p.5
A .reat and 0o+t welco0e +/rpr*+e ca0e to 0e *n )o+cow w*th the opport/n*t2 to
+ee the fa0o/+ )ar*a p*r*dono4na and her fr*end Ka0ko4, leader+ of the Left
oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+. )ar*a wa+ l*4*n. /nder co4er, d*+./*+ed a+ a pea+ant, and
30C
.reat preca/t*on wa+ nece++ar2 to keep her wherea1o/t+ fro0 the Cheka. he
therefore +ent a tr/+ted co0rade to 1r*n. a+ha and 0e to her place.
p*r*dono4na occ/p*e+ one of the h*.he+t place+ *n the .ala32 of the hero*c wo0en
of #/++*a. 8er attack on @eneral L/khano4+k2, @o4ernor of Ta01o4 =ro4*nce, had
1een an e3traord*nar2 feat for a .*rl of e*.hteen. )ar*a had do..ed the 0an:+ +tep+ for
week+, pat*entl2 wa*t*n. for a chance to +tr*ke the notor*o/+ e3ec/t*oner of the
pea+ant+. !hen the tra*n 1ear*n. L/khano4+k2 +tea0ed *nto the +tat*on, )ar*a
7/0ped on to the r/nn*n.61oard and +hot the @o4ernor dead 1efore h*+ ./ard+ real*-ed
what the .*rl wa+ a1o/t. No le++ re0arka1le had 1een her 1eha4*o/r d/r*n. the
tort/re+ +he had 1een +/17ected to after her arre+t. =/lled a1o/t 12 her ha*r, her clothe+
torn off, and her naked fle+h 1/rned w*th c*.arette+, her face 1eaten *nto a p/lp, )ar*a
p*r*dono4na had re0a*ned +*lent and conte0pt/o/+ of her tor0entor+. !hen th*+
treat0ent had fa*led to force her to *n4ol4e other+ *n her act or to 1reak her +p*r*t, +he
wa+ tr*ed 1eh*nd clo+ed door+ and conde0ned to d*e. he wa+ +a4ed 12 the
tre0endo/+ prote+t *n "/rope and A0er*ca, and her +entence wa+ co00/ted to e3*le
to *1er*a for l*fe. Twel4e 2ear+ later the h*+tor*c ta1le+ were t/rned. T+ar N*kola+ wa+
h/rled fro0 h*+ throne, and the 4*ct*0+ of a1+ol/t*+0, n/01er*n. *nto the tho/+and+,
were 1ro/.ht 1ack *n tr*/0ph fro0 the*r d/n.eon+ and e3*le. A0on. the0 wa+ )ar*a
p*r*dono4na, who+e Cal4ar2 wa+ well known to the rad*cal+ e4er2where. 8er
.low*n. per+onal*t2 had e3alted and +p/rred 0e on *n 02 work *n the &n*ted tate+,
and +he wa+ a0on. the f*r+t I lon.ed to 0eet when I ca0e to #/++*a. (/t no one
+ee0ed to know her wherea1o/t+. The Co00/n*+t+ I had >/e+t*oned, *ncl/d*n. ;ack
#eed, had told 0e that +he had +/ffered a ner4o/+ 1reak6down and wa+ 1e*n. n/r+ed
1ack to health *n a o4*et +anator*/0. It wa+ onl2 when I .ot to )o+cow the f*r+t t*0e
that I learned fro0 her co0rade+ a1o/t the l*fe and +tr/..le of )ar*a p*r*dono4na
+*nce her l*1erat*on fro0 *1er*a. hattered *n health fro0 the a.on*e+ +he had
+/ffered, and 1roken down 12 t/1erc/lo+*+ contracted *n pr*+on, +he had ne4erthele++
ref/+ed to +pare her+elf. #/++*a needed her, and the pea+ant+ to who0 +he had
ded*cated her 2o/n. l*fe were call*n. her. Now 0ore than e4er the2 needed her,
ha4*n. 1een 1etra2ed 12 Keren+k2 and h*+ part2, wh*ch had al+o 1een her+ and 12
who+e order +he had k*lled L/khano4+k2. The oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t =ro4*+*onal
@o4ern0ent wa+ forc*n. the people to cont*n/e the world +la/.hter, and )ar*a wo/ld
ha4e noth*n. to do w*th *t.
To.ether w*th the 0ore rad*cal w*n. of the part2, *ncl/d*n. Ka01o4, $r.
te*n1er., Tr/to4+k2, I-0a*lo4*ch, Kakho4+ka2a, and other+, )ar*a p*r*dono4na
or.an*-ed the Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t =art2. *de 12 +*de w*th Len*n and h*+
co0rade+ the2 worked for the %cto1er /phea4al and /nw*tt*n.l2 helped the
(ol+he4*k* to power. Not /n0*ndf/l of the ardent +/pport of p*r*dono4na and her
co0rade+, Len*n had appro4ed the cho*ce of )ar*a 12 the =ea+ant Con.re++ a+ *t+
pre+*dent, h*+ own part2:+ appo*nt0ent of $r. te*n1er. a+ =eople:+ Co00*++ar for
;/+t*ce, and Tr/to4+k2 a+ Co00*++ar for A.r*c/lt/re. (/t the 1reak w*th the
(ol+he4*k* ca0e o4er (re+t6L*to4+k, the Left oc*al*+t6#e4ol/t*on*+t+ con+*der*n.
peace w*th the Ka*+er a fatal 1etra2al of the #e4ol/t*on. )ar*a wa+ the f*r+t to ref/+e
f/rther co6operat*on w*th the (ol+he4*k*. !*th her wonted deter0*nat*on +he t/rned
fro0 the Co00/n*+t @o4ern0ent a+ +he had fro0 Keren+k2:+ rE.*0e, and her
co0rade+ followed her lead. Then her 0art2rdo0 1e.an all o4er a.a*n. There
followed arre+t and *ncarcerat*on *n the Kre0l*n pr*+on, e+cape, re6arre+t, and 0ore
pr*+on. 8er *nfl/ence a0on. the pea+antr2 cont*n/ed, howe4er, e4en .row*n. w*th
303
her per+ec/t*on. The Co00/n*+t+ re+orted to the con4en*ent e3planat*on that )ar*a
had .one 0ad and had to 1e re+tra*ned.
Chapter FC Mcont*n/ed, pp. <0C6<F1N
%n the +*3th floor of a lar.e tene0ent *n )o+cow, *n a roo0 not 0/ch lar.er than
02 cell *n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2, a l*ttle old wo0an e01raced 0e tenderl2,
w*tho/t /tter*n. a word. It wa+ )ar*a p*r*dono4na. Tho/.h onl2 th*rt26three 2ear+ of
a.e, +he wa+ +hr*4elled *n 1od29 a hect*c fl/+h wa+ on her e0ac*ated face, her e2e+
were fe4er*+hl2 1r*ll*ant, 1/t her +p*r*t re0a*ned /nchan.ed and /nfettered, +t*ll
+cal*n. the he*.ht+ of her *ndo0*ta1le fa*th. An2th*n. I co/ld ha4e +a*d at that
0o0ent wo/ld ha4e +o/nded 1anal. Nor d*d I tr/+t 02+elf to +peak. 8er hand+ *n
0*ne had a +tead2*n. effect and the +*lence a1o/t /+ wa+ +ooth*n., l*ke her tender
to/ch. )ar*a +poke and I l*+tened. ,or three da2+, w*th l*ttle *nterr/pt*on, I l*+tened
ten+e *n e4er2 ner4e. 8er tone wa+ cal0, her 0*nd clear, and her pre+entat*on keen.
8er fact+ were *nconte+ta1le and doc/0ented 12 pea+ant letter+ fro0 e4er2 part of
#/++*a. The2 cr*ed to her to enl*.hten the0 on the .reat 0*+fort/ne that had 1efallen
the*r 1elo4ed 0at/+hka #o++*2a. The2 had 1el*e4ed *n the #e4ol/t*on a+ *n the +econd
co0*n. of Chr*+t. The2 had prepared for *t+ pro0*+ed 1le++*n.+, the free*n. of the +o*l
fro0 the 0a+ter+, the peace and 1rotherhood *t wo/ld 1r*n.. he knew 1e+t, the2
wrote, how hard the2 had worked and how fer4entl2 the2 had 1el*e4ed *n the hol2
power of the re4ol/t*on. Now e4er2th*n. wa+ cr/+hed, the*r hope+ t/rned to a+he+.
The2 had taken the land fro0 the*r old 0a+ter+, 1/t the*r prod/ce wa+ now 1e*n.
taken fro0 the0 12 the new 1o++e+, e4en to the la+t +eed+ for plant*n.. Noth*n. had
chan.ed e3cept the 0ethod+ of ro11*n. the0. It wa+ the Co++ack and the na.a*ka
1efore, the Chek*+t+ and +hoot*n. now. The +a0e 1row1eat*n. and arre+t+, the +a0e
heartle++ 1r/tal*t2 and dr*4e. "4er2th*n. the +a0e. The2 co/ld not .ra+p *t, co/ld not
/nder+tand *t, and there wa+ no one to e3pla*n, who+e word the2 co/ld 1el*e4e. The2
+t*ll had her, the*r an.el )ar2/++a. he had ne4er pla2ed the0 fal+e and +he 0/+t now
tell the0 whether the new Chr*+t al+o wa+ cr/c*f*ed and whether he wo/ld r*+e +t*ll
once 0ore to redee0 the*r +/ffer*n. land.
)ar*a wa+ *n po++e++*on of +core+ of the+e p*t*f/l o/tpo/r*n.+, wr*tten on +l*p+ of
coar+e paper or d*rt2 cloth and +0/..led to her /nder the .reate+t d*ff*c/lt*e+.
5The (ol+he4*k* 0a*nta*n that forc*1le conf*+cat*on ha+ 1een *0po+ed on the0 12
the pea+ant+: ref/+*n. to feed the c*t*e+,5 I re0arked. There wa+ no tr/th *n *t, )ar*a
a++/red 0e. The pea+ant+ had *ndeed ref/+ed to deal w*th the 5centre5 thro/.h *t+
co00*++ar+. The2 had the*r +o4*et+ and the2 *n+*+ted that the latter 1e *n d*rect to/ch
w*th the +o4*et+ of the worker+. The2 had taken the 0ean*n. and p/rpo+e of the
+o4*et+ l*terall2, a+ +*0ple folk alwa2+ do. The +o4*et+ were the*r 0ed*/0 of keep*n.
*n to/ch w*th the c*t2 to*ler+ and e3chan.*n. w*th the0 needed prod/ct+. !hen th*+
wa+ den*ed the0 and *n add*t*on the*r @eneral o4*et d*++ol4ed and *t+ 0e01er+
*0pr*+oned, the pea+ant+ 1eca0e aro/+ed a.a*n+t the d*ctator+h*p. )oreo4er, the
forc*1le collect*on of prod/ce and the p/n*t*4e e3ped*t*on+ a.a*n+t the 4*lla.e+ had
anta.on*-ed and e01*ttered the r/ral pop/lat*on. The+e 0ethod+ co/ld not w*n w*th
the pea+ant+. The +a2*n. a0on. the0 wa+ that Il*ch co/ld e3ter0*nate the pea+ant+,
1/t he co/ld not con>/er the pea+antr2. 5The2 are r*.ht,5 )ar*a co00ented, 5for
304
#/++*a *+ e*.ht2 per cent a.r*c/lt/ral, and that *+ the 4er2 1ack1one of the co/ntr2. It
0a2 take +o0e t*0e for Len*n to f*nd o/t that the pea+ant w*ll force h*+ hand+, not he
the pea+ant:+.5
All thro/.h her rec*tal p*r*dono4na had +a*d not a word a1o/t her+elf, her
per+ec/t*on, *llne++, or want. 8er 0a*n+pr*n.+ po/red *nto the 4a+t h/0an +ea, I felt,
each r*pple r/+h*n. 1ack to her all6e01rac*n. heart. I +aw no +*.n of an2 per+onal
c/rrent cro++*n. her /n*4er+al +trea0 /nt*l 7/+t +hortl2 1efore we 1ade her .ood612e
on the th*rd da2 of o/r 4*+*t.
a+ha had 1een pre+ent at o/r +e++*on+, to.ether w*th (or*+ Ka0ko4. The latter,
l*ke h*+ fr*end )ar*a, wa+ al+o cal0 and collected *n h*+ arra*.n0ent of the e4*l+
wro/.ht a0on. the pea+antr2 12 the three 2ear+ of the d*ctator+h*p. At no t*0e d/r*n.
o/r +ta2 d*d )ar*a 1etra2 12 word or look that the 0an +t*rred *n her other e0ot*on+
than tho+e of the +ol*dar*t2 of a co00on *deal. Now Ka0ko4 wa+ a1o/t to lea4e on a
7o/rne2 to the *nter*or and he 4er2 e0phat*call2 *n+*+ted that he needed noth*n. for h*+
tr*p e3cept +o0e 1read. 8e wo/ld take noth*n. fro0 )ar*a:+ +hare. o0eone had
1ro/.ht her e..+ and cherr*e+, and wh*le Ka0ko4 wa+ talk*n. to a+ha, )ar*a
+tealth*l2 +t/ck her l*ttle 1/ndle of pro4*+*on+, packed *n a handkerch*ef, *nto the +ack
of l*terat/re her fr*end wa+ tak*n. w*th h*0. he +tood near h*0, d*0*n/t*4e alon.+*de
of h*+ .reat he*.ht and 1readth. he d*d not +peak, +he onl2 looked /p *nto h*+ e2e+
and l*.htl2 1r/+hed her +lender wh*te hand o4er h*+ +lee4e, *0percept*1l2 lean*n.
a.a*n+t h*0. 8e wa+ .o*n. on a dan.ero/+ 0*++*on and )ar*a felt that he 0*.ht ne4er
ret/rn. No poet e4er +an. of .reater lo4e and lon.*n. than her +*0ple .e+t/re
e3pre++ed. It wa+ 1ea/t*f/l and 0o4*n. 1e2ond word+, la2*n. 1are *n a fla+h the r*ch
fo/nt of her +o/l.
%/r red6pa*nted car on a +*de track at the )o+cow ra*lroad +tat*on attracted 0an2
4*+*tor+, a0on. the0 8enr2 @. Al+1er. and Al1ert (on*, who had co0e to #/++*a.
(oth were en4*o/+ of o/r tr*p and ea.er to co0e w*th /+. %f the two 0en, a+ha and I
l*ked Al+1er. the 1e+t. !e told h*0 we wo/ld pre4a*l on the 0e01er+ of o/r
e3ped*t*on to allow h*0 to co0e w*th /+ *f he wo/ld .et the nece++ar2 credent*al+
fro0 the o4*et a/thor*t*e+.
%n the da2 of o/r depart/re he arr*4ed w*th wr*tten per0*++*on fro0 D*no4*e4, the
,ore*.n %ff*ce and the Cheka. The repre+entat*4e of the Cheka *n the ,ore*.n %ff*ce
*n+*+ted, howe4er, Al+1er. wo/ld ha4e to +ec/re an add*t*onal 4*+a fro0 the local
)o+cow Cheka. Karakhan:+ +ecretar2 M,ore*.n %ff*ceN, /nder who+e 7/r*+d*ct*on he
wa+, def*n*tel2 *nfor0ed h*0 that he d*d not need th*+ e3tra 4*+a and the ,ore*.n
%ff*ce 5./aranteed5 he wo/ld not 1e 0ole+ted *f he went on the e3ped*t*on. Al+1er.
he+*tated 1/t we /r.ed h*0 to take a chance w*tho/t the propo+k of the )o+cow
Cheka. 8*+ A0er*can pa++port and the fact that he repre+ented two pro6o4*et
new+paper+ +ho/ld +a4e h*0 fro0 +er*o/+ d*ff*c/lt*e+. %/r +ecretar2 con+ented that he
+ho/ld 7o*n /+, and there wa+ an e3tra 1/nk *n a+ha:+ co0part0ent. There/pon he
dec*ded to 1eco0e the +e4enth 0e01er of o/r co0pan2.
%/r )o+cow +ta2 had 1een r*ch *n +/rpr*+e+. The f*nal one ca0e 7/+t an ho/r
1efore o/r depart/re. A 0an da+hed /p, all o/t of 1reath, *n +earch of /+. 5!h2, ".@.,
don:t 2o/ reco.n*-e 0eB5 he cr*ed9 5I a0 Kra+no+choko4, for0erl2 To1*n+on, of
Ch*ca.o. 8a4e 2o/ for.otten 2o/r cha*r0an at the !orker+: In+t*t/te 0eet*n., 2o/r
30F
and a+ha:+ co6worker *n the !*nd2 C*t2B5 The chan.e *n h*0 wa+ a+ co0plete a+
Trot+k2:+. 8e +ee0ed taller and 1roader, of pro/d carr*a.e, 1/t w*tho/t the 0*l*tar2
+e4er*t2 and d*+da*nf/l e3pre++*on of the Co00*++ar of the #ed Ar02. 8e wa+,
To1*n+on6Kra+no+choko4 related, =re+*dent of the ,ar "a+tern #ep/1l*c, and he had
co0e to )o+cow for an *0portant conference w*th the =art2 "3ec/t*4e. 8e had 1een
*n the c*t2 for a week, ea.er to 0eet /+ a.a*n, 1/t he had fa*led to locate /+ t*ll the
4er2 la+t 0o0ent. 8e had 0an2 th*n.+ to talk o4er and we 0/+t re0a*n a few da2+ to
cele1rate o/r re/n*on, he *n+*+ted. 8e had tra4elled fro0 *1er*a *n h*+ own ra*lroad
car, 1r*n.*n. plent2 of pro4*+*on+ and h*+ own cook, and he wo/ld .*4e /+ o/r f*r+t
real fea+t *n o4*et #/++*a. Kra+no+choko4 had re0a*ned the +a0e free and .enero/+
fellow he had 1een *n the tate+, 1/t we co/ld not alter o/r plan+ and we had onl2 a
few ho/r+ to +pend w*th h*0.
a+ha wa+ +t*ll *n the c*t2, attend*n. to la+t6ho/r co00*++*on+, 1/t he wo/ld +oon
1e 1ack. )eanwh*le Kra+no+choko4 wa+ re.al*n. 0e w*th h*+ ad4ent/re+ +*nce h*+
arr*4al *n #/++*a. 8e had 1eco0e the ch*ef e3ec/t*4e of the ,ar "a+tern #ep/1l*c9 (*ll
hatoff wa+ al+o there, a+ well a+ other anarch*+t+ fro0 A0er*ca, all work*n. to.ether
w*th h*0. ,ree +peech and pre++ pre4a*led *n h*+ part of #/++*a, he a++/red 0e, and
there wa+ e4er2 opport/n*t2 for o/r propa.anda. a+ha and I 0/+t co0e, he *n+*+ted.
8e needed o/r help and we co/ld co/nt on h*0. hatoff wa+ do*n. .reat work a+
Co00*++ar of #a*lroad+ and he had warned h*0 not to dare ret/rn w*tho/t /+. 5,ree
+peech and free pre++ 666 how doe+ )o+cow +tand for thatB5 I a+ked. Cond*t*on+ were
d*fferent *n that far co/ntr2, Kra+no+choko4 e3pla*ned, and he had 1een .*4en a free
hand there. Anarch*+t+, Left oc*al*+t #e4ol/t*on*+t+, and e4en )en+he4*k* were co6
operat*n. w*th h*0 and he wa+ pro4*n. that free e3pre++*on and 7o*nt effort were
.*4*n. the 1e+t re+/lt+.
An enchant*n. p*ct/re *ndeed, I co00ented, and I +ho/ld certa*nl2 l*ke to +ee *t for
02+elf. =erhap+ when we had co0pleted o/r pre+ent to/r, we 0*.ht *nd/ce the
0/+e/0 to +end o/r e3ped*t*on to *1er*a. =re+entl2 a+ha arr*4ed and there wa+
renewed re7o*c*n.. Ala+, onl2 for a +hort ho/r. %/r 4*+*tor wa+ loath to let /+ depart
and we had to pro0*+e fa*thf/ll2 to let h*0 know when we wo/ld 1e read2 to co0e to
h*+ ,ar "a+tern #ep/1l*c. 8e wo/ld fac*l*tate o/r 7o/rne2 and pro0*+e /+ all the
l*1ert2 we wanted and carload+ of 0ater*al for the 0/+e/0.
%/r f*r+t *0portant +top wa+ at Kharko4. It looked pro+pero/+ after =etro.rad and
)o+cow. The people, f*ne ph2+*cal t2pe+ of h/0an*t2, appeared well fed and carefree
*n +p*te of the n/0ero/+ *n4a+*on+, chan.e+ of .o4ern0ent, and the ra4a.e+ the c*t2
had e3per*enced. There wa+ e4*dent a +carc*t2 onl2 of wear*n.6apparel, part*c/larl2 of
+hoe+, hat+, and ho+*er2. )en, wo0en, and ch*ldren were 1are6le..ed, +o0e wear*n.
>/eer6+haped +andal+ of wood and +traw. The wo0en were e+pec*all2 *ncon.r/o/+l2
att*red *n dre++e+ of the f*ne+t l*nen and 1at*+te, wear*n. hand60ade lace and 0/lt*6
colo/red kerch*ef+. The 1r*.htl2 e01ro*dered nat*4e co+t/0e+ predo0*nated,
pre+ent*n. a plea+ant +*.ht after the 0onoton2 of the )o+cow +treet+. And the people?
I had ne4er +een +/ch a collect*on of 1ea/t2 *n one place. The 0en dark6ha*red and
1earded, 1ron-e of +k*n, w*th drea02 e2e+ and +h*n*n. teeth. The wo0en w*th crown+
of ha*r, lo4el2 co0ple3*on+, and fla+h*n. 1lack e2e+. The2 +ee0ed a race ent*rel2
d*fferent fro0 the*r northern 1rother+.
The 0arket+ were the 0a*n .ather*n.6place+ and centre+ of attract*on. The +tall+
30G
+pread for 1lock+, p*led h*.h w*th fr/*t, 4e.eta1le+, 1/tter, and other pro4*+*on+. %ne
had no lon.er 1el*e4ed +/ch prof/+*on e3*+ted *n #/++*a. o0e of the ta1le+ were
laden w*th to2+ *n car4ed and pa*nted wood, 0o/nta*n+ of the0 of c/r*o/+ +hape and
de+*.n. )2 heart ached for the ch*ldren of =etro.rad and )o+cow, w*th the*r 1roken
and 0*+6+haped doll+ and the 1attered wooden 0on+tro+*t*e+ the2 called Co++ack
+teed+. ,or two dollar+ *n Keren+k2 paper 0one2 I carr*ed off an ar0f/l of wonderf/l
to2+. I knew that the 7o2 the2 wo/ld .*4e to 02 =etro.rad 2o/n.+ter+ wo/ld tran+cend
an2 0onetar2 4al/e.
(r*n.*n. an2th*n. *nto another c*t2 w*tho/t +pec*al per0*++*on wa+ con+*dered
+pec/lat*on and treated a+ a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 offence, often +/17ect to the
5+/pre0e penalt2,5 wh*ch 0eant death. Ne*ther a+ha nor I co/ld +ee the w*+do0 or
7/+t*ce, let alone the re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2, of +/ch a proh*1*t*on. !e a.reed that
+pec/lat*on *n food+t/ff wa+ *ndeed cr*0*nal. (/t *t wa+ a1+/rd to decr2 e4er2one a+ a
+pec/lator who tr*ed to 1r*n. *n half a +ack of potatoe+ or a po/nd of 1acon for h*+
fa0*l2 /+e. ,ar fro0 de+er4*n. p/n*+h0ent, we ar./ed, one +ho/ld 1e .lad that the
#/++*an 0a++e+ +t*ll po++e++ed +/ch *ndo0*ta1le w*ll to l*4e. There*n alone wa+ the
hope of #/++*a, rather than *n 0/te +/10*++*on to a +low death 12 +tar4at*on.
Lon. 1efore we had +tarted on o/r e3ped*t*on, we had a.reed that *f *t wa+ r*.ht to
*0port d/+t2 doc/0ent+ for f/t/re h*+tor*an+, *t co/ld not 1e wron. to 1r*n. 1ack
+o0e pro4*+*on+ for the rel*ef of pre+ent want, part*c/larl2 for the +*ck and need2
a0on. o/r fr*end+. The a1/ndance of food on the Kharko4 0arket+ 0ade /+ 0ore
deter0*ned to la2 *n a +/ppl2 on o/r ret/rn tr*p. !e onl2 re.retted that we co/ld not
take w*th /+ eno/.h to feed e4er2 0an, wo0an, and ch*ld *n the +tr*cken c*t*e+.
)o+cow had 1een hot, 1/t Kharko4 wa+ a1la-e, w*th the ra*lroad +tat*on 0*le+
fro0 the town. It wa+ ph2+*call2 *0po++*1le to +pend the da2 collect*n. 0ater*al and
then ret/rn to o/r car for 0eal+. Co0rade+ *n the c*t2 helped 0e to +ec/re a roo0
where I co/ld al+o prepare 0eal+ for o/r +ecretar2, Ale3andra hakol, 8enr2 Al+1er.,
a+ha and 02+elf. A+ a pro6 o4*et A0er*can corre+pondent 8enr2 had no d*ff*c/lt2
*n .ett*n. a roo0, wh*ch he *n4*ted a+ha to +hare w*th h*0. hakol preferred to +leep
*n the car. The #/++*an co/ple +h*fted for the0+el4e+, ha4*n. fr*end+ *n the c*t2, and
o/r Co00/n*+t 0e01er wa+ taken care of 12 h*+ part2 co0rade+. The+e arran.e0ent+
co0pleted, we +et o/t on o/r la1o/r+, each 0e01er 1e*n. a++*.ned to co4er certa*n
o4*et *n+t*t/t*on+. a+ha:+ ta+k wa+ to 4*+*t la1o/r, re4ol/t*onar2, and co6operat*4e
or.an*-at*on+9 0*ne *ncl/ded the depart0ent+ of ed/cat*on and +oc*al welfare.
%/r recept*on at tho+e *n+t*t/t*on+ wa+ an2th*n. 1/t cord*al. Not that the off*c*al+
were openl2 d*+a.reea1le, 1/t one co/ld +en+e the fr*.*d*t2 of the*r 0anner. I
wondered what co/ld 1e the rea+on /nt*l a+ha re0*nded 0e of the re+ent0ent the
&kra*n*an Co00/n*+t+ felt a.a*n+t )o+cow for depr*4*n. the0 of +elf6deter0*nat*on
*n the*r local affa*r+. The2 +aw *n o/r 0*++*on a new *0po+*t*on of the centre. Not
dar*n. to *.nore order+ fro0 )o+cow, the2 co/ld 2et +a1ota.e o/r work. !e therefore
dec*ded to fall 1ack on o/r old tal*+0an, e0pha+*-*n. that we were to4ar*+htch2, fro0
A0er*ca on a to/r of +t/d2 of the re4ol/t*onar2 ach*e4e0ent+ of the &kra*ne, a1o/t
wh*ch we were to wr*te. The chan.e wa+ *n+tantaneo/+. No 0atter how 1/+2 the
off*c*al+ happened to 1e, the2 wo/ld drop the*r work, 1eco0e wreathed *n +0*le+,
+/ppl2 /+ w*th the *nfor0at*on we needed, and +end /+ awa2 w*th +tack+ of 0ater*al.
In that 0anner we +/cceeded *n +ee*n. and learn*n. 0ore of the 0ethod+ and effect+
30H
of the d*ctator+h*p *n the &kra*ne than wo/ld ha4e 1een po++*1le *n an2 other 0anner.
!e were a1le to collect 0ore than the #/++*an 0e01er+ of the e3ped*t*on, *ncl/d*n.
e4en the Co00/n*+t *n o/r part2.
The poor 1o2 wa+ reall2 treated a1o0*na1l2 12 h*+ +o/thern co0rade+. The2
ref/+ed to .*4e h*0 data or doc/0ent+. )o+cow wa+ on the*r 1ack+ hea4*l2 eno/.h,
the2 +a*d, d*rect*n. the*r e4er2 0o4e. The2 were not .o*n. to let the centre ro1 the0
of the*r h*+tor*cal wealth to 1oot.
The a0/+*n. +*de of the fa0*l2 >/arrel wa+ that whene4er we ca0e /pon +o0e
0*+0ana.ed *n+t*t/t*on or /.l2 +tate of affa*r+, the &kra*n*an+ wo/ld e3pla*n the0
awa2 12 the *nterference of )o+cow. %n the other hand, *f the Co00/n*+t *n char.e
wa+ fro0 the centre, he wo/ld ar./e that the &kra*n*an+ were +a1ota.*n. the work of
)o+cow 1eca/+e the2 were ant*6e0*te+ and o1+e++ed 12 the not*on that al0o+t the
ent*re northern Co00/n*+t =art2 con+*+ted of ;ew+. (etween the two we had l*ttle
d*ff*c/lt2 *n learn*n. the fact+ of the +*t/at*on and the real ca/+e of the w*de+pread
anta.on*+0 toward+ )o+cow.
A #/++*an en.*neer who had 7/+t ret/rned fro0 the $on 1a+*n and who0 we 0et
*n Kharko4 threw con+*dera1le l*.ht on the &kra*n*an +*t/at*on. It wa+ +*ll2 to p/t the
ent*re 1la0e for cond*t*on+ on )o+cow, he +a*d. The Co00/n*+t+ *n the +o/th *n no
wa2 d*ffered fro0 the follower+ of Len*n *n the north *n the*r 0ethod+ of d*ctator+h*p.
If an2th*n., the*r de+pot*+0 wa+ e4en 0ore *rre+pon+*1le *n the &kra*ne than
an2where el+e *n #/++*a. 8*+ e3per*ence *n the 0*ne+ had con4*nced h*0 of the*r
r/thle++ per+ec/t*on of tho+e of the *ntell*.ent+*a who were /nw*ll*n. to co6operate
w*th the0. A+ to the*r *neff*c*enc2 and *nh/0an*t2, a 4*+*t to the pr*+on+ and
concentrat*on ca0p+ wo/ld con4*nce /+ a+ *t d*d h*0. %nl2 *n one th*n. the2 d*ffered
fro0 the*r co0rade+ *n the north: the2 took no +tock *n the *00*nence of the world
re4ol/t*on and the2 were not *ntere+ted *n *t or *n the *nternat*onal proletar*at. All the2
wanted wa+ to ha4e the*r own *ndependent Co00/n*+t tate and to co00and *n the
&kra*n*an *n+tead of *n the #/++*an lan./a.e. That wa+ the*r 0a*n rea+on for
d*++at*+fact*on w*th )o+cow, he tho/.ht.
I *n>/*red a1o/t the feel*n. of ant*6e0*t*+0 *n the &kra*ne. The en.*neer ad0*tted
that *t wa+ w*de+pread, tho/.h *t wa+ not tr/e that all &kra*n*an Co00/n*+t+ were
a.a*n+t the ;ew+. 8e knew 0an2 (ol+he4*k* who were free fro0 that rac*al pre7/d*ce.
In an2 e4ent, *t wa+ /n7/+t of the northern Co00/n*+t+ to char.e the*r &kra*n*an
1rother+ w*th ant*6e0*t*+0, for the2 knew 4er2 well how pre4alent the feel*n. wa+
a0on. the0+el4e+. There wa+ a .reat deal of *t *n the #ed Ar02. )o+cow wa+ tr2*n.
to keep *t down 12 *ron force, tho/.h *t d*d not ent*rel2 +/cceed *n pre4ent*n. ant*6
;ew*+h o/t1reak+ on a +0all +cale. In the &kra*ne the !h*te+ had +o far 1een the onl2
one+ re+pon+*1le for po.ro0+. !hether the &kra*n*an #ed force+ wo/ld 1e w*ll*n.
and a1le to cope w*th the e4*l wa+ 2et to 1e +een.
!e dec*ded to 4*+*t the local pr*+on and detent*on ca0p. The .reate+t d*ff*c/lt2,
howe4er, we 0et fro0 the wo0an +/per*ntendent at the head of the !orker+: and
=ea+ant+: In+pect*on, a +ort of +/per6watch recentl2 *n+t*t/ted o4er the other watcher+
of a1/+e+ *n o4*et *n+t*t/t*on+. Concentrat*on ca0p+ and pr*+on+ 1e*n. /nder her
7/r*+d*ct*on, we pre+ented o/r credent*al+ to her. he frowned. The pr*+on cond*t*on+
*n Kharko4 were the concern of the local a/thor*t*e+ and of no one el+e, +he declared
30<
cate.or*call2. $*+appo*nted, we left her off*ce, 0eet*n. on the wa2 a 0an who
*ntrod/ced h*0+elf a+ to4ar*+htch $*1enko, the h/+1and of Ale3andra Kollonta2. 8e
had heard fro0 her a1o/t 0e, he e3pla*ned, and he wo/ld 1e .lad to 1e of help. 8e
re>/e+ted /+ to wa*t wh*le he talked 0atter+ o4er w*th the +/per*ntendent. 8e wa+
e4*dentl2 *n her .ood .race+, 1eca/+e pre+entl2 +he ret/rned w*th h*0 >/*te +oftened.
he had not known that we were +/ch well6known A0er*can to4ar*+htch2, +he +a*d,
and of co/r+e we co/ld 4*+*t the pr*+on and ca0p. he wo/ld *00ed*atel2 take /+
there *n her a/to.
(oth penal *n+t*t/t*on+ 1ore o/t the +tate0ent of o/r en.*neer*n. ac>/a*ntance a+
re.ard+ &kra*n*an Co00/n*+t 0ana.e0ent and de+pot*+0. The ca0p, called
kant+la.er, occ/p*ed an old 1/*ld*n. w*tho/t an2 pro4*+*on+ for +an*tat*on and not half
lar.e eno/.h for *t+ tho/+and *n0ate+. The dor0*tor*e+, o4ercrowded and +0ell2,
were 1arren e3cept for w*de 1oard+ that +er4ed a+ 1ed+ and had to 1e +hared 12 two
and +o0et*0e+ three per+on+. $/r*n. the da2 the2 had to +>/at on the floor and e4en
eat the*r 0eal+ *n that po+*t*on. ,or an ho/r the2 were taken o/t *n +ect*on+ to the
2ard, the re+t of the t*0e 1e*n. kept *ndoor+ w*tho/t an2th*n. to occ/p2 the*r t*0e and
0*nd+. The*r offence+ ran.ed fro0 +a1ota.e to +pec/lat*on, and the2 were all co/nter6
re4ol/t*on*+t+, a+ o/r +tern ./*de *0pre++ed /pon /+. 5Co/ld not +o0e /+ef/l
occ/pat*on 1e pro4*ded for the pr*+oner+B5 I *n>/*red. 5No t*0e for +/ch 1o/r.eo*+
d*ll26dall2*n. w*th the ene0*e+ of the #e4ol/t*on,5 +he repl*ed9 5after the front+ are
l*>/*dated, we w*ll +end the0 awa2 where the2 can do no 0ore har0.5
The pol*t*cal pr*+on of t+ar*+t t*0e+ wa+ a.a*n *n f/ll operat*on. Tho+e who dared
>/e+t*on the r*.ht of r/ler+, d*4*ne or +elf6appo*nted, were held capt*4e, now a+ then.
The old rE.*0e pre4a*led, w*th 0o+t of the for0er ./ard+ a+ keeper+. $/r*n. o/r
*n+pect*on we halted 1efore two locked door+. The other+ ha4*n. 1een open, we
*n>/*red the rea+on. %/r wo0an e+cort wa+ e4a+*4e at f*r+t. !e re0arked that pr*+on6
*n4e+t*.ator+ *n A0er*ca were /+/all2 +hown onl2 the 0o+t o14*o/+ th*n.+ and then
wrote know*n.l2 a1o/t penolo.2. (/t we co/ld not 1e content w*th +/ch
+/perf*c*al*t2. ,*nall2 the +/per*ntendent con+ented to 0ake an e3cept*on *n o/r ca+e.
!e wo/ld /nder+tand, +he hoped, that 1eh*nd all 0ea+/re+ *n o4*et #/++*a, *ncl/d*n.
the pr*+on rE.*0e, wa+ re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2. The occ/pant+ of locked cell+ were
dan.ero/+ cr*0*nal+, +he a++/red /+, one, a wo0an, wa+ a 0e01er of the co/nter6
re4ol/t*onar2 1and*t ar02 of )akhno, and the 0an occ/p2*n. the ad7o*n*n. cell had
1een ca/.ht *n a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 plot. (oth de+er4ed +e4ere+t treat0ent and the
+/pre0e penalt2. Ne4erthele++ +he had ordered the*r cell opened for +e4eral ho/r+ a
da2 and +he had .*4en per0*++*on to the other pr*+oner+ to talk to the0 *n the pre+ence
of a ./ard.
The )akhno4ka, an old pea+ant wo0an, wa+ cro/ch*n. *n the corner of her cell
l*ke a fr*.htened hare. he 1l*nked +t/p*dl2 when the door wa+ opened. /ddenl2 +he
threw her+elf headlon. 1efore 0e and +hr*eked: 5(ar*n2a, let 0e o/t, I know noth*n.,
I know noth*n.?5 I tr*ed to >/*et her and .et her to tell 0e a1o/t her ca+e. )a21e I
co/ld help her, I /r.ed. (/t +he wa+ frant*c, wh*n*n. p*teo/+l2 that +he knew noth*n.
a1o/t )akhno. In the corr*dor I told o/r ./*de that *t +ee0ed a1+/rd to con+*der that
+t/pef*ed old creat/re dan.ero/+ to the #e4ol/t*on. he wa+ half6cra-ed w*th the
+ol*tar2 and the fear of e3ec/t*on, and *f kept locked /p 0/ch lon.er, +he wo/ld
+/rel2 .o +tark 0ad. 5It *+ 0ere +ent*0ental*t2 on 2o/r part,5 the ./*de /p1ra*ded 0e9
5we l*4e *n a re4ol/t*onar2 per*od, w*th ene0*e+ on all +*de+.5
309
The 0an *n the ne3t cell wa+ +*tt*n. on a low +tool, h*+ head 1ent. !*th a +/dden
7erk he t/rned h*+ e2e+ on the door, a terror*-ed and h/nted look *n the*r ant*c*pat*on.
;/+t a+ >/*ckl2 he p/lled h*0+elf to.ether, h*+ 1od2 +t*ffened, and h*+ look fa+tened on
o/r ./*de w*th concentrated conte0pt. Two word+, no 0ore a/d*1le than a +*.h, 2et
petr*f2*n. *n the*r effect, 1roke the +*lence. 5co/ndrel+? )/rderer+?5 A horr*1le
feel*n. o4erca0e 0e that he 1el*e4ed /+ to 1e off*c*al+. I took a +tep toward+ h*0 to
e3pla*n, 1/t he t/rned h*+ 1ack /pon /+ and wa+ +tand*n. erect and for1*dd*n. 1e2ond
02 reach. !*th hea42 heart I followed 02 co0pan*on+ o/t of the corr*dor.
a+ha had +a*d noth*n., 1/t I felt that he wa+ affected no le++ than I. !*th +ee0*n.
nonchalance he +a/ntered alon. the corr*dor+, h*+ o17ect 1e*n. to f*nd a 2o/n.
anarch*+t *0pr*+oned *n the place, a+ we had 1een conf*dent*all2 *nfor0ed. I wa+ kept
1ack 12 the +/per*ntendent, enlar.*n. on 02 1o/r.eo*+ +20path*e+.
I let her talk to .*4e a+ha an opport/n*t2 for h*+ >/e+t. )2 tho/.ht+ were w*th the
two pr*+oner+ I had 7/+t left. I knew what doo0 wa+ awa*t*n. the0. The 0an
e+pec*all2 had +hown pr*de and *ndependence. !here wa+ 0*ne, I pondered, that I
+t*ll kept hold*n. on to the +hell who+e kernel I knew to 1e wor06eaten thro/.h and
thro/.h.
!hen alone w*th a+ha, I learned what o/r *0pr*+oned co0rade had co00/n*cated
to h*0. The head of the !orker+: and =ea+ant+: In+pect*on wa+ a for0er Chek*+t and
+he atte0pted to r/n the pr*+on *n the /+/al Cheka 0anner. he had *ntrod/ced 0o+t
+e4ere re+tr*ct*on+, *ncl/d*n. +ol*tar2 conf*ne0ent for the pol*t*cal+. The *n0ate+
+o/.ht to effect a chan.e w*tho/t re+ort*n. to dra+t*c 0ethod+. (/t when the half6
w*tted pea+ant wo0an and the 0an doo0ed to d*e were *+olated fro0 the re+t and
kept /nder lock, the ent*re pr*+on prote+ted. A h/n.er6+tr*ke followed. Tho/.h *t
fa*led of the de+*red re+/lt+, *t +/cceeded *n open*n. the cell+ part of the da2 for the*r
two fellow *n0ate+. Another h/n.er6+tr*ke wa+ 1e*n. planned *n the near f/t/re to
co0pel a chan.e *n the de+pot*c rE.*0e.
I /nder+tood the terror*-ed e3pre++*on on the face of the 0an and the hate *n h*+
cr2: 5co/ndrel+? )/rderer+?5 8e 1e*n. kept *n *+olat*on pre4*o/+ to e3ec/t*on, all the
t*0e *n /ncerta*nt2 a+ to when the fatal +hot wo/ld +*lence h*+ palp*tat*n. heart. Co/ld
an2 5re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t25 e3pla*n +/ch ref*ned cr/elt2B If onl2 I had co0e to
#/++*a *n the %cto1er da2+, I tho/.ht, I 0*.ht ha4e fo/nd the an+wer or a f*tt*n. end
to 02 pa+t. Now I felt ca/.ht *n a co*l that wa+ .row*n. 0ore +tran.l*n. e4er2 da2.
The people who lea+t /nder+tood 02 tra4a*l were 02 own co0rade+ *n Kharko4.
)o+t of the0 were fro0 A0er*ca and had 1een aff*l*ated w*th 02 work there, a0on.
the0 ;o+eph and Leah @ood0an, Aaron and ,an2a (aron, ,le+h*n, and other+.
,le+h*n had 1een work*n. w*th /+ *n the )other "arth off*ce and knew 0e 0ore
*nt*0atel2. The Kharko4 co0rade+, w*th the hero*c per+onal*t2 of %l.a Tarat/ta at
the*r head, had all +er4ed the #e4ol/t*on, fo/.ht on *t+ front+, end/red p/n*+h0ent
fro0 the !h*te+, per+ec/t*on and *0pr*+on0ent 12 the (ol+he4*k*. Noth*n. had
da/nted the*r re4ol/t*onar2 ardo/r and anarch*+t fa*th. The2 had no pa*nf/l
he+*tat*on+, no tort/r*n. do/1t+, no /nan+wera1le >/e+t*on+. The2 were +hocked to
f*nd 0e +o /ndec*ded. I had alwa2+ 1een +/re of 02+elf, the2 +a*d, /n+wer4*n. *n
e4er2 *++/e. Yet *n #/++*a, where I wa+ +o 1adl2 needed I +ee0ed to ha4e lo+t 02
310
.r*p. And a+ha, alwa2+ +o clear and deter0*ned 666 wh2 d*d he at lea+t not 7o*n the0
*n or.an*-*n. and propa.anda work *n+tead of wa+t*n. h*+ ener.*e+ on collect*n. dead
parch0ent+B
%/r co0*n. to #/++*a had 1een a .reat *0pet/+ to the0, the2 told /+. The2 had
1een +/re that we wo/ld cont*n/e on o4*et +o*l the work we had +o ener.et*call2
carr*ed on *n the &n*ted tate+. The2 knew, of co/r+e, that we wo/ld not .*4e /p o/r
fa*th *n the (ol+he4*k* /nt*l we 1eca0e con4*nced that the2 had .one 1ack on the*r
re4ol/t*onar2 +lo.an+. ,or that p/rpo+e ;o+eph and Aaron (aron had 1een +ent to /+
12 the*r or.an*-at*on, the Na1at, r*+k*n. the*r 4er2 l*4e+ *n the atte0pt to reach /+ *n
=etro.rad. 8ad not the*r +tor2 of the (ol+he4*k e0a+c/lat*on of the #e4ol/t*on
+/ff*ced to con4*nce /+B The*r per+ec/t*on of the anarch*+t+, the*r perf*d2 and do/1le6
deal*n. *n re.ard to Ne+tor )akhnoB 8ad not the*r proof+ de0on+trated to /+ that the
d*ctator+h*p had 1etra2ed the 4er2 +p*r*t of the #e4ol/t*onB /rel2 we had heard and
+een eno/.h to 0ake /p o/r 0*nd+ a+ to where we +tood *n re.ard to the Co00/n*+t
tate.
Aaron (aron and ;o+eph had *ndeed 4*+*ted /+ *n =etro.rad. The2 had co0e
+ecretl2, 1oth ha4*n. 1een o/tlawed 12 the (ol+he4*k*. ,or two week+ the2 had held
o/r ten+e *ntere+t 12 the*r 4*4*d de+cr*pt*on of cond*t*on+ and the ca/+e+ that had
.rad/all2 t/rned the Co00/n*+t+ *nto tra*tor+ to the #e4ol/t*on. (/t tho+e who knew
/+ co/ld not e3pect /+ to .*4e /p o/r 1el*ef *n the re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 of 0en l*ke
Len*n, Trot+k2 and the*r co6worker+ 1eca/+e of the*r 0*+taken pol*c2 toward+
)akhno or e4en toward+ o/r own co0rade+. %/r Kharko4 people were w*ll*n. to
concede that the2 had 1een too ha+t2 *n the*r e3pectat*on+. (/t now, the2 ar./ed, after
e*.ht 0onth+ *n o4*et #/++*a, w*th all the opport/n*t*e+ we had en7o2ed of learn*n.
cond*t*on+ at f*r+t hand, wh2 d*d we +t*ll he+*tateB %/r 0o4e0ent needed /+. The f*eld
wa+ lar.e and pro0*+*n.. !e co/ld ea+*l2 or.an*-e the anarch*+t+ of the &kra*ne *nto
a +tron., federated 1od2 that wo/ld reach the worker+ and the pea+antr2 12 *t+
propa.anda. The latter *n part*c/lar, thro/.h the a*d of Ne+tor )akhno. 8e knew the
pea+ant+ and the2 tr/+ted h*0. 8e had repeatedl2 /r.ed the anarch*+t+ thro/.ho/t the
co/ntr2 to take ad4anta.e of the propa.anda po++*1*l*t*e+ the +o/th offered. 8e wo/ld
p/t e4er2th*n. nece++ar2 at o/r d*+po+al, *ncl/d*n. f/nd+, a pr*nt*n.6pre++, paper, and
co/r*er+, o/r co0rade+ /r.ed, plead*n. for o/r +peed2 dec*+*on.
If I +ho/ld 0ake /p 02 0*nd to 1eco0e act*4e *n #/++*a, I e3pla*ned to the0, the
+/pport of )akhno wo/ld l/re 0e no 0ore than Len*n:+ offer of a*d thro/.h the Th*rd
Internat*onal. I wa+ not den2*n. )akhno:+ +er4*ce+ to the #e4ol/t*on *n the +tr/..le
a.a*n+t the !h*te force+, nor the fact that h*+ po4+tant+2 ar02 wa+ a +pontaneo/+
0a++ 0o4e0ent of the to*ler+. I d*d not th*nk, howe4er, that anarch*+0 had an2th*n.
to .a*n fro0 0*l*tar2 act*4*t2 or that o/r propa.anda +ho/ld depend on 0*l*tar2 or
pol*t*cal +po*l+. (/t that wa+ 1e+*de the po*nt. I wa+ not *n a po+*t*on to 7o*n the*r
work, nor wa+ *t a >/e+t*on of the (ol+he4*k* an2 0ore. I wa+ read2 to ad0*t frankl2
that I had erred .r*e4o/+l2 when I had defended Len*n and h*+ part2 a+ the tr/e
cha0p*on+ of the #e4ol/t*on. (/t I wo/ld not en.a.e *n act*4e oppo+*t*on to the0 +o
lon. a+ #/++*a wa+ +t*ll 1e*n. attacked 12 o/t+*de ene0*e+. I wa+ no lon.er dece*4ed
12 the*r 0a+k, 1/t 02 real pro1le0 la2 0/ch deeper. It wa+ the #e4ol/t*on *t+elf. It+
0an*fe+tat*on+ were +o co0pletel2 at 4ar*ance w*th what I had conce*4ed and
propa.ated a+ re4ol/t*on that I d*d not know an2 0ore wh*ch wa+ r*.ht. )2 old 4al/e+
had 1een +h*pwrecked and I 02+elf thrown o4er1oard to +*nk or +w*0. All I co/ld do
311
wa+ to tr2 to keep 02 head a1o4e water and tr/+t to t*0e to 1r*n. 0e to +afe +hore+.
,le+h*n and )ark )ratchn2, the 0o+t *ntell*.ent co0rade+ I had 0et *n Kharko4,
.ra+ped 02 d*ff*c/lt*e+ and +/pported 02 +tand *n ref/+*n. to lead other+ where I
02+elf had lo+t 02 wa2. The re+t of the .ro/p Na1at wa+ d*++at*+f*ed and *nd*.nant.
The2 ref/+ed to reco.n*-e the "00a @old0an of the*r A0er*can concept*on *n her
pre+ent pale *0a.e. The2 t/rned to a+ha w*th .reater e3pectat*on+. The2 knew that
he wo/ld ne4er do/1t the #e4ol/t*on, no 0atter what de0and+ *t 0ade on h*0. 8e
had alwa2+ 1een a 1etter con+p*rator than I and he wo/*d +ee the .reat 4al/e of
work*n. w*th )akhno or at lea+t of accept*n. h*+ co6operat*on. ;o+eph and Leah, 0o+t
.en/*ne and lo4a1le people, were part*c/larl2 +et on w*nn*n. a+ha for the*r plan+.
The2 were pre+entl2 7o*ned 12 ,an2a (aron, who had 7/+t arr*4ed fro0 )akhno:+
ca0p w*th an *n4*tat*on to /+. !o/ld we co0eB he wo/*d +afel2 ./*de /+ to h*0.
5!*ll 2o/ co0eB5 a+ha a+ked. If he *n+*+ted on .o*n., I +ho/ld 1e w*th h*0, I
repl*ed9 /nder no c*rc/0+tance+ wo/ld I let h*0 face +/ch dan.er alone. (/t what
a1o/t the e3ped*t*onB !e had .*4en o/r word to re0a*n w*th *t to the end and he had
/ndertaken 0o+t of the re+pon+*1*l*t*e+ of the 4ent/re. Co/ld we .o 1ack on thatB In
the f*r+t #/+h of the chance to .et to )akhno and h*+ po4+tant+2 ar02 a+ha had
.*4en l*ttle tho/.ht to the 0/+e/0 and o/r e3ped*t*on. 8owe4er, 5a pled.e *+ a
pled.e,5 he declared, 5!e 0/+t +t*ck9 perhap+ we +hall f*nd another opport/n*t2 to
0eet the pea+ant leader.5
%/r +ta2 *n Kharko4 ca0e to a +/dden end. %/r +ecretar2 learned that o/r 0ater*al
wa+ *n dan.er of 1e*n. held /p 12 the =art2 "3ec/t*4e and not per0*tted to lea4e the
&kra*ne. !e needed no f/rther h*nt. The +a0e n*.ht we 0ana.ed to .et o/r car
h*tched to a tra*n .o*n. to =olta4a, and off we l/rched.
!e +peed6+po*led A0er*can+ co/ld +coff and 0ake f/n of +/ch +low tra4el, 1/t to
the con.e+ted h/0an*t2 at e4er2 ra*lroad +tat*on *n #/++*a, wa*t*n. for da2+ and e4en
week+ to .et on a tra*n, the creep*n. pace wa+ of .reat ad4anta.e. An appall*n. +*.ht
the2 were 666 the+e ra.6co4ered 1/ndle6loaded, e3ha/+ted people, +ho/t*n., c/r+*n.,
and fall*n. o4er each other *n the 0ad +k*r0*+h to +w*n. on. =/+hed off, often 12 the
1/tt of a +old*er:+ ./n, not once 1/t 0an2 t*0e+, do..edl2 the2 wo/*d tr2 a.a*n and
a.a*n /nt*l the2 +/cceeded *n cl*n.*n. to the ra*l*n. or +tep+. It wa+ an Inferno
awa*t*n. the 0a+ter hand of a #/++*an $ante.
An ent*re car occ/p*ed 12 onl2 e*.ht per+on+, *ncl/d*n. o/r porter, w*th h/ndred+
cla0o/r*n. for a place on the platfor0 or roof or e4en on the 1/0per+ wa+ not an
/nallo2ed co0fort. Yet we co/ld do noth*n. to a*d. A+*de fro0 the *00*nent dan.er
of t2ph/+ *nfect*on, the people 1e*n. 4er0*n6eaten, we co/ld allow no one *nto o/r car
on acco/nt of the 4al/a1le 0ater*al we carr*ed. Th*e4er2, *n place+ h*.h and low, wa+
no new pheno0enon *n #/++*a. Year+ of d*+*nte.rat*on and want had *ncrea+ed *t+
+cope and perfected *t+ de3ter*t2. !e co/ld not hope to +afe./ard o/r collect*on or
an2th*n. el+e *n the car a.a*n+t +/ch art*+tr2. !e co/ld take none of the woef/l 0o1
*nto o/r car, that wa+ certa*n. 8owe4er, we 0*.ht per0*t +o0e wo0en or ch*ldren to
r*de on the platfor0+, I +/..e+ted. The ;ew+ of o/r co0pan2 fa4o/red the plan, the
@ent*le+ were a.a*n+t *t. The #/++*an co/ple had pro4ed 4er2 d*+a.reea1le fro0 the
+tart. It +ee0ed the*r +pec*al 0*++*on to *n7ect a 7arr*n. note. hakol wa+ la4*c w*th a
4en.eance, now 1/r+t*n. w*th +20path2 and co0pa++*on for her fellow60en, now
talk*n. l*ke a lad2 of a fe/dal 0anor. he co/ld not 1ear to feel the f*lth2 creat/re+ +o
31C
near, +he +a*d, and +he wa+ 0ortall2 afra*d of catch*n. t2ph/+ or +o0e e>/all2
dan.ero/+ d*+ea+e. he co/*d not r*+k another *nfect*on. =oor ch*ld, +he had had a
narrow e+cape and I co/ld not 1la0e her. I pro0*+ed to +cr/1 and d*+*nfect the
platfor0+ e4er2 0orn*n., 1/t e4en that d*d not pro4e a+ per+/a+*4e a+ a+ha:+ +/a4*t2.
It wa+ the art of 02 old ch/0 to lead people .entl2 to where he wanted the0 and
0ake the0 th*nk the2 had 1een d2*n. to .et there all alon.. !*th hakol on o/r +*de,
we were a1le to carr2 o/r po*nt.
"4er2th*n. *n l*fe *+ relat*4e, loo0*n. *n 4al/e accord*n. to one:+ nece++*t2. The
platfor0+ of o/r car were co4eted 0ore than palace+. The2 offered to a few creat/re+
a n*.ht:+ +ec/r*t2 a.a*n+t w*nd and hot +oot and pre+er4ed the0 fro0 fall*n. off the
roof of the car, a th*n. that wa+ a co00on occ/rrence on the road. L*fe wa+ cheap and
people too preocc/p*ed w*th the*r own l*ttle +hare of *t to .et e3c*ted o4er +/ch
0atter+. No one knew whether he 0*.ht not co0e ne3t and no one cared. %nce
+>/ee-ed pa+t the +old*er+ to the t*n*e+t +pot on the tra*n, the2 looked ne*ther 1eh*nd
nor ahead. The pre+ent 0o0ent alone wa+ the*r+ and the2 +natched at *t .reed*l2.
'/*ckl2 the2 for.ot the*r tear+, the*r c/r+*n. and +hr*ek*n.. The2 felt +oc*a1le a.a*n
and capa1le of f/n and frol*c. %nce 0ore the2 co/ld .*4e 4ent to the*r r*ch *0a.er2
and +on.. !hat a people? !hat kale*do+cop*c chan.e+ of +p*r*t?
%/r credent*al+ fro0 the centre fo/nd .reater fa4o/r *n =olta4a than *n Kharko4.
The +ecretar2 of the #e4ko0 Mre4ol/t*onar2 co00*ttee act*n. a+ the local
.o4ern0entN rece*4ed /+ plea+antl2 and .a4e /+ carte 1lanche to e4er2 o4*et
depart0ent. !*th +/ch a*d o/r e3ped*t*on had no d*ff*c/lt2 *n .ather*n. a .oodl2 crop
of 0ater*al. It *ncl/ded a lar.e a0o/nt of co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 doc/0ent+ left 1eh*nd
12 the 4ar*o/+ 1and+ and the ar0*e+ that had *n4aded =olta4a, f*nall2 to 1e ro/ted 12
the #ed force+. #ecord+, decree+, 0an*fe+toe+, 0*l*tar2 e01le0+, and an a++ort0ent
of c/r*o/+ weapon+ were /nearthed 12 o/r +ecretar2 and a+ha and carr*ed *n tr*/0ph
to o/r car.
To.ether w*th 8enr2 Al+1er. I 0ade a to/r of *n+pect*on. 8enr2 wanted to
*nter4*ew the 0a*n local o4*et off*c*al+, a+ well a+ per+on+ o/t+*de of the Co00/n*+t
=art2. 8e *n4*ted 0e to act a+ h*+ *nterpreter and I .ladl2 accepted.
C/r*o/+l2 eno/.h, =olta4a +howed 1/t few ph2+*cal trace+ of the n/0ero/+
*n4ader+. 8ardl2 an2 da0a.e had 1een done to 1/*ld*n.+ and park+. 8er +tatel2 tree+
were *n the*r appo*nted place+, look*n. conte0pt/o/+l2 down fro0 the*r .reat he*.ht
/pon the p/n2 th*n. called 0an. ,lower+ were prof/+e, 4e.eta1le patche+ at the*r +*de,
w*th no ar0ed ./ard+ or e4en a fence to protect the0 fro0 de+po*ler+. After the
d*+tre++*n. +cene+ of o/r 7o/rne2 fro0 Kharko4 the +*.ht of nat/re:+ 1o/nt2 and a
walk alon. the +had2 alle2+ were hea4en *ndeed.
The o4*et *n+t*t/t*on+ pre+ented l*ttle *ntere+t. The2 were r/nn*n. tr/e to t2pe,
0ana.ed *n confor0*t2 w*th the e+ta1l*+hed one6track *dea and accord*n. to the
)o+cow for0/la. The off*c*al *nter4*ew+ added no new note. It .a4e /+ t*0e to look
for the ta1ooed part of the pop/lat*on. Inad4ertentl2 we ca0e /pon two of that cla++
and 12 the*r a*d 0et a lar.er .ro/p held to.ether 12 the*r co00on fate, tho/.h w*del2
+eparated *n *dea+. %/r d*+co4er2 wa+ two wo0en, one of the0 the da/.hter of
Alad*0*r Korolenko, the la+t of the old +chool of #/++*an wr*ter+. The other wa+ the
head of the 5a4e the Ch*ldren5 or.an*-at*on, fo/nded *n 1914 and cont*n/ed thro/.h
313
all the 4*c*++*t/de+ of the *nter4en*n. 2ear+. The2 *n4*ted /+ to the*r ho0e, where we
ca0e *n contact w*th other+ of the*r c*rcle. The2 were of the old rad*cal *ntell*.ent+*a
that had alwa2+ 1een ded*cated to the enl*.hten0ent and +/cco/r of the #/++*an
0a++e+. The2 were not a1le to reconc*le the0+el4e+ to the d*ctator+h*p, the2 frankl2
ad0*tted9 nor were the2 act*4el2 en.a.ed a.a*n+t *t. In fact, the2 were co6operat*n.
econo0*call2 w*th the (ol+he4*k* and work*n. *n the +oc*al welfare depart0ent+.
Ne4erthele++ the2 were 1e*n. per+ec/ted a+ +a1ota-hn*k2 and the 5a4e the Ch*ldren5
+oc*et2 had 1een repeatedl2 ra*ded 12 the local a/thor*t*e+ a+ a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
1od2. Th*+ *n +p*te of L/nachar+k2:+ e3pre++ per0*++*on to cont*n/e the*r work.
8enr2 re0arked to o/r ho+t+ that, no 0atter what 0*.ht 1e +a*d a.a*n+t the
(ol+he4*k*, the2 co/ld not 1e char.ed w*th ne.lect*n. the ch*ldren. The2 were do*n.
0ore *n that d*rect*on than an2 other co/ntr2. !h2, then, the need of pr*4ate welfare
a++oc*at*on+B %/r ho+te++e+ +0*led +adl2. The2 had no *ntent*on whate4er, the2 +a*d,
to deprecate the +*ncer*t2 of the (ol+he4*k* *n relat*on to the ch*ld. The2 had done
0/ch for *t and wo/ld no do/1t do +t*ll 0ore. That referred, howe4er, onl2 to a
pr*4*le.ed cla++ of ch*ldren. The de+t*t/te one+ had alar0*n.l2 *ncrea+ed *n n/01er+,
and tho/+and+ were con+tantl2 added. =ro+t*t/t*on, 4enereal d*+ea+e+, and e4er2 for0
of cr*0e were ra0pant a0on. the ch*ldren of e4en tender a.e, and pre.nanc*e+
fre>/ent a0on. .*rl+ of ten and e*.ht. The 0ore tho/.htf/l Co00/n*+t+ were aware
that the +co/r.e co/ld not 1e c/red 12 pol*t*cal decree+ or the Cheka. It had to 1e dealt
w*th fro0 other an.le+ and 12 d*fferent 0ean+. The2 welco0ed the co6operat*on of
the 5a4e the Ch*ldren5 +oc*et2. L/nachar+k2, for *n+tance, wa+ 0o+t .enero/+ *n
a*d*n. *t. The tro/1le wa+ w*th the local a/thor*t*e+. The2 cared noth*n. a1o/t
L/nachar+k2 and h*+ enl*.htened 4*ew6po*nt. The2 +aw a tra*tor, act/al or potent*al, *n
e4er2 *ntell*.ent non6part*+an and treated h*0 accord*n.l2.
The 0a.n*f*cent +p*r*t I had +o often fo/nd *n the hated and hara++ed ele0ent+ wa+
al+o 0an*fe+ted 12 )*++ Korolenko and her collea./e+. The2 a+ked noth*n. for
the0+el4e+, 1/t the2 1e..ed 0e to *ntercede w*th L/nachar+k2 *n 1ehalf of the*r work
and the ch*ldren *n the*r char.e. The hand*craft of the 2o/n. folk+ of the +oc*et2
con+*+ted of to2+ 0ade fro0 wa+te paper, ra.+, +traw, and e4en fro0 d*+carded +hoe+.
It pre+ented a /n*>/e collect*on of an*0al+, doll+, and fanc*f/l 1e*n.+, +pec*0en+ of
wh*ch the wo0en pre++ed /pon /+ 5for the ch*ldren *n A0er*ca.5 I a++/red 02
ho+te++e+ that the2 wo/ld 1e 0/ch 0ore apprec*ated 12 02 to26+tar4ed 2o/n. fr*end+
*n =etro.rad.
Alad*0*r Korolenko wa+ con4ale+c*n. after a +e4ere *llne++ and not acce++*1le to
4*+*tor+. 8*+ da/.hter pro0*+ed, howe4er, to +ee her father a1o/t /+ and *n4*ted /+ to
co0e to the ho0e of her parent+ the ne3t da2.
In the e4en*n. I called on )0e K, cha*r0an of the =ol*t*cal #ed Cro++. In the pa+t
the or.an*-at*on had 1een a*d*n. the pol*t*cal 4*ct*0+ of the #o0ano4+. I wa+
*ntere+ted to learn what the2 were 1e*n. per0*tted to do 12 the new rE.*0e. )0e K
wa+ a 1ea/t*f/l wo0an w*th +now2 wh*te ha*r and lar.e, tender 1l/e e2e+. he wa+
the 1e+t t2pe of the old #/++*an *deal*+t, rarel2 0et w*th nowada2+. !ar0th,
k*ndl*ne++, and /t0o+t ho+p*tal*t2 had 1een the*r character*+t*c+, and 02 ho+te++ had
lo+t none of the+e >/al*t*e+, altho/.h +he had l*4ed thro/.h e4er2 pha+e of 0*+er2
+*nce 1914. It wa+ a hot e4en*n. and we +at o/t on the l*ttle 1alcon2, w*th the p/ff*n.
+a0o4ar 1etween /+. The 1r*.ht 0oon and the .low*n. coal *n the lar.e tea6/rn lent
314
ro0ance to the +cene. (/t o/r con4er+at*on wa+ of #/++*an real*t2, of the /nfort/nate+
who had f*lled the T+ar:+ d/n.eon+ and place+ of e3*le. The act*4*t*e+ of her .ro/p
were 0ore l*0*ted now, the old lad2 *nfor0ed 0e. The2 were 1eco0*n. 0ore
c*rc/0+cr*1ed all the t*0e and hara++ed 12 0an2 d*ff*c/lt*e+ for rea+on+ that had not
e3*+ted *n the pa+t. The d*ctator+h*p and the per+ec/t*on of e4er2one e4en re0otel2
+/+pected of d*+a.ree0ent w*th the rE.*0e ro11ed the pol*t*cal of the*r for0er eth*cal
+tat/+ and the h*.h re.ard the2 had en7o2ed *n all 1/t the 0o+t react*onar2 c*rcle+.
Now the2 were deno/nced a+ 1and*t+, co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, and ene0*e+ of the
people. The p/1l*c at lar.e, depr*4ed of an2 0ean+ of 4er*f2*n. the terr*1le
acc/+at*on+, 1el*e4ed the (ol+he4*k char.e+. The new rE.*0e had th/+ .one f/rther
than the old *n 1rand*n. the flower of #/++*a w*th the 0ark of Ca*n and al*enat*n.
fro0 the0 pop/lar e+tee0. 5I con+*der *t the 1lacke+t cr*0e of the (ol+he4*k*, the
0o+t reprehen+*1le e4en fro0 the*r own 4*ew6po*nt of +o6called re4ol/t*onar2
nece++*t2,5 )0e K +a*d 1*tterl2. The #ed Cro++ wa+ now co0pelled to operate on two
front+, +he cont*n/ed9 to a*d the pol*t*cal+ 0ater*all2 and +a4e the0 fro0 death 12
+tar4at*on, and to d*+pel the cr/el l*e+ +pread a.a*n+t the0. It wa+ a 0o+t d*ff*c/lt ta+k,
for *t wa+ well6n*.h *0po++*1le to reach the p/1l*c 0*nd, 1eca/+e the lea+t atte0pt to
enl*.hten the people on the +/17ect wa+ con+*dered co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 and wo/ld
re+/lt *n the ent*re +/ppre++*on of the or.an*-at*on and the arre+t of e4er2one
connected w*th *t. Another o1+tacle la2 *n the .eneral d*+or.an*-at*on of the ra*lroad+
and other 0ean+ of co00/n*cat*on, wh*ch 0ade *t 4er2 hard to 4*+*t the *0pr*+oned
pol*t*cal+ or to keep *n to/ch w*th the0. The 0o+t 4*tal th*n., e4en 0ore *0portant
than food, wa+ den*ed the *deal*+t+ of (ol+he4*k #/++*a 666 enco/ra.e0ent and the
*n+p*rat*on of the*r co0rade+ at lar.e. That wa+ the harde+t for the0 to 1ear, 02
ho+te++ concl/ded.
I related to her 02 .reat +hock on f*r+t learn*n. of the ;e+/*t*cal 0ethod+ re+orted
to 12 the (ol+he4*k* to +la2 the*r opponent+, and 02 lon. +tr/..le a.a*n+t cred*t*n.
+/ch th*n.+. I told her of 02 *nter4*ew w*th Len*n and h*+ content*on that onl2 1and*t+
and co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+ were *n pr*+on. It +ee0ed /n1el*e4a1le that a 0an of h*+
0ental +tat/re +ho/ld +toop to +/ch de+p*ca1le fal+ehood+ to 7/+t*f2 h*+ 0ethod+. )0e
K +hook her head. It wa+ apparent, +he +a*d, that I wa+ not con4er+ant w*th Len*n:+
ha1*t/al wa2+. In h*+ earl2 wr*t*n.+ I wo/ld f*nd that he had for 2ear+ ad4ocated and
defended +/ch 0ethod+ of attack a.a*n+t h*+ pol*t*cal opponent+, 0ethod+ to 5ca/+e
the0 to 1e loathed and hated a+ the 4*le+t of creat/re+ 5 8e had /+ed +/ch tact*c+ when
h*+ 4*ct*0+ co/ld defend the0+el4e+9 wh2 +ho/ld he now not add *n+/lt to *n7/r2 when
he had the whole of #/++*a a+ h*+ for/0B 5Ye+, and the re+t of the rad*cal world,5 I
added, 5for *n Len*n *t +ee+ the re4ol/t*onar2 )e++*ah. I had 1el*e4ed h*0 that 02+elf,
a+ d*d al+o 02 co0rade Ale3ander (erk0an. !e had 1een a0on. the earl*e+t
cr/+ader+ *n A0er*ca *n h*+ 1ehalf. "4en now we f*nd *t 1*tter hard to free o/r+el4e+
fro0 the (ol+he4*k 02th and *t+ pr*nc*pal +pook.5
It wa+ .row*n. late and I wa+ an3*o/+ to hear fro0 the old lad2 a1o/t Korolenko. I
knew that l*ke Tol+to2 he had for decade+ 1een a .reat 0oral force *n #/++*a. I
wondered what *nfl/ence he had 1een a1le to e3ert +*nce 191H. I had 1een *nfor0ed
that )0e K wa+ Korolenko:+ +*+ter6*n6law and 4er2 clo+e to the .reat wr*ter. I 1e..ed
her to tell 0e a1o/t h*0.
The prophet of Ya+na2a =ol2ana, +he +a*d, had fort/natel2 1een +pared the
+pectacle of the old a/tocrac2 +/r4*4*n. the #e4ol/t*on *n a new dre++. 8e wa+ +a4ed
31F
the a.on2 of wr*t*n. letter+ of prote+t to the new T+ar. Not +o her 1rother6*n6law.
Tho/.h al0o+t +e4ent2 and *n poor health, Alad*0*r Korolenko had to +pend 0o+t of
h*+ t*0e *n the Cheka plead*n. for +o0e *nnocent l*fe or penn*n. entreat*n. letter+ to
Len*n, L/nachar+k2, and )a3*0 @ork* to p/t a +top to the whole+ale e3ec/t*on+.
)a3*0 @ork*, +he cont*n/ed, had pro4ed a .reat d*+appo*nt0ent. No, )a3*0 fo/nd
the co0pan2 of Len*n a +afer ha4en, and the Kre0l*n a plea+anter a1ode, than e3*le *n
a de+olate 4*lla.e. )a3*0 @ork* had not e4en the co/ra.e, +he added, to l*4e /p to the
hono/red trad*t*on a0on. #/++*an a/thor+ of enco/ra.*n. and help*n. 0e01er+ of
the profe++*on and +tand*n. 12 the0 *n d*+tre++.
)2 own e3per*ence w*th )a3*0 @ork* ca0e to 02 0*nd. I recalled h*+ la0e
apolo.2 for (ol+he4*k a/tocrac2. t*ll I wa+ not w*ll*n. to *0p/te /lter*or 0ot*4e+ to
the 0an I had once +o ad0*red. After all, @ork* had done +o0e .ood, I pleaded *n h*+
1ehalf. 8e had helped to or.an*-e the $o0 &tchon*kh for the 1enef*t of old +c*ent*+t+
and a/thor+, and he had al+o prote+ted a.a*n+t the +2+te0 of tak*n. ho+ta.e+ and had
ra*+ed h*+ 4o*ce a.a*n+t the @o4ern0ent 0onopol2 of e4er2th*n. p/1l*+hed *n #/++*a.
)0e K read*l2 ad0*tted where cred*t wa+ d/e to @ork*. (/t +he tho/.ht *t
*n+*.n*f*cant for a 0an of @ork*:+ for0er w*de and +20path*-*n. h/0an*t2. !hat l*ttle
.ood he had done wa+ 0erel2 to +al4e h*+ con+c*ence9 *t wa+ not pro0pted 12 a +en+e
of 7/+t*ce and decenc2. t*ll I +tre++ed the po*nt that )a3*0 @ork* 0*.ht reall2 1el*e4e
*n the r*.hteo/+ne++ of Len*n:+ pol*c*e+. 8e wa+ a poet, not a pol*t*c*an9 *t wa+
pro1a1l2 the .la0o/r a1o/t Len*n:+ na0e that 0ade h*0 wor+h*p. I preferred to th*nk
+o rather than to 1el*e4e @ork* capa1le of +ell*n. h*+ 1*rthr*.ht for a 0e++ of potta.e.
I e3pre++ed 02 +/rpr*+e that Korolenko wa+ +t*ll per0*tted to 1e at lar.e, *n 4*ew
of h*+ repeated offence+ of lL+e60a7e+tE. )0e K d*d not con+*der *t +tran.e. Len*n
wa+ a 4er2 cle4er 0an, +he e3pla*ned. 8e knew h*+ tr/0p card+: =eter Kropotk*n,
Aera ,*.ner, Alad*0*r Korolenko were na0e+ to reckon w*th. Len*n real*-ed that *f he
co/ld po*nt to the0 a+ re0a*n*n. at l*1ert2, he co/ld effect*4el2 d*+pro4e the char.e
that onl2 the ./n and the .a. were appl*ed /nder h*+ d*ctator+h*p. The world act/all2
+wallowed that 1a*t. It re0a*ned +*lent wh*le the Cal4ar2 of the real *deal*+t+ wa+
.o*n. on. 5The t+ar*+t pr*+on+ are reap*n. a r*ch har4e+t, and +hoot*n. *+ 1e*n. kept /p
a+ a 0atter of co/r+e,5 )0e K concl/ded.
I felt too +t*fled to ret/rn to the narrow >/arter+ of 02 co0part0ent. It wa+ pa+t
two *n the 0orn*n., the 1reak of da2 alread2 near. I +/..e+ted to the fr*end who
acco0pan*ed 0e that we take a walk. The a*r o/t+*de wa+ 1al02, the +treet+ de+erted.
=olta4a wa+ +ooth*n. *n her +leep*n. peace. *lentl2 we walked on, each a1+or1ed *n
the *0pre++*on+ of the e4en*n.. I wa+ tr2*n. to +ee 1e2ond the *00ed*ate and reach*n.
/pward to a po*nt that 0*.ht hold o/t the hope of a rena*++ance *n the l*fe of #/++*a.
Approach*n. +tep+, the*r th/d fall*n. re./larl2 on the .ran*te walk, +tartled 0e. A
detach0ent of +old*er+ 0arched 12, r*fle+ +l/n. o4er the*r +ho/lder+, a .ro/p of
h/ddled people *n the*r 0*d+t. 5And +hoot*n. *+ 1e*n. kept /p a+ a 0atter of co/r+e,5
fl*tted thro/.h 02 0*nd.
In the 0orn*n., +t*ll *n the throe+ of the preced*n. e4en*n., I went, to.ether w*th
8enr2 Al+1er., to the Korolenko ho0e. It wa+ a l*ttle .reen .e0, ent*rel2 h*dden fro0
4*ew 12 tree+ and 4*ne+ 666 an enchant*n. place, w*th *t+ old nat*4e f/rn*t/re, ornate
copper, 1ra++, and colo/rf/l &kra*n*an pea+ant hand*work.
31G
Alad*0*r Korolenko, wh*te of ha*r and 1eard, *n .*rdled pea+ant t/n*c, +/..e+ted
a0*d the +/rro/nd*n.+ of h*+ ho0e a world re0o4ed 12 cent/r*e+. (/t the *ll/+*on wa+
>/*ckl2 d*+pelled the 0o0ent he 1e.an to +peak. 8e wa+ *nten+el2 al*4e and deepl2
*ntere+ted *n e4er2th*n. we co/ld tell h*0 of A0er*ca, of wh*ch he +ee0ed 4er2 fond.
8e knew a .reat 0an2 per+on+ there, he +a*d9 the2 had alwa2+ re+ponded .enero/+l2
to e4er2 appeal of the #/++*an people and he ad0*red the co/ntr2 for *t+ 1road
de0ocrac2. !e a++/red h*0 that he wo/ld f*nd 4er2 l*ttle of *t left now e3cept *n
+o0e +0all c*rcle+ that were too t*0*d and pol*t*call2 conf/+ed to e3ert an2 *nfl/ence.
!e were 0/ch 0ore *ntere+ted, howe4er, to hear Korolenko on #/++*a and we .entl2
led the con4er+at*on *nto that channel. The +/17ect wa+ apparentl2 an open wo/nd
w*th the old wr*ter and I +oon re.retted ha4*n. d/. *nto *t. 8e rel*e4ed 02 +en+e of
./*lt +o0ewhat 12 re0ark*n. that he wo/ld .*4e 0e cop*e+ of two letter+ he had
wr*tten to L/nachar+k2, treat*n. the 4er2 pro1le0+ on wh*ch we had co0e to
*nter4*ew h*0. The2 were the f*r+t of a +er*e+ of +*3 that L/nachar+k2 had a+ked h*0
to wr*te and wh*ch wo/ld conta*n the frank e3pre++*on of h*+ att*t/de toward+ the
d*ctator+h*p. 5The letter+ 0a2 ne4er +ee the l*.ht of da2,5 he co00ented, 51/t 2o/r
0/+e/0 +hall ha4e all of the0 when the2 ha4e 1een wr*tten.5 Al+1er. *n>/*red
whether Korolenko co/ld 1e >/oted *n A0er*ca, and o/r ho+t repl*ed that he had no
o17ect*on+, 1eca/+e the t*0e for +*lence had lon. pa++ed. 8e wa+ aware of the dan.er
+t*ll fac*n. #/++*a, he +a*d, 1/t 5.reat a+ *t 0a2 1e, *t *+ not an2th*n. nearl2 +o .ra4e
a+ the *nner 0enace threaten*n. the #e4ol/t*on.5 It wa+ the (ol+he4*k cla*0 that
e4er2 for0 of terror, *ncl/d*n. whole+ale e3ec/t*on and the tak*n. of ho+ta.e+, *+
7/+t*f*a1le a+ a re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2. To Korolenko *t wa+ the wor+t tra4e+t2 on the
1a+*c *dea of re4ol/t*on and on all eth*cal 4al/e+.
5It ha+ alwa2+ 1een 02 concept*on,5 he added, 5that re4ol/t*on 0ean+ the h*.he+t
e3pre++*on of h/0an*t2 and 7/+t*ce. The d*ctator+h*p ha+ den/ded *t of 1oth. At ho0e
the Co00/n*+t tate da*l2 d*4e+t+ the #e4ol/t*on of *t+ e++ence, +/1+t*t/t*n. for *t
deed+ that far e3ceed *n ar1*trar*ne++ and 1ar1ar*t2 tho+e of the T+ar. 8*+ .endar0e+,
for *n+tance, had the a/thor*t2 to arre+t 0e. The Co00/n*+t Cheka ha+ the power to
+hoot 0e, a+ well. At the +a0e t*0e the (ol+he4*k* ha4e the te0er*t2 to procla*0 the
world re4ol/t*on. In real*t2 the*r e3per*0ent /pon #/++*a 0/+t retard +oc*al chan.e+
a1road for a lon. per*od. !hat 1etter e3c/+e need+ the "/ropean 1o/r.eo*+*e for *t+
react*onar2 0ethod+ than the feroc*o/+ d*ctator+h*p *n #/++*aB5
)0e Korolenko had ca/t*oned /+ that her h/+1and wa+ 2et far fro0 reco4ered and
+ho/ld a4o*d 0/ch +tra*n. (/t once the old 0an had +tarted on #/++*a, *t wa+ d*ff*c/lt
for h*0 to +top. 8e +ee0ed con+*dera1l2 +pent and we dared not prolon. o/r +ta2. I
co/ld not lea4e, howe4er, w*tho/t tell*n. h*0 that he had .*4en new *0pet/+ to 02
re4ol/t*onar2 fa*th. 8*+ own f*ne 4*ew of the 0ean*n. and p/rpo+e of the #e4ol/t*on
had +tren.thened 0*ne, wh*ch e*.ht 0onth+ *n o4*et #/++*a had al0o+t de+tro2ed. I
co/ld ne4er 1e +/ff*c*entl2 .ratef/l to h*0 for *t.
I +ho/ld ha4e lo4ed to re0a*n awh*le lon.er *n 1ea/t*f/l =olta4a and to +pend
+o0e 0ore t*0e w*th the wonderf/l +p*r*t+ I 0et there. (/t o/r e3ped*t*on had
f*n*+hed *t+ la1o/r+ and we had to proceed. %/r ne3t de+t*nat*on wa+ to 1e K*e4, 1/t
the contrar*ne++ of #/++*an en.*ne+ co0pelled /+ to +top at ,a+to4.
!e d*d not re.ret the dela2. !e had heard and read of .ha+tl2 ant*6;ew*+h
po.ro0+, 1/t we had ne4er 1efore co0e face to face w*th the*r ra4a.e+. %n o/r wa2 to
31H
the town we 0et ne*ther h/0an 1e*n. nor 1ea+t /nt*l we reached the 0arket +>/are. A
do-en +tand+ d*+pla2ed a 0*+era1le a++ort0ent of ca11a.e+, potatoe+, herr*n., and
cereal+. The*r owner+ were 0o+tl2 wo0en. In+tead of +how*n. +o0e an*0at*on at the
+/dden a4alanche of +o 0an2 c/+to0er+, the2 h/rr*edl2 p/lled the*r handkerch*ef+
o4er the*r forehead+ and +hrank 1ack *n fr*.ht. (/t the*r e2e+ re0a*ned r*4eted *n
terror on the 0en w*th /+, con+*+t*n. of a+ha, 8enr2, and o/r 2o/n. Co00/n*+t
colla1orator. !e were co0pletel2 nonpl/++ed. (e*n. the 1e+t64er+ed *n Y*dd*+h, I
addre++ed an old ;ewe++ near 12. "3cept for o/r wo0an co0pan*on, I told her, we
were the ch*ldren of Yeh/d*0, and we had co0e fro0 A0er*ca. !o/ld +he not tell
0e wh2 the wo0en acted +o +tran.el2B he po*nted to the 0en. 5end the0 awa2,5
+he 1e..ed. The 0en w*thdrew. I re0a*ned w*th o/r +ecretar2, hakol, and the
wo0en approached nearer. oon the whole .ro/p +/rro/nded /+, each co0pet*n. w*th
the re+t *n the*r ea.erne++ to tell /+ the +tor2 of the*r t+ore+ Mtro/1le+N.
The new+ of the arr*4al of A0er*can+ +pread >/*ckl2, and pre+entl2 the whole
4*lla.e wa+ on *t+ feet. )en ca0e r/nn*n. fro0 the +2na.o./e, wo0en and ch*ldren
h/rr*ed toward+ /+ to 1ehold the +tran.er+ fro0 afar. !e 0/+t co0e to the ho/+e of
pra2er, a 0an declared, to hear the +tor2 of the ,a+to4 .ole+ M+er4*t/deN. The 0arch
1e.an, and on the wa2 we were 0et 12 the ra11*, the kha+*n M+*n.erN and the 0a.*d
MpreacherN a+ hono/red ./e+t+. "4er21od2 wa+ fearf/ll2 e3c*ted, .e+t*c/lat*n. and
talk*n., 0o+t of the wo0en la/.h*n. and cr2*n., a+ *f )e++*ah had *ndeed co0e at
la+t.
%/r three 0ale co0pan*on+ 7o*ned /+ *n the +2na.o./e. The whole a++e01l2 tr*ed
to tell /+ the tra.*c +tor2 of the*r town, all at once. !e +/..e+ted that the2 choo+e a
co00*ttee of three, each *n h*+ t/rn to relate to /+ what had happened. In that wa2 we
were a1le to .et a coherent acco/nt of one of the wor+t po.ro0+ that had taken place
*n the &kra*ne. ,a+to4 had repeatedl2 1een the +cene of ;ew*+h 0a++acre+, perpetrated
12 the horde+ of e4er2 !h*te .eneral who had *n4aded the d*+tr*ct. The2 had +/ffered
fro0 $en*k*n, fro0 =etl/ra and the other ene02 force+. (/t the po.ro0 or.an*-ed *n
1919 12 $en*k*n had 1een the 0o+t f*end*+h one. It had la+ted a whole week and had
taken the l*4e+ of fo/r tho/+and per+on+ o/tr*.ht and of +e4eral tho/+and 0ore that
had per*+hed wh*le e+cap*n. to K*e4. (/t death had not 1een the wor+t *nfl*ct*on, the
ra11* +a*d *n a 1roken 4o*ce. ,ar 0ore harrow*n. had 1een the 4*olat*on of the
wo0en, re.ardle++ of a.e, the 2o/n. a0on. the0 repeatedl2 and *n the pre+ence of
the*r 0ale k*n, who0 the +old*er+ held p*n*oned. %ld ;ew+ were trapped *n the
+2na.o./e, tort/red, and k*lled, wh*le the*r +on+ were dr*4en to the 0arket +>/are to
0eet +*0*lar fate+.
The old ra11* 1e*n. too +haken to cont*n/e, the narrat*4e wa+ taken /p 12 another
of the co00*ttee. ,a+to4 had 1een, he +a*d, one of the 0o+t pro+pero/+ c*t*e+ *n the
+o/th. !hen the $en*k*n horde+ t*red of the*r 1lood or.2, the2 p*lfered e4er2 ho0e,
de0ol*+hed the th*n.+ the2 co/ld not carr2 awa2, and +et the ho/+e+ on f*re. The
lar.er part of the town wa+ de+tro2ed. The +/r4*4or+, a 0ere handf/l, 0o+t of the0
old wo0en and +0all ch*ldren, were now doo0ed to +low e3t*nct*on /nle++ help
>/*ckl2 ca0e fro0 +o0ewhere. @od had heard the*r pra2er+ and had +ent /+ at the
0o0ent when the2 had al0o+t de+pa*red of the ;ew*+h world:+ learn*n. of the*r .reat
cala0*t2. 5(or/kh Adona*?5 he cr*ed +ole0nl2, 51le++ed 1e Th2 na0e.5 And e4er2one
repeated after h*0: 5(or/kh Adona*?5
31<
The*r rel*.*o/+ fer4o/r wa+ all the+e people had re+c/ed fro0 the*r h*deo/+
e3per*ence+, and, *n +p*te of all certa*nt2 that there wa+ no ;eho4ah to hear the0, I
wa+ +tran.el2 +t*rred 12 the tra.*c +cene *n the po4ert26+tr*cken +2na.o./e *n o/tra.ed
and de4a+tated ,a+to4. The ;ew+ of A0er*ca were 0ore l*kel2 to an+wer the*r pra2er+,
and, ala+, ne*ther a+ha nor I had acce++ to the0. All we co/ld do wa+ to wr*te a1o/t
the dreadf/l po.ro0+. "3cept*n. the anarch*+t pre++, howe4er, we had no a++/rance
that an2 paper wo/ld p/1l*+h o/r acco/nt. It wo/ld ha4e 1een too cr/el to tell the+e
people that *n A0er*ca we were con+*dered Aha+4er/+. !e co/ld 0ake known the*r
.reat tra.ed2 onl2 to the rad*cal la1o/r world and to o/r own co0rade+. (/t there wa+
8enr2. 8e co/ld do a .reat deal for the+e /nfort/nate+, and I wa+ +/re he wo/ld. %/r
fellow tra4eller had 1een w*th /+ +*3 week+ and he had w*tne++ed +o0e heart6rend*n.
+cene+. Yet I had ne4er +een h*0 +o affected a+ *n ,a+to4. Not that he d*d not feel
deepl2 *n a /n*4er+al +en+e. 8enr2 wa+ a 1/ndle of e0ot*on+, tho/.h h*+ 0ale pr*de
wo/ld ha4e +to/tl2 den*ed +/ch an *0p/tat*on fro0 a 0ere wo0an. Ne4erthele++ *t
wa+ tr/e that h*+ k*nd heart ached 0ore when ;ew+ were 1e*n. per+ec/ted, wh*ch *n
4*ew of the fearf/l $en*k*n atroc*t*e+ wa+ not at all +/rpr*+*n.. The people .athered *n
the +2na.o./e no do/1t +en+ed that *n h*0 8ea4en had +ent the0 the r*.ht 0e++en.er.
The2 threw the0+el4e+ /pon h*0 w*th a4*d*t2 and wo/ld not let h*0 .o.
!e were 1e+*e.ed 12 the *nha1*tant+ w*th letter+ and 0e++a.e+ for the*r k*n *n
A0er*ca. Tr/l2 pathet*c were the wo0en who 1ro/.ht the*r l*ttle +cr*11le+ to /+ to 1e
forwarded to a +on, a da/.hter, a 1rother, or an /ncle. The2 were +o0ewhere 5*n
A0er*ke.5 !e a+ked the addre++e+ or at lea+t the na0e+ of the place+ where the*r
relat*4e+ l*4ed. The2 had none. o0e tho/.ht 7/+t the na0e of the*r lo4ed one+ wo/ld
1e eno/.h. The2 wept 1*tterl2 when *nfor0ed that 5A0er*ke5 wa+ +o0ewhat lar.er
than ,a+to4. !e +ho/ld take the*r letter+ an2how, the2 *0plored9 0a21e the2 wo/ld
1e del*4ered +o0ehow. !e had not the co/ra.e to ref/+e. !e co/ld +end the0
thro/.h o/r people to the Y*dd*+h pre++ *n the tate+, a+ha +/..e+ted. No 0ore
+ole0n 1le++*n.+ were e4er 1e+towed on an2one than were +howered /pon /+ at o/r
depart/re.
In the whole .r/e+o0e p*ct/re of ,a+to4 two redee0*n. feat/re+ +tood o/t. The
@ent*le+ of the town had had no +hare *n the 0a++acre+. And no po.ro0+ had taken
place +*nce the (ol+he4*k force+ had entered the d*+tr*ct. %/r *nfor0ant+ ad0*tted that
the #ed +old*er+ were not free fro0 ant*6e0*t*+0, 1/t the e+ta1l*+h0ent of o4*et
a/thor*t2 *n ,a+to4 had l*fted the dread of new 0a++acre+, and the 4*lla.er+ had 1een
pra2*n. for Len*n e4er +*nce. 5!h2 onl2 for Len*nB5 we a+ked9 5wh2 not al+o for
Trot+k2 and D*no4*e4B5 5!ell, 2o/ +ee, Trot+k2 and D*no4*e4 are Yeh/d*0,5 an old
;ew e3pla*ned w*th Tal0/d*c *ntonat*on9 5do the2 de+er4e pra*+e for help*n. the*r
ownB (/t Len*n *+ a .o* M@ent*leN. o 2o/ can /nder+tand wh2 we 1le++ h*0.5 !e too
felt .ratef/l that the .o* had at lea+t one +a4*n. .race *n h*+ rE.*0e.
%ne @ent*le wa+ po*nted o/t to /+ a+ a ph2+*c*an who had done hero*c re+c/e work
d/r*n. the $en*k*n po.ro0. #epeatedl2 he had 1ra4ed .ra4e dan.er to +a4e ;ew*+h
l*4e+. The co00/n*t2 fa*rl2 wor+h*pped h*0 and .a4e /+ n/0ero/+ *n+tance+ of h*+
no1le 4alo/r. !e *n4*ted the doctor to o/r car to +hare w*th /+ o/r e4en*n. 0eal. 8e
had kept a d*ar2 of the po.ro0+ *n ,a+to4 and he held o/r attent*on ten+e wh*le
read*n. fro0 *t t*ll the dawn of 0orn*n..
The n*.ht0are of tra4el we had e3per*enced 1etween Kharko4 and ,a+to4 wa+
319
a.a*n repeated d/r*n. the +*3 da2+ that *t re>/*red to reach K*e4. It left /+ 1r/*+ed and
1attered and 0ade /+ real*-e anew the *ncred*1le per+*+tenc2 of the la4 *n
o4erco0*n. the .reate+t hard+h*p+.
The 0a++e+ of de+perate h/0an 1e*n.+ f*.ht*n. at e4er2 +tat*on to .et on the tra*n
were *ncrea+ed 12 the 4*lla.e poor, the de+t*t/te and ra..ed ch*ldren pre+ent*n. the
0o+t awf/l +*.ht. %f 4ar*o/+ a.e+ and co4ered w*th f*lth2 tatter+, the2 1e+*e.ed /+
w*th h/n.r2 e2e+ and plead*n. 4o*ce+ for a p*ece of 1read. The+e *nnocent 4*ct*0+ of
war, +tr*fe, and *nh/0an*t2 were to 0e alwa2+ the 0o+t heart61reak*n. +*.ht *n the
fearf/l panora0a of o/r 7o/rne2.
The crowd+ at the +tat*on+, a+ha and 8enr2 reported, were a+ noth*n. co0pared
w*th the +war0+ at the 4*lla.e 0arket+. There the2 were th*ck a+ ant+ and a+
deter0*ned *n the*r attack+. The2 were the tor0ent of h/ck+ter+ and of the 0*l*t*a0en
ordered to dr*4e the0 off the +treet+. No +ooner were the 0arket+ cleared of the0 than
the2 wo/ld flock 1ack, apparentl2 *n e4en lar.er n/01er+. 5$r*4e the0 awa2 666 what
+ol/t*on *+ thatB5 I re0arked to 8enr2. 5!*th the 1lockade +tar4*n. #/++*a, there
+ee0+ no other wa2,5 he repl*ed. I w*+hed I co/ld +t*ll 1el*e4e that *t wa+ onl2 the
1lockade and not .eneral *neff*c*enc2 and the 1/rea/crat*c ,ranken+te*n 0on+ter
wh*ch were 0a*nl2 re+pon+*1le for the +*t/at*on. No .o4ern0ental 0ach*ner2 can
cope w*th .reat +oc*al *++/e+, I +a*d to 8enr2. "4en the &n*ted tate+, w*th *t+ 4a+t
re+o/rce+ and powerf/l or.an*-at*on, had to enl*+t the co6operat*on of the +oc*al force+
*n the war. Tra*ned and eff*c*ent 0en and wo0en o/t+*de the @o4ern0ent l*0*t+ won
the !orld !ar for !oodrow !*l+on rather than h*+ .eneral+. The d*ctator+h*p wo/ld
ha4e none of the +oc*al ele0ent+ to help, and the*r ener.2 and a1*l*t*e+ were
co0pelled to l*e fallow. Tho/+and+ of #/++*a:+ p/1l*c6+p*r*ted 0en and wo0en were
ea.er to render +er4*ce to the*r co/ntr2, 1/t were ref/+ed part*c*pat*on 1eca/+e the2
co/ld not +wallow the twent26one po*nt+ of the Th*rd Internat*onal. 8ow, then, co/ld
one hope that the Co00/n*+t tate wo/ld e4er +/cceed *n +ol4*n. d*ff*c/lt +oc*al
pro1le0+B
8enr2 *n+*+ted that 02 *0pat*ence w*th the (ol+he4*k rE.*0e wa+ d/e to 02 1el*ef
that a re4ol/t*on U la (ak/n*n wo/ld ha4e 1ro/.ht 0ore con+tr/ct*4e re+/lt+, *f not
*00ed*ate anarch*+0. Yet a+ a 0atter of fact the #/++*an #e4ol/t*on had 1een U la
(ak/n*n, 1/t *t had +*nce 1een tran+for0ed U la Karl )ar3. That +ee0ed to 1e the real
tro/1le. I had not 1een naI4e eno/.h to e3pect anarch*+0 to r*+e phoen*36l*ke fro0 the
a+he+ of the old. (/t I d*d hope that the 0a++e+, who had 0ade the #e4ol/t*on, wo/ld
al+o ha4e the chance to d*rect *t+ co/r+e. 8enr2 d*d not 1el*e4e that the #/++*an people
wo/ld ha4e 1een capa1le of acco0pl*+h*n. con+tr/ct*4e work e4en *f the d*ctator+h*p
had not 0onopol*-ed all power. 8e wa+ certa*n, howe4er, that the (ol+he4*k* wo/ld
do 1etter, once the 1lockade had 1een l*fted and the 0*l*tar2 front+ l*>/*dated. 8ow I
w*+hed I co/ld +hare h*+ hope? (/t I co/ld not +ee the +l*.hte+t +*.n of the re*n+ 1e*n.
loo+ened. %n the contrar2, there wa+ an /n0*+taka1le t*.hten*n. /p /nt*l all the l*fe
wa+ pre++ed o/t of the or*.*nal #e4ol/t*on.
!e ne4er .ot 0/ch f/rther *n o/r d*+c/++*on+. t*ll *t wa+ a .reat rel*ef to talk
the+e 0atter+ o4er w*th 8enr2. %ne co/ld ne4er d*+c/++ the0 w*th the #/++*an+ *n o/r
part2, lea+t of all w*th o/r +ecretar2, hakol. he wa+ a+ aware of cond*t*on+ a+ I, 1/t
+he co/ld not 1ear the lea+t dero.ator2 re0ark re.ard*n. #/++*a or the rE.*0e. I lo4ed
her, tho/.h her la4 tendenc2 to 0ope wa+ 4er2 tr2*n. at t*0e+.
3C0
%/r need for a thoro/.h +cr/1 and a real n*.ht:+ re+t wa+ co0pell*n.. Not le++ +o
wa+ o/r ea.er ant*c*pat*on of the r*ch 0ater*al, part*c/larl2 co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
data, to 1e fo/nd *n K*e4. The c*t2 on the $n*eper had 1een the p*4ot of all the 1attle+
*n the &kra*ne 1etween the #ed and the !h*te force+. %nl2 recentl2 the =ole+ had
*n4aded K*e4.
!h*le +t*ll *n =etro.rad, a+ha and I had +hared the *nd*.nat*on of the o4*et pre++
o4er the 4andal*+0 of the =ol*+h occ/pat*on. The2 had de0ol*+hed all the art trea+/re+
of the c*t2, L/nachar+k2 and Ch*cher*n declared. The anc*ent cathedral+, the oph*a
and the Alad*0*r, fa0o/+ for the*r arch*tect/ral 1ea/t2, had 1een wrecked. !e feared
that on o/r arr*4al we +ho/ld f*nd the .reater part of the old #/++ cap*tal *n r/*n+. (/t
we had fa*led to take *nto acco/nt the o4*et 0ethod+ of propa.anda, of t/rn*n. a
0ole6h*ll *nto a 0o/nta*n. The =ole+ 0a2 ha4e *ndeed *ntended 0/ch da0a.e to
K*e4, 1/t the2 had e4*dentl2 not +/cceeded *n acco0pl*+h*n. the*r p/rpo+e. e4eral
+0all 1r*d.e+ and +o0e ra*lroad track+ were all that had 1een de+tro2ed. No other
r/*n+ were awa*t*n. o/r arr*4al. %n the other hand, we were a++/red that the ene02
had left 1eh*nd a wealth of 0ater*al, 1/t to .et po++e++*on of *t pro4ed a 0o+t d*ff*c/lt
ta+k. The nat*4e Co00/n*+t+ fa*rl2 oo-ed anta.on*+0 to )o+cow, d*+da*nf/ll2
*.nor*n. o/r credent*al+ fro0 5the centre.5 The2 e4*dentl2 had no lo4e for an2 of the*r
northern co0rade+, w*th the e3cept*on of Len*n, who +ee0ed e4er21od2:+ patron
+a*nt. The2 1r*+tled at the 4er2 0ent*on of D*no4*e4, and apparentl2 the2 tho/.ht /+
h*+ per+onal e0*++ar*e+ co0e to +p2 on the0. 5!ho *+ D*no4*e4, *ndeedB5 the2 cr*ed
1*tterl29 5who *+ he to order /+ to hand o4er o/r 4al/a1le h*+tor*cal 0ater*alB5 afe *n
the l/3/r*o/+ Kre0l*n and 0oln2, the2 +a*d, *t wa+ ea+2 for D*no4*e4 to *++/e
co00and+. (/t the2, the people of the &kra*ne, and part*c/larl2 of K*e4, were l*4*n.
*n con+tant dan.er. The*r I+polko0 M"3ec/t*4e Co00*tteeN wa+ *n ho/rl2 dread of a
new *n4a+*on. Co/ld the2 1other a1o/t D*no4*e4:+ order+B The2 had 0ore *0portant
th*n.+ to look after. The l*fe of the c*t2 had to 1e or.an*-ed and the2 co/ld wa+te no
t*0e on o/r 0*++*on.
$*+p*r*ted, o/r +ecretar2 ret/rned fro0 her *nter4*ew w*th To4ar*+htch Aeto+hk*n,
cha*r0an of the all6powerf/l I+polko0. he wa+ al0o+t *n tear+. The off*c*al wa+
ada0ant and a1+ol/tel2 ref/+ed to a*d o/r effort+. It were 1etter to cont*n/e o/r
7o/rne2 w*tho/t f/rther lo++ of t*0e. In +p*te of her pe++*0*+0 we dec*ded to tr2 o/r
A0er*can +e+a0e. It had worked *n +ee0*n.l2 hopele++ +*t/at*on+ 1efore. !h2 not *n
K*e4B !e had a real, hone+t6to6.oodne++ nat*4e A0er*can +on w*th /+, and a f/ll6
fled.ed corre+pondent at that. The a/thor*t*e+ wo/ld not 1e a1le to w*th+tand h*+
*0portance, we +a*d. 8enr2 .r*nned a++ent. !*th a 0*+ch*e4o/+ tw*nkle *n h*+ f*ne
e2e+ he declared that a+ h*+ *nterpreter I had alread2 *nd/ced people to +a2 0ore than
he had *ntended to a+k the0 and that I had +/cceeded *n 0ak*n. the0 th*nk the2
wo/ld 1e +er4*n. po+ter*t2 12 help*n. the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on. (etween the
two of /+ he wa+ +/re we +ho/ld +/cceed *n *nd/c*n. the &kra*n*an+ to co6operate
w*th o/r 0*++*on.
8enr2:+ pre++ card worked l*ke a char0. Not onl2 d*d Aeto+hk*n co0e o/t *n
per+on to .reet /+, 1/t we were *n4*ted *nto h*+ +anct/0 and treated to a len.th2 and
*ntere+t*n. acco/nt of =etl/ra, $en*k*n, and other ad4ent/rer+ who had 1een dr*4en
o/t of the &kra*ne 12 #ed force+. !hen we e0er.ed fro0 Aeto+hk*n:+ off*ce, we
were e>/*pped w*th an order to the ho/+*n.6depart0ent for two roo0+ and w*th
3C1
*n+tr/ct*on+ to h*+ +ecretar2 to .*4e /+ all the a++*+tance po++*1le. I al+o rece*4ed fro0
Aeto+hk*n an order on the =art2 Co00*++ar2 for rat*on+, wh*ch I accepted for the
#/++*an 0e01er+ of o/r .ro/p, 1/t decl*ned for a+ha and 02+elf. The 0arket+ were
well +tocked w*th pro4*+*on+, and trad*n. wa+ not *nterfered w*th, and we preferred to
pa2 o/r wa2, I *nfor0ed the cha*r0an.
The ret/rn of the (ol+he4*k* to the c*t2 wa+ 1/t recent and we +oon real*-ed that
the o4*et depart0ent+ had al0o+t no 0ater*al that co/ld +er4e o/r p/rpo+e. There
wa+ too 0/ch conf/+*on *n the new @o4ern0ent to keep an2 record+. No one knew
what an21od2 el+e wa+ do*n., and order+ were .*4en and co/nter0anded w*th no
rh20e or rea+on.
The !h*te+ had al+o left 4er2 l*ttle 4al/a1le 0ater*al. ,o/rteen d*fferent t*0e+
K*e4 had chan.ed hand+, and onl2 *n one th*n. the 4ar*o/+ .o4ern0ent+ had a.reed
and co6operated66*n po.ro0+ a.a*n+t the ;ew+.
In the ;ew*+h ho+p*tal, now known a+ the o4*et Cl*n*c, we ca0e /pon the 4*ct*0+
of the $en*k*n o/tra.e+ *n ,a+to4. Tho/.h con+*dera1le t*0e had elap+ed +*nce the
la+t po.ro0 *n that c*t2, 0an2 of the wo0en and .*rl+ were +t*ll 4er2 *ll, +o0e of the0
cr*ppled for l*fe a+ a re+/lt of the*r *n7/r*e+. The 0o+t fearf/l ca+e+ were tho+e of
ch*ldren +/ffer*n. fro0 the +hock of ha4*n. 1een forced to w*tne++ the tort/re and
4*olent death of the*r parent+. ,ro0 $r. )andel+ta00, the +/r.eon of the *n+t*t/t*on,
we learned of h*+ .r/e+o0e e3per*ence+ d/r*n. the po.ro0+, who+e 1attle6f*eld had
1een the ho+p*tal. 8e al+o +poke of the $en*k*n f/r2 a+ the wor+t of all the attack+.
Not a pat*ent wo/ld ha4e 1een left al*4e, he related, nor the 1/*ld*n. *ntact, 1/t for the
hero*c re+*+tance of h*+ +taff, 0o+t of who0 were @ent*le+. (ra4el2 the2 had re0a*ned
at the*r po+t+, re+c/*n. 0an2 of the*r char.e+. 5,ort/natel2 the (ol+he4*k* ca0e 1ack,
1r*n.*n. w*th the0 +ec/r*t2 fro0 f/rther atroc*t*e+,5 he +a*d.
%ne of the +tartl*n. f*nd+ I 0ade *n K*e4 con+*+ted of cop*e+ of )other "arth. The2
were .*4en to 0e 12 a 0an we had called to +ee *n reference to data on po.ro0+. 8e
had +hown l*ttle *ntere+t *n o/r 0*++*on, 1/t the ne3t da2 he ca0e to o/r car w*th a
1/ndle of the 0a.a-*ne I had p/1l*+hed *n the tate+. !h2 had I not e3pla*ned who
(erk0an and I were, he ch*ded 0e9 he wo/ld not ha4e .*4en /+ +/ch an *nd*fferent
recept*on. 8e had rece*4ed the cop*e+ onl2 the pre4*o/+ e4en*n. fro0 a fr*end who0
he had told a1o/t the 4*+*t of 5the A0er*can+.5 %nl2 then he learned who0 the ;ew*+h
colon2 of h*+ c*t2 had *n the*r 0*d+t. 8ow d*d the 0a.a-*ne .et to K*e4, I wondered9 I
wa+ +/re *t had ne4er 1een +ent to #/++*a. %/r caller e3pla*ned that h*+ fr*end
Da+la4+k2 had rece*4ed +o0e cop*e+ fro0 h*+ 1rother *n A0er*ca. 5Da+la4+k2B5 I
*n>/*red9 5not o/r old co0rade of (rookl2n, New YorkB5 5The 4er2 +a0e,5 the 0an
repl*ed. Now that he knew of o/r *dent*t2, he declared, we 0/+t co0e to h*+ ho/+e for
tea, and he wo/ld al+o *n4*te the local ;ew*+h *ntell*.ent+*a to 0eet /+. The2 wo/ld
ne4er for.*4e h*0 when the2 learned that we had 1een *n K*e4 and the2 were not
appr*+ed of o/r pre+ence. (efore lea4*n., the 0an *nfor0ed 0e that he wa+ Lat-ke,
for0er )*n*+ter for ;ew*+h Affa*r+ *n the #ada M&kra*n*an Nat*onal A++e01l2N.
In the #/++*an catacl2+0 02 for0er l*fe *n A0er*ca had receded *nto pale
0e0or2, 1eco0*n. a drea0 1ereft of l*4*n. f*re and I 02+elf a 0ere +hadow w*tho/t
f*r0 hold, all 02 4al/e+ t/rned to 4apo/r. The +/dden appearance of the )other "arth
cop*e+ re4*4ed the po*.nanc2 of 02 a*0le++ and /+ele++ e3*+tence. Yearn*n.,
3CC
+*cken*n. 2earn*n., po++e++ed 0e, ch*ll*n. the 4er2 0arrow of 02 1e*n.. I wa+ p/lled
1ack to real*t2 12 the arr*4al of on2a A4r/t+ka2a, a 4er2 +20pathet*c local co0rade.
!*th her wa+ a +tran.er, a 2o/n. wo0an *n pea+ant co+t/0e, who wa+ *ntrod/ced to
0e a+ @all*na, the w*fe of Ne+tor )akhno. I for.ot 02 d*+tre++ at the per*l that
threatened her, on2a, and all of /+. I knew that the (ol+he4*k* had +et a pr*ce on
)akhno:+ head, dead or al*4e. The2 had alread2 k*lled h*+ 1rother and +e4eral
0e01er+ of h*+ w*fe:+ fa0*l2 *n 4en.eance for the*r fa*l/re to capt/re )akhno.
An2one e4en d*+tantl2 +/+pected of ha4*n. an2 relat*on+h*p w*th h*0 wa+ *n *00*nent
7eopard2 of h*+ l*fe. $*+co4er2 wo/ld 0ean certa*n death for @all*na. 8ow co/ld +he
r*+k co0*n. to o/r place, well known to the a/thor*t*e+ a+ *t wa+ and open to e4er2
caller, *ncl/d*n. (ol+he4*k*B he had faced dan.er too often to care, @all*na repl*ed.
The p/rpo+e of her 4*+*t wa+ too *0portant to 1e entr/+ted to an2one el+e. he wa+
1r*n.*n. a 0e++a.e fro0 Ne+tor to a+ha and 0e, a+k*n. /+ to con+ent to a co/p he
wa+ plann*n.. 8e wa+ not far fro0 K*e4, w*th a detach0ent of h*+ force+. 8*+ plan
wa+ to hold /p o/r tra*n on *t+ 7o/rne2 +o/th, to take /+ pr*+oner+, a+ *t were. The re+t
of o/r e3ped*t*on co/ld proceed on *t+ wa2. 8e wanted to e3pla*n to /+ h*+ po+*t*on
and a*0+ and he wo/ld .*4e /+ +afe cond/ct 1ack to o4*et terr*tor2. /ch a
0anS/4re wo/ld clear /+ of +/+p*c*on of del*1erate deal*n. w*th h*0. It wa+ a
de+perate +che0e, he wa+ aware, 1/t +o wa+ al+o h*+ +*t/at*on. (ol+he4*k l*e+ and
den/nc*at*on+ had 1lackened h*0 and the re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 of h*+ po4+tant+2
ar02 and 0*+repre+ented h*+ 0ot*4e+ a+ an anarch*+t and *nternat*onal*+t. !e were h*+
onl2 opport/n*t2 to .*4e h*+ +*de of the +*t/at*on to the proletar*an world o/t+*de
#/++*a, to e3pla*n that he wa+ ne*ther 1and*t nor po.ro0+htch*k, that he had *n fact
p/n*+hed w*th h*+ own hand+ *nd*4*d/al po4+tant+2 ./*lt2 of offence+ a.a*n+t the
;ew+. 8e wa+ w*th the #e4ol/t*on to the la+t 1reath and he hoped and /r.ed that we
wo/ld render h*0 th*+ 4*tal and +ol*dar*c +er4*ce, to let h*0 talk to /+ and pre+ent h*+
a*0+. !o/ld we con+ent to h*+ planB
It wa+ an *n.en*o/+ +che0e, reckle++l2 dar*n., *t+ ad4ent/ro/+ >/al*t2 enhanced 12
the 1ea/t2 and 2o/th of )akhno:+ 0e++en.er. =re+entl2 a+ha and 8enr2 arr*4ed and
we were all held +pell1o/nd 12 the pa++*onate plead*n. of @all*na. a+ha:+
con+p*rator2 *0a.*nat*on ca/.ht f*re and he wa+ al0o+t read2 to con+ent. I al+o felt
+tron.l2 te0pted to accept. (/t there were other+ to con+*der, o/r co0pan*on+ of the
e3ped*t*on. !e co/ld not lead the0 1l*ndl2 *nto +o0eth*n. that wa+ /ndo/1tedl2
fra/.ht w*th .ra4e con+e>/ence+. There wa+ al+o +o0eth*n. el+e that acted a+ a
re+tra*n*n. *nfl/ence. I had not 2et 1een a1le to c/t the la+t thread+ that 1o/nd 0e to
the (ol+he4*k* a+ a re4ol/t*onar2 1od2. I felt I co/ld not 1e ./*lt2 of del*1erate
decept*on toward+ tho+e who0 I wa+ +t*ll tr2*n. to e3onerate e0ot*onall2, tho/.h
*ntellect/all2 I co/ld not lon.er accept the0.
In the ent*re c*t2 there wa+ no h*d*n.6place for )akhno:+ w*fe. )2 roo0 offered
+cant +ec/r*t2, 1/t *t wa+ her onl2 co4er for the n*.ht. Ten+e and 0o4*n. were the
ho/r+ +pent w*th @all*na. !e +at *n darkne++, e3cept for the pale 0oonl*.ht that l*t /p
now and then her lo4el2 face. he +ee0ed co0pletel2 o1l*4*o/+ of the dan.er of her
pre+ence *n 02 >/arter+. he wa+ 4*tal, and h/n.r2 for *nfor0at*on a1o/t the l*fe and
work of her +*+ter+ a1road, part*c/larl2 *n A0er*ca. !hat were the wo0en do*n.
there, +he >/e+t*oned, and what ha4e the2 acco0pl*+hed *n *ndependence and
reco.n*t*onB !hat wa+ the relat*on+h*p of the +e3e+, wo0an:+ r*.ht to the ch*ld and to
1*rth6controlB A0a-*n. wa+ the th*r+t for knowled.e and *nfor0at*on *n a .*rl 1orn
and 1red *n pr*0*t*4e +/rro/nd*n.+. 8er pa++*onate ea.erne++ wa+ *nfect*o/+ and
3C3
re4*4ed 02 own 0a*n+pr*n.+ for a wh*le. The 1reak of 0orn*n. co0pelled /+ to part.
@all*na walked o/t *nto the dawn*n. da2 w*th 1ra4e and +/re .a*t. I +tood 1eh*nd the
port*Lre+, watch*n. her reced*n. f*./re.
After @all*na:+ 4*+*t I no lon.er felt at ea+e *n accept*n. a*d e4en for o/r off*c*al
0*++*on. Not that I wa+ con+c*o/+ of an2 1reach of conf*dence +o far a+ the (ol+he4*k*
were concerned. )akhno:+ w*fe wa+ *n 02 e+t*0at*on no co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t9 and
e4en *f I had tho/.ht her one, I +ho/ld not ha4e t/rned her o4er to certa*n death at the
hand+ of the Cheka. ;/+t the +a0e, I real*-ed that I had no 1/+*ne++ w*th the #e4ko0
and I dec*ded not to 4*+*t *t an2 0ore.
The arr*4al of An.el*ca *n K*e4 1ro/.ht a new *ntere+t. he ca0e a+ the ./*de of
the Ital*an and ,rench )*++*on. 8er .reet*n. when I +o/.ht her o/t wa+ +o f/ll of
tenderne++ and lo4e that the local (ol+he4*k* 1e.an to con+*der 0e a+ one of the*r
4er2 own. In add*t*on dear An.el*ca had felt 0o4ed to d*+clo+e to Aeto+hk*n o/r
A0er*can pa+t and he reproached /+ for co0*n. to h*0 0erel2 a+ 0e01er+ of the
0/+e/0 e3ped*t*on. !e had 1een nearl2 two week+ *n the c*t2 and we had not e4en
h*nted at o/r real *dent*t2, he co0pla*ned. 8e 1e..ed /+ to .*4e /p o/r >/arter+ and
1eco0e the ./e+t+ of the o4*et ho/+e.
Ale3andra hakol had once told 0e that +he wo/ld for.o half her l*fe to wake /p a
Co00/n*+t, +o a+ to .*4e her+elf /nre+er4edl2 to the part2:+ de0and+ and +er4*ce.
Now I /nder+tood what +he had 0eant. I felt that I wo/ld al+o .*4e an2th*n. to 1e a1le
to take Aeto+hk*n:+ hand and +a2: 5I a0 w*th 2o/. I +ee 2o/r ca/+e w*th 2o/r e2e+ and
I w*ll +er4e w*th the +a0e 1l*nd fa*th a+ 2o/ and 2o/r +*ncere co0rade+.5 Ala+, there
wa+ no +/ch +hort and ea+2 wa2 o/t of the 0ental an./*+h for tho+e who +eek for l*fe
1e2ond do.0a and creed.
!e d*d not 0o4e to the o4*et ho/+e and we a++/red Aeto+hk*n that we had no
need of an2th*n.. !e accepted, howe4er, An.el*ca:+ *n4*tat*on to the 1an>/et
arran.ed *n hono/r of the Ital*an and ,rench )*++*on that +he wa+ chaperon*n.. !e
had 1een +o/th for o4er two 0onth+, co0pletel2 c/t off fro0 the !e+tern world a+
well a+ fro0 the re+t of #/++*a. An.el*ca wa+ the f*r+t fr*end fro0 the north we had
0et +*nce o/r depart/re. &nfort/natel2 +he co/ld tell /+ 1/t l*ttle, a+ +he her+elf had
1een con+tantl2 on the road. (/t +he 1ro/.ht /+ the d*+t/r1*n. new+ of the arre+t of
Al1ert (on*. /+pected a+ a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2, +he told /+. 5A1+/rd?5 I la/.hed.
Al1ert wa+ 7/+t a p/1l*+her and 4er2 far fro0 re1ell*n. a.a*n+t an2 e+ta1l*+hed
*n+t*t/t*on, whether re4ol/t*onar2 or otherw*+e. I ha+tened to call a+ha and 8enr2.
The2 were 0/ch a0/+ed to hear that (on* wa+ con+*dered dan.ero/+ to the o4*et
@o4ern0ent. !e knew, howe4er, that land*n. *n the Cheka wa+ no 7ok*n. 0atter and
we 1e..ed An.el*ca to +end a tele.ra0 to Len*n, +*.ned 12 /+, to wh*ch +he read*l2
a++ented.
%n the wa2 to the 1an>/et a+ha fell *nto a Cheka o1la4a that had enc*rcled the
ent*re +treet. "4er2 pede+tr*an wa+ halted and +earched for doc/0ent+. Tho/.h
a+ha:+ were *n perfect order, the off*cer held on to h*0 a+ for dear l*fe, and no
e3planat*on+ wo/ld *nd/ce the Chek*+t to per0*t h*0 to .o h*+ wa2. ,ort/natel2 a
heated ar./0ent wa+ +tarted 12 a near612 .ro/p *n the +a0e pred*ca0ent. No #/++*an
co/ld e+cape the te0ptat*on to 7o*n *n. The Chek*+t for.ot for a 0o0ent h*+ capt*4e,
and w*tho/t 0/ch cere0on2 a+ha left.
3C4
The for0er Co00erc*al Cl/1 and *t+ ela1orate roo0+ and .arden+ were 1r*.htl2
*ll/0*nated for the fe+t*4e occa+*on and decorated w*th fre+h6c/t flower+. The w*ne
and fr/*t on the ta1le+ .a4e l*ttle *nd*cat*on of the +tor0+ that had +wept the c*t2. It
0*.ht +t*ll ha4e 1een the .ood old t*0e when +to/t lad*e+ t*.htl2 laced, the*r neck+ and
ar0+ 1edecked w*th 7ewel+, +a/ntered a1o/t the place, and no le++ +tod.2 .entle0en
*n +wallow6ta*l+ fea+ted *n the+e hall+. The .old and pl/+h of the cl/1 0ade an
*ncon.r/o/+ 1ack.ro/nd for the pale6faced proIetar*an+ *n +hodd2 clothe+. %f the
h/ndred and f*ft2 or 0ore per+on+ that +at down to the .ala affa*r An.el*ca wa+
pro1a1l2 the onl2 Co00/n*+t to +/ffer fro0 the 4/l.ar d*+pla2. "4en the pre+ence of
her 1elo4ed Ital*an co0rade+ co/ld .*4e her l*ttle co0fort. errat* to her r*.ht and the
,rench Co00/n*+t ado/l on her left kept her en.a.ed *n con4er+at*on. (/t her
pa*ned and roa0*n. e2e+ e3pre++ed 1etter than word+ how /tterl2 o/t of place +he felt
and how o/t of to/ch w*th the ent*re farce *n hono/r of Len*n, Trot+k2, D*no4*e4, the
#ed Ar02, the Th*rd Internat*onal, and the world re4ol/t*on. Into3*cat*n. word+9 to
tho+e that had no ear for 7arr*n. d*++onance+. The2 0ade her w*nce a+ the2 d*d 0e,
tho/.h o/r le*t0ot*f+ were *n 4a+tl2 d*fferent ke2+.
Two Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ who0 we d*+co4ered a0on. the ,rench dele.ate+
*nd/ced /+ to re0a*n at the affa*r t*ll the end. The2 were to lea4e w*th the 0*++*on the
+a0e n*.ht and the2 *n4*ted /+ to acco0pan2 the0 to the +tat*on +o that we co/ld ha4e
a talk. The2 had 1een *0pre++ed 12 0/ch that had 1een +hown the0, the2 told /+, 1/t
the2 had al+o 0ade d*+t/r1*n. o1+er4at*on+. The2 had collected *nfor0at*on and data
a1o/t the pol*t*cal 0ach*ne that con4*nced the0 that the proletar*at had 4er2 l*ttle
+hare *n the act/al d*ctator+h*p. The2 0eant to /+e the 0ater*al *n the*r report to the
+2nd*cate+ on the*r ret/rn to ,rance. The2 looked at /+ *n a0a-e0ent when we
warned the0 to 1e caref/l a1o/t tak*n. o/t the*r data. The2 0*.ht not 1e per0*tted to
do +o, we *nfor0ed the0. 5=repo+tero/+? !e are not #/++*an+, nor 1o/nd 12 the
d*+c*pl*ne of the Co00/n*+t =art2,5 the2 e3cla*0ed. The2 were ,rench0en,
repre+entat*4e+ of lar.e +2nd*cal*+t or.an*-at*on+. !ho wo/ld dare 0ole+t the0B 5The
Cheka, of co/r+e,5 we e3pla*ned. !e were /nd/l2 an3*o/+, the2 tho/.ht.
The e4en*n. arran.ed for /+ at Lat-ke:+ had none of the affl/ence of the 0*++*on
1an>/et, tho/.h o/r ho+t+ had +pread the 1e+t the2 co/ld afford. It+ *ntere+t to /+ wa+
not the repa+t, howe4er, 1/t the /nre+tra*ned .ood w*ll and +p*r*t that pre4a*led.
"4er2one felt free to e3pre++ h*0+elf, and there wa+ no lack *n the 4ar*e.at*on of
op*n*on and +ent*0ent. "4er2 profe++*on of the Y*dd*+h *ntell*.ent+*a wa+ repre+ented.
All ca0e to 0eet the A0er*can 4*+*tor+, to e3chan.e w*th the0 the*r 4*ew+, hope+,
and fear+. None wa+ a Co00/n*+t, 2et al0o+t e4er2 one of the0 wa+ an ardent
defender of the rE.*0e, for rac*al rea+on+. L*ke $r. )andel+ta00, who wa+ al+o
pre+ent, the2 frankl2 ad0*tted that the*r 0a*n concern wa+ the +afet2 of the ;ew. The
(ol+he4*k* were pre4ent*n. po.ro0+ and therefore the ;ew+ +ho/ld +/pport the o4*et
@o4ern0ent, the2 ar./ed. I *n>/*red whether the2 were content w*th or co/ld 1el*e4e
*n per0anent protect*on of the*r people *n an at0o+phere of .eneral terror and
*n+ec/r*t2. The2 a.reed that the d*ctator+h*p wa+ fatal to *nd*4*d/al *n*t*at*4e and
effort. (/t +*nce the2 had no cho*ce, *t wa+ .rat*f2*n. to know that at lea+t the ;ew+ a+
a race had 1een freed fro0 the d*+cr*0*nat*on +/ffered for cent/r*e+. The*r feel*n. wa+
the re+/lt of fear, /nder+tanda1le eno/.h *n +/rro/nd*n.+ +/rchar.ed w*th ant*6
e0*t*+0, a+ the &kra*ne wa+. (/t a+ a cr*ter*on for relea+*n. +oc*al ener.*e+ *t wa+
wor+e than /+ele++. To 0e that wa+ the pr*0e con+*derat*on. I co/ld not tran+late the
3CF
%cto1er /phea4al *nto ter0+ of ;ew or @ent*le, 1/t onl2 *nto 4al/e+ accr/*n. to all of
h/0an*t2, or at lea+t to all the people *n #/++*a.
The 2o/n.er ele0ent at o/r .ather*n. had a d*fferent 4*ew6po*nt. The2 d*d not
den2 the (ol+he4*k* f/ll cred*t for +topp*n. po.ro0+, 1/t the2 held that the o4*et
rE.*0e *t+elf wa+ fert*le +o*l for the po*+ono/+ weed of ;ew6hatred. &nder the t+ar*+t
a/tocrac2 the pe+t had 1een l*0*ted to the 0o+t react*onar2 ele0ent+. Now all +ect*on+
of the co/ntr2 were *nfected 12 *t. The pea+ant, the worker, and the *ntell*.ent+*a all
+aw *n ;ew+ Co00/n*+t+ and co00*++ar+ re+pon+*1le for p/n*t*4e e3ped*t*on+,
forc*1le food6collect*on, 0*l*tar*-at*on, and *nt*0*dat*on. (ol+he4*+0 wa+ an *0pet/+
to ;ew61a*t*n., the2 *n+*+ted, rather than a +afet264al4e a.a*n+t *t.
a+ha +tre++ed the po*nt that 1oth +*de+ were 0ak*n. the 0*+take of deno/nc*n. the
a1/+e+ of power, wh*le the e4*l wa+ *n the th*n. *t+elf. It wa+ the Co00/n*+t tate and
d*ctator+h*p that had +/1ord*nated the a*0+ of the #e4ol/t*on to tho+e of the r/l*n.
part2. The p/rpo+e of %cto1er wa+ to relea+e the creat*4e ener.*e+ of #/++*a for the
free /p1/*ld*n. of a new l*fe. The o17ect of the d*ctator+h*p wa+ to or.an*-e a
for0*da1le pol*t*cal 0ach*ne a+ the a1+ol/te 0a+ter. That wa+ the +o/rce of the
d*+*nte.rat*n. force+ at work *n the co/ntr2. Increa+ed ant*6e0*t*+0, ret/rn to the
ch/rche+, ant*6re4ol/t*onar2 feel*n. on the part of the pea+antr2 and the worker+, the
c2n*c*+0 of the 2o/n. .enerat*on, and +*0*lar 0an*fe+tat*on+ were the d*rect re+/lt of
the fa*l/re of the (ol+he4*k* to keep the +ole0n pro0*+e+ 0ade 12 the0 d/r*n. the
%cto1er da2+.
o0e of tho+e pre+ent fa4o/red o/r 4*ew6po*nt, other+ fo/.ht *t deter0*nedl2, 1/t
w*tho/t ranco/r or *ll feel*n., and there*n la2 the char0 of the .ather*n. at the ho0e
of Lat-ke.
a+ha .athered a wealth of 0ater*al fro0 the )en+he4*k* he had 0et. The2 had
1een a potent ed/cat*onal and +oc*al force d/r*n. the f*r+t two 2ear+ of the #e4ol/t*on
*n the +o/th, 1/t the2 had +*nce 1een l*>/*dated 12 the (ol+he4*k* and the oc*al
$e0ocrat*c /n*on+ h*tched to the Co00/n*+t wa.on. The )en+he4*k* had +/cceeded
*n re+c/*n. 4al/a1le data 1ear*n. on the h*+tor2 of &kra*n*an la1o/r and of the*r part2
and the2 t/rned the0 o4er to a+ha, to.ether w*th a lot of per+onal note+ and d*ar*e+.
8e had al+o +o0ehow ferreted o/t a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 arch*4e *n a de+k drawer of
the La1o/r o4*et head>/arter+. It con+*+ted of a +tran.e con.lo0erat*on of pol*ce
record+, 0*n/te+ of the #ada +e++*on+, co00erc*al +tat*+t*c+, and +*0*lar 0atter. In
that helter6+kelter a+ha had al+o chanced /pon the f*r+t &n*4er+al *++/ed 12 =etl/ra a+
d*ctator of the &kra*ne, conta*n*n. h*+ off*c*al declarat*on of pr*nc*ple+ of the
o/thern Nat*onal $e0ocrac2. A 0o+t *0portant f*nd wa+ al+o 0ade 12 o/r +ecretar2,
con+*+t*n. of rea0+ of $en*k*n 0ater*al +tored *n the p/1l*c l*1rar2 of the c*t2 and
apparentl2 for.otten. The l*1rar*an, a ra1*d nat*onal*+t, re0a*ned deaf to the plea+ of
hakol. (/t he 1eca0e all attent*on when faced w*th the ar./0ent that he co/ld not
afford the r*d*c/le and d*+.race *f *t +ho/ld 1eco0e known *n A0er*ca that he had
preferred to lea4e the 4al/a1le doc/0ent+ to 1eco0e the pre2 of rat+ *n h*+ cellar
rather than ha4e the0 pre+er4ed for f/t/re .enerat*on+ 12 the )/+e/0 of the
#e4ol/t*on.
%/r la+t da2 *n K*e4 wa+ a /nda2 and we took the opport/n*t2 to 7o/rne2 alon.
the 1ea/t*f/l $n*eper. "3c/r+*on 1oat+ enl*4ened the 4*ew, and *n the d*+tance la2 the
3CG
0a.n*f*cent cathedral+ and ch/rche+. At a po*nt farther on alon. the r*4er we ca0e
/pon an old 4*lla.e w*th an anc*ent 0ona+ter2. The ho+p*ta1le n/n+ fed /+ on 1read
and hone2 fro0 the*r own h*4e+. (etween the*r pra2er+ and la1o/r+ the2 had re0a*ned
/nto/ched 12 the e4ent+ *n the*r co/ntr2 and totall2 *.norant of all that had happened.
teeped *n cent/r*e+ of +/per+t*t*on, the2 co/ld not real*-e the 0ean*n. of the new l*fe
+tr/..l*n. all a1o/t the0 to 1e 1orn. The*r +a4*n. .race wa+ the work the2 were
do*n., ra*+*n. 4e.eta1le+, c/lt*4at*n. 1ee+, teach*n. the 4*lla.e ch*ldren to +ew and
0end, and the*r k*ndl*ne++ to +tran.er+. Not +o the*r 1rother 0onk+ *n the oph*a and
the Alad*0*r cathedral+. The2 cont*n/ed to thr*4e on the cred/l*t2 of the*r d/pe+, +t*ll
4er2 n/0ero/+, a+ we were a++/red. The +ole0n h/01/.+ kept 1/+2 +how*n. people
thro/.h the ca4e+ and enlar.*n. on the 0*racle+ perfor0ed 12 the +a*nt+ who+e dr*ed
1one+ were e3po+ed to 4*ew. A +tran.e +*.ht, *ndeed, *n re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a?
%n the wa2 to %de++a we lo+t o/r .ood fr*end 8enr2 Al+1er.. Inad4ertentl2 he had
ca/+ed h*+ own arre+t. 8enr2 had 7o*ned the e3ped*t*on w*tho/t ha4*n. +ec/red the
con+ent of the )o+cow Cheka and he co/ld ha4e cont*n/ed t*ll the end of o/r 7o/rne2
w*tho/t the ea.le e2e of the o4*et 1e*n. a1le to d*+co4er h*+ wherea1o/t+. (/t he had
added h*+ +*.nat/re to the tele.ra0 we had +ent to Len*n *n 1ehalf of the arre+ted
Al1ert (on*. A+ a re+/lt the All6#/++*an Cheka *n the cap*tal had at once +ent order+
to apprehend the cr*0*nal who had dared a1+ent h*0+elf w*tho/t *t+ per0*++*on.
Th*n.+ 0o4*n. at a +na*l:+ pace *n #/++*a, the co00and fa*led to reach K*e4 wh*le we
were there. It wa+ w*red to e4er2 +tat*on alon. o/r ro/te and o4er took /+ *n
Dh0er*nka.
All o/r prote+t+ fa*led to +a4e 8enr2. The Cheka *n char.e declare that Al+1er.:+
paper+ were *n perfect order and h*+ credent*al+ fro0 Ch*cher*n and D*no4*e4 4al*d,
1/t he lacked per0*++*on fro0 the )o+cow Cheka, and the2 had +tr*ct order+ to arre+t
h*0. !e co/ld not per0*t 8enr2 to .o alone, and we propo+ed that a+ha or I
acco0pan2 h*0 to )o+cow. (/t 8enr2 wo/ld not hear of *t. 8e knew eno/.h
#/++*an, he 7oked, to keep h*+ e+cort+ *n .ood h/0o/r. !h2, he co/ld +a2 po-hal/2+ta
Mplea+eN, n*tche4o Mnoth*n.N, and +pa++*1o Mthank 2o/N, and wa+ not that eno/.h for all
pract*cal p/rpo+e+B If need 1e, he co/ld al+o 0/+ter /p a few le++ pol*te e3pre++*on+.
(e+*de+, he po++e++ed +o0eth*n. pol*ce0en e4er2where apprec*ated 1e+t 666 0e-/0a.
8e had no fear and we need not 1e an3*o/+ a1o/t h*0, he a++/red /+. (ra4e old
8enr2? %ne th*n. I *n+*+ted on, howe4er: that he +ho/ld not take h*+ note+ w*th h*0.
The2 wo/ld 1e +/re to .et h*0 *nto tro/1le and the2 wo/ld 1e +afer w*th /+ and he
w*tho/t the0.
!e *00ed*atel2 d*+patched tele.ra0+ to Len*n, L/nachar+k2, and D*no4*e4 *n
1ehalf of Al+1er., 1/t we d*d not feel 4er2 +an./*ne that the2 wo/ld reach the*r
de+t*nat*on.
8enr2 had endeared h*0+elf to /+ 12 h*+ f*ne +p*r*t, 7o4*al*t2, and read2 w*t. It wa+
w*th a hea42 heart that we +aw h*0 lea4e, led awa2 12 the Chek*+t+. The poor 1o2 had
alread2 0et w*th 0*+fort/ne recentl2, ha4*n. 1een ro11ed of h*+ wallet. The lo++ of
one:+ la+t +o/ *+ nowhere 4er2 plea+ant, 1/t *n #/++*a *t wa+ a cala0*t2. I d*d not ha4e
a chance to con+ole 02 fr*end, 1eca/+e the 1o2+ 0*++ed the tra*n and d*d not re7o*n /+
/nt*l 0an2 ho/r+ later. The2 were 1/11l*n. o4er w*th the*r ad4ent/re. 5(/t the th*ef?5
I e3cla*0ed9 5wa+ 2o/r 0one2 reco4eredB5 5,*ne chance to f*nd the one a0on. the
0an2,5 8enr2 la/.hed.
3CH
Al+1er.:+ arre+t pro4ed the 1e.*nn*n. of a cha*n of ad4er+*t*e+ that p/r+/ed /+ for
the re+t of o/r 7o/rne2. (arel2 o/t of Dh0er*nka we rece*4ed the new+ of the defeat of
the Twelfth Ar02 and the ad4ance of the =ole+ on K*e4. The l*ne wa+ clo..ed w*th
0*l*tar2 tra*n+ on the*r retreat, and at the +tat*on+ e4er2th*n. wa+ *n the w*lde+t
conf/+*on. %/r car wa+ repeatedl2 attached to tra*n+ ordered +o/th and a+ 0an2 t*0e+
detached a.a*n to 1e +ent *n the oppo+*te wa2. At la+t we were l/ck2 eno/.h to .et
*nto an echelon act/all2 .o*n. *n the d*rect*on of o/r ne3t de+t*nat*on, the .reat c*t2 on
the (lack ea. ,ro0 there we planned to reach the Ca/ca+/+, 1/t the 0o4e0ent+ of
@eneral !ran.el dec*ded otherw*+e. 8*+ force+ had 7/+t *n4e+ted Ale3andro4+k, a
+/1/r1 of #o+to4, th/+ +h/tt*n. off the ro/te we were to take to the Cr*0ea. %/r
credent*al+ were to e3p*re at the end of %cto1er and we knew that 0onth+ wo/ld 1e
re>/*red to .et the0 renewed 12 0a*l. It wo/ld 1e co/rt*n. dan.er to re0a*n +o/th
lon.er than o/r doc/0ent+ per0*tted, 1/t, once *n %de++a, we hoped to f*nd a wa2 o/t
of the d*ff*c/lt2.
At la+t we reached the .reat c*t2 on the (lack ea, onl2 to f*nd that a de4a+tat*n.
f*re had la*d the 0a*n tele.raph off*ce and the electr*c +tat*on *n a+he+ the pre4*o/+
da2, lea4*n. the c*t2 *n /tter darkne++. The holoca/+t wa+ declared to 1e the work of
!h*te *ncend*ar*e+, and the c*t2 wa+ placed /nder 0art*al law. The .eneral
ner4o/+ne++ wa+ *ncrea+ed 12 the report that the =ole+ had taken K*e4 and that
!ran.el wa+ ad4anc*n. north. The p/1l*c had no 0ean+ of learn*n. the tr/th of the
+*t/at*on, wh*ch onl2 *ncrea+ed the*r trep*dat*on.
An at0o+phere of +/+p*c*on and fear do0*nated the o4*et *n+t*t/t*on+. All e2e+
were t/rned on /+ a+ hakol, a+ha, and I entered the I+polko0. %/r credent*al+ were
caref/ll2 +cr/t*n*-ed and we were e3a0*ned a+ to o/r *dent*t2 and p/rpo+e 1efore we
were per0*tted to co0e *nto the a/./+t pre+ence of the pred+edatel. 8e pro4ed a
rather 2o/n.*+h 0an, o14*o/+l2 con+c*o/+ of the *0portance of h*+ po+*t*on. 8e
ne*ther re+ponded to o/r .reet*n. nor a+ked /+ to +*t down. 8e kept 1/r*ed *n the
paper+ on h*+ de+k, then e3a0*ned o/r doc/0ent+, +t/d2*n. the0 lon. and caref/ll2,
t*ll at la+t he +ee0ed +at*+f*ed w*th the0. All he co/ld do, he told /+ f*nall2, wa+ to
+/ppl2 /+ w*th a pa++ to the other o4*et depart0ent+ and w*th wr*tten per0*++*on to
1e o/t on the +treet+ 5after per0*tted ho/r+.5 8e co/ld a*d /+ no 0ore and he wa+ not
*ntere+ted *n 0/+e/0+, an2how. It wa+ a +*nec/re for the *ntell*.ent+*a, 1/t the
worker+ had 0ore *0portant th*n.+ to do to defend the #e4ol/t*on. "4er2th*n. el+e
wa+ a wa+te of t*0e, he declared. The 0an:+ att*t/de and c/rt 0anner d*d not a/./r
well for o/r effort+. Nor d*d h*+ word+ +o/nd con4*nc*n. a+ to h*+ own *nte.r*t2. a+ha
thanked h*0, re0ark*n. that we apprec*ated h*+ re4ol/t*onar2 -eal and that we wo/ld
not *0po+e on h*+ .ood nat/re an2 lon.er. 8*+ +arca+0 wa+ lo+t, howe4er, on the 0an
+tand*n. r*.*d at h*+ de+k.
)2 co6worker+ +hared 02 *0pre++*on that *t wa+ 0o+tl2 hatred of the *ntell*.ent+*a
that 0ot*4ated the cha*r0an of the I+polko0. I had 0et 0an2 proletar*an Co00/n*+t+
per0eated w*th 1*ttere+t re+ent0ent a.a*n+t *ntell*.ent people, 1/t ne4er an2one +o
1r/tall2 frank a1o/t *t a+ the %de++a pred+edatel. I co/ld not help feel*n. that +/ch
-ealot+ were 0ore har0f/l to the 1e+t *ntere+t+ of the #e4ol/t*on than ar0ed ene0*e+.
!e dec*ded that no 0e01er of o/r e3ped*t*on +ho/ld call a.a*n at the I+polko0 and
that we wo/ld tr2 to acco0pl*+h *n the c*t2 whate4er po++*1le 12 o/r+el4e+.
3C<
A+ we were walk*n. down the +ta*r+, +e4eral 2o/n. people approached /+. The2
+tared at /+ a 0o0ent and then +ho/ted: 58ello, a+ha? "00a? Yo/ hereB5 The
/ne3pected enco/nter w*th o/r co0rade+ fro0 A0er*ca wa+ a plea+ant +/rpr*+e after
the +*.ht of the (ol+he4*k 0art*net. !hen the2 learned of o/r 0*++*on, the2 a++/red /+
that we co/ld take the ne3t tra*n o/t of the c*t29 no help wa+ to 1e e3pected fro0 the
off*c*al+, the2 were certa*n. !*th the I+polko0 cha*r0an *n the lead, 0o+t of the0
were ant*6centre and ant*6e4er2th*n. that wa+ not local Co00/n*+t. The2 were
rep/ted a+ the wor+t +a1ota-hn*k2. The cha*r0an, a do.0at*c -ealot, hated an2one
who+e ed/cat*on tran+cended the A.(.C.:+9 he wo/ld ha4e all *ntellect/al+ +hot, one of
the 1o2+ declared, *f he had h*+ wa2. %/r co0rade+ +/..e+ted that we 0*.ht 1e a*ded
*n o/r effort+ for the 0/+e/0 12 o/r A0er*can co0rade %rodo4+k2, who held a
re+pon+*1le po+*t*on *n the c*t2, and there were +e4eral other+ who 0*.ht al+o a++*+t
/+. The )en+he4*k*, too, co/ld +/ppl2 /+ w*th *nfor0at*on and 0ater*al. The2 had
recentl2 1een cleared o/t of the /n*on+9 +t*ll, +o0e of the0 were +o *nfl/ent*al w*th
the rank and f*le that the (ol+he4*k* had not dared to arre+t the0.
%rodo4+k2 wa+ a f*r+t6cla++ pr*nter and a 0an of a pract*cal t/rn of 0*nd. 8e had
0ana.ed to .et *nto the @o4ern0ent p/1l*+h*n. ho/+e and he or.an*-ed *t *n a 0anner
to a+ton*+h the a/thor*t*e+. ,ro0 the conf*+cated and ne.lected 0ater*al+ he for0ed
the 1e+t pr*nt*n. +hop *n the c*t2, and .reat wa+ h*+ pr*de *n +how*n. /+ thro/.h the
place. It wa+ a 0odel of cleanl*ne++, order, and eff*c*ent prod/ct*on. 8*+ effort+ were
ha0pered at e4er2 t/rn: he wa+ not con+*dered one of the*r 5own5 and therefore he
wa+ /nder +/+p*c*on. 8e lo4ed the work and he felt he wa+ do*n. +o0eth*n. for the
#e4ol/t*on, 1/t *t 0ade h*0 +ad to fore+ee the *ne4*ta1le approach*n.. 5Ah, the
#e4ol/t*on,5 he +*.hed, 5what ha+ 1eco0e *tB5
Thro/.h %rodo4+k2 we were ena1led to 0eet +e4eral other anarch*+t+, act*4e *n the
econo0*c depart0ent. All of the0 felt the0+el4e+, l*ke %rodo4+k2, onl2 te0porar*l2
tolerated and *n con+tant dan.er of .ett*n. *nto tro/1le a+ 0en who were 5not
ent*rel25 w*th the e+ta1l*+hed +tandard+ of op*n*on. The 0o+t *ntere+t*n. of the0 wa+
hakh4oro+to4 of proletar*an or*.*n, who+e whole l*fe had 1een +pent a0on. the
worker+. 8e had fo/.ht for the0 /nder the a/tocrac2 and he cont*n/ed to f*.ht the*r
1attle+ e4en /nder the (ol+he4*k*. 8e wa+ one of the 0o+t 0*l*tant anarch*+t+ and wa+
.reatl2 1elo4ed 12 the to*ler+.
%n nearer ac>/a*ntance hakh4oro+to4 pro4ed all we had 1een told of h*0, 1e+*de+
1e*n. 0o+t .en/*ne and h/0an. There wa+ a1o/t h*0 none of the r*.*d*t2 and
hardne++ of the cha*r0an of the I+polko0. 8e wa+ all *ntere+t and k*ndl*ne++, and h*+
0anner /tterl2 +*0ple.
5heer l/ck,5 he +a*d, when a+ked how he 0ana.ed to keep at l*1ert2, 5and the
+/pport of the worker+,5 he added. The2 knew h*+ +ole p/rpo+e wa+ to help the0 *n
the*r +tr/..le a.a*n+t the con+tant encroach0ent+ of the Co00/n*+t tate. 8e real*-ed
that *t wa+ a lo+*n. 1attle, 1/t all the +a0e *t wa+ h*+ d/t2 to keep *t /p a+ lon. he
re0a*ned free.
hakh4oro+to4 +/1+tant*ated the char.e+ of w*de+pread +a1ota.e 0ade 12 o/r
2o/n. co0rade+. 8e added that, wh*le 0o+t o4*et off*c*al+ were +*0pl2 *neff*c*ent,
other+ were downr*.ht +a1ota-hn*k2, p/rpo+el2 ha0per*n. e4er2 effort for the welfare
of the people. 8e related the part*c/larl2 .ro++ *n+tance of the recent .eneral ra*d on
3C9
1o/r.eo*+*e to appl2 Len*n:+ +lo.an: 5#o1 the ro11er+.5 "4er2 ho/+e, +hop, and +hant2
had 1een *n4aded and the la+t re0nant+ ran+acked and conf*+cated 12 the e0*++ar*e+
of the Cheka. It wa+ a 1*. ha/l, 1eca/+e the ra*d had taken the owner+ 12 +/rpr*+e. The
worker+ had 1een a++/red a +/ppl2 of cloth*n. and +hoe+, wh*ch the2 +orel2 +tood *n
need of. !hen the2 learned of the new e3propr*at*on, the2 de0anded that the pro0*+e
1e 0ade .ood. 5And *t wa+,5 hakh4oro+to4 co00ented w*th a wr2 face9 5we *n the
=/1l*c "cono02 $epart0ent rece*4ed a do-en 1o3e+ of .ood+, 1/t when we opened
the0, we fo/nd noth*n. 1/t ra.+, old and torn th*n.+ that one wo/ld not offer a
1e..ar. The ra*der+ had had f*r+t p*ck, and then the2 +tocked the 0arket+ and the
1o/r.eo*+*e >/*ckl2 1o/.ht 1ack e4er2th*n. the2 had lo+t. The +candal wa+ +o .reat
that *t co/ld not 1e h/+hed /p. The decent 0en *n the part2 de0anded an
*n4e+t*.at*on, and the re+/lt wa+ that +o0e +/1ord*nate+ were +hot. (/t corr/pt*on *+
ra0pant, and *t *+ not to 1e erad*cated 12 +hoot*n..5
hakh4oro+to4 and a co0rade fro0 the )etal !orker+: &n*on pro0*+ed to call a
conference of the cha*r0en of the 4ar*o/+ la1o/r 1od*e+ to ac>/a*nt the0 w*th the
pro7ect of the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on and *ntere+t the0 *n o/r effort+. a+ha wa+ to
addre++ the dele.ate+ and e3pla*n o/r 0*++*on.
A week:+ can4a++ of the o4*et *n+t*t/t*on+ con4*nced /+ that, far fro0
e3a..erat*n., o/r co0rade+ had not pa*nted half the p*ct/re of %de++a +a1ota.e. The
local off*c*al+ pro4ed the wor+t +h*rker+ we had e4er co0e acro++ *n #/++*a. ,ro0 the
h*.he+t co00*++ar to the la+t 1ar*+hn2a M2o/n. wo0anN t2p*+t the2 0ade *t a ha1*t of
co0*n. to work two ho/r+ late and >/*tt*n. an ho/r earl*er than clo+*n. t*0e. %ften
the clerk:+ w*ndow wo/ld 1e +h/t r*.ht *n the face of an appl*cant who had +pent
ho/r+ wa*t*n. h*+ t/rn, onl2 to 1e told that *t wa+ 5too late5 and to co0e to0orrow.
!e rece*4ed al0o+t no a++*+tance *n o/r work fro0 the o4*et a/thor*t*e+. 5Too 1/+2,
w*tho/t a 0*n/te to +pare,5 the2 wo/ld a++/re /+. Yet 0o+t of the0 +tood a1o/t
+0ok*n. c*.arette+ and talk*n. 12 the ho/r, wh*le the 52o/n. lad*e+5 were en.a.ed *n
pol*+h*n. the*r na*l+ and ro/.*n. the*r l*p+. It wa+ the 0o+t open and +ha0ele++
off*c*al para+*t*+0.
The !orker+: and =ea+ant+: In+pect*on, created +pec*all2 to f*.ht th*+ k*nd of
+a1ota.e, +ee0ed to take l*ttle *ntere+t *n the p/rpo+e of the*r e3*+tence. )o+t of the0
were notor*o/+ +pec/lator+, and *f an2one wanted t+ar*+t or Keren+k2 0one2 chan.ed,
tho/.h the pract*ce wa+ +tr*ctl2 for1*dden, he wo/ld 1e ad4*+ed to .o to +o0e well6
known off*c*al to ha4e the tran+act*on attended to. 5%rd*nar2 c*t*-en+ are +hot for +/ch
+pec/lat*on,5 a well6known (/nd*+t1 co00ented to /+, 51/t who can to/ch the+e
off*c*al+B The2 all work hand *n .lo4e.5 The corr/pt*on and a/tocrac2 of the h*.he+t
o4*et c*rcle+ were an open +ecret *n the c*t2, the 0an related. The Cheka *n part*c/lar
wa+ noth*n. 0ore than a .an. of c/t6throat+. "3tort*on, 1r*1er2, and *nd*+cr*0*nate
+hoot*n. of 4*ct*0+ who co/ld not pa2 were *t+ co00on pract*ce+. It wa+ a fre>/ent
occ/rrence that 1*. +pec/lator+, +entenced to d*e, were +et free 12 the Cheka for the
pa20ent of e3or1*tant ran+o0. Another pract*ce wa+ to not*f2 the relat*4e+ of +o0e
pro0*nent pr*+oner that he had 1een e3ec/ted. !h*le the fa0*l2 wo/ld 1e pl/n.ed *n
.r*ef, a Cheka e0*++ar2 wo/ld arr*4e to *nfor0 the0 that *t had 1een a 0*+take. The
conde0ned 0an wa+ +t*ll al*4e, 1/t onl2 a certa*n +/0, *n4ar*a1l2 4er2 lar.e, wo/Id
+a4e h*+ l*fe. ,a0*l2 and fr*end+ wo/ld d*4e+t the0+el4e+ of e4er2th*n. to +ec/re the
nece++ar2 a0o/nt, and the 0one2 wa+ alwa2+ accepted. There wo/ld co0e no 0ore
e0*++ar*e+ to e3pla*n that the alle.ed 0*+take had 1een no 0*+take at all. If an2one
330
dared +how +*.n+ of prote+t, he wo/ld 1e arre+ted and +hot for 5atte0pt*n. to corr/pt5
the Cheka. Al0o+t e4er2 0orn*n. at dawn a tr/ckload of tho+e that were to d*e wo/ld
clatter down 5Cheka treet5 at a f/r*o/+ pace toward+ the o/t+k*rt+ of the c*t2. The
doo0ed one+ were forced to l*e *n the wa.on face down, the*r hand+ and feet t*ed,
ar0ed ./ard+ +tand*n. o4er the0. Chek*+t+ on hor+e1ack acco0pan*ed the tr/ck,
+hoot*n. at an2one who +howed h*0+elf at an open w*ndow alon. the*r ro/te. A
narrow +tr*p of red *n the path of ret/rn*n. tr/ck wo/ld 1e all that wa+ left to tell the
+tor2 of tho+e taken on the*r la+t r*de to 1e ra-0en2at Mde+tro2edN.
1 )e01er of the (/nd, ;ew*+h oc*al $e0ocrat*c or.an*-at*on.
The (/nd*+t called a.a*n a few da2+ later *n the co0pan2 of a fr*end who0 he
*ntrod/ced a+ $r. Lande+0an, a D*on*+t and 0e01er of a c*rcle that *ncl/ded the
fa0o/+ ;ew*+h poet (2alek and other p/1l*c6+p*r*ted 0en. No do/1t we knew, the
doctor +a*d, that #o+h 8a+hona wa+ at hand, and he wo/ld 1e happ2 to ha4e /+
cele1rate the .reat da2 to.ether *n the co0pan2 of h*+ fa0*l2. !e confe++ed that we
had not 1een aware of the approach of the ;ew*+h New Year, 1/t we were ;ew+
eno/.h to want to +pend the hol*da2 w*th h*0.
The ho0e of the Lande+0an fa0*l2, ad7o*n*n. h*+ for0er pr*4ate cl*n*c now t/rned
*nto a o4*et +anator*/0, wa+ 1ea/t*f/ll2 +*t/ated. =erched on a h*.h ele4at*on, *t wa+
1/r*ed a0*d+t a prof/+*on of tree+ and +hr/11er2 on one +*de, wh*le the other faced the
(lack ea, water+ 1eat*n. a.a*n+t the foot of the h*ll. !e arr*4ed a1o/t tea6t*0e a+
re>/e+ted, 1eca/+e +o0e of the other ./e+t+ had no per0*t+ to 1e o/t after dark,
%de++a 1e*n. /nder 0art*al law.
$r. Lande+0an:+ cl*n*c had en7o2ed the rep/tat*on of 1e*n. the 1e+t *n %de++a. The
(ol+he4*k* had conf*+cated *t for a worker+: re+t6ho0e, 1/t not a +*n.le proletar*an had
2et 1een +ent there, not e4en the ord*nar2 part2 0e01er. %nl2 the h*.he+t off*c*al+
ca0e, w*th the*r fa0*l*e+. ;/+t now the Ch*ef of the Cheka, $e*t+ch, wa+ tak*n. the
c/re for a 1ad 5ner4o/+ 1reak6down.5
58ow can 2o/ 1ear to treat h*0B5 I a+ked the doctor. 5Yo/ for.et that I ha4e no
cho*ce,5 he repl*ed9 51e+*de+, I a0 a ph2+*c*an and 1o/nd 12 profe++*onal eth*c+ to
ref/+e 0ed*cal a*d to no one.5 5/ch 1o/r.eo*+ +ent*0ental*t2?5 I la/.hed. 5!*th the
Cheka Ch*ef .ett*n. the 1enef*t of *t,5 he retorted *n the +a0e +p*r*t.
!e were +*tt*n. on the terrace, the +a0o4ar 1efore /+, the +k2 +treaked w*th 1l/e
and a0eth2+t, the +/n a 1all of f*re +lowl2 +*nk*n. *nto the (lack ea. The c*t2 w*th all
*t+ terror and +/ffer*n. +ee0ed far off, and the .reen 1owered nook an *d2ll. If *t
wo/ld la+t awh*le lon.er, I 0/+ed . . . 1/t one l*4ed *n +econd+ onl2.
New ./e+t+ arr*4ed, (2alek a0on. the0, +>/are6+et and 1road +ho/ldered, look*n.
0ore l*ke a pro+pero/+ 0erchant than a poet. A +lender 0an w*th 4*1rantl2 +en+*t*4e
feat/re+ wa+ *ntrod/ced a+ a fa0o/+ a/thor*t2 on ;ew*+h per+ec/t*on and po.ro0+.
a+ha *00ed*atel2 en.a.ed h*0 *n con4er+at*on on the +/17ect, 1/t *n the 0*d+t of *t,
d/r*n. the 0eal, he +/ddenl2 .rew deathl2 pale and 1e..ed to 1e e3c/+ed. To.ether
w*th $octor Lande+0an, I reached a+ha 7/+t *n t*0e to +a4e h*0 fro0 fall*n. *n a
fa*nt. 8e wa+ wr*th*n. *n pa*n and .a+p*n. for 1reath, and pre+entl2 he 1eca0e
/ncon+c*o/+. After a half6ho/r that +ee0ed an etern*t2 the .ood doctor had h*0
331
+o0ewhat re+tored. =acked *n hot water 1ottle+, he felt rel*e4ed, 1/t +t*ll 4er2 weak. I
told Lande+0an that 02 fr*end had 1een 4er2 *ll when he left the &n*ted tate+, and
that he had ne4er 1een >/*te well +*nce. The 1lack 1read *n part*c/lar +ee0ed to affect
h*+ cond*t*on, and he had +howed con+*dera1le *0pro4e0ent +*nce we had 1een a1le
to proc/re wh*te 1read *n the +o/th. %/r ho+t+ *n+*+ted that we re0a*n o4ern*.ht w*th
the0 *n 4*ew of the po++*1*l*t2 of a+ha:+ +/ffer*n. an other attack. 5!hat .ood w*ll *t
doB5 the pat*ent +/ddenl2 p*ped /p. 5The e3ped*t*on 0/+t proceed to )o+cow.5 The
doctor +/..e+ted that the e3ped*t*on proceed, 1/t that a+ha and h*+ n/r+e re0a*n *n
%de++a /nt*l he co/ld f*nd o/t the ca/+e of the tro/1le. =re+entl2 a+ha fell >/*etl2
a+leep and I +at watch*n. h*+ th*n, pale face *ntentl2. It had lo+t noth*n. of *t+
endear0ent to 0e +*nce we had 0et +o 0an2, 0an2 2ear+ a.o. !hat wo/ld *t 0ean to
lo+e h*0, and *n #/++*aB I +h/ddered at the tho/.ht, 02 0*nd /na1le to follow /p the
cr/el po++*1*l*t2. )2 pal la2 peacef/ll2 re+t*n., and I went 1ack to the d*n*n.6roo0,
02 tho/.ht+ /pon 02 l*fe and the +tr/..le I had .one thro/.h to.ether w*th 02 fr*end
and co0rade.
The d*+he+ were a1o/t to 1e cleared awa2 when a+ha +/ddenl2 entered a+ *f
noth*n. had happened. $*d the2 th*nk he wo/ld 1e +o ea+*l2 done o/t of h*+ +hare of
the 0eal, he de0anded w*th a 1road .r*n. 8*+ appet*te wa+ .reat, he anno/nced, and
he wo/ld not th*nk of allow*n. a l*ttle *nd*+po+*t*on to +tand 1etween h*0 and )0e
Lande+0an:+ c/l*nar2 art. The co0pan2 roared w*th la/.hter. The doctor, howe4er,
4etoed hea42 d*+he+, 1/t a+ha read h*0 the r*ot act a1o/t atte0pt*n. to keep an
anarch*+t fro0 eat*n. what he l*ke+. I +tared at h*0 *n wonder. It wa+ the +a0e 1o2
who had called for e3tra +teak and coffee *n ach+:+ re+ta/rant *n New York 7/+t
th*rt26one 2ear+ 1efore. The pat*ent of an ho/r a.o not onl2 ate heart*l2, 1/t 1eca0e
the +p*r*t of the co0pan2. 8e had fo/nd the 0an for who0 he had 1een look*n. for a
lon. t*0e, he declared, and he held to the e3pert *n4e+t*.ator of po.ro0+ for the re+t
of the e4en*n..
The 0an pro4ed a walk*n. enc2cloped*a on the +/17ect. 8e had 4*+*ted +e4ent26
two c*t*e+ where po.ro0+ had taken place, and he had collected a wealth of data. ;ew6
1a*t*n. d/r*n. the 4ar*o/+ &kra*n*an rE.*0e+, he +tated, had 1een of 0ore f*end*+h
character than the wor+t 0a++acre+ /nder the t+ar+. 8e ad0*tted that no po.ro0+ had
taken place +*nce the (ol+he4*k* had co0e to power, 1/t he a.reed w*th the 2o/n.er
ele0ent of the K*e4 wr*ter+ that (ol+he4*+0 had *nten+*f*ed ant*6e0*t*c feel*n.
a0on. the 0a++e+. o0e da2 *t wo/ld 1reak o/t, he wa+ certa*n, *n the whole+ale
+la/.hter of 4en.eance.
a+ha ar./ed heatedl2 w*th h*0. pec/lat*on+ a1o/t f/t/re po++*1*l*te+ a+*de, he
e0pha+*-ed, *t re0a*ned a .enerall2 reco.n*-ed fact that the (ol+he4*k* had p/t the l*d
down on po.ro0+. $*d that not po*nt to a +*ncere and deter0*ned p/rpo+e to erad*cate
e4er2 4*olent 0an*fe+tat*on of the old d*+ea+e, *f not the d*+ea+e *t+elfB The *n+t*.ator
den*ed *t, a++ert*n. that the (ol+he4*k* had depr*4ed the ;ew+ of the*r r*.ht of +elf6
defence, for1*dd*n. the0 to or.an*-e for the p/rpo+e. The2 were e4en +/+pected of
plott*n. a.a*n+t the o4*et @o4ern0ent 1eca/+e the2 had appl*ed for per0*++*on to
ar0 the0+el4e+ a.a*n+t f/t/re attack+. $octor Lande+0an added that the local
a/thor*t*e+ had ref/+ed to allow h*0 to for0 a Y*dd*+h 1o26+co/t /n*t. 8e had
*ntended +/ch a .ro/p to +er4e not onl2 a+ a defence for the ;ew+, 1/t al+o for the
protect*on of the c*t*-en+ .enerall2 a.a*n+t the notor*o/+ r/ff*an 1and+ fro0 who0 no
one wa+ +afe *n %de++a.
33C
%n clo+er e3a0*nat*on the doctor fo/nd a+ha +/ffer*n. fro0 an /lcerated +to0ach
and offered to place h*0 *n h*+ +anator*/0 for treat0ent. 5@*4e a doctor a chance at
2o/r *n+*de+ and he *+ +/re to f*nd +o0eth*n. rad*call2 wron. there,5 a+ha 7oked,
wa4*n. a+*de the .ood ph2+*c*an:+ offer. The e3ped*t*on had to proceed, he *n+*+ted,
and he w*th *t.
!e heart*l2 thanked the Lande+0an+ for the*r .enero/+ ho+p*tal*t2. In +oc*al *dea+
we were far re0o4ed fro0 each other, 1/t the2 were a0on. the 0o+t h/0an and
fr*endl2 1e*n.+ that *t had 1een o/r .ood fort/ne to 0eet *n #/++*a. !e had e3ha/+ted
the h*+tor*cal po++*1*l*t*e+ of %de++a and we had to lea4e. The Cr*0ea wa+ def*n*tel2
o/t of the >/e+t*on, the ent*re ro/te 1e*n. *n the l*ne of the !ran.el ad4ance. !e were
pro0*+ed conne3*on w*th a tra*n that wa+ to depart for K*e4 w*th*n fort26e*.ht ho/r+.
!e hardl2 dared to e3pect +/ch l/ck, 1/t we cl/n. to the hope. )eanwh*le o/r
+ecretar2 and a+ha dec*ded to e3plore N*kola2e4+k, where 4al/a1le arch*4e+ were
+/ppo+ed to awa*t re+c/e. hakol had 1een conf*dent*all2 told that a 0*l*tar2 a/to
tr/ck wa+ a1o/t to lea4e for that c*t2 and that the +old*er+ 0*.ht 1e per+/aded to
per0*t her and a+ha to 7o*n the0. It wa+ 1/t a +l*.ht chance, 1/t noth*n. co/ld +top
tho+e two 4ent/re+o0e +p*r*t+.
I re0a*ned w*th the other 0e01er+ of the e3ped*t*on *n %de++a to prepare o/r car
for the 7o/rne2 to K*e4. In the 0*d+t of 02 wa+h*n. and +cr/11*n. a 2o/n. wo0an
entered. he addre++ed 0e *n "n.l*+h and, w*tho/t +topp*n. to *ntrod/ce her+elf,
1e.an tell*n. 0e +he had known 0e *n the tate+. In $etro*t +he and her h/+1and had
attended 02 lect/re+. he had learned of o/r pre+ence *n the c*t2 and +he had co0e to
*n4*te Co0rade (erk0an and 0e to her ho0e for a c/p of tea. he re.retted that her
h/+1and wo/ld not 1e pre+ent. 8e wa+ *ll, *n a ho+p*tal, 1/t ea.er to +ee /+. In fact, *t
wa+ he who had +ent her to re>/e+t /+ to 4*+*t h*0, +*nce he co/ld not co0e to /+, h*+
old co0rade+. (erk0an wa+ awa2, I e3pla*ned, and I had a .reat deal of work on
hand. I co/ld not co0e to her ho0e, 0/ch a+ I apprec*ated her *n4*tat*on. (/t I wo/ld
call on the pat*ent. 5%ne for.et+ the e3*+tence of flower+ *n #/++*a,5 I re0arked, 5el+e
I +ho/ld 1e .lad to take +o0e to 2o/r h/+1and.5 Then I a+ked 02 caller:+ na0e and
the addre++ of the ho+p*tal. 5)2 h/+1and *+ *n the for0er Lande+0an +anator*/0,5 +he
repl*ed9 5h*+ na0e *+ $e*t+ch.5 I 7/0ped fro0 02 cha*r a+ *f +t/n. 12 a 4*per. The
wo0an al+o +pran. to her feet. ,or +o0e +econd+ we +tood .lar*n. at each other. At
la+t I fo/nd 02 4o*ce. =o*nt*n. to the e3*t, I co00anded: 5@o, .o at once? !e want
none of 2o/ or 2o/r h/+1and.5 5!hat do 2o/ 0ean talk*n. to 0e l*ke thatB5 +he cr*ed
wrathf/ll2, 52o/ pro1a1l2 don:t know that 02 h/+1and *+ Cha*r0an of the Cheka?5 5I
know, I know too 0/ch to want to 1reathe the +a0e at0o+phere w*th 2o/. @o?5
In+tead of lea4*n. +he 1ra-enl2 +at down and 1e.an /p1ra*d*n. 0e for ho16
no11*n. w*th D*on*+t+ and 1o/r.eo*+. 8ad I al+o 1eco0e a co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t, +he
de0anded, that I preferred +/ch 1and*t+ to her h/+1and, a co0rade who had worked
h*0+elf *ll *n the +er4*ce of re4ol/t*onar2 #/++*a. $e*t+ch co/ld co0pel 0e to co0e to
h*0, +he +a*d, and he pro1a1l2 wo/ld when +he told h*0 what h*+ teacher ".@. had
1eco0e. I let her talk. )2 +oc*al ed*f*ce had 1een cr/01l*n. p*ece 12 p*ece. %ne 0ore
ed.e r/thle++l2 chopped off co/ld hardl2 0atter. I had not the ener.2 to ar./e or the
fa*th that I co/ld 0ake that wo0an .ra+p the 0on+tro/+ th*n. that wa+ 1e*n.
accla*0ed a+ the he #e4ol/t*on, and the 0on+tro+*t*e+ that were +er4*n. *t.
333
a+ha ret/rned w*th o/r +ecretar2 twent26fo/r ho/r+ later than the2 had e3pected.
%nl2 when the tra*n p/lled o/t of %de++a d*d I relate to the0 02 enco/nter w*th the
w*fe of the all6powerf/l Chek*+t.
)2 co0pan*on+ told the +tor2 of the*r e3c*t*n. 7o/rne2 to N*kola2e4+k. The2 had
.one thro/.h harrow*n. e3per*ence+, 4*+*t*n. 4*lla.e+ de4a+tated 12 the ra-4*or+tka
Mforc*1le collect*on of prod/ceN and 12 the (ol+he4*k p/n*t*4e e3ped*t*on+. The
Chek*+t+ acco0pan2*n. the 0*l*tar2 +/ppl2 tr/ck on wh*ch 02 two fr*end+ had 0ade
the tr*p carr*ed on a+ *rre+pon+*1le a/tocrat+ *n a con>/ered co/ntr2, co00andeer*n.
for the*r own /+e e4er2th*n. the2 co/ld carr2, e4en the la+t ch*cken fro0 the poore+t
far06ho/+e. All alon. the ro/te to N*kola2e4+k, a+ha +a*d, the2 had 0et lon. l*ne+ of
pea+ant+, flanked 12 Chek*+t troop+, cart*n. the*r conf*+cated .ra*n to %de++a.
%n o/r 7o/rne2 1ack to K*e4 we d*d a+ the #o0an+. The 0arket+ +t*ll d*+pla2ed
>/ant*t*e+ of food+t/ff+, 1/t the pr*ce+ had r*+en enor0o/+l2 +*nce o/r pre4*o/+ 4*+*t.
!e were +/re that *n =etro.rad the2 were e4en 0ore proh*1*t*4e, *f an2th*n. co/ld 1e
proc/red at all. !e therefore felt *t *0perat*4e not to ret/rn w*th e0pt2 hand+ to o/r
fr*end+. %f co/r+e, there wa+ the r*+k of arre+t a+ +pec/lator+. !hat other 0ot*4e co/ld
*nd/ce an2one to e3po+e h*0+elf to +/ch dan.er and o1lo>/2B 20path2, the de+*re to
+hare w*th other+, the need of alle4*at*n. 0*+er2 and +/ffer*n.B The+e ter0+ no lon.er
e3*+ted *n the d*ct*onar2 of the d*ctator+h*p. !e knew too well that we +ho/ld 1e
p*llor*ed not onl2 *n #/++*a, 1/t al+o a1road. !e +ho/ld ha4e no 0ean+ of 0ak*n.
o/r+el4e+ heard, *n o/r own defence, e*ther on the char.e of +pec/lat*on or on o/r
pre+ent att*t/de to the (ol+he4*k*. Notw*th+tand*n. all th*+, *t wa+ *0po++*1le to for.o
the opport/n*t2 of +ec/r*n. food for +tar4*n. fr*end+ *n the north. )o+t dec*+*4e,
howe4er, wa+ 02 concern a1o/t a+ha and h*+ health. !e had not .one 4er2 far o/t of
%de++a when he a.a*n collap+ed. Th*+ t*0e h*+ attack la+ted lon.er and wa+ 0ore
+er*o/+. The 1lack 1read and the wor02 cereal+ wo/ld ha4e 1een po*+on to h*0 *n h*+
cond*t*on. I knew no law of the Co00/n*+t tate for wh*ch I wo/ld 7eopard*-e h*+
l*fe, lea+t of all the a1+/rd order that 0ade *t a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 offence to 1r*n.
pro4*+*on+ to a h/n.r2 pop/lat*on. I wo/ld therefore la2 *n a +/ppl2 of food and take
the con+e>/ence+, I dec*ded. No one wo/ld accept o4*et ro/1le+ a+ pa20ent. 5!hat
can we do w*th the+e +crap+B5 the pea+ant+ and +hopkeeper+ wo/ld a+k. 5The2 are of
no /+e e4en a+ wrapp*n.6paper, and for c*.arette+ we alread2 ha4e +ack+ of the0.5
T+ar*+t 0one2 or e4en that of Keren+k2 the2 wo/ld accept, altho/.h the2 preferred
woollen+, +hoe+, or other apparel.
%/r ret/rn to Dna0enka 1ro/.ht 8enr2 1ack to o/r 0*nd+ w*th 4*4*d +adne++. Not
that we had for.otten h*0 or had cea+ed to 1e concerned *n h*+ fate. (/t o/r
e3per*ence+ +*nce he had 1een torn fro0 /+ had 1een +o +app*n. that the2 had centred
all o/r ener.*e+. I felt h*+ *n4ol/ntar2 depart/re 0o+t 1eca/+e he had 1een +/ch a
+plend*d co0pan*on and a 0o+t dependa1le help *n o/r c/*+*ne. No one el+e *n o/r
.ro/p, o/t+*de of 02+elf, knew how to cook. 8enr2 wa+ an e3pert *n 0ak*n.
flap7ack+, *n wh*ch he took .reat pr*de, and he wa+ alwa2+ read2 to .*4e 0e a 4acat*on
fro0 the cook*n. of two 0eal+ a da2 for +e4en per+on+. To do +o on a pr*0/+ *n a
+0all co0part0ent on a 0o4*n. tra*n d/r*n. the heat of a &kra*n*an ;/l2 and A/./+t
wo/ld ha4e 1een a tort/re were *t not for 02 w*ll*n. a++*+tant. Dna0enka re4*4ed
the+e 0e0or*e+ and 0ade 0e feel do/1l2 hard the lo++ of o/r .ood old 8enr2.
K*e4 had not 1een taken 12 the =ole+, a+ had 1een reported, 1/t the ene02 wa+
334
al0o+t at *t+ .ate+, we were *nfor0ed on o/r arr*4al. The pop/lat*on wa+ e01*ttered
e4en 0ore than 1efore, 1eca/+e *t wa+ cont*n/o/+l2 e3po+ed to dan.er and hard+h*p+
fro0 whoe4er po++e++ed *t+elf of the c*t2. The2 had 1eco0e +o0ewhat reconc*led to
the o4*et rE.*0e, and now the latter wa+ a1o/t to e4ac/ate. At the #e4ko0 no one
+ee0ed 1etter *nfor0ed a1o/t the act/al +*t/at*on than the 0an *n the +treet.
Aeto+hk*n wa+ o/t and h*+ +ecretar2 wo/ld rather talk of %de++a. 5To4ar*+htch
#ako4+k2,5 he +a*d, 5recentl2 ret/rned w*th a .low*n. acco/nt of how well th*n.+ are
.o*n. there.5 !e a++/red h*0 that onl2 *n one th*n. had %de++a reached a h*.h +tate
of prof*c*enc2, and that wa+ +a1ota.e. 5Yo/ reall2 0ean *tB5 he e3cla*0ed *n .lee9
5#ako4+k2 had .*4en /+ the d*cken+ that we had not +/cceeded a+ well a+ %de++a.5
The o4*et+ wo/ld re0a*n at the*r po+t, *n +p*te of all dan.er, the off*c*al+ declared,
1/t the2 /r.ed /+ to depart for )o+cow 1efore the road+ 1eca0e 1locked. a+ha
1ro/.ht the .ood new+ that a tra*n wo/ld 1e lea4*n. the ne3t da2 northward, and that
he had arran.ed to ha4e o/r car attached to *t. !e felt depre++ed at not 1e*n. a1le to
proceed farther on o/r 7o/rne2 to the Cr*0ea, 1/t that wa+ o/t of the >/e+t*on /nder
the c*rc/0+tance+. Yet a+ha wo/ld not allow /+ to re0a*n lon. *n 1ad h/0or. 8e
wa+ e+pec*all2 7oll2 that e4en*n., relat*n. anecdote+ and crack*n. 7oke+ and 0ak*n.
/+ la/.h *n +p*te of o/r+el4e+.
"arl2 *n the 0orn*n. hakol and I were torn o/t of +leep 12 +o0eone knock*n. on
o/r door. t*ll da-ed, we heard a+ha:+ 4o*ce de0and*n. to know wh2 we had pla2ed
+/ch a fool hoa3 on h*0. %n open*n. the door of o/r co0part0ent I +aw h*0 +tand*n.
there wrapped *n h*+ 1lanket. 5!here are 02 clothe+B5 he a+ked9 52o/ .*rl+ ha4e
h*dden the0 fro0 0e?5 The +ecretar2 roared at the +*.ht of h*0 and we a++/red h*0
that we were >/*te *nnocent of the prank. There/pon he ret/rned to h*+ co0part0ent.
=re+entl2 he anno/nced that e3cept*n. h*+ portfol*o of doc/0ent+ and +o0e o4*et+k2
0one2, e4er2th*n. wa+ .one. The ro11er+ had 0ade a clean ha/l, not lea4*n. h*0 a
th*n. to p/t on. "4en the 4al/a1le (rown*n. wh*ch the +ecretar2 of )0e #a4*ch had
lent a+ha for the 7o/rne2, and a l*ttle .old watch, a .*ft fro0 ,*t-*, were 0*++*n..
The2 had h/n. o4er a+ha:+ 1ed d*rectl2 a1o4e h*+ head, and the th*ef 0/+t ha4e 1een
4er2 +k*lf/l not to ha4e awakened h*0 or an2one el+e *n the car. (orrow*n. the 0o+t
nece++ar2 th*n.+ fro0 the other 0en, a+ha r*..ed h*0+elf o/t and prepared to report
h*+ lo++. In the 0*d+t of *t he 1e.an ch/ckl*n. to h*0+elf. 5The fellow that +w*ped 02
pant+ w*ll 1e fooled, tho/.h,5 he la/.hed, 5for 02 0one2 *+ *n a +ecret pocket there
that he:ll ne4er f*nd.5 ,or a 0o0ent I d*d not .ra+p what he 0eant9 then *t +tr/ck 0e
that a+ha had al+o 1een ro11ed of o/r ent*re fort/ne of +*3teen h/ndred dollar+. *3
h/ndred of *t I had t/rned o4er to h*0 onl2 the pre4*o/+ e4en*n. wh*le 02 pett*coat,
*n wh*ch I had kept *t, wa+ dr2*n.. 5%/r *ndependence?5 I +crea0ed9 5*t:+ .one?5
Thro/.h all the 1*tter d*+appo*nt0ent+ *n #/++*a and o/r +tr/..le to f*nd o/r+el4e+
and o/r work I had 1een +/+ta*ned 12 one tho/.ht 666 o/r 0ater*al *ndependence. !e
d*d not ha4e to 1e. or cr*n.e l*ke +o 0an2 other+ who were dr*4en 12 h/n.er. !e had
1een a1le to keep o/r +elf6re+pect and to ref/+e an2 tr/ck w*th the d*ctator+h*p
1eca/+e we 1ad 1een 0ade +ec/re 12 o/r A0er*can fr*end+. Now all wa+ .one? 5!hat
now, a+haB5 I cr*ed. 5!hat *+ .o*n. to 1eco0e of /+B5 I0pat*entl2 he repl*ed: 5Yo/
+ee0 0ore concerned a1o/t the da0ned 0one2 than a1o/t o/r l*4e+. $on:t 2o/ real*-e
that *f I had +t*rred, or an2one el+e *n the car, the 1/r.lar+ wo/ld ha4e +hot /+ deadB5
8e had ne4er known 0e to cl*n. to 0ater*al th*n.+, he added9 *t wa+ f/nn2 I +ho/ld
ha4e tho/.ht of the 0one2 f*r+t of all. 5Not +o f/nn2 when one *+ co0pelled to
33F
for+wear all one hold+ h*.h *n order to e3*+t,5 I repl*ed. I +*0pl2 co/ld not face the
po++*1*l*t2 of eat*n. o/t of the hand of the (ol+he4*k tate. ,or 02+elf I +ho/ld ha4e
preferred to 1e f*n*+hed 12 o/r n*.ht caller+.
I had 1een /na1le to +leep that n*.ht 1eca/+e of the +t*fl*n. heat *n o/r
co0part0ent and I had .one o/t +e4eral t*0e+ *nto the corr*dor for a 1reath of a*r.
a+ha had left the door of h*+ co0part0ent a7ar *n order to .et +o0e a*r fro0 the
corr*dor w*ndow oppo+*te *t. I had had a feel*n. that the w*ndow +ho/ld 1e clo+ed.
Not that I ant*c*pated ro11er2. %/r car wa+ *n f/ll 4*ew of the +tat*on, patrolled 12
o4*et +old*er+. No one co/ld enter or cl*01 *nto *t /no1+er4ed. (/t one co/ld ea+*l2
help h*0+elf to the lar.e ch/nk of 1acon that h/n. *n a 1a. at the +*de of the w*ndow.
It wo/ld 1e too hot for a+ha, I had dec*ded. (/t the 4er2 th*n. I had tho/.ht 0*.ht 1e
+tolen wa+ +t*ll *n *t+ place. In =etro.rad a th*ef wo/ld ha4e certa*nl2 taken the 0eat,
1/t *n K*e4 cloth*n. wa+ apparentl2 0ore co4eted. In an2 ca+e *t looked a+ *f the
ro11er 0/+t ha4e 1een a ra*lroad worker, +*nce he had 1een a1le to enter o/r car, and
/ndo/1tedl2 he had the cooperat*on of the +old*er+ on ./ard. %/r porter, who had
1een act*n. >/eerl2 for +o0e t*0e, wa+ al+o not a1o4e +/+p*c*on. a+ha *n+*+ted on
reco4er*n. o/r th*n.+ or at lea+t the 0one2. !h*le he wa+ .one, o/r car wa+ 0o4ed
awa2 fro0 the +pot where *t had +tood d/r*n. the n*.ht. /ch a proceed*n. wa+
noth*n. /n/+/al and we pa*d no attent*on to *t. !e real*-ed *t+ +*.n*f*cance, howe4er,
when a+ha ret/rned w*th two 0*l*t*a0en and a pol*ce do.. The ho/nd +n*ffed a1o/t,
1/t the trace+ had 1een de+tro2ed 12 the +tea0 of the en.*ne. &nda/nted, a+ha *n the
co0pan2 of +e4eral co0rade+ +tarted a +earch of the 0arket+ *n the hope that h*+
clothe+ 0*.ht 1e offered for +ale. (/t apparentl2 the th*e4e+ were too caref/l. The2
co/ld afford to 1*de the*r t*0e. ,ar fro0 .*4*n. /p the +earch, a+ha arran.ed w*th
+o0e co0rade+ to 4*+*t the 0arket+ e4er2 da2 for at lea+t a 0onth and to 1/2 1ack h*+
tro/+er+ at an2 pr*ce. $on:t worr2,5 he kept con+ol*n. 0e9 5the2:ll ne4er f*nd that
+ecret pocket w*th the 0one2.5 I w*+hed I co/ld +hare the opt*0*+0 of 02
*rrepre++*1le pal.
In (r2an+k we were .reeted w*th the 7o2f/l new+ of the co0plete ro/t of !ran.el.
tran.e to +a2, Ne+ter )akhno wa+ 1e*n. procla*0ed a hero who had 0ater*all2
helped to 1r*n. a1o/t the .reat 4*ctor2. (/t 2e+terda2 deno/nced a+ a co/nter6
re4ol/t*onar2, a 1and*t, the a*d of !ran.el, w*th a lar.e pr*ce on h*+ head 666 what had
1ro/.ht the +/dden chan.e of front on the part of the (ol+he4*k*, we wondered. And
how lon. wo/ld the lo4e6fea+t la+tB ,or Trot+k2 had *n t/rn e/lo.*-ed the leader of
the re1el pea+ant ar02 and *n t/rn conde0ned h*0 to death.
ad new+ clo/ded o/r 7o2. In a o4*et paper we read of the death of ;ohn #eed.
(oth a+ha and I had 1een 4er2 fond of ;ack and we felt h*+ de0*+e a+ a per+onal lo++.
I had la+t +een h*0 the pre4*o/+ 2ear when he ret/rned fro0 ,*nland, a 4er2 +*ck 0an
*ndeed. I had learned that he wa+ p/t /p at the 8otel Internat*onal *n =etro.rad, alone
and w*tho/t an2one to take care of h*0. I had fo/nd h*0 *n a deplora1le cond*t*on, h*+
ar0+ and le.+ +wollen, h*+ 1od2 co4ered w*th /lcer+, and h*+ ./0+ 1adl2 affected a+ a
re+/lt of +c/r42 ac>/*red *n pr*+on. The poor 1o2 +/ffered e4en 0ore +p*r*t/all2,
1eca/+e he had 1een 1etra2ed to the ,*nn*+h a/thor*t*e+ 12 a #/++*an Co00/n*+t, a
+a*lor who0 D*no4*e4 had +ent w*th h*0 a+ a co0pan*on. The 4al/a1le doc/0ent+
and the lar.e +/0 of 0one2 ;ack wa+ tak*n. to h*+ co0rade+ *n A0er*ca all fell *nto
the hand+ of h*+ captor+. It wa+ ;ack:+ +econd fa*l/re of the k*nd and he took *t 0/ch
to heart. Two week+: n/r+*n. helped p/t h*0 on h*+ feet a.a*n, 1/t he re0a*ned
33G
fearf/ll2 d*+tre++ed o4er the 0ethod+ of D*no4*e4 and other+ *n 7eopard*-*n. the l*4e+
of the*r co0rade+. 5Needle++l2 and reckle++l2,5 he kept +a2*n.. 8e h*0+elf had tw*ce
1een +ent on a w*ld .oo+e cha+e w*tho/t an2 tro/1le ha4*n. 1een taken to f*nd o/t
whether there wa+ an2 po++*1*l*t2 of the 4ent/re:+ +/cceed*n.. (/t at lea+t he co/ld
take care of h*0+elf and he went *nto *t w*th open e2e+. )oreo4er, a+ an A0er*can he
d*d not r/n the +a0e .ra4e r*+k+ a+ the #/++*an co0rade+. Co00/n*+t+, 0ere
2o/n.+ter+, were 1e*n. +acr*f*ced 12 the +core for the .lor2 of the Th*rd Internat*onal,
he had co0pla*ned. 5=erhap+ re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2,5 I had +/..e+ted: 5at lea+t 2o/r
co0rade+ alwa2+ +a2 +o.5 8e had 1el*e4ed *t al+o, he had ad0*tted, 1/t h*+ e3per*ence
and that of other+ had 0ade h*0 do/1t *t. 8*+ fa*th *n the d*ctator+h*p wa+ +t*ll fer4ent,
1/t he wa+ 1e.*nn*n. to do/1t +o0e of the 0ethod+ /+ed, part*c/larl2 12 0en who
the0+el4e+ alwa2+ re0a*ned *n +afet2.
In )o+cow we learned of the pre+ence *n the c*t2 of Lo/*+e (r2ant, #eed:+ w*fe.
%rd*nar*l2 I +ho/ld not ha4e looked her /p. I had known Lo/*+e for 2ear+, e4en 1efore
+he wa+ w*th ;ack. An attract*4e, 4*4*d creat/re, one had to l*ke her e4en when not
tak*n. her +oc*al prote+tat*on+ +er*o/+l2. %n two occa+*on+ I had real*-ed her lack of
depth. $/r*n. o/r tr*al *n New York, when ;ack had 1ra4el2 co0e to o/r a++*+tance,
Lo/*+e had +t/d*o/+l2 a4o*ded /+. The2 were plann*n. to .o to #/++*a and +he wa+
e4*dentl2 afra*d of ha4*n. her na0e connected w*th o/r+ d/r*n. that dan.ero/+ war
per*od, tho/.h +he had alwa2+ prote+ted her .reat fr*end+h*p *n t*0e+ of peace. I
con+*dered *t of no .reat *0portance, howe4er.
A 0/ch .ra4er offence, and one that had an.ered 0e con+*dera1l2, wa+ her
0*+repre+entat*on of anarch*+0 *n her 1ook on #/++*a. )2 n*ece tella had +ent 0e
the 4ol/0e at the )*++o/r* pr*+on and I wa+ *nd*.nant to f*nd repeated *n *t the +t/p*d
+tor2 of #/++*a:+ nat*onal*-*n. wo0en that had 0ade *t+ ro/nd+ *n the A0er*can pre++.
Lo/*+e char.ed the anarch*+t+ w*th ha4*n. 1een the f*r+t to *++/e the decree. he had
taken no tro/1le to add/ce an2 e4*dence for her w*ld a++ert*on+, nor had +he done +o
*n repl2 to 02 letter de0and*n. *t. I con+*dered *t on a par w*th the cheap 7o/rnal*+t*c
l*1ell*n. of the (ol+he4*k* and I dec*ded to ha4e noth*n. 0ore to do w*th Lo/*+e.
That +ee0ed a.e+ a.o now. Lo/*+e had +/ffered the lo++ of ;ack and +he wa+ all
1roken /p o4er *t, I wa+ told 12 co00on fr*end+. I went to her w*tho/t an2 0ental
re+er4at*on+, too deepl2 0o4ed 12 her tra.ed2 to re0e01er the pa+t. I fo/nd her a
wreck, co0pletel2 +hattered. he 1roke down *n con4/l+*4e weep*n. that no word+
co/ld alla2. I took her *n 02 ar0+, hold*n. her >/*4er*n. 1od2 *n a +*lent e01race.
he >/*eted down after a wh*le and 1e.an relat*n. to 0e the +ad +tor2 of ;ack:+ death.
he had 0ade her wa2 to #/++*a d*+./*+ed a+ a +a*lor and /nder .reat d*ff*c/lt*e+, onl2
to f*nd on land*n. *n =etro.rad that ;ack had 1een ordered to (ak/ to attend the
Con.re++ of "a+tern #ace+. 8e had 1e..ed D*no4*e4 not to *n+*+t on h*+ .o*n.,
1eca/+e he had not 2et f/ll2 reco4ered fro0 h*+ e3per*ence *n ,*nland. (/t the ch*ef
of the Th*rd Internat*onal wa+ relentle++. #eed wa+ to repre+ent the A0er*can
Co00/n*+t =art2 at the Con.re++, he had declared. In (ak/ ;ack wa+ +tr*cken w*th
t2ph/+ and he wa+ 1ro/.ht 1ack to )o+cow +hortl2 after Lo/*+e had arr*4ed.
I +o/.ht to con+ole her 12 the a++/rance that all po++*1le care 0/+t ha4e 1een .*4en
;ack after h*+ ret/rn to )o+cow, 1/t +he prote+ted that noth*n. had 1een done for the
1o2. A whole week had 1een lo+t 1efore the ph2+*c*an+ a.reed *n the*r d*a.no+*+, and
after that ;ack had 1een t/rned o4er to an *nco0petent doctor. No one *n the ho+p*tal
33H
knew an2th*n. a1o/t n/r+*n., and onl2 after a protracted ar./0ent had Lo/*+e
+/cceeded *n .ett*n. per0*++*on to take care of ;ack. (/t he had 1een del*r*o/+ *n h*+
la+t da2+ and he had pro1a1l2 not e4en 1een aware of the pre+ence of h*+ 1elo4ed.
5$*dn:t he +peak at allB5 I *n>/*red. 5I co/ld not /nder+tand what he 0eant,5 Lo/*+e
repl*ed, 51/t he kept on repeat*n. all the t*0e: 5Ca/.ht *n a trap, ca/.ht *n a trap. ;/+t
that.5 $*d ;ack reall2 /+e that ter0B5 I cr*ed *n a0a-e0ent. 5!h2 do 2o/ a+kB5
Lo/*+e de0anded, .r*pp*n. 02 hand. 5(eca/+e that *+ e3actl2 how I ha4e 1een feel*n.
+*nce I looked 1eneath the +/rface. Ca/.ht *n a trap. "3actl2 that.5
8ad ;ack al+o co0e to +ee that all wa+ not well w*th h*+ *dol, I wondered, or had *t
onl2 1een the approach of death that had for a 0o0ent *ll/0*ned h*+ 0*ndB $eath
+tr*p+ to the naked tr/th66*t know+ no decept*on.
Chapter FC, Cont*n/ed, pp. <F16<99.
!e were to lea4e for =etro.rad the ne3t da2 to report to the )/+e/0 of the
#e4ol/t*on, 1/t Lo/*+e 1e..ed /+ to re0a*n for the f/neral. he felt lonel2 and
de+erted, and we were the onl2 fr*end+ +he had, +he *0plored. Now that ;ack wa+
.one, +he had cea+ed to *ntere+t the (ol+he4*k*. he had alread2 1een 0ade to feel
that, +he +a*d. =/1l*c f/neral+ had alwa2+ 1een an a1o0*nat*on to 0e9 ne4erthele++ I
pro0*+ed to re0a*n to 1e near her and to help her o4er the pa*nf/l ordeal. I told
Lo/*+e that a+ha 0*.ht al+o attend *f he co/ld pre4a*l /pon the other 0e01er+ of the
e3ped*t*on to po+tpone the*r depart/re for a da2.
Lo/*+e .a4e 0e a 0e++a.e left 12 o/r fr*end 8enr2 Al+1er.. It wa+ to the effect
that, ow*n. to the fr*endl*ne++ of the ./ard who had 1ro/.ht h*0 1ack to )o+cow,
Al+1er. had 1een +a4ed fro0 the Cheka pr*+on. The to4ar*t+ch had per0*tted h*0 to
+ee h*+ fr*end+ *n the ,ore*.n %ff*ce 1efore del*4er*n. h*0 to the Cheka. N/orte4a,
who0 he wa+ e+pec*all2 an3*o/+ to +ee, deta*ned h*0 there and arran.ed h*+ relea+e
after co00/n*cat*n. w*th the Cheka off*c*al+. 8ad he e4er reached the Cheka
1/*ld*n., 8enr2:+ 0e++a.e cont*n/ed, *t wo/ld ha4e taken 0onth+ for h*+ fr*end+ to
f*nd h*0 and .et h*0 awa2 fro0 the*r tender care. 8enr2 had +*nce departed for #*.a,
1/t he wa+ plann*n. to ret/rn *n the +pr*n.. 8e had left w*th Lo/*+e the 0one2 we had
.*4en h*0 at h*+ arre+t, wh*ch wa+ onl2 two h/ndred dollar+, 1/t a 4er*ta1le fort/ne to
/+ now. ,or a few 0onth+ at lea+t we +ho/ld 1e 0ater*all2 *ndependent, a+ we had
1een 1efore a+ha wa+ ro11ed.
No 0a*l had reached /+ d/r*n. o/r ent*re 7o/rne2, 1/t at the ,ore*.n %ff*ce o/r old
fr*end "thel (ern+te*n now handed /+ >/*te a 1/ndle of *t fro0 A0er*ca. At the +a0e
t*0e +he .a4e 0e a cl*pp*n. fro0 the Ch*ca.o Tr*1/ne. It wa+ 12 ;ohn Cla2ton and *t
told how 5".@. wa+ pra2*n. 1efore an A0er*can fla. on her wall to .et 1ack to the
tate+.5 I had co0pla*ned to h*0 1*tterl2, *t +tated, a1o/t the (ol+he4*k* and the*r
treat0ent of 0e. 5%f co/r+e no one here 1el*e4e+ th*+ rotten +tor2,5 "thel re0arked,
51/t 7/+t the +a0e 2o/ o/.ht to +ee N/orte4a a1o/t *t.5 The 0an +he 0ent*oned wa+ *n
char.e of the =/1l*c*t2 $epart0ent of the ,ore*.n %ff*ce. I +aw no rea+on for offer*n.
an2 apolo.*e+. (/t I wa+ d*+./+ted at ha4*n. 1el*e4ed that Cla2ton wo/ld pro4e 0ore
hone+t and decent than the other A0er*can reporter+ who had pe+tered 0e *n #/++*a.
Yet Cla2ton had *0pre++ed 0e a+ tr/+tworth2. Co/ld *t 1e that h*+ +tor2 had 1een
doctored 12 the de+k ed*torB The fla. he referred to wa+ a 0*n*at/re e01le0 that ;ack
33<
#eed had once 7ok*n.l2 +t/ck o4er ,*t-*:+ p*ct/re on 02 wall and that I had for.otten
to take off. The *nnocent frol*c of a fr*end t/rned *nto a fanta+t*c l*e? It wa+ +*cken*n..
And 02 co0pla*n*n. a1o/t the rE.*0e, when I had 1een part*c/larl2 ret*cent w*th
Cla2ton *n re.ard to +/ch +/17ect+? !ell, the o4*et people 0*.ht 1el*e4e what the2
plea+ed, I dec*ded, 1/t the2 +ho/ld .et no e3plant*on fro0 0e.
N/orte4a rece*4ed 0e 0o+t k*ndl2 and .a4e 0e a lar.e packa.e of letter+. 8e d*d
not 0ent*on the Cla2ton +tor2, nor d*d I. !*th con+*dera1le pr*de he +poke of ha4*n.
left A0er*ca on the f*r+t o4*et pa++port +/10*tted to !a+h*n.ton. 8e wa+ now at the
head of the An.lo6#/++*an $epart0ent of the ,ore*.n %ff*ce and he wo/ld 1e .lad to
1e of help *n the 0atter of 0a*l. I felt .rat*f*ed at h*+ tact *n not 1r*n.*n. /p the
wretched 0atter of Cla2ton:+ wr*te6/p.
I ha+tened to o/r car to read 02 0a*l. Letter+ fro0 tella, ,*t-*, and other fr*end+
e3pre++ed *nten+e +at*+fact*on at o/r ha4*n. at la+t fo/nd a +phere of work. The2 d*d
not do/1t, the2 wrote, that now we wo/ld ha4e the .reate+t e3pre++*on for o/r
ener.*e+ and *deal+. Letter+ of a later date conta*ned cl*pp*n.+ of the Cla2ton +tor2,
*ncl/d*n. one that I read and reread *n /tter +t/pefact*on. It wa+ a letter for tella that
I had .*4en to ;ack #eed to 0a*l and that had 1een taken fro0 h*0 when he wa+
arre+ted *n ,*nland. After +e4eral read*n.+ *t dawned on 0e that the new+paper ed*tor
had t/rned 02 ep*+tle to tella *nto a lo4e 0*++*4e to ;ohn #eed? 5=oor Lo/*+e, how
l*ttle +he know+ of 02 alle.ed lo4e6affa*r w*th ;ack?5 I la/.hed to a+ha.
,ro0 o/r co0rade+ *n )o+cow we learned of the c*t26w*de ra*d+ that had taken
place *n the earl2 part of %cto1er. A0on. the 0an2 4*ct*0+ wa+ al+o )ar*a
p*r*dono4na. he had 1een *ll w*th t2pho*d at the t*0e, 1/t the Cheka had arre+ted
her and +ent her to a pr*+on ho+p*tal. @reat, *deal*+t*c +o/l? There wa+ no end to dear
)ar2/+a:+ 0art2rdo0.
,an2a and Aaron (aron, who were *n )o+cow, *nfor0ed /+ a1o/t the
de4elop0ent+ *n re.ard to Ne+tor )akhno. The #ed force+ had pro4ed /na1le to +tand
/p a.a*n+t !ran.el, and the (ol+he4*k* had t/rned to the po4+tant+2 leader for a*d. 8e
and h*+ ar02 had con+ented on cond*t*on that all the anarch*+t+ and )akhno4t+2 1e
relea+ed fro0 pr*+on, and that the o4*et @o4ern0ent .rant the0 the r*.ht of a .eneral
conference. )akhno had na0ed a+ha and 0e a+ repre+entat*4e+ *n draw*n. /p the
a.ree0ent. Th*+ had ne4er 1een co00/n*cated to /+, 1/t the (ol+he4*k* had accepted
)akhno:+ de0and+ and had act/all2 relea+ed a n/01er of the po4+tant+2 and +o0e of
o/r co0rade+. The2 had al+o .*4en per0*++*on for the .ather*n., wh*ch o/r co0rade+
fro0 all o4er #/++*a had a.reed to hold *n Kharko4. Aol*n and other+ had alread2
departed for that c*t2, and co0rade+ were e3pected fro0 e4er2 part of the co/ntr2.
A .re2 +k2 o4erhan.*n. )o+cow, ra*n +tead*l2 dr*--l*n. *t+ 0elanchol2 t/ne,and
art*f*c*al wreath+ that had +er4ed at other f/neral+ were ;ack #eed:+ farewell *n the
#ed >/are. No 1ea/t2 for the 0an who had lo4ed *t +o, no colo/r for h*+ art*+t6+o/l.
No +park of the red6wh*te fla0e of the f*.hter to *n+p*re tho+e who *n 1o01a+t*c
+peeche+ cla*0ed h*0 a+ the*r co0rade. Ale3andra Kollonta2 alone ca0e clo+e to the
+p*r*t of ;ohn #eed and fo/nd the word+ that wo/ld ha4e plea+ed h*0 0o+t. $/r*n.
her +*0ple and 1ea/t*f/l tr*1/te to ;ack, Lo/*+e cr/0pled to the .ro/nd *n a dead fa*nt
7/+t a+ the coff*n wa+ 1e*n. lowered *nto the .ra4e. a+ha had al0o+t to carr2 her to
the a/to0o1*le N/orte4a had p/t at o/r d*+po+al. %/r old A0er*can fr*end $r. !.
339
!o4+ch*n, a recent arr*4al, acco0pan*ed /+ to a*d the de+olated Lo/*+e.
In the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on, *n =etro.rad, we were ha*led a+ heroe+ co0e 1ack
fro0 the front. It wa+ a con+*dera1le ach*e4e0ent to ret/rn al*4e after fo/r 0onth+ of
+/ch a 7o/rne2 a+ we had 0ade, the2 +a*d, and to ha4e al+o re+c/ed a whole carload of
0ater*al of h*+tor*cal 4al/e. The f/t/re, the2 a++/red /+, wo/ld reward /+ accord*n. to
o/r de+ert+. All the 0/+e/0 co/ld do now wa+ to .*4e /+ a 0onth:+ re+t. !e were
henceforth on the per0anent +taff of the 0/+e/0, Yat0ano4 and Kaplan *nfor0ed /+,
and we need not look for other act*4*t*e+. !*th*n a 0onth we +ho/ld +tart on a new
7o/rne2. %/r e3ped*t*on wo/ld 1e .ranted the pr*4*le.e of choo+*n. *t+ de+t*nat*on and
ro/te. "*ther the Cr*0ea, wh*ch had +*nce 1een ent*rel2 cleared of the !ran.el force+,
or *1er*a, where e0enoff and Kolchak had 1een f*nall2 ro/ted, wo/ld 1e o/r
o17ect*4e po*nt. In e*ther place there wa+ 0/ch 0ater*al awa*t*n. /+, and we were
e3pected to enr*ch the 0/+e/0 w*th *t.
5Not to *1er*a d/r*n. the w*nter,5 +h/ddered o/r #/++*an 0e01er+. !e al+o d*d
not part*c/larl2 welco0e the *dea, tho/.h we re0e01ered Kra+no+hoko4:+ *n4*tat*on
to co0e to the ,ar "a+tern #ep/1l*c. (/t there wa+ no need for an *00ed*ate
dec*+*on, the 0/+e/0 ch*ef declared. Ale3ander %++*po4*ch and "00a A1ra0o4na
M0ean*n. a+ha and 0eN, he *n+*+ted, looked a+ *f the2 *ndeed needed a 4acat*on.
a+ha and I had def*n*tel2 dec*ded to appl2 to the 8o/+*n. $epart0ent for roo0+
where we 0*.ht l*4e l*ke the re+t of the non6Co00/n*+t pop/lat*on. The pro+pect of
another tr*p w*th*n a 0onth ca/+ed /+ to defer o/r plan t*ll +o0e other t*0e, for *t
wo/ld take 0ore than a 0onth to +ec/re lod.*n.+. !e +ho/ld ha4e l*ked to re0a*n *n
o/r car, 1/t there wa+ the pro1le0 of heat*n. and of reach*n. the c*t2. )0e #a4*ch
+/..e+ted that we take /p o/r a1ode at the 8otel Internat*onal. It wa+ /+ed for fore*.n
4*+*tor+, the ./e+t+ pa2*n. for the*r roo0+ and 0eal+, and the char.e+ were 4er2
rea+ona1le, 1e*n. f*fteen dollar+ a 0onth for a roo0 and two da*l2 0eal+. It+ 0a*n
attract*on wa+ cleanl*ne++ and an opport/n*t2 to take a 1ath. It wa+ the f*r+t place of *t+
k*nd *n #/++*a for other 0ortal+ than Co00/n*+t+ and we were rel*e4ed at the chance
to 1e >/artered there.
The 0/+e/0 0ater*al, not con+*dered contra1and, wa+ ea+*l2 tran+ferred fro0 o/r
car. Not +o the food we had 1ro/.ht w*th /+. "nt*tled to pa++ freel2 thro/.h the
ra*lroad .ate+, we aro/+ed no +/+p*c*on, tho/.h *t re>/*red a week and fo/r per+on+ to
re0o4e the +t/ff. In the apart0ent of a fr*end e4er2th*n. wa+ 0ade /p *n parcel+ and
+ent to +*ck fr*end+ and to tho+e who had ch*ldren need*n. fat+ and +weet+. '/*te
+elf*+hl2 I had *ntended to keep eno/.h wh*te flo/r for the w*nter to +afe./ard a+ha
fro0 1lack 1read. Now that we were +oon to +tart on another 7o/rne2, the /nplea+ant
ta+k 1eca0e /nnece++ar2. It wa+ no +0all +at*+fact*on to 1e a1le to rel*e4e the need of
a few 0ore per+on+, *f onl2 for a l*ttle wh*le.
In +p*te of all plann*n. we went ne*ther to the Cr*0ea nor to the ,ar "a+tern
#ep/1l*c. In+tead we 7o/rne2ed to Archan.el, 5to ro/nd o/t the 2ear,5 a+ Yat0ano4
+a*d. That d*+tr*ct ha4*n. 1een the centre of the *nter4ent*on*+t operat*on+, *n wh*ch
02 er+twh*le co/ntr2 had pla2ed +/ch a d*+.racef/l part, I wa+ .lad we were .*4en the
opport/n*t2 to e3plore *t.
!e were onl2 three on that tr*p. The #/++*an co/ple preferred to h/. the*r +to4e *n
340
=etro.rad, wh*le o/r 2o/n. Co00/n*+t colla1orator had to re+/0e h*+ +t/d*e+ at
colle.e.
%n the wa2 to Archan.el we 0ade two +top+, at Yaro+la4l and Aolo.da. (oth c*t*e+
had +er4ed a+ centre+ for plotter+ a.a*n+t the #e4ol/t*on. The for0er had 1een the
1a+e of the once cele1rated re4ol/t*on*+t a4*nko4:+ /pr*+*n., drenched *n the 1lood of
tho/+and+. Aolo.da had 1een the head>/arter+ of the A0er*can A01a++ador ,ranc*+
and other w*rep/ller+ *n fa4o/r of *nter4ent*on.
Yaro+la4l +t*ll 1ore w*tne++ to the fratr*c*dal +tr*fe9 *t+ pr*+on wa+ f*lled w*th
off*cer+ of the a4*nko4 ar02 that had e+caped death. In ne*ther c*t2 d*d we f*nd
an2th*n. of +pec*al 4al/e for the 0/+e/0.
Archan.el, at the 0o/th of the northern $4*na, wa+ +eparated fro0 the ra*lroad
ter0*n/+ 12 the fro-en r*4er. %n arr*4*n. we fo/nd a te0perat/re of f*ft2 1elow -ero,
1/t the 1r*ll*ant +/n and the dr2, cr*+p a*r 0ade the cold far le++ penetrat*n. than *n
=etro.rad. )2 tho/.htf/l n*ece, tella, had pre++ed her f/r coat on 0e on her la+t 4*+*t
to "ll*+ I+land. (/t I had ne4er worn *t 1eca/+e of an *d*o+2ncra+2 that 0ade 0e feel
a+ *f the 1ea+t were al*4e and creep*n. o4er 02 neck whene4er I p/t on f/r+.
"4er21od2 had warned /+ a.a*n+t the Archan.el fro+t+, and a+ a preca/t*on I had
taken the coat w*th 0e. @reat wa+ 02 rel*ef when I real*-ed that I co/ld .o a1o/t *n
02 old 4elo/r coat and +weater and e4en feel too war0 *n the +/n. It wa+ *n4*.orat*n.
to walk acro++ the fro-en e3pan+e of the r*4er and alon. the clean +treet+ of
Archan.el, >/*te a no4elt2 *n a #/++*an town. In fact, the c*t2 pre+ented n/0ero/+
+/rpr*+e+. %/r credent*al+, +corned *n the +o/th, here pro4ed a 4er*ta1le 0a.*c wand,
open*n. w*de the door+ of e4er2 o4*et *n+t*t/t*on. The cha*r0an of the I+polko0 and
all other off*c*aI+ went o/t of the*r wa2 to a*d the effort+ of o/r 0*++*on. The2 e3erted
the0+el4e+ to 0ake o/r +ta2 a 0e0ora1le e3per*ence, a+ *ndeed *t pro4ed to 1e. The*r
fraternal att*t/de to the pop/lat*on, the*r e>/*ta1le effort+ to +/ppl2 the0 w*th food
and cloth*n. +o far a+ wa+ *n the*r power, 0ade /+ feel that here pr*nc*ple+ d*fferent
fro0 tho+e of 5the centre5 were operat*n.. The 0en and wo0en at the hel0 of affa*r+
*n Archan.el had .ra+ped the .reat tr/th that d*+cr*0*nat*on, 1r/tal*t2, and ho/nd*n.
were not calc/lated to con4*nce the people of the 1ea/t2 or de+*ra1*l*t2 of
co00/n*+0 or to ca/+e the0 to lo4e the o4*et rE.*0e. The2 +o/.ht 0ore effect*4e
0ethod+. The2 a1ol*+hed +pec/lat*on *n food 12 or.an*-*n. a 0ore 7/+t d*+tr*1/t*on of
rat*on+. The2 d*d awa2 w*th the h/0*l*at*n. and e3ha/+t*n. +tand*n. *n l*ne 12
*n+t*t/t*n. co6operat*4e +tore+ where the *nha1*tant+ rece*4ed d/e attent*on and
co/rteo/+ treat0ent. The2 *ntrod/ced a fr*endl2 tone and at0o+phere *n e4er2 o4*et
*n+t*t/t*on. !h*le th*+ had not con4erted the whole co00/n*t2 *nto d*+c*ple+ of )ar3
or Len*n, *t had helped to el*0*nate the d*++at*+fact*on and anta.on*+0 w*de+pread *n
other part+ of the co/ntr2. =eople +a*d that the Co00/n*+t+ had ac>/*red or.an*-at*on,
eff*c*enc2, and order fro0 the e3a0ple of the A0er*can+ >/artered *n the c*t2. If +o,
the2 certa*nl2 pro4ed apt p/p*l+. ,or the /+/al character*+t*c+ of o4*et l*fe, *ncl/d*n.
+a1ota.e, wa+te, and conf/+*on, were al0o+t ent*rel2 0*++*n. *n Archan.el.
Tho+e +t/rd2 +on+ of the north apparentl2 had +o0eth*n. that wa+ 4er2 /n+o4*et+k2
666 re+pect for h/0an l*fe and reco.n*t*on of *t+ +anct*t2. ,or0er n/n+, 0onk+, !h*te
off*cer+, and 0e01er+ of the 1o/r.eo*+*e p/t to /+ef/l work *n+tead of a.a*n+t the
wall were an e3traord*nar2 re4elat*on. The 0ere +/..e+t*on of +/ch a th*n. el+ewhere
*n #/++*a wo/ld ha4e 0arked /+ a+ 4er2 +/+p*c*o/+ character+ *f not o/t and o/t
341
co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+. 8ere the new 0ethod had re+c/ed h/ndred+ of l*4e+ and had
.a*ned for the rE.*0e add*t*onal worker+. Not that the Cheka wa+ a1+ent or cap*tal
p/n*+h0ent a1ol*+hed. A d*ctator+h*p co/ld hardl2 e3*+t w*tho/t the+e. (/t *n
Archan.el the Cheka had not atta*ned the /nl*0*ted power+ *t en7o2ed *n other place+.
It d*d not con+t*t/te a tate w*th*n the tate who+e +ole f/nct*on wa+ terror and
4en.eance. If the+e 0ea+/re+ were reall2 d*ctated 12 re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2, the
1ar1aro/+ 0ethod+ of the !h*te+ *n northern #/++*a wo/ld ha4e certa*nl2 7/+t*f*ed
the*r /+e. Not onl2 Co00/n*+t+, 1/t e4en tho+e re0otel2 +20pathet*c w*th the0 had
1een +/17ected to tort/re and death. "nt*re fa0*l*e+ had 1een r/thle++l2 e3ter0*nated
12 the !h*te+. K/lako4, cha*r0an of the I+polko0, for *n+tance, had lo+t e4er2
0e01er of h*+ fa0*l2. "4en h*+ 2o/n.e+t +*+ter, a 0ere ch*ld of twel4e, had not
e+caped the f*end*+hne++ of the ene02, and there wa+ hardl2 a rad*cal or l*1eral ho0e
that had not felt the cr/el hand of tho+e that had co0e to cr/+h the #e4ol/t*on.
5Nat/rall2 we co/ld not 0eet +/ch f/r2 w*th .lo4ed hand+,5 the cha*r0an of the
ed/cat*onal depart0ent +a*d to /+. 5!e fo/.ht 1ack de+peratel2, 1/t when the ene02
had 1een dr*4en to fl*.ht, we +aw no need of retal*at*on or terror. !e felt that
4en.eance wo/ld +er4e no other p/rpo+e than to anta.on*-e the pop/lat*on a.a*n+t /+.
!e +et to work to 1r*n. order o/t of the chao+ left 12 the !h*te+ and to recla*0 a+
0an2 l*4e+ a+ we co/ld a0on. o/r capt*4e+.5
5$*d all 2o/r co0rade+ a.ree w*th +/ch :+ent*0ental: 0ethod+B5 I a+ked *n
a+ton*+h0ent. 5%f co/r+e not,5 he repl*ed9 5there were 0an2 who *n+*+ted on dra+t*c
0ea+/re+, and there are tho+e who +t*ll *n+*+t that we +hall 2et ha4e to pa2 dearl2 for
what the2 call o/r refor0*+t att*t/de to tho+e who had con+p*red a.a*n+t the
#e4ol/t*on.5 8owe4er, the cha*r0an cont*n/ed, the 0ore le4el6headed co0rade+ had
pre4a*led, and e3per*ence pro4ed that e4en for0er !h*te off*cer+ co/ld 1e /t*l*-ed *n
4ar*o/+ walk+ of l*fe. A n/01er of the0 were e0plo2ed a+ teacher+ and the2 were
do*n. fa*thf/l and /+ef/l work. The +a0e held .ood of +e4eral other depart0ent+.
)oreo4er, e4en +/ch dark and 1*.oted ele0ent+ a+ n/n+ and 0onk+ had re+ponded to
h/0ane treat0ent. It wa+ not at all +ent*0ental*t2, 1/t .ood co00on +en+e that ta/.ht
h*0, he added, that the w*ll to l*fe wa+ not d*ctated 12 creed+. N/n+ and 0onk+ were
a+ +/17ect to that law of nat/re a+ an2 a4era.e per+on. After the2 had 1een
d*+po++e++ed fro0 the clo*+ter+ and 0ona+ter*e+ and faced death *f the2 cont*n/ed
plott*n., or +tar4at*on *f the2 ref/+ed to work, the2 pro4ed the0+el4e+ onl2 too ea.er
to 0ake the0+el4e+ /+ef/l *n +o0e wa2. !e co/ld con4*nce o/r+el4e+ of *t, he +a*d,
12 4*+*t*n. the +chool+, n/r+er*e+, and art+ and craft+ +t/d*o+.
!e d*d. !e went /nanno/nced and /ne3pected and we fo/nd cond*t*on+ *n tho+e
*n+t*t/t*on+ e3e0plar2. I talked to +o0e of the n/n+ e0plo2ed there, a n/01er of
who0 had dwelt apart fro0 the world for a >/arter of a cent/r2. )entall2 the2 +t*ll
l*4ed *n the clo*+ter+. The2 /nder+tood noth*n. of the new and chan.*n. force+ at
work a1o/t the0, 1/t the2 were do*n. 1ea/t*f/l work, *ncl/d*n. potter2, a.r*c/lt/re,
*ll/+trat*on+ for ch*ldren:+ +tor*e+, +ta.e +cener2 for the*r theatre, and +*0*lar th*n.+. I
al+o talked to +o0e art*+an+ and wood6car4er+ of /n/+/al +k*ll. e4eral of the0 had
1een ca/.ht red6handed *n co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 con+p*rac*e+. %ne la0ented that h*+
work wa+ not 1r*n.*n. h*0 *n a+ 0/ch 0one2 a+ *n for0er da2+. (/t h*+ l*fe had 1een
+pared and he wa+ allowed to cont*n/e the la1o/r he lo4ed. 8e wanted noth*n. 1etter,
he +a*d.
34C
A few da2+ later I had occa+*on to 0eet one of the !h*te off*cer+ con+*dered a0on.
the 1e+t teacher+. 8e co/ld not appro4e of the d*ctator+h*p, he frankl2 ad0*tted, 1/t he
had co0e to real*-e the foll2 and cr*0e of fore*.n *nter4ent*on. The All*e+ had
pro0*+ed 0/ch to h*+ co/ntr2, 1/t all the2 had done wa+ to d*4*de the #/++*an ho/+e
a.a*n+t *t+elf. The A0er*can+ had 1een decent, he tho/.ht. The2 had kept to
the0+el4e+, the*r +old*er+ were off the +treet+ after dark, and the2 had al+o 1een
.enero/+ w*th pro4*+*on+ and cloth*n.. At the*r depart/re the2 had d*+tr*1/ted the*r
+/rpl/+ +/ppl*e+ w*th open hand. The (r*t*+h were d*fferent. The*r +old*er+ 0ole+ted
the nat*4e wo0en, the*r off*cer+ were ar1*trar2 and ha/.ht2, and @eneral #oll*n+ had
ordered h/.e +/ppl*e+ +/nk *n the open +ea 1efore the (r*t*+h +h*p+ departed. 8e wa+
thro/.h w*th *nter4ent*on. 8e lo4ed teach*n. and he wa+ 4er2 fond of ch*ldren and
now he had the opport/n*t2 of h*+ l*fe.
*0*lar +ent*0ent+ we fo/nd reflected 12 per+on+ *n 4ar*o/+ pol*t*cal .ro/p*n.+.
Nearl2 e4er2 one a.reed that the o4*et rE.*0e wa+ +*ncerel2 and +/cce++f/ll2
carr2*n. o/t the pol*c2 of recla0at*on, and that the +oc*al +cope wa+ 1e*n. .rad/all2
w*dened for tho+e e4en that d*d not a.ree w*th the Co00/n*+t 4*ew6po*nt. In other
word+, no one wa+ 1e*n. d*+cr*0*nated a.a*n+t on acco/nt of h*+ pa+t.
A0on. the 4a+t 0ater*al we .athered *n the north were a n/01er of re4ol/t*onar2
and anarch*+t p/1l*cat*on+ that had appeared /nder.ro/nd d/r*n. the rE.*0e of the
T+ar and all thro/.h the per*od of occ/pat*on. )o+t appeal*n. wa+ the la+t 0e++a.e of
a +a*lor conde0ned to death 12 the *n4ader+, conta*n*n. a 0*n/te de+cr*pt*on of h*+
tort/re 12 (r*t*+h off*cer+ to e3act *nfor0at*on. There were al+o photo.raph+ of 0en
and wo0en 0/t*lated 12 the co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+. In add*t*on a+ha had al+o
collected *ntere+t*n. 0ater*al fro0 (ech*n, the cha*r0an of the la1o/r +o4*et, *n who0
the =ro4*+*onal @o4ern0ent had tr*ed to cr/+h the re4ol/t*onar2 la1o/r 0o4e0ent of
the north. To.ether w*th other+, 1/t a+ the re+pon+*1le factor, (ech*n had 1een tr*ed
for trea+on and conde0ned to a +low death *n the fear+o0e pr*+on of Yokanan *n the
arct*c -one. 8e had kept a d*ar2 of h*+ arre+t, tr*al, and *0pr*+on0ent, and after 0/ch
per+/a+*on he had .*4en *t to a+ha for the 0/+e/0.
Archan.el pro4ed +o a1+or1*n. that we o4er+ta2ed o/r t*0e 12 two week+. !e +t*ll
had )/r0an+k to 4*+*t, wh*le o/r credent*al+ were .ood onl2 t*ll the end of the 2ear.
!*th re.ret we left the fr*end+ we had 0ade and the +plend*d people we had 0et *n
the c*t2.
!*th*n three da2+: d*+tance fro0 o/r o17ect*4e we had to t/rn 1ack. 8ea42 +now6
+tor0+ 1locked o/r ro/te, and o/r pro.re++ re+e01led that of a +na*l. It wo/ld ha4e
re>/*red week+ to reach o/r de+t*nat*on, the road ha4*n. f*r+t to 1e cleared of
0o/nta*n6h*.h +now. ,*ft2 0*le+ fro0 =etro.rad we were a.a*n +talled, th*+ t*0e 12 a
1l*nd*n. 1l*--ard. L/ck*l2 we had f/el and pro4*+*on+ for +e4eral da2+. !e +ettled
down for a pat*ent wa*t, for there wa+ noth*n. el+e we co/ld do /nder the
c*rc/0+tance+.
%n Chr*+t0a+ "4e, +t*ll held /p on the road, hakol and a+ha .a4e 0e a +/rpr*+e. A
wee p*ne6tree, decorated for the occa+*on and +t/dded w*th colo/red candle+, .a*l2 l*t
/p o/r co0part0ent. A0er*ca contr*1/ted the .*ft+, or rather 02 wo0en fr*end+ who
had +ent pre+ent+ 1efore we +a*led. A .ood hot .ro., 1rewed fro0 the r/0 +/ppl*ed /+
*n Archan.el, helped to 0ake the fe+t*4*t2 co0plete.
343
I tho/.ht of o/r Chr*+t0a+ of a 2ear a.o 666 of 1919. a+ha and I, to.ether w*th
0an2 other /nde+*ra1le re1el+ on the (/ford, torn awa2 fro0 o/r work, o/r co0rade+,
and o/r lo4ed one+, cr/*+*n. to an /nknown de+t*nat*on, In ene02 hand+, /nder r*.*d
0*l*tar2 d*+c*pl*ne, o/r 0ale co0pan*on+ herded 1elow deck l*ke cattle and fed on
wretched food, all of /+ e3po+ed to *00*nent dan.er fro0 war 0*ne+. Yet we d*d not
care. o4*et #/++*a wa+ 1eckon*n. /+, l*1erated and re1orn, the f/lf*ll0ent of the
hero*c +tr/..le of a h/ndred 2ear+. %/r hope+ ran h*.h, o/r fa*th fla0ed red6wh*te, all
o/r tho/.ht+ centred on o/r )at/+hka #o++*2a.
Now *t wa+ Chr*+t0a+ 19C0. !e were *n #/++*a, her +o*l +erene after the ra.*n.
+tor0+, her att*re of wh*te and .reen /nder a 7ewelled +k2. %/r ho/+e on wheel+ wa+
war0 and co-2. )2 old pal wa+ at 02 +*de and a new dear fr*end. The2 were *n a
hol*da2 0ood and I lon.ed to 7o*n *n the*r 0err*0ent. (/t *n 4a*n. )2 tho/.ht+ were
*n 1919. %nl2 a 2ear had pa++ed, and noth*n. wa+ left 1/t the a+he+ of 02 fer4ent
drea0+, 02 1/rn*n. fa*th, 02 7o2o/+ +on..
!e reached =etro.rad at the he*.ht of the e3c*te0ent o4er the fate of the la1o/r
/n*on+. The pro1le0 had alread2 1een d*+c/++ed at the part2 +e++*on+ the pre4*o/+
%cto1er and e4er +*nce *n preparat*on for the "*.hth All6#/++*an Con.re++ of the
o4*et+. The trade /n*on+ 0/+t +er4e a+ a +chool of co00/n*+0, Len*n had declared,
and the oppo+*n. 4*ew+ of Trot+k2, of the old )ar3*an +cholar #2a-ano4, of
Kollonta2, lead*n. the la1o/r c*rcle+, had to cap*t/late to the d*ct/0 of Il*ch. Trot+k2
*n+*+ted that the onl2 th*n. that co/ld +a4e the #e4ol/t*on wa+ the 0*l*tar*-at*on of
la1o/r and the ent*re +/1+er4*enc2 of the /n*on+ to the need+ of the tate. Len*n
treated all h*+ opponent+ w*th e>/al conte0pt, Trot+k2 d*d not know h*+ )ar3, Len*n
declared, wh*le the 4*ew+ of Kollonta2 were half61aked. A+ to #2a-ano4, he wa+
for1*dden all p/1l*c /tterance for a per*od of +*3 0onth+ on the .ro/nd that he d*d not
know what he wa+ talk*n. a1o/t.
The .reat e3plo+*on wa+ f*nall2 prec*p*tated 12 Kollonta2 and the old Co00/n*+t
hl2apn*ko4, repre+ent*n. the la1o/r oppo+*t*on. The #e4ol/t*on had 1een fo/.ht 12
the worker+, the2 *n+*+ted, and the world had 1een a++/red that the real d*ctator+h*p of
#/++*a wa+ that of the proletar*at. In+tead the 0a++e+ were +tr*pped of all r*.ht+ and
den*ed an2 +a2 *n the econo0*c l*fe of the co/ntr2. The+e two dar*n. leader+ of la1o/r
were *ndeed art*c/lat*n. the tho/.ht+ and feel*n.+ of the to*l*n. 0a++e+, of the rank
and f*le of the Co00/n*+t+ e4en, who had no wa2 of 0ak*n. the0+el4e+ heard.
The +tor0 that followed threatened the d*+r/pt*on of the part2. o0eth*n. had to 1e
done, and Len*n wa+ e>/al to the occa+*on. 8e heaped r*d*c/le /pon the heret*c+ who
dared 4o*ce +ent*0ent+ of 5pett2 1o/r.eo*+ *deolo.2.5 '/*ckl2 the oppo+*t*on wa+
+tran.led. Kollonta2:+ pa0phlet on la1o/r de0and+ wa+ +/ppre++ed and *t+ a/thor
+e4erel2 d*+c*pl*ned, wh*le old hl2apn*ko4, of weaker 0etal, wa+ +*lenced 12 1e*n.
0ade a 0e01er of the "3ec/t*4e Co00*ttee of the part2 and ordered to take a 0/ch6
needed re+t. %/r e3ped*t*on wa+ 1e*n. reor.an*-ed and arran.e0ent+ 0ade for o/r
th*rd to/r, wh*ch wa+ def*n*tel2 dec*ded /pon a+ a 7o/rne2 to the Cr*0ea. (/t at the
ele4enth ho/r o/r plan+ were 1locked 12 an order of the I+part, the newl2 created
Co00/n*+t 1od2 for the p/rpo+e of collect*n. data on the h*+tor2 of the Co00/n*+t
=art2. The )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on wa+ c/rtl2 not*f*ed that henceforth the new
or.an*-at*on wo/ld take char.e of all e3ped*t*on+, the I+part cla*0*n. precedence, 12
344
4*rt/e of *t+ Co00/n*+t character, *n all +/ch /ndertak*n.+. It wo/ld al+o co00andeer
o/r car, tho/.h the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on wo/ld 1e .ranted the pr*4*le.e of
a++*.n*n. +o0e of *t+ 0e01er+ to the work of the I+part.
The ar1*trar*ne++ of the new *n+t*t/t*on wa+ felt 12 e4er2 0e01er of the 0/+e/0 a+
a del*1erate atte0pt to c/rta*l *t+ *ndependence and l*0*t the +cope of *t+ work. "4en
Co00*++ar Yat0ano4, a de4oted Co00/n*+t, e3pre++ed h*0+elf *n no .entle ter0+
a1o/t the part2 -ealot+ who *n+*+ted on ha4*n. e4er2th*n. *n the*r hold. It wa+
/nth*nka1le to +/10*t to +/ch 0ethod+ w*tho/t a f*.ht, he declared. 8e wo/ld
*00ed*atel2 take the 0atter /p at the =etro.rad end, wh*le we 0/+t proceed to
)o+cow. a+ha wa+ to +ee D*no4*e4 a1o/t *t and I +ho/ld +ee L/nachar+k2, the2 1e*n.
the cha*r0en of the =etro.rad )/+e/0. The dec*+*on of the I+part wa+ an
*nfr*n.e0ent /pon D*no4*e4:+ 7/r*+d*ct*on o4er =etro.rad9 he wo/ld +/rel2 prote+t
a.a*n+t *t, wh*Ie L/nachar+k2, a+ the head of all the c/lt/ral effort+ of #/++*a, wo/ld
not tolerate +/ch *n4a+*on of h*+ do0a*n, Yat0ano4 a++erted.
!e had 1/t l*ttle hope of +/cce++, 1/t we con+ented to .o to )o+cow. !e declared,
howe4er, that +ho/ld the I+part w*n *n the 0atter, we wo/ld d*+cont*n/e o/r aff*l*at*on
w*th the 0/+/0, d*+tre++*n. a+ +/ch a +tep wo/ld 1e to /+. !e knew too well the
0ean*n. of ha4*n. a pol*t*cal co00*++ar control o/r work and 0o4e0ent+. It
+*.n*f*ed d*ctator+h*p and e+p*ona.e and *t *n4ol4ed cl*>/e *ntere+t+, +tr*fe, and
d*+r/pt*on. !e had decl*ned the offer of 0an2 h*.h po+*t*on+ 1eca/+e we wo/ld not
+/10*t to +/ch t/tela.e.
D*no4*e4 wa+ *ndeed 0/ch *ncen+ed o4er the atte0pt of the I+part to 0onopol*-e the
work of the =etro.rad )/+e/0 and to *nterfere w*th h*+ pro.ra0 for *t. 8e wrote a
letter of prote+t to h*+ co0rade+ of the new *n+t*t/t*on and he t/rned *t o4er to a+ha
for pre+entat*on and ar./0ent. The )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on wa+ not tre+pa++*n. on
the f*eld of the I+part9 *t had 0apped o/t *t+ own work, *n no wa2 *n confl*ct w*th that
of the )o+cow 1od2, and he a+ the head of the =etro.rad )/+e/0:+ e3ec/t*4e
co00*tee wo/ld not tolerate +/ch a/tocrat*c *nterference, D*no4*e4 wrote. 8e f/rther
a++/red a+ha that he wo/ld take the 0atter /p w*th Len*n h*0+elf *f the I+part
per+*+ted *n *t+ ar1*trar2 dec*+*on.
L/nachar+k2 al+o wa+ an.r2 w*th 5the fool+ who wo/ld p/t all c/lt/ral endea4o/r
/nder the*r own th/01.5 8e pro0*+ed to prote+t a.a*n+t +/ch tact*c+, 1/t +oon I had
occa+*on to learn that he wa+ *n real*t2 >/*te w*tho/t a/thor*t2. The real power *n the
All6#/++*an Co00*++ar*at+ of "d/cat*on wa+ =okro4+k2, a Co00/n*+t of old
+tand*n., and *t wa+ he who had fo/nded the I+part. L/nachar+k2 wa+ a 0ere f*./re6
head, e3plo*ted 12 the part2 1eca/+e of h*+ pre+/0ed "/ropean *nfl/ence, +*nce he
had l*4ed 0an2 2ear+ a1road and wa+ well known *n c/lt/ral c*rcle+ there.
,*nd*n. lod.*n.+ *n )o+cow wa+ alwa2+ a d*ff*c/lt pro1le0, 1/t fort/natel2 we
were +pared the d*+a.reea1le ta+k of 1e..*n. for a roof o4er o/r head+. %/r .ood
fr*end An.el*ca (ala1anoff wa+ *n char.e of a #/++o6Ital*an 1/rea/ >/artered *n a
ho/+e that had for0erl2 1een occ/p*ed 12 a fore*.n or.an*-at*on. he and her +taff
were now l*4*n. there, and, ha4*n. two 4acant roo0+, An.el*ca *n4*ted /+ to +ta2 w*th
her.
%/r effort+ *n 1ehalf of the =etro.rad )/+e/0 were 1e*n. 1locked on e4er2 hand
34F
12 the concentrated a/thor*t2 of Co00/n*+t 0ach*ner2 and were pro4*n. fr/*tle++.
=etro.rad /r.ed a per+onal report and we dec*ded to ret/rn there. !e had alread2
1o/.ht o/r t*cket+ when word ca0e fro0 $0*tro4 that o/r old co0rade =eter
Kropotk*n had 1een +tr*cken w*th pne/0on*a. The +hock wa+ the .reater 1eca/+e we
had 4*+*ted =eter *n ;/l2 and had fo/nd h*0 *n .ood health and 1/o2ant +p*r*t+. 8e
+ee0ed then 2o/n.er and 1etter than when we had +een h*0 the pre4*o/+ )arch. The
+parkle *n h*+ e2e+ and h*+ 4*4ac*t2 had *0pre++ed /+ w*th h*+ +plend*d cond*t*on. The
Kropotk*n place had looked lo4el2 *n the +/00er +/n+h*ne, w*th the flower+ and
oph*e:+ 4e.eta1le .arden *n f/ll 1loo0. !*th 0/ch pr*de =eter had +poken of h*+
co0pan*on and her +k*ll a+ a .ardener. Tak*n. a+ha and 0e 12 the hand, he had led
/+ *n 1o2*+h e3/1erance to the patch where oph*e had planted a +pec*al k*nd of
lett/ce. he had +/cceeded *n ra*+*n. head+ a+ lar.e a+ ca11a.e+, the*r lea4e+ cr*+p2
and l/+c*o/+. 8e h*0+elf had al+o 1een d*..*n. *n the +o*l, 1/t *t wa+ oph*e, he had
re*terated, who wa+ the real e3pert. 8er potato crop of the pre4*o/+ w*nter had 1een +o
lar.e that there wa+ eno/.h left o4er to e3chan.e for fodder for the*r cow and e4en to
+hare w*th the*r $0*tro4 ne*.h1o/r+, who had few 4e.eta1le+. %/r dear =eter had
1een frol*ck*n. *n h*+ .arden and talk*n. a1o/t the+e 0atter+ a+ *f the2 were world
e4ent+. Infect*o/+ had 1een the 2o/thf/l +p*r*t of o/r co0rade, carr2*n. /+ alon. 12 *t+
fre+hne++ and char0.
In the afternoon, a++e01led *n h*+ +t/d2, he had a.a*n 1eco0e the +c*ent*+t and
th*nker, clear and penetrat*n. *n h*+ 7/d.0ent of per+on+ and e4ent+. !e had
d*+c/++ed the d*ctator+h*p, the 0ethod+ forced /pon the #e4ol/t*on 12 nece++*t2 and
tho+e *nherent *n the nat/re of the part2. I wanted =eter to help 0e to a 1etter
/nder+tand*n. of the +*t/at*on wh*ch wa+ threaten*n. to 1ankr/pt 02 fa*th *n the
#e4ol/t*on and *n the 0a++e+. =at*entl2 and w*th the tenderne++ one /+e+ toward+ a
+*ck ch*ld he had +o/.ht to +oothe 0e. There wa+ no rea+on to de+pa*r, he had /r.ed.
8e /nder+tood 02 *nner confl*ct, he had a++/red 0e, 1/t he wa+ certa*n that *n t*0e I
+ho/ld learn to d*+t*n./*+h 1etween the #e4ol/t*on and the rE.*0e. The two were
world+ apart, the a12++ 1etween the0 1o/nd to .row w*der a+ t*0e went on. The
#/++*an #e4ol/t*on wa+ far .reater than the ,rench and of 0ore potent world6w*de
+*.n*f*cance. It had +tr/ck deep *nto the l*4e+ of the 0a++e+ e4er2where, and no one
co/ld fore+ee the r*ch har4e+t h/0an*t2 wo/ld reap fro0 *t. The Co00/n*+t+,
*rre4oca1l2 adher*n. to the *dea of a central*-ed tate, were doo0ed to 0*+d*rect the
co/r+e of the #e4ol/t*on. The*r end 1e*n. pol*t*cal +/pre0ac2, the2 had *ne4*ta1l2
1ecco0e the ;e+/*t+ of +oc*al*+0, 7/+t*f2*n. all 0ean+ to atta*n the*r p/rpo+e. The*r
0ethod+, howe4er, paral2+ed the ener.*e+ of the 0a++e+ and terror*-ed the people. Yet
w*tho/t the people, w*tho/t the d*rect part*c*pat*on of the to*ler+ *n the re6con+tr/ct*on
of the co/ntr2 noth*n. creat*4e and e++ent*al co/ld 1e acco0pl*+hed.
%/r own co0rade+, Kropotk*n had cont*n/ed, had *n the pa+t fa*led to .*4e
+/ff*c*ent con+*derat*on to the f/nda0ental ele0ent+ of the +oc*al re4ol/t*on. The
1a+*c factor *n +/ch an /phea4al *+ the or.an*-at*on of the econo0*c l*fe of the
co/ntr2. The #/++*an #e4ol/t*on pro4ed that we 0/+t prepare for that. 8e had co0e
to the concl/+*on that +2nd*cal*+0 wa+ l*kel2 to f/rn*+h what #/++*a lacked 0o+t: the
channel thro/.h wh*ch the *nd/+tr*al and econo0*c /p1/*ld*n. of the co/ntr2 co/ld
flow. 8e wa+ referr*n. to anarcho6+2nd*cal*+0, *nd*cat*n. that +/ch a +2+te0, 12 a*d
of the co6operat*4e+, wo/ld +a4e f/t/re re4ol/t*on+ the fatal 1l/nder+ and fearf/l
+/ffer*n. #/++*a wa+ pa++*n. thro/.h.
34G
All th*+ ca0e 4*4*dl2 1ack to 02 0*nd at the +ad new+ of Kropotk*n:+ 1reakdown. I
co/ld not th*nk of lea4*n. for =etro.rad w*tho/t +ee*n. =eter a.a*n. k*lled n/r+e+
were +carce *n #/++*a and I co/ld take care of h*0 and do at lea+t that 0/ch for 02
dear teacher and fr*end.
I learned that =eter:+ da/.hter, Ale3andra, wa+ *n )o+cow and a1o/t to .o to
$0*tro4. he *nfor0ed 0e that a 4er2 co0petent n/r+e, a #/++*an wo0an tra*ned *n
"n.land, wa+ *n char.e of the ca+e. The*r l*ttle cotta.e wa+ too crowded alread2, +he
+a*d, and *t wa+ not ad4*+a1le to d*+t/r1 =eter at the 0o0ent. he wa+ lea4*n. for
$0*tro4 and +he wo/ld telephone to 0e a1o/t father:+ cond*t*on and the ad4*+a1*l*t2
of 02 +ee*n. h*0.
The =etro.rad )/+e/0 wa+ wa*t*n. for a+ha:+ report on h*+ conference+ w*th the
I+part, nece++*tat*n. h*+ *00ed*ate depart/re for the north, wh*le I re0a*ned *n
)o+cow read2 for a call fro0 $0*tro4. e4eral da2+ pa++ed w*tho/t 02 rece*4*n.
word fro0 Ale3andra, wh*ch led 0e to concl/de that =eter wa+ *0pro4*n. and that
02 +er4*ce+ were not needed. I there/pon left for =etro.rad.
I had hardl2 1een *n the c*t2 an ho/r when )0e #a4*ch telephoned to *nfor0 0e
that 02 pre+ence wa+ /r.entl2 called for fro0 $0*tro4. he had rece*4ed a 0e++a.e
fro0 )o+cow on the lon.6d*+tance w*re /r.*n. 02 *00ed*ate co0*n.. =eter had
.rown wor+e and the fa0*l2 had 1e..ed for 0e to 1e not*f*ed to co0e at once.
)2 tra*n ran *nto a ra.*n. +tor0 and we arr*4ed *n )o+cow ten ho/r+ 1eh*nd
+ched/le. There wa+ no tra*n for $0*tro4 /nt*l the follow*n. e4en*n., and the road+
were 1locked 12 +now6dr*ft+ too .reat for an a/to0o1*le. All telephone w*re+ were
down and there wa+ no wa2 to reach $0*tro4.
The e4en*n. tra*n 0o4ed w*th e3a+perat*n. +lowne++, repeatedl2 +topp*n. to ref/el.
It wa+ fo/r *n the 0orn*n. when we arr*4ed. To.ether w*th Ale3ander chap*ro, an
*nt*0ate fr*end of the Kropotk*n fa0*l2, and =a4lo4, a co0rade fro0 the (aker+:
&n*on, I ha+tened to the Kropotk*n cotta.e. Ala+, too late? =eter had cea+ed 1reath*n.
an ho/r 1efore. 8e d*ed at fo/r a. 0., ,e1r/ar2 <, 19C1.
The d*+tracted w*dow told 0e that =eter had repeatedl2 *n>/*red whether I wa+
alread2 on 02 wa2 and how +oon I wo/ld arr*4e. oph*e wa+ near collap+e, and *n the
need of look*n. after her I for.ot the cr/el co01*nat*on of c*rc/0+tance+ that had
pre4ented 02 render*n. e4en the lea+t +er4*ce to h*0 who had 1een +/ch a potent
*n+p*rat*on *n 02 l*fe and work.
!e learned fro0 oph*e that Len*n, when *nfor0ed of =eter:+ *llne++, had +ent the
1e+t )o+cow ph2+*c*an+ to $0*tro4, to.ether w*th pro4*+*on+ and del*cac*e+ for the
pat*ent. 8e had al+o ordered that fre>/ent 1/llet*n+ of =eter:+ cond*t*on +ho/ld 1e +ent
h*0 a+ well a+ p/1l*+hed *n the pre++. It wa+ a +ad co00entar2 that +o 0/ch attent*on
+ho/ld ha4e 1een .*4en on h*+ death61ed to the 0an who had tw*ce 1een ra*ded 12 the
Cheka and who had there12 1een co0pelled to .o *nto /nde+*red ret*re0ent. =eter
Kropotk*n had helped to prepare the .ro/nd for the #e4ol/t*on, 1/t had 1een den*ed a
+hare *n *t+ l*fe and de4elop0ent9 h*+ 4o*ce had penetrated #/++*a *n +p*te of t+ar*+t
per+ec/t*on, 1/t *t wa+ +tran.led 12 the Co00/n*+t d*ctator+h*p.
34H
=eter had ne4er +o/.ht or accepted fa4o/r+ fro0 an2 .o4ern0ent nor tolerated
po0p and d*+pla2. !e therefore deter0*ned there +ho/ld 1e no *ntr/+*on fro0 the
tate at h*+ f/neral, and that *t +ho/ld not 1e 4/l.ar*-ed 12 the part*c*pat*on of
off*c*aldo0. =eter:+ la+t da2+ /pon earth +ho/ld re+t *n the hand+ of h*+ co0rade+ onl2.
chap*ro and =a4lo4 departed for )o+cow to call o/t a+ha and other =etro.rad
co0rade+. To.ether w*th the )o+cow .ro/p the2 were to take char.e of the
o1+e>/*e+. I re0a*ned *n $0*tro4 to help oph*e prepare her prec*o/+ dead for the
tran+fer to the cap*tal for 1/r*al.
In the +*lent pre+ence of 02 co0rade I ca0e /pon trea+/re+ *n h*+ 1e*n. that h*+
/tter lack of e.ot*+0 wo/ld not ha4e per0*tted 0e d*+co4er. I had known =eter for
o4er a >/arter of a cent/r2, wa+ fa0*l*ar w*th h*+ l*fe, h*+ work+ and colo/rf/l
per+onal*t2. (/t onl2 h*+ death d*+clo+ed h*+ cher*+hed +ecret that he had al+o 1een an
art*+t of /n/+/al >/al*t2. I fo/nd h*dden awa2 *n a 1o3, a n/01er of draw*n.+ =eter
had 0ade *n h*+ all too few le*+/re 0o0ent+. The*r e3>/*+*te l*ne and for0 pro4ed that
he 0*.ht ha4e ach*e4ed a+ 0/ch w*th h*+ 1r/+h a+ he had w*th h*+ pen had he cared to
de4ote h*0+elf to *t. In 0/+*c al+o =eter wo/ld ha4e e3celled. 8e lo4ed the p*ano and
he co/ld f*nd e3pre++*on and relea+e *n h*+ f*ne *nterpretat*on of the 0a+ter+. In the
dra1 $0*tro4 e3*+tence h*+ +ole del*.ht con+*+ted *n the pla2*n. and +*n.*n. of two
2o/n. wo0en fr*end+ of the fa0*l2. !*th the0 he wo/ld fea+t h*+ lo4e of 0/+*c on
re./lar weekl2 e4en*n.+.
#*chl2 endowed w*th creat*4e a1*l*t2, =eter had 1een +t*ll r*cher *n h*+ 4*+*on of a
no1le +oc*al *deal and *n h*+ h/0an*t2, wh*ch e01raced all 0ank*nd. ,or that 0ore
than for an2th*n. el+e he had la1o/red d/r*n. the con+c*o/+ part of h*+ al0o+t
fo/r+core 2ear+. In fact, /nt*l the 4er2 da2 when he had to take to h*+ 1ed, =eter had
cont*n/ed work*n., /nder 0o+t d*+tre++*n. cond*t*on+, on h*+ 4ol/0e on "th*c+, wh*ch
he had hoped to 0ake the +/pre0e effort of h*+ l*fe. 8*+ deepe+t re.ret *n h*+ la+t
ho/r+ wa+ that he had not 1een .*4en a l*ttle lon.er to co0plete what he had 1e./n
2ear+ 1efore.
In the pa+t three 2ear+ of h*+ l*fe =eter had 1een c/t off fro0 clo+e contact w*th the
0a++e+. In h*+ death he fo/nd f/ll contact w*th the0. =ea+ant+, worker+, +old*er+,
*ntellect/al+, 0en and wo0en fro0 a rad*/+ of 0an2 0*le+, a+ well a+ the ent*re
co00/n*t2 of $0*tro4, +trea0ed thro/.h the Kropotk*n cotta.e to pa2 the*r la+t
tr*1/te to the 0an that had dwelt a0on. the0 and had +hared the*r +tr/..le and
affl*ct*on+.
a+ha arr*4ed *n $0*tro4 to.ether w*th a n/01er of )o+cow co0rade+ to a++*+t *n
the re0o4al of =eter:+ 1od2 to )o+cow. Ne4er had the l*ttle town rendered +o .reat
ho0a.e to an2one a+ *t d*d to =eter Kropotk*n. The ch*ldren had known and lo4ed
h*0 1e+t 1eca/+e of h*+ ch*ldl*ke pla2f/lne++ w*th the0. The +chool+ were clo+ed for
the da2 *n 0o/rn*n. for the*r departed fr*end. In lar.e n/01er+ the2 0arched to the
+tat*on and wa4ed the*r farewell to =eter a+ the tra*n +lowl2 +tea0ed o/t.
%n the wa2 to )o+cow I learned fro0 a+ha that the =eter Krop/tk*n ,/neral
Co00*++*on, wh*ch he had helped to or.an*-e and of wh*ch he wa+ the cha*r0an, had
alread2 1een +/17ected to ch*caner2 12 the o4*et a/thor*t*e+. =er0*++*on had 1een
.ranted the co00*++*on to p/1l*+h two of =eter:+ pa0phlet+ and to *++/e a +pec*al
34<
=eter Kropotk*n )e0or*al (/llet*n. Later the )o+cow o4*et, /nder the pre+*denc2 of
Ka0ene4, de0anded that the 0an/+cr*pt+ of the (/llet*n 1e +/10*tted for cen+or+h*p.
a+ha, chap*ro, and other co0rade+ prote+ted that the proceed*n.+ wo/ld dela2 the
p/1l*cat*on. To .a*n t*0e the2 had pled.ed that noth*n. 1/t apprec*at*on+ of
Kropotk*n:+ l*fe and work +ho/ld appear *n the 0e0or*al *++/e. Then the cen+or
+/ddenl2 re0e01ered that he had too 0/ch work on hand and that the 0atter wo/ld
ha4e to awa*t *t+ re./lar t/rn. It 0eant that the (/llet*n co/ld not appear *n t*0e for
the f/neral, and *t wa+ e4*dent that the (ol+he4*k* were re+ort*n. to the*r /+/al tact*c+
of hold*n. /p th*n.+ /nt*l too late for the*r effect*4ene++. %/r co0rade+ dec*ded to
re+ort to d*rect act*on. Len*n had repeatedl2 appropr*ated that anarch*+t *dea, and wh2
+ho/ld the anarch*+t+ not recapt/re *t fro0 h*0B T*0e wa+ pre++*n. and the o17ect wa+
*0portant eno/.h e4en to r*+k arre+t. The2 1roke the +eal the Cheka had placed on the
pr*nt*n. e+ta1l*+h0ent of o/r old co0rade Ata1ek*an, and o/r fr*end+ worked l*ke
1ea4er+ to prepare the (/llet*n *n t*0e for the f/neral.
In )o+cow the e3pre++*on+ of e+tee0 and affect*on for =eter Kropotk*n 1eca0e a
tre0endo/+ de0on+trat*on. ,ro0 the 0o0ent the 1od2 arr*4ed *n the cap*tal and wa+
placed *n the Trade &n*on 8o/+e, and all d/r*n. the two da2+ that the dead la2 *n +tate
*n the )ar1le 8all, there 1e.an an o/tpo/r*n. of the people +/ch a+ had not 1een
0an*fe+ted +*nce the da2+ of 5%cto1er.5
The ,/neral Co00*++*on had +ent a re>/e+t to Len*n to relea+e te0porar*l2 the
anarch*+t+ *0pr*+oned *n )o+cow to ena1le the0 to take part *n the la+t hono/r+ pa*d
the*r dead teacher and fr*end. Len*n had pro0*+ed and the "3ec/t*4e Co00*ttee of the
Co00/n*+t =art2 had d*rected the Aeh6Cheka Mthe All6#/++*an ChekaN to free
5accord*n. to *t+ 7/d.0ent5 the *0pr*+oned anarch*+t+ for part*c*pat*on *n the
o1+e>/*e+. (/t the Aeh6Cheka apparentl2 wa+ not d*+po+ed to o1e2 e4en Len*n or the
+/pre0e a/thor*t2 of *t+ own part2. !o/ld the ,/neral Co00*++*on ./arantee the
ret/rn of the pr*+oner+ to 7a*l, *t de0anded. The co00*++*on pled.ed *t+elf
collect*4el2. !here/pon the Aeh6Cheka declared that there were 5no anarch*+t+ *n the
)o+cow pr*+on+.5 The tr/th, howe4er, wa+ that the (/t*rk2 and the *nner 7a*l of the
Cheka were f*lled w*th o/r co0rade+ arre+ted *n the ra*d of the Kharko4 Conference,
tho/.h the latter had 1een off*c*all2 per0*tted accord*n. to the o4*et a.ree0ent w*th
Ne+tor )akhno. )oreo4er, a+ha had .a*ned ad0*++*on to the (/t*rk2 and there
talked w*th 0ore than a +core of o/r *0pr*+oned co0rade+. Acco0pan*ed 12 the
#/++*an anarch*+t Yarchook, he had al+o 4*+*ted the *nner pr*+on of the )o+cow
Cheka and there con4er+ed w*th Aaron (aron, who repre+ented on the occa+*on a
n/01er of other *0pr*+oned anarch*+t+. t*ll the Cheka *n+*+ted that there were 5no
anarch*+t+ *0pr*+oned *n )o+cow.5
%nce a.a*n the ,/neral Co00*++*on wa+ co0pelled to re+ort to d*rect act*on. %n the
0orn*n. of the f/neral *t *n+tr/cted Ale3andra Kropotk*n to telephone to the )o+cow
o4*et that a p/1l*c anno/nce0ent of *t+ 1reach of fa*th wo/ld 1e 0ade and that the
wreath+ la*d on the 1*er of Kropotk*n 12 o4*et and Co00/n*+t or.an*-at*on+ wo/ld
1e re0o4ed forthw*th *f the pro0*+e .*4en 12 Len*n wa+ not kept.
The lar.e 8all of Col/0n+ wa+ f*lled to the door+, a0on. tho+e pre+ent 1e*n. al+o
+e4eral repre+entat*4e+ of the "/ropean and A0er*can pre++. %/r old fr*end 8enr2
Al+1er. wa+ there, recentl2 ret/rned to #/++*a. Another corre+pondent wa+ Arth/r
#an+o0e, of the )anche+ter @/ard*an. The2 wo/ld 1e +/re to 0ake the o4*et 1reach
349
of fa*th w*del2 known. After the world had 1een da*l2 appr*+ed for week+ of the care
and attent*on 1e+towed 12 the o4*et @o4ern0ent /pon =eter Kropotk*n *n h*+ la+t
*llne++, the p/1l*cat*on of +/ch a +candal had to 1e a4o*ded at all co+t+. Ka0ene4
therefore pleaded for 0ore t*0e and +ole0nl2 pro0*+ed to ha4e the *0pr*+oned
anarch*+t+ relea+ed w*th*n twent2 0*n/te+.
The f/neral wa+ held /p for an ho/r. The .reat 0a++e+ of 1erea4ed o/t+*de kept
+h*4er*n. *n the 1*tter )o+cow fro+t, all wa*t*n. for the arr*4al of the *0pr*+oned
p/p*l+ of the .reat dead. At la+t the2 ca0e, 1/t onl2 +e4en of the0, fro0 the Cheka
7a*l. There were none of the (/t*rk2 co0rade+, 1/t at the la+t 0o0ent the Cheka
a++/red the co00*++*on that the2 had 1een relea+ed and were on the*r wa2 to the hall.
The pr*+oner+ on lea4e acted a+ the honorar2 pall61earer+. In pro/d +adne++ the2
carr*ed the la+t re0a*n+ of the*r 1elo4ed teacher and co0rade o/t of the hall. In the
+treet the2 were rece*4ed *n *0pre++*4e +*lence 12 the 4a+t a++e01l2. old*er+ w*tho/t
ar0+, +a*lor+, +t/dent+, and ch*ldren, la1o/r or.an*-at*on+ of e4er2 trade, and .ro/p+
of 0en and wo0en repre+ent*n. the learned profe++*on+, pea+ant+, and n/0ero/+
anarch*+t 1od*e+, all w*th the*r 1anner+ of red or 1lack, a 0/lt*t/d*no/+ 0a++ /n*ted
w*tho/t coerc*on, orderl2 w*tho/t force, +tretched alon. the lon. 0arch of two ho/r+
to the $e4*ch2 Ce0eter2, on the o/t+k*rt+ of the c*t2.
At the Tol+to2 )/+e/0 the +tra*n+ of Chop*n:+ ,/neral )arch .reeted the cortL.e,
and a chor/+ 12 the follower+ of the +eer of Ya+na2a =ol2ana. In apprec*at*on o/r
co0rade+ lowered the*r fla.+, a+ a f*tt*n. tr*1/te of one .reat +on of #/++*a to another.
=a++*n. the (/t*rk2 pr*+on, the proce++*on ca0e to a +econd halt, and o/r fla.+ were
lowered *n token of =eter Kropotk*n:+ la+t .reet*n. to h*+ co/ra.eo/+ co0rade+ who
were wa4*n. the*r ad*e/ to h*0 fro0 the*r 1arred w*ndow+.
pontaneo/+ e3pre++*on+ of deep6felt +orrow character*-ed the +peeche+ 0ade 12
repre+entat*4e 0en of 4ar*o/+ pol*t*cal tendenc*e+ at the .ra4e of o/r departed
co0rade. The do0*nant note wa+ that the death of =eter Kropotk*n wa+ a lo++ of a
.reat 0oral force, the e>/al of wh*ch wa+ well6n*.h e3t*nct *n the*r nat*4e land.
,or the f*r+t t*0e +*nce 02 co0*n. to =etro.rad 02 own 4o*ce ran. o/t *n p/1l*c. It
+o/nded to 0e +tran.el2 hard and *nade>/ate to e3pre++ all that =eter had 0eant to
0e. )2 .r*ef o4er h*+ pa++*n. awa2 wa+ 1o/nd /p w*th 02 de+pa*r o4er the defeat of
the #e4ol/t*on, wh*ch none of /+ had 1een a1le to a4ert.
The +/n, +lowl2 d*+appear*n. 1elow the hor*-on, and the +k2, 1athed *n dark red,
0ade a f*tt*n. canop2 o4er the fre+h +o*l that wa+ now =eter Kropotk*n:+ eternal
re+t*n.6place.
The +e4en paroled 1o2+ +pent the e4en*n. w*th /+, and *t wa+ late at n*.ht when the2
reached the*r pr*+on6ho/+e. Not e3pect*n. the0, the ./ard+ had locked the .ate+ and
ret*red. The 0en had fa*rl2 to 1reak *nto the place, +o a+to/nded were the keeper+ to
+ee anarch*+t+ fool*+h eno/.h to l*4e /p to the pled.e .*4en for the0 12 the*r
co0rade+.
The anarch*+t+ *n the (/t*rk2 pr*+on had not appeared at the f/neral, after all. The
3F0
Aeh6Cheka had a++/red o/r co00*++*on that the2 had decl*ned to do +o, tho/.h
offered the opport/n*t2. !e knew that *t wa+ a l*e9 ne4erthele++ I dec*ded /pon a
per+onal 4*+*t to o/r pr*+oner+ to +ec/re the*r +*de of the +tor2. Th*+ /nfort/natel2
*n4ol4ed the hatef/l nece++*t2 of appl2*n. to the Cheka for a per0*t. I wa+ taken *nto
the pr*4ate off*ce of the pre+*d*n. Chek*+t, who pro4ed a 0ere 2o/th w*th a ./n *n h*+
1elt and another on h*+ de+k. 8e 0et 0e w*th o/t+tretched hand+, prof/+el2
addre++*n. 0e a+ h*+ 5dear co0rade.5 8*+ na0e wa+ (renner, he *nfor0ed 0e, and he
/+ed to l*4e *n A0er*ca. 8e had 1een an anarch*+t and of co/r+e he knew 5a+ha5 and
0e well and all a1o/t o/r act*4*t*e+ *n the tate+. 8e wa+ pro/d to call /+ h*+
co0rade+. Nat/rall2 he wa+ now w*th the Co00/n*+t+, he e3pla*ned, for he
con+*dered the pre+ent rE.*0e a +tepp*n. +tone to anarch*+0. The #e4ol/t*on wa+ the
0a*n th*n., and +*nce the (ol+he4*k* were work*n. *n *t+ 1ehalf, he wa+ co6operat*n.
w*th the0. (/t had I cea+ed to 1e a re4ol/t*on*+t that I ref/+ed to .ra+p the proffered
co0radel2 hand fro0 one of *t+ defender+B
I had ne4er *n 02 l*fe +haken hand+ w*th detect*4e+, I repl*ed, and 0/ch le++ wo/ld
I do +o w*th one who had 1een an anarch*+t. I ca0e for a pa++ to the pr*+on and I
wanted to know whether I co/ld +ec/re one.
The Chek*+t t/rned wh*te, 1/t he kept h*+ co0po+/re. 5All r*.ht a1o/t the pa++,5 he
+a*d, 51/t there *+ a l*ttle 0atter that need+ e3planat*on.5 8e drew o/t a cl*pp*n. fro0
a de+k drawer and handed *t to 0e. It wa+ the +*ll2 Cla2ton art*cle that I had alread2
+een 0onth+ 1efore. It wa+ *0perat*4e that I retract *t+ content+ *n the o4*et pre++,
(renner declared. I repl*ed that I had lon. a.o ca1led 02 4er+*on of *t to fr*end+ *n
A0er*ca, and that I had no *ntent*on of do*n. an2th*n. 0ore *n the 0atter. )2 ref/+al
wa+ +/re to .o a.a*n+t 0e, the Chek*+t re0arked. A+ a to4ar*+htch he felt *t h*+ d/t2 to
warn 0e. 5I+ *t a threatB5 I a+ked. 5Not 2et,5 he 0/ttered.
8e ro+e and walked o/t of the roo0. I wa*ted for half an ho/r, wonder*n. whether I
wa+ a pr*+oner. "4er2one:+ t/rn co0e+ *n #/++*a9 wh2 not al+o 0*ne, I 0/+ed.
=re+entl2 +tep+ approached and the door wa+ thrown open. An old 0an, e4*dentl2 a
Chek*+t, .a4e 0e a +l*p of paper per0*tt*n. 0e to enter the (/t*rk2.
A0on. a lar.e .ro/p of *0pr*+oned co0rade+ I 0et +e4eral I had known *n the
tate+: ,an2a and Aaron (aron, Aol*n, and other+ who had 1een act*4e *n A0er*ca, a+
well a+ the #/++*an+ of the Na1at or.an*-at*on who0 I had 0et *n Kharko4. The2 had
1een 4*+*ted 12 a repre+entat*4e of the Aeh6Cheka, the2 related, who had offered to
relea+e +e4eral of the0 *nd*4*d/all2, 1/t not a+ a collect*4e .ro/p, a+ had 1een
arran.ed w*th the ,/neral Co00*++*on. %/r co0rade+ had rep/d*ated the 1reach of
fa*th and *n+*+ted that the2 wo/ld attend the Kropotk*n f/neral *n a 1od2 or not at all.
The 0an *nfor0ed the0 that he wo/ld ha4e to report the*r de0and to h*+ +/per*or
off*cer+ and that the wo/ld +oon ret/rn w*th the f*nal dec*+*on. (/t he ne4er ca0e
1ack. The co0rade+ +a*d *t d*d not 0atter at all, 1eca/+e the2 had held the*r own
Kropotk*n 0e0or*al 0eet*n. *n the corr*dor of the*r pr*+on w*n., and the occa+*on
had 1een hono/red 12 appropr*ate +peeche+ and re4ol/t*onar2 +on.+. In fact, w*th the
help of the other pol*t*cal+ the2 had t/rned the pr*+on *nto a pop/lar /n*4er+*t2, Aol*n
re0arked. The2 were cond/ct*n. cla++e+ *n +oc*al +c*ence, pol*t*cal econo02,
+oc*olo.2, and l*terat/re, and the2 were teach*n. the co00on pr*+oner+ to read and
wr*te. The2 were en7o2*n. 0ore freedo0 than we on the o/t+*de and we +ho/ld en42
the0, the2 7oked. (/t the*r ha4en, the2 feared, wo/ld pro1a1l2 not la+t 0/ch lon.er.
3F1
oph*e Kropotk*n, who+e whole l*fe had 1een wrapped /p *n =eter and h*+ work,
wa+ co0pletel2 +hattered 12 her lo++. he co/ld not 1ear to .o on w*tho/t h*0, +he
told 0e, /nle++ +he co/ld de4ote the re+t of her da2+ to the perpet/at*on of h*+
0e0or2 and effort+. A =eter Kropotk*n 0/+e/0 wa+ her *dea a+ a f*tt*n. te+t*0on*al,
and +he pleaded w*th 0e to re0a*n *n )o+cow to help her real*-e the pro7ect. I a.reed
that her plan wo/ld 1e a 0o+t appropr*ate 0on/0ent to =eter, tho/.h I d*d not
con+*der #/++*a at pre+ent the 1e+t place for *t. The work wo/ld *n4ol4e cont*n/al
1e..*n. fro0 the @o4ern0ent, and that wo/ld certa*nl2 not 1e *n confor0*t2 w*th
=eter:+ 4*ew+ and w*+he+. (/t oph*e *n+*+ted that #/++*a wa+, e4er2th*n. con+*dered,
the 0o+t lo.*cal place for +/ch a 0/+e/0. =eter had lo4ed h*+ nat*4e land and had had
the .reate+t fa*th *n *t+ people, notw*th+tand*n. the (ol+he4*k d*ctator+h*p. 8eart6
1reak*n. a+ cond*t*on+ were, he had often told her, he wa+ deter0*ned to +pend the
re+t of h*+ l*fe there. he al+o had alwa2+ 1een de4oted to #/++*a, and, w*th =eter now
re+t*n. *n #/++*an +o*l, *t had 1eco0e do/1l2 +acred to her.
he felt that, w*th a+ha and 0e on the 0/+e/0 co00*ttee, the 0a*n +/pport
wo/ld co0e fro0 A0er*ca and 4er2 l*ttle wo/ld therefore ha4e to 1e a+ked fro0 the
+o4*et+. The 0e01er+ of the Kropotk*n ,/neral Co00*++*on fa4o/red oph*e:+ plan.
!hate4er the nat/re of the d*ctator+h*p, the2 held, the fact re0a*ned that the .reat
#e4ol/t*on had taken place *n #/++*a, and that co/ntr2 wa+ therefore the proper ho0e
for a Kropotk*n 0/+e/0.
The =eter Kropotk*n ,/neral Co00*++*on reor.an*-ed *t+elf *nt a )e0or*al
Co00*ttee, w*th oph*e Kropotk*n a+ *t+ cha*r0an, a+ha a+ .eneral +ecretar2, and
0e a+ 0ana.er. In add*t*on I wa+ al+o to +/1+t*t/te for oph*e d/r*n. her a1+ence *n
$0*tro4. The or.an*-at*on, wh*ch con+*+ted of repre+entat*4e+ of the 4ar*o/+ anarch*+t
.ro/p+, dec*ded to appl2 to the )o+cow o4*et for the old Kropotk*n fa0*l2 ho/+e a+
a ho0e for the 0/+e/0, a+ well a+ to re>/e+t that the Kropotk*n cotta.e *n $0*tro4 1e
+ec/red for the w*dow of =eter.
To.ether w*th a+ha I ret/rned to =etro.rad to +e4er o/r conne3*on+ w*th the
)/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on. !e 1oth re.retted ha4*n. to .*4e /p o/r act*4e a++oc*at*on
w*th *t+ +taff, who had 1een +o +plend*d *n the*r relat*on+h*p w*th /+. (/t the I+part
had *rre4oca1l2 dec*ded to +et /p a pol*t*cal co00*++ar o4er the 0/+e/0 e3ped*t*on+,
and ne*ther a+ha nor I wo/ld cont*n/e work /nder +/ch cond*t*on+. )oreo4er, we
con+*dered the work of a =eter Kropotk*n 0/+e/0 0ore 4*tal than o/r la1o/r+ for the
=etro.rad )/+e/0 and we were alread2 *n act*4e char.e of the prel*0*nar2 work. %/r
pre+ence *n )o+cow wa+ /r.ent and we +ho/ld ha4e to l*4e there. Ale3andra
Kropotk*n wa+ lea4*n. for "/rope, and oph*e had pro0*+ed that we co/ld ha4e the
two +0all roo0+ the2 had occ/p*ed *n an apart0ent on the Leonte4+k2 =ere/lok. At
la+t we +ho/ld 1e a1le to l*4e l*ke the re+t of the nonoff*c*al pop/lat*on.
In 02 earl2 #/++*an per*od the >/e+t*on of +tr*ke+ had p/--led 0e a .reat deal.
=eople had told 0e that the lea+t atte0pt of that k*nd wa+ cr/+hed and the part*c*pant+
+ent to pr*+on. I had not 1el*e4ed *t, and, a+ *n all +*0*lar th*n.+, I had t/rned to Dor*n
for *nfor0at*on. 5tr*ke+ /nder the d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at?5 he had e3cla*0ed9
5there:+ no +/ch th*n..5 8e had e4en /p1ra*ded 0e for cred*t*n. +/ch w*ld and
*0po++*1le tale+. A.a*n+t who0, *ndeed, +ho/ld the worker+ +tr*ke *n o4*et #/++*a,
he had ar./ed. A.a*n+t the0+el4e+B The2 were the 0a+ter+ of the co/ntr2, pol*t*call2
3FC
a+ well a+ *nd/+tr*all2. To 1e +/re, there were +o0e a0on. the to*ler+ who were not
2et f/ll2 cla++6con+c*o/+ and aware of the*r own tr/e *ntere+t+. The+e were +o0et*0e+
d*+.r/ntled, 1/t the2 were ele0ent+ *nc*ted 12 the +hk/rn*k2, 12 +elf6+eeker+ and
ene0*e+ of the #e4ol/t*on. k*nner+, para+*te+, the2 were, who were p/rpo+el2
0*+lead*n. the dark people. The2 were the wor+t k*nd of +a1ota-hn*k2, no 1etter than
o/t and o/t co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, and of co/r+e the o4*et a/thor*t*e+ had to protect
the co/ntr2 a.a*n+t the*r k*nd. )o+t of the0 were *n pr*+on.
*nce then I had learned 12 per+onal o1+er4at*on and e3per*ence that the real
+a1ota-hn*k2, co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, and 1and*t+ *n o4*et penal *n+t*t/t*on+ were a
ne.l*.*1le 0*nor*t2. The 1/lk of the pr*+on pop/lat*on con+*+ted of +oc*al heret*c+ who
were ./*lt2 of the card*nal +*n a.a*n+t the Co00/n*+t Ch/rch. ,or no offence wa+
con+*dered 0ore he*no/+ than to enterta*n pol*t*cal 4*ew+ *n oppo+*t*on to the part2,
and to 4o*ce an2 prote+t a.a*n+t the e4*l+ and cr*0e+ of (ol+he4*+0. I fo/nd that 12
far the .reate+t n/01er were pol*t*cal pr*+oner+, a+ well a+ pea+ant+ and worker+
./*lt2 of de0and*n. 1etter treat0ent and cond*t*on+. The+e fact+, tho/.h r*.*dl2 kept
fro0 the p/1l*c, were ne4erthele++ co00on knowled.e, a+ were *ndeed 0o+t th*n.+
that were +ecretl2 .o*n. on 1eneath the o4*et +/rface. 8ow for1*dden *nfor0at*on
leaked o/t wa+ a 02+ter2, 1/t *t d*d leak o/t and wo/ld +pread w*th the rap*d*t2 and
*nten+*t2 of a fore+t f*re.
!*th*n le++ than twent26fo/r ho/r+ of o/r ret/rn to =etro.rad we learned that the
c*t2 wa+ +eeth*n. w*th d*+content and +tr*ke talk. The ca/+e of *t wa+ the *ncrea+ed
+/ffer*n. d/e to the /n/+/all2 +e4ere w*nter a+ well a+ partl2 to the ha1*t/al o4*et
near6+*.htedne++. 8ea42 +now6+tor0+ had dela2ed the 0ea.re +/ppl*e+ of food and
f/el for the c*t2. In add*t*on the =etro6o4*et had co00*tted the +t/p*d*t2 of clo+*n.
down +e4eral factor*e+ and c/tt*n. the rat*on+ of the*r e0plo2ee+ al0o+t *n half. At the
+a0e t*0e *t had 1eco0e known that the part2 0e01er+ *n the +hop+ had rece*4ed a
fre+h +/ppl2 of +hoe+ and cloth*n., wh*le the re+t of the to*ler+ were wretchedl2 clad
and +hod. To cap the cl*0a3 the a/thor*t*e+ 4etoed the 0eet*n. called 12 the worker+
to d*+c/++ wa2+ of a0el*orat*n. the +*t/at*on.
It wa+ the co00on feel*n. *n =etro.rad a0on. non6Co00/n*+t ele0ent+ that the
+*t/at*on wa+ 4er2 .ra4e. The at0o+phere wa+ char.ed to the po*nt of e3plo+*on. !e
dec*ded of co/r+e to re0a*n *n the c*t2. Not that we hoped to a4ert *0pend*n. tro/1le,
1/t we wanted to 1e on hand *n ca+e we co/ld 1e of help to the people.
The +tor0 1roke o/t e4en 1efore an2one e3pected *t. It 1e.an w*th the +tr*ke of the
0*ll0en at the Tro/1et+ko2 work+. The*r de0and+ were 0ode+t eno/.h: an *ncrea+e
*n the*r food rat*on+, a+ had lon. a.o 1een pro0*+ed the0, and al+o the d*+tr*1/t*on of
the foot6.ear on hand. The =etro6o4*et ref/+ed to parle2 w*th the +tr*ker+ /nt*l the2
ret/rned to work. Co0pan*e+ of ar0ed k/r+ant2, con+*+t*n. of 2o/n. Co00/n*+t+ *n
0*l*tar2 tra*n*n., were +ent to d*+per+e the worker+ .athered a1o/t the 0*ll+. The
cadet+ +o/.ht to *nc*te the crowd 12 f*r*n. *nto the a*r, 1/t fort/natel2 the worker+ had
co0e /nar0ed and there wa+ no 1lood+hed. The +tr*ker+ re+orted to a 0ore powerf/l
weapon, the +ol*dar*t2 of the*r fellow6to*ler+, w*th the re+/lt that the e0plo2ee+ of f*4e
0ore factor*e+ la*d down the*r tool+ and 7o*ned the +tr*ke 0o4e0ent. To a 0an, the2
+trea0ed fro0 the @alerna2a dock+, the Ad0*ralt2 +hop+, the =atronn2 0*ll+, the
(alt*2+k2 and Lafer0 factor*e+. The*r +treet de0on+trat*on wa+ pro0ptl2 1roken /p
12 +old*er+. ,ro0 all acco/nt+, I .athered that the handl*n. of the +tr*ker+ wa+ 12 no
3F3
0ean+ 4er2 co0radel2. "4en +/ch an ardent Co00/n*+t a+ L*-a Dor*n had 1een
aro/+ed to prote+t a.a*n+t the 0ethod+ /+ed. L*-a and I had dr*fted apart a lon. t*0e
a.o and I wa+ therefore 0/ch +/rpr*+ed that +he +ho/ld feel the need of /n1/rden*n.
her heart to 0e. Ne4er wo/ld +he ha4e 1el*e4ed that #ed Ar02 0en wo/ld ro/.h6r*de
o4er work*n.0en, +he prote+ted. o0e wo0en had fa*nted at the +*.ht of *t, and
other+ had 1eco0e h2+ter*cal. A wo0an +tand*n. near her had e4*dentl2 reco.n*-ed
her a+ an act*4e part2 0e01er and had no do/1t held her re+pon+*1le for the 1r/tal
+cene. he t/rned on L*-a l*ke a f/r2 and h*t her f/ll *n the face, ca/+*n. her to 1leed
prof/+el2. Tho/.h +ta..ered 12 the 1low, dear old L*-a, who had alwa2+ tea+ed 0e
a1o/t 02 +ent*0ental*t2, told her a++a*lant that *t d*d not 0atter at all. 5To rea++/re the
d*+tracted wo0an I 1e..ed her to let 0e take her to her ho0e,5 L*-a related. 58er
ho0e 666 *t wa+ a dreadf/l hole +/ch a+ I tho/.ht no lon.er e3*+ted *n o/r co/ntr2. %ne
dark roo0, cold and 1arren, occ/p*ed 12 the wo0an, her h/+1and, and the*r +*3
ch*ldren. To th*nk that I ha4e l*4ed *n the A+tor*a all th*+ t*0e?5 +he 0oaned. he
knew *t wa+ not the fa/lt of her part2 that +/ch appall*n. cond*t*on+ +t*ll pre4a*led *n
o4*et #/++*a, +he cont*n/ed. Nor wa+ *t Co00/n*+t w*lf/lne++ that wa+ re+pon+*1le
for the +tr*ke. The 1lockade and the world *0per*al*+t con+p*rac2 a.a*n+t the !orker+:
#ep/1l*c were to 1la0e for the po4ert2 and +/ffer*n.. ;/+t the +a0e, +he co/ld not
re0a*n *n her co0forta1le >/arter+ an2 lon.er. That de+perate wo0an:+ roo0 and her
fro+t1*tten ch*ldren wo/ld ha/nt her da2+. =oor L*-a? Lo2al and +ta/nch +he wa+ and
of +terl*n. character. (/t oh, +o 1l*nd pol*t*call2?
The plea of the worker+ for 0ore 1read and +o0e f/el +oon flared *nto dec*ded
pol*t*cal de0and+, thank+ to the ar1*trar*ne++ and r/thle++ne++ of the a/thor*t*e+. A
0an*fe+to, pa+ted on the wall+ no one knew 12 who0, called for 5a co0plete chan.e
*n the pol*c*e+ of the @o4ern0ent.5 It declared that, 5f*r+t of all, the worker+ and
pea+ant+ need freedo0. The2 don:t want to l*4e 12 the decree+ of the (ol+he4*k*9 the2
want to control the*r own de+t*n*e+.5 "4er2 da2 the +*t/at*on .rew 0ore ten+e and new
de0and+ were 1e*n. 4o*ced 12 0ean+ of procla0at*on+ on the wall+ and 1/*ld*n.+. At
la+t appeared a call for the &chred*lka, the Con+t*t/ent A++e01l2 +o hated and
deno/nced 12 the r/l*n. part2.
)art*al law wa+ declared and the worker+ were ordered to ret/rn to the +hop+ on
pa*n of 1e*n. depr*4ed of the*r rat*on+. Th*+ ent*rel2 fa*led of an2 effect, where/pon a
n/01er of /n*on+ were l*>/*dated, the*r off*c*al+ and the 0ore recalc*trant +tr*ker+
placed *n pr*+on.
In helple++ 0*+er2 we +aw .ro/p+ of 0en, +/rro/nded 12 ar0ed Chek*+t+ and
+old*er+, led pa+t o/r w*ndow+. In the hope of 0ak*n. the o4*et leader+ real*-e the
foll2 and dan.er of the*r tact*c+ a+ha tr*ed to .et hold of D*no4*e4, wh*le I +o/.ht
)0e #a4*ch, Dor*n and D*ppero4*ch, head of the =etro.rad Trade &n*on o4*et. (/t
the2 all den*ed the0+el4e+ to /+ on the e3c/+e that the2 were too 1/+2 defend*n. the
c*t2 fro0 co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 plot+ hatched 12 the )en+he4*k* and oc*al*+t6
#e4ol/t*on*+t+. Th*+ for0/la had .rown +tale 12 three 2ear+: repet*t*on, 1/t *t +t*ll
helped to throw +and *nto the e2e+ of the Co00/n*+t rank and f*le.
The +tr*ke kept +pread*n., all e3tre0e 0ea+/re+ notw*th+tand*n.. Arre+t+ followed
/pon arre+t+, 1/t the 4er2 +t/p*d*t2 w*th wh*ch the a/thor*t*e+ dealt w*th the +*t/at*on
+er4ed to enco/ra.e the dark ele0ent+. Ant*6re4ol/t*onar2 and ;ew61a*t*n.
procla0at*on+ 1e.an to appear, and the w*ld r/0o/r+ of 0*l*tar2 +/ppre++*on and
3F4
Cheka 1r/tal*t2 a.a*n+t the +tr*ker+ f*lled the c*t2.
The worker+ were deter0*ned, 1/t *t wa+ apparent that the2 wo/ld +oon 1e +tar4ed
*nto +/10*++*on. There wa+ no 0ean+ 12 wh*ch the p/1l*c co/ld a*d the +tr*ker+ e4en
*f the2 had an2th*n. to .*4e. All a4en/e+ of approach to the *nd/+tr*al d*+tr*ct+ of the
c*t2 were c/t off 12 0a++ed troop+. )oreo4er, the pop/lat*on *t+elf wa+ *n dreadf/l
want. The l*ttle we co/ld .ather *n food+t/ff+ and cloth*n. wa+ a 0ere drop *n the
ocean. !e all real*-ed that the odd+ 1etween the d*ctator+h*p and the worker+ were
too /ne4en to per0*t the +tr*ker+ to hold o/t 0/ch lon.er.
Into th*+ ten+e and de+perate +*t/at*on there wa+ pre+entl2 *ntrod/ced a new factor
that held o/t the hope of +o0e +ettle0ent. It wa+ the +a*lor+ of Kron+tadt. Tr/e to the*r
re4ol/t*onar2 trad*t*on+ and +ol*dar*t2 w*th the worker+, +o lo2all2 de0on+trated *n
the re4ol/t*on of 190F, and later *n the )arch and %cto1er /phea4al+ of 191H, the2
now a.a*n took /p the c/d.el+ *n 1ehalf of the hara++ed proletar*an+ *n =etro.rad. (2
no 0ean+ 1l*ndl2 +o. '/*etl2 and w*tho/t o/t+*der+ know*n. a1o/t *t, the2 had +ent a
co00*ttee to *n4e+t*.ate the cla*0+ of the +tr*ker+. It+ report ro/+ed the +a*lor+ of the
war+h*p+ =etropa4lo4+k and e4a+topol to adopt a re+ol/t*on *n fa4o/r of the de0and+
of the*r 1rother worker+ on +tr*ke. The2 declared the0+el4e+ de4oted to the
#e4ol/t*on and the +o4*et+, a+ well a+ lo2al to the Co00/n*+t =art2. The2 prote+ted,
howe4er, a.a*n+t the ar1*trar2 att*t/de of certa*n co00*++ar+ and +tre++ed the need of
.reater +elf6deter0*nat*on for the or.an*-ed 1od*e+ of worker+. The2 f/rther
de0anded freedo0 of a++e01l2 for la1o/r /n*on+ and pea+ant or.an*-at*on+ and the
relea+e of all la1o/r and pol*t*cal pr*+oner+ fro0 o4*et pr*+on+ and concentrat*on
ca0p+.
The e3a0ple of the+e 1r*.ade+ wa+ taken /p 12 the ,*r+t and econd >/adron+ of
the (alt*c ,leet +tat*oned at Kron+tadt. At an open6a*r 0eet*n. on )arch 1, attended
12 +*3teen tho/+and +a*lor+, #ed Ar02 0en, and worker+ of Kron+tadt, +*0*lar
re+ol/t*on+ were adopted /nan*0o/+l2 w*th the e3cept*on of onl2 three 4ote+. The
d*++enter+ *ncl/ded Aa++*l*e4, pre+*dent of the Kron+tadt o4*et, who wa+ cha*r0an of
the 0a++ 0eet*n.9 K/-0*n, the Co00*++ar of the (alt*c ,leet9 and Kal*n*n, =re+*dent
of the ,ederated oc*al*+t o4*et #ep/1l*c+.
Two anarch*+t+ who had attended the .ather*n. ret/rned to tell /+ of the order,
enth/+*a+0, and f*ne +p*r*t that had pre4a*led there. Not +*nce the earl2 da2+ of
%cto1er had the2 +een +/ch +pontaneo/+ de0on+trat*on of +ol*dar*t2 and fer4ent
co0rade+h*p. If onl2 we had 1een there, the2 la0ented. The pre+ence of a+ha, for
who0 the Kron+tadt +a*lor+ had 0ade +/ch a 4al*ant +tand when he wa+ *n dan.er of
e3trad*t*on to Cal*forn*a, *n 191H, and of 0e, who0 the +a*lor+ knew 12 rep/tat*on,
wo/ld ha4e added we*.ht to the re+ol/t*on, the2 declared. !e a.reed that *t wo/ld
ha4e 1een a wonderf/l e3per*ence to part*c*pate *n the f*r+t .reat 0a++ 0eet*n. on
o4*et +o*l that wa+ not 0ach*ne60ade. @ork* had a++/red 0e lon. a.o that the 0en
of the (alt*c ,leet were 1orn anarch*+t+ and that 02 place wa+ w*th the0. I had often
lon.ed to .o to Kron+tadt to 0eet the crew+ and talk to the0, 1/t I had felt that *n 02
d*+t/r1ed and conf/+ed +tate of 0*nd I co/ld .*4e the0 noth*n. con+tr/ct*4e. (/t now
I wo/ld .o to take 02 place w*th the0, tho/.h I knew that the (ol+he4*k* wo/ld ra*+e
the cr2 that I wa+ *nc*t*n. the +a*lor+ a.a*n+t the re.*0e. a+ha +a*d he d*d not care
what the Co00/n*+t+ wo/ld +a2. 8e wo/ld 7o*n the +a*lor+ *n the*r prote+t *n 1ehalf of
the +tr*k*n. =etro.rad worker+.
3FF
%/r co0rade+ e0pha+*-ed that the e3pre++*on+ of +20path2 on the part of
Kron+tadt w*th the +tr*ker+ co/ld *n no wa2 1e con+tr/ed a+ ant*6o4*et act*on. In fact,
the ent*re +p*r*t of the +a*lor+ and the re+ol/t*on+ pa++ed at the*r 0a++ 0eet*n. were
thoro/.hl2 o4*et*+t. The2 were +tron.l2 oppo+ed to the a/tocrat*c att*t/de of the
=etro.rad a/thor*t*e+ toward+ the +tar4*n. +tr*ker+, 1/t at no t*0e had the .ather*n.
+hown the lea+t oppo+*t*on to the Co00/n*+t+. In fact, the .reat 0eet*n. had 1een
held /nder the a/+p*ce+ of the Kron+tadt o4*et. To +how the*r lo2alt2 the +a*lor+ had
0et Kal*n*n on h*+ arr*4al *n the*r c*t2 w*th 0/+*c and +on., and h*+ talk wa+ l*+tened
to w*th re+pect and attent*on. "4en after he and h*+ co0rade+ had attacked the +a*lor+
and conde0ned the*r re+ol/t*on, Kal*n*n had 1een e+corted 1ack to the +tat*on *n the
.reate+t fr*endl*ne++, o/r *nfor0ant+ +tated.
!e had heard the r/0o/r that at a .ather*n. of three h/ndred dele.ate+ fro0 the
fleet, the .arr*+on, and the trade6/n*on +o4*et K/-0*n and Aa++*le4 had 1een arre+ted
12 the +a*lor+. !e a+ked o/r two co0rade+ what the2 knew of the 0atter. The2
ad0*tted that the two 0en had 1een deta*ned. The rea+on for *t wa+ that at the 0eet*n.
K/-0*n had deno/nced the +a*lor+ a+ tra*tor+, and the =etro.rad +tr*ker+ a+ +hk/rn*k2,
and had declared that henceforth the Co00/n*+t =art2 5wo/ld f*.ht the0 to a f*n*+h
a+ co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+.5 The dele.ate+ had al+o learned that K/-0*n had .*4en
order+ for the re0o4al of all food and 0/n*t*on+ fro0 Kron+tadt, there12 4*rt/all2
doo0*n. the c*t2 to +tar4at*on. Therefore *t wa+ dec*ded 12 the +a*lor+ and the
.arr*+on of Kron+tadt to deta*n K/-0*n and Aa++*le4 and to take preca/t*on+ that no
+/ppl*e+ 1e re0o4ed fro0 the town. (/t that wa+ no *nd*cat*on whate4er of an2
re1ell*o/+ *ntent*on+ or that the2 had cea+ed to 1el*e4e *n the re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 of
the Co00/n*+t+. %n the contrar2, the Co00/n*+t dele.ate+ at the .ather*n. were
per0*tted an e>/al 4o*ce w*th the re+t. ,/rther proof of the*r conf*dence *n the rE.*0e
wa+ .*4en 12 the dele.ate+ *n +end*n. a co00*ttee of th*rt2 0en to confer w*th the
=etro6o4*et w*th a 4*ew to an a0*ca1le +ettle0ent of the +tr*ke.
!e felt elated o4er the +plend*d +ol*dar*t2 of the Kron+tadt +a*lor+ and +old*er+ w*th
the*r +tr*k*n. 1rother+ *n =etro.rad and we hoped that a +peed2 ter0*nat*on of the
tro/1le wo/ld +oon re+/lt, thank+ to the 0ed*at*on of the +a*lor+.
Ala+, o/r hope+ pro4ed 4a*n w*th*n an ho/r after we had rece*4ed new+ of the
Kron+tadt proceed*n.+. An order +*.ned 12 Len*n and Trot+k2 +pread l*ke w*ldf*re
thro/.h =etro.rad. It declared that Kron+tadt had 0/t*n*ed a.a*n+t the o4*et
@o4ern0ent, and deno/nced the +a*lor+ a+ 5tool+ of for0er t+ar*+t .eneral+ who
to.ether w*th oc*al*+t6#e4ol/t*on*+t tra*tor+ +ta.ed a co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2
con+p*rac2 a.a*n+t the proletar*an #ep/1l*c.5
5=repo+tero/+? It:+ noth*n. +hort of 0adne++?5 a+ha cr*ed a+ he read the cop2 of
the order. 5Len*n and Trot+k2 0/+t 1e 0*+*nfor0ed 12 +o0eone. The2 co/ld not
po++*1l2 1el*e4e the +a*lor+ ./*lt2 of co/nter6re4ol/t*on. !h2, the crew+ of the
=etropa4lo4+k and e4a+topol *n part*c/lar had 1een the +ta/nche+t +/pporter+ of the
(ol+he4*k* *n %cto1er and e4er +*nce. And d*d not Trot+k2 h*0+elf .reet the0 a+ :the
pr*de and flower of the #e4ol/t*on:?5
!e 0/+t .o to )o+cow at once, a+ha declared. It wa+ *0perat*4e to +ee Len*n and
Trot+k2 and to e3pla*n to the0 that *t wa+ all a horr*1le 0*+/nder+tand*n., a 1l/nder
3FG
that 0*.ht pro4e fatal to the #e4ol/t*on *t+elf. It wa+ 4er2 hard for a+ha to .*4e /p
h*+ fa*th *n the re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 of the 0en that had appeared a+ the proletar*an
apo+tle+ to 0*ll*on+ thro/.ho/t the world. I a.reed w*th h*0 that Len*n and Trot+k2
0*.ht ha4e 1een 0*+led 12 D*no4*e4, who wa+ n*.htl2 telephon*n. to the Kre0l*n
deta*led report+ a1o/t Kron+tadt. D*no4*e4 had ne4er 1een fa0ed e4en a0on. h*+ own
co0rade+ for per+onal co/ra.e. 8e had 1eco0e pan*ck2 at the f*r+t +20pto0+ of
d*+content +hown 12 the =etro.rad worker+. !hen he learned that the local .arr*+on
had e3pre++ed +20path2 w*th the +tr*ker+, he co0pletel2 lo+t h*+ head and had ordered
a 0ach*ne6./n placed at the A+tor*a for h*+ protect*on. The +tand of Kron+tadt had p/t
terror *nto h*+ heart and had ca/+ed h*0 to 1o01ard )o+cow w*th w*ld +tor*e+. I knew
all that, a+ d*d al+o a+ha, 1/t I co/ld not 1el*e4e that Len*n and Trot+k2 act/all2
tho/.ht the Kron+tadt 0en ./*lt2 of co/nter6re4ol/t*on or capa1le of co6operat*n.
w*th !h*te .eneral+, a+ char.ed *n Len*n:+ order.
"3traord*nar2 0art*al law wa+ declared o4er the ent*re =etro.rad =ro4*nce, and
none 1/t +pec*all2 a/thor*-ed off*c*al+ co/ld lea4e the c*t2. The (ol+he4*k pre++
opened a ca0pa*.n of cal/0n2 and 4*t/perat*on a.a*n+t Kron+tadt, procla*0*n. that
the +a*lor+ and +old*er+ had 0ade co00on ca/+e w*th the 5t+ar*+t .eneral Ko-lo4+k2,5
and declar*n. the Kron+tadt people o/tlawed. a+ha 1e.an to real*-e that the +*t/at*on
*n4ol4ed a .ood deal 0ore than 0ere 0*+*nfor0at*on on the part of Len*n and
Trot+k2. The latter wa+ to attend the +pec*al +e++*on of the =etro6o4*et where the fate
of Kron+tadt wa+ to 1e dec*ded. !e re+ol4ed to 1e pre+ent.
It wa+ 02 f*r+t opport/n*t2 *n #/++*a to hear Trot+k2. !e 0*.ht re0*nd h*0 of h*+
part*n. word+ *n New York, I tho/.ht: the hope he had e3pre++ed that we +ho/ld
co0e to #/++*a +oon to a++*+t *n the .reat work 0ade po++*1le 12 the o4erthrow of
t+ar*+0. !e wo/ld plead w*th h*0 to let /+ help +ettle the Kron+tadt d*ff*c/lt2 *n a
co0radel2 +p*r*t, to d*+po+e of o/r t*0e and ener.*e+, e4en of o/r l*4e+, *n the +/pre0e
te+t to wh*ch the #e4ol/t*on wa+ p/tt*n. the Co00/n*+t =art2.
&nfort/natel2 Trot+k2:+ tra*n wa+ dela2ed and he fa*led to appear at the +e++*on.
The 0en who addre++ed the .ather*n. were 1e2ond rea+on or appeal. ,anat*c*+0 r/n
0ad wa+ *n the*r word+, and 1l*nd fear *n the*r heart+.
The platfor0 wa+ hea4*l2 ./arded 12 k/r+ant2, and Chek*+t +old*er+ w*th f*3ed
1a2onet+ +tood 1etween *t and the a/d*ence. D*no4*e4, who pre+*ded, +ee0ed on the
po*nt of a ner4o/+ collap+e. e4eral t*0e+ he ro+e to +peak and then +at down a.a*n.
!hen he f*nall2 1e.an talk*n., he kept h*+ head 7erk*n. to the left and r*.ht a+ *f
fear*n. a +/dden attack, and h*+ 4o*ce, alwa2+ adole+centl2 th*n, ro+e to a h*.h6p*tched
+hr*llne++, e3tre0el2 7arr*n. and *n no wa2 con4*nc*n..
8e deno/nced 5@eneral Ko-lo4+k25 a+ the e4*l +p*r*t of the Kron+tadt 0en, tho/.h
0o+t of the a/d*ence knew that that 0*l*tar2 off*cer had 1een placed *n Kron+tadt 12
Trot+k2 h*0+elf a+ an art*ller2 +pec*al*+t. Ko-lo4+k2 wa+ old and decrep*t and of no
*nfl/ence whate4er w*th the +a*lor+ or the .arr*+on. That d*d not pre4ent D*no4*e4, a+
cha*r0an of the +pec*all2 created Co00*ttee of $efence, fro0 procla*0*n. that
Kron+tadt had r*+en a.a*n+t the #e4ol/t*on and wa+ +eek*n. to carr2 o/t the plan+ of
Ko-lo4+k2 and h*+ t+ar*+t a*d+. Kal*n*n +hed h*+ /+/all2 .rand0otherl2 0anner and
attacked the +a*lor+ *n 4*c*o/+ ter0+, for.etf/l of the hono/r+ pa*d h*0 *n Kron+tadt
1/t a few da2+ pre4*o/+l2. 5No 0ea+/re can 1e too +e4ere for the co/nter6
3FH
re4ol/t*on*+t+ who dare to ra*+e the*r hand a.a*n+t o/r .lor*o/+ #e4ol/t*on,5 he
declared. The le++er l*.ht+ a0on. the +peaker+ followed *n the +a0e +tra*n, ro/+*n.
the*r Co00/n*+t -ealot+, *.norant of the real fact+, to re4en.ef/l fren-2 a.a*n+t the
0en 2e+terda2 accla*0ed heroe+ and 1rother+.
A1o4e the d*n of the howl*n. and +ta0p*n. 0o1 a +*n.le 4o*ce +tro4e to 1e heard
666 the ten+e, earne+t 4o*ce of a 0an *n the front row+. 8e wa+ a dele.ate of the
+tr*k*n. e0plo2ee+ at the ar+enal work+. 8e wa+ 0o4ed to prote+t, he declared,
a.a*n+t the 0*+repre+entat*on+ /ttered fro0 the platfor0 a.a*n+t the 1ra4e and lo2al
0en of Kron+tadt. ,ac*n. D*no4*e4 and po*nt*n. h*+ f*n.er d*rectl2 at h*0, the 0an
th/ndered: 5It:+ the cr/el *nd*fference of 2o/r+elf and of 2o/r part2 that dro4e /+ to
+tr*ke and that ro/+ed the +20path2 of o/r 1rother +a*lor+, who had fo/.ht +*de 12 +*de
w*th /+ *n the #e4ol/t*on. The2 are ./*lt2 of no other cr*0e, and 2o/ know *t.
Con+c*o/+l2 2o/ 0al*.n the0 and call for the*r de+tr/ct*on.5 Cr*e+ of 5Co/nter6
re4ol/t*on*+t? Tra*tor? hk/rn*k? )en+he4*k 1and*t?5 t/rned the a++e01l2 *nto a
1edla0.
The old worker re0a*ned +tand*n., h*+ 4o*ce r*+*n. a1o4e the t/0/lt. 5(arel2 three
2ear+ a.o Len*n, Trot+k2, D*no4*e4, and all of 2o/,5 he +ho/ted, 5were deno/nced a+
tra*tor+ and @er0an +p*e+. !e, the worker+ and +a*lor+, had co0e to 2o/r re+c/e and
+a4ed 2o/ fro0 the Keren+k2 @o4ern0ent. It wa+ we who placed 2o/ *n power. 8a4e
2o/ for.otten thatB Now 2o/ threaten /+ w*th the +word. #e0e01er 2o/ are pla2*n.
w*th f*re. Yo/ are repeat*n. the 1l/nder+ and cr*0e+ of the Keren+k2 @o4ern0ent.
(eware that a +*0*lar fate doe+ not o4ertake 2o/?5
The challen.e 0ade D*no4*e4 w*nce. The other+ on the platfor0 0o4ed /nea+*l2 *n
the*r +eat+. The Co00/n*+t a/d*ence +ee0ed awed for an *n+tant 12 the portento/+
warn*n., and *n that 0o0ent there ran. o/t another 4o*ce. A tall 0an *n a +a*lor:+
/n*for0 +tood /p *n the 1ack. Noth*n. had chan.ed *n the re4ol/t*onar2 +p*r*t of h*+
1rother+ of the +ea, he declared. To the la+t 0an the2 were read2 to defend the
#e4ol/t*on w*th the*r e4er2 drop of 1lood. Then he proceeded to read the Kron+tadt
re+ol/t*on adopted at the 0a++ 0eet*n. on )arch 1. The /proar h*+ dar*n. e4oked
0ade *t *0po++*1le for an2 1/t tho+e neare+t to hear h*0. (/t he +tood h*+ .ro/nd and
kept on read*n. to the end.
The onl2 repl2 to the+e two +t/rd2 +on+ of the #e4ol/t*on wa+ D*no4*e4:+ re+ol/t*on
de0and*n. the co0plete and *00ed*ate +/rrender of Kron+tadt on pa*n of
e3ter0*nat*on. It wa+ r/+hed thro/.h the +e++*on a0*d+t a pande0on*/0 of conf/+*on,
w*th e4er2 oppo+*n. 4o*ce .a..ed.
The at0o+phere, +/rchar.ed w*th the h2+ter*a of pa++*on and hate, crept *nto 02
1e*n. and held 0e 12 the throat. All e4en*n. I wanted to cr2 o/t a.a*n+t the 0ocker2
of 0en +toop*n. to the lowe+t pol*t*cal tr*cker2 *n the na0e of a .reat *deal. )2 4o*ce
+ee0ed to ha4e left 0e, for I co/ld not /tter a +o/nd. )2 tho/.ht+ re4erted to another
occa+*on where the +p*r*t of 4en.eance and hate had r/n a0/ck 666 the e4e of
re.*+trat*on, ;/ne 4, 191H, at 8/nt+ =o*nt =alace, New York. I had 1een a1le to +peak
o/t then, ent*rel2 o1l*4*o/+ of dan.er fro0 the war6dr/nk patr*ot+. !h2 co/ld I not
nowB !h2 d*d I not 1rand the *0pend*n. fratr*c*de 12 the (ol+he4*k*, a+ I had
!oodrow !*l+on:+ cr*0e that had ded*cated the 2o/n. 0anhood of A0er*ca to the
)oloch of warB 8ad I lo+t the .r*t that had +/+ta*ned 0e all thro/.h the 2ear+ of
3F<
f*.ht*n. a.a*n+t e4er2 *n7/+t*ce and e4er2 wron.B %r wa+ *t helple++ne++ wh*ch
paral2+ed 02 w*ll, the de+pa*r that had +ettled on 02 heart w*th the .row*n.
real*-at*on that I had 0*+taken a phanto0 for a l*fe6.*4*n. forceB Noth*n. co/ld alter
that cr/+h*n. con+c*o/+ne++ or 0ake an2 prote+t worth wh*le.
Yet +*lence *n the face of the threatened +la/.hter wa+ al+o *ntolera1le. I had to
0ake 02+elf heard. (/t not 12 the o1+e++ed, who wo/ld choke 1ack 02 4o*ce a+ the2
had done w*th the other+. I wo/ld 0ake known 02 +tand *n a +tate0ent to the
+/pre0e power of the o4*et $efence, that 4er2 n*.ht.
!hen we were alone and I +poke to a+ha a1o/t the 0atter, I wa+ .lad to learn that
02 old pal had conce*4ed the +a0e plan. 8e +/..e+ted that o/r letter +ho/ld 1e a 7o*nt
prote+t and deal e3cl/+*4el2 w*th the 0/rdero/+ re+ol/t*on pa++ed 12 the =etro6o4*et.
Two co0rade+ who had 1een w*th /+ at the +e++*on +hared h*+ 4*ew and offered to
+*.n the*r na0e+ to o/r 7o*nt appeal to the a/thor*t*e+.
I had no hope that o/r 0e++a.e wo/ld e3ert an2 +o1er*n. or re+tra*n*n. *nfl/ence
on the e4ent+ decreed a.a*n+t the +a*lor+. (/t I wa+ deter0*ned to ha4e 02 att*t/de
re.*+tered *n a 0anner to 1ear f/t/re w*tne++ that I had not re0a*ned a +*lent part2 to
the 1lacke+t 1etra2al of the #e4ol/t*on 12 the Co00/n*+t =art2.
At two o:clock *n the 0orn*n. a+ha .ot *n to/ch 12 telephone w*th D*no4*e4, to
*nfor0 h*0 that he had +o0eth*n. *0portant to co00/n*cate to h*0 re.ard*n.
Kron+tadt. =erhap+ D*no4*e4 a++/0ed that *t wa+ +o0eth*n. that 0*.ht a*d the
con+p*rac2 a.a*n+t Kron+tadt. %therw*+e he wo/ld ha4e hardl2 tro/1led to r/+h )0e
#a4*ch o4er at that ho/r of the n*.ht, ten 0*n/te+ after a+ha had talked to h*0. he
co/ld 1e tr/+ted a1+ol/tel2, D*no4*e4:+ note +a*d, and +he wa+ to 1e .*4en the
0e++a.e. !e handed her o/r co00/n*cat*on, wh*ch read:
To the =etro.rad o4*et of La1o/r and $efence,
Cha*r0an D*no4*e4:
To re0a*n +*lent now *+ *0po++*1le, e4en cr*0*nal. #ecent e4ent+ *0pel /+
anarch*+t+ to +peak o/t and to declare o/r att*t/de *n the pre+ent +*t/at*on.
The +p*r*t of fer0ent and d*++at*+fact*on 0an*fe+t a0on. the worker+ and +a*lor+
*+ the re+/lt of ca/+e+ that de0and o/r +er*o/+ attent*on. Cold and h/n.er ha4e
prod/ced d*++at*+fact*on, and the a1+ence of an2 opport/n*t2 for d*+c/++*on and
cr*t*c*+0 *+ forc*n. the worker+ and +a*lor+ to a*r the*r .r*e4ance+ *n the open.
!h*te6./ard*+t 1and+ w*+h and 0a2 tr2 to e3plo*t th*+ d*++at*+fact*on *n the*r own
cla++ *ntere+t+. 8*d*n. 1eh*nd the worker+ and the +a*lor+, the2 throw o/t +lo.an+ of
the Con+t*t/ent A++e01l2, of free trade, and +*0*lar de0and+.
!e anarch*+t+ ha4e lon. +*nce e3po+ed the f*ct*on of the+e +lo.an+, and we
declare to the whole world that we w*ll f*.ht w*th ar0+ a.a*n+t an2 co/nter6
re4ol/t*onar2 atte0pt, *n co6operat*on w*th all fr*end+ of the oc*al #e4ol/t*on and
hand *n hand w*th the (ol+he4*k*.
Concern*n. the confl*ct 1etween the o4*et @o4ern0ent and the worker+ and
3F9
+a*lor+, we hold that *t 0/+t 1e +ettled, not 12 force of ar0+, 1/t 12 0ean+ of
co0radel2, fraternal re4ol/t*onar2 a.ree0ent. #e+ort to 1lood+hed on the part of the
o4*et @o4ern0ent w*ll not66*n the .*4en +*t/at*on66*nt*0*date or >/*et the worker+.
%n the contrar2, *t w*ll +er4e onl2 to a..ra4ate 0atter+, and w*ll +tren.then the hand+
of the "ntente and of *nternal co/nter6re4ol/t*on.
)ore *0portant +t*ll, the /+e of force 12 the !orker+: and =ea+ant+: @o4ern0ent
a.a*n+t the worker+ and +a*lor+ w*ll ha4e a react*onar2 effect /pon the *nternat*onal
re4ol/t*onar2 0o4e0ent and w*ll e4er2where re+/lt *n *ncalc/la1le har0 to the oc*al
#e4ol/t*on.
Co0rade+ (ol+he4*k*, 1eth*nk 2o/r+el4e+ 1efore *t *+ too late. $o not pla2 w*th
f*re9 2o/ are a1o/t to 0ake a 0o+t +er*o/+ and dec*+*4e +tep.
!e here12 +/10*t to 2o/ the follow*n. propo+*t*on: Let a co00*++*on 1e
+elected, to con+*+t of f*4e per+on+, *ncl/+*4e of two anarch*+t+. The co00*++*on *+ to
.o to Kron+tadt to +ettle the d*+p/te 12 peacef/l 0ean+. In the .*4en +*t/at*on *t *+ the
0o+t rad*cal 0ethod. It w*ll 1e of *nternat*onal re4ol/t*onar2 +*.n*f*cance.
=etro.rad
)arch F, 19C1
AL"KAN$"# ("#K)AN
"))A @%L$)AN
="#K&
="T#%AKY
=roof that o/r appeal had fallen on deaf ear+ ca0e to /+ the 4er2 +a0e da2 on the
arr*4al of Trot+k2 and h*+ /lt*0at/0 to Kron+tadt. (2 order of the !orker+: and
=ea+ant+: @o4ern0ent, he declared to the Kron+tadt +a*lor+ and +old*er+, he wo/ld
5+hoot l*ke phea+ant+5 all tho+e who had dared to 5ra*+e the*r hand a.a*n+t the
oc*al*+t fatherland.5 The re1ell*o/+ +h*p+ and crew+ were co00anded to +/10*t
*00ed*atel2 to the order+ of the o4*et @o4ern0ent or 1e +/1d/ed 12 force of ar0+.
%nl2 tho+e +/rrender*n. /ncond*t*onall2 0*.ht co/nt on the 0erc2 of the o4*et
#ep/1l*c.
The f*nal warn*n. wa+ +*.ned 12 Trot+k2, a+ Cha*r0an of the #e4ol/t*onar2
)*l*tar2 o4*et, and 12 Ka0ene4, the Co00ander6*n6Ch*ef of the #ed Ar02. $ar*n.
to >/e+t*on the d*4*ne r*.ht of r/ler+ wa+ a.a*n to 1e p/n*+hed 12 death.
Trot+k2 kept h*+ word. 8a4*n. 1een helped to a/thor*t2 12 the 0en of Kron+tadt, he
wa+ now *n a po+*t*on to pa2 h*+ de1t *n f/ll to the 5pr*de and .lor2 of the #/++*an
#e4ol/t*on.5 The 1e+t 0*l*tar2 e3pert+ and +trate.*+t+ of the #o0ano4 re.*0e were at
h*+ +er4*ce, a0on. the0 the notor*o/+ T/khache4+k2, who0 Trot+k2 appo*nted
co00ander6*n6ch*ef of the Kron+tadt attack. In add*t*on there were horde+ of
Chek*+t+, w*th three 2ear+: tra*n*n. *n the art of 0/rder9 k/r+ant2 and Co00/n*+t+
+pec*all2 p*cked for the*r 1l*nd o1ed*ence to order+9 and the 0o+t tr/+ted troop+ fro0
4ar*o/+ front+. !*th +/ch a force 0a++ed a.a*n+t the doo0ed c*t2 the 50/t*n25 wa+
e3pected to 1e ea+*l2 >/elled. "+pec*all2 after the +old*er+ and +a*lor+ of the =etro.rad
.arr*+on had 1een d*+ar0ed and tho+e that had e3pre++ed +ol*dar*t2 w*th the*r 1e+*e.ed
3G0
co0rade+ re0o4ed fro0 the dan.er -one.
,ro0 02 roo0 w*ndow *n the 8otel Internat*onal I +aw the0 led 12 *n +0all
.ro/p+, +/rro/nded 12 +tron. detach0ent+ of Cheka troop+. The*r +tep had lo+t *t+
+pr*n., the*r hand+ h/n. at the*r +*de+, and the*r head+ were 1owed *n .r*ef.
The =etro.rad +tr*ker+ were no lon.er feared 12 the a/thor*t*e+. The2 were
weakened 12 +low +tar4at*on and the*r ener.2 +apped. The2 were de0oral*-ed 12 the
l*e+ +pread a.a*n+t the0 and the*r Kron+tadt 1rother+, the*r +p*r*t 1roken 12 the po*+on
of do/1t *n+t*lled 12 (ol+he4*k propa.anda. The2 had no 0ore f*.ht nor fa*th left to
co0e to the a*d of the*r Kron+tadt co0rade+ who had +o +elfle++l2 taken /p the*r ca/+e
and who were a1o/t to .*4e /p the*r l*4e+ for the0.
Kron+tadt wa+ for+aken 12 =etro.rad and c/t off fro0 the re+t of #/++*a. It +tood
alone. It co/ld offer al0o+t no re+*+tance. 5It w*ll .o down at the f*r+t +hot,5 the o4*et
pre++ procla*0ed. The2 were 0*+taken. Kron+tadt had tho/.ht of noth*n. le++ than of
0/t*n2 or re+*+tance to the o4*et @o4ern0ent. To the 4er2 la+t 0o0ent *t wa+
deter0*ned to +hed no 1lood. It appealed all the t*0e for /nder+tand*n. and a0*ca1le
+ettle0ent. (/t, forced to defend *t+elf a.a*n+t /npro4oked 0*l*tar2 attack, *t fo/.ht
l*ke a l*on. $/r*n. ten harrow*n. da2+ and n*.ht+ the +a*lor+ and worker+ of the
1e+*e.ed c*t2 held o/t a.a*n+t a cont*n/o/+ art*ller2 f*re fro0 three +*de+ and 1o01+
h/rled fro0 aeroplane+ /pon the non6co01atant co00/n*t2. 8ero*call2 the2 rep/l+ed
the repeated atte0pt+ of the (ol+he4*k* to +tor0 the fortre++e+ 12 +pec*al troop+ fro0
)o+cow. Trot+k2 and T/khache4+k2 had e4er2 ad4anta.e o4er the 0en of Kron+tadt.
The ent*re 0ach*ner2 of the Co00/n*+t tate 1acked the0, and the central*-ed pre++
cont*n/ed to +pread 4eno0 a.a*n+t the alle.ed 50/t*neer+ and co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+.5
The2 had /nl*0*ted +/ppl*e+ and 0en who0 the2 had 0a+ked *n wh*te +hro/d+ to
1lend w*th the +now of the fro-en ,*nn*+h @/lf *n order to ca0o/fla.e the n*.ht attack
a.a*n+t the /n+/+pect*n. 0en of Kron+tadt. The latter had noth*n. 1/t the*r
/nfl*nch*n. co/ra.e and a1*d*n. fa*th *n the 7/+t*ce of the*r ca/+e and *n the free
+o4*et+ the2 cha0p*oned a+ the +a4*o/r of #/++*a fro0 the d*ctator+h*p. The2 lacked
e4en an *ce61reaker to halt the onr/+h of the Co00/n*+t ene02. The2 were e3ha/+ted
12 h/n.er and cold and +leeple++ n*.ht+ of 4*.*l. Yet the2 held the*r own, de+peratel2
f*.ht*n. a.a*n+t o4erwhel0*n. odd+.
$/r*n. the fearf/l +/+pen+e, the da2+ and n*.ht+ f*lled w*th the r/01l*n. of hea42
art*ller2, there +o/nded not a +*n.le 4o*ce a0*d the roar of ./n+ to cr2 o/t a.a*n+t or
call a halt to the terr*1le 1lood 1ath. @ork*, )a3*0 @ork*, where wa+ heB 8*+ 4o*ce
wo/ld 1e heard. 5Let /+ .o to h*0,5 I pleaded w*th +o0e of the *ntell*.ent+*a. 8e had
ne4er 0ade the +l*.hte+t prote+t *n .ra4e *nd*4*d/al ca+e+, ne*ther *n tho+e concern*n.
0e01er+ of h*+ own profe++*on nor e4en when he knew of the *nnocence of doo0ed
0en. 8e wo/ld not prote+t now. It wa+ hopele++.
The *ntell*.ent+*a, the 0en and wo0en that had once 1een re4ol/t*onar2 torch6
1earer+, leader+ of tho/.ht, wr*ter+ and poet+, were a+ helple++ a+ we and paral2+ed 12
the f/t*l*t2 of *nd*4*d/al effort. )o+t of the*r co0rade+ and fr*end+ were alread2 *n
pr*+on or e3*le9 +o0e had 1een e3ec/ted. The2 felt too 1roken 12 the collap+e of all
h/0an 4al/e+.
I t/rned to the Co00/n*+t+ of o/r ac>/a*ntance, *0plor*n. the0 to do +o0eth*n..
3G1
o0e of the0 real*-ed the 0on+tro/+ cr*0e the*r part2 wa+ co00*tt*n. a.a*n+t
Kron+tadt. The2 ad0*tted that the char.e of co/nter6re4ol/t*on wa+ a downr*.ht
fa1r*cat*on. The +/ppo+ed leader, Ko-lo4+k2, wa+ a nonent*t2 too fr*.htened a1o/t h*+
own fate to ha4e an2th*n. to do w*th an2 prote+t of the +a*lor+. The latter were of
+terl*n. >/al*t2, the*r +ole a*0 the welfare of #/++*a. ,ar fro0 0ak*n. co00on ca/+e
w*th the t+ar*+t .eneral+, the2 had e4en decl*ned the help offered the0 12 Cherno4,
the leader of the oc*al*+t6#e4ol/t*on*+t+. The2 wanted no o/t+*de a*d. The2
de0anded the r*.ht to choo+e the*r own dep/t*e+ *n the forthco0*n. elect*on+ to the
Kron+tadt o4*et and 7/+t*ce for the +tr*ker+ *n =etro.rad.
The+e Co00/n*+t fr*end+ +pent n*.ht+ w*th /+ 666 talk*n., talk*n. 666 1/t none of
the0 dared ra*+e h*+ 4o*ce *n open prote+t. !e d*d not real*-e, the2 +a*d, the
con+e>/ence+ *t wo/ld *n4ol4e. The2 wo/ld 1e e3cl/ded fro0 the part2, the2 and
the*r fa0*l*e+ depr*4ed of work and rat*on+ and l*terall2 conde0ned to death 12
+tar4at*on. %r the2 wo/ld +*0pl2 4an*+h and no one wo/ld e4er know what had
1eco0e of the0. Yet *t wa+ not fear that n/01ed the*r w*ll, the2 a++/red /+. It wa+ the
/tter /+ele++ne++ of prote+t or appeal. Noth*n., noth*n. co/ld +top the char*ot6wheel
of the Co00/n*+t tate. It had rolled the0 flat and the2 had no 4*tal*t2 left, e4en to
cr2 o/t a.a*n+t *t.
I wa+ 1e+et 12 the terr*1le apprehen+*on that we al+o 666 a+ha and I 666 0*.ht reach
the +a0e +tate and 1eco0e a+ +p*nele++l2 ac>/*e+cent a+ the+e people. An2th*n. el+e
wo/ld 1e prefera1le to that. =r*+on, e3*le, e4en death. %r e+cape? "+cape fro0 the
horr*1le re4ol/t*onar2 +ha0 and pre+ence.
The *dea that I 0*.ht want to lea4e #/++*a had ne4er 1efore entered 02 0*nd. I wa+
+tartled and +hocked 12 the 0ere tho/.ht of *t. I to lea4e #/++*a to her Cal4ar2? Yet I
felt that I wo/ld take e4en that +tep rather than 1eco0e a co. *n the 0ach*ner2, an
*nan*0ate th*n. to 1e 0an*p/lated at w*ll.
The cannonade of Kron+tadt cont*n/ed w*tho/t let6/p for ten da2+ and n*.ht+ and
then ca0e to a +/dden +top on the 0orn*n. of )arch 1H. The +t*llne++ that fell o4er
=etro.rad wa+ 0ore fearf/l than the cea+ele++ f*r*n. of the n*.ht 1efore. It held
e4er2one *n a.on*-ed +/+pen+e, and *t wa+ *0po++*1le to learn what had happened and
wh2 the 1o01ard0ent had cea+ed. In the late afternoon the ten+*on .a4e wa2 to 0/te
horror. Kron+tadt had 1een +/1d/ed 666 ten+ of tho/+and+ +la*n 666 the c*t2 drenched *n
1lood. The Ne4a a .ra4e for 0a++e+ of 0en, k/r+ant2 and 2o/n. Co00/n*+t+ who+e
hea42 art*ller2 had 1roken thro/.h the *ce. The hero*c +a*lor+ and +old*er+ had
defended the*r po+*t*on to the la+t 1reath. Tho+e not fort/nate eno/.h to d*e f*.ht*n.
had fallen *nto the hand+ of the ene02 to 1e e3ec/ted or +ent to +low tort/re *n the
fro-en re.*on+ of northern0o+t #/++*a.
!e were +t/nned. a+ha, the la+t thread of h*+ fa*th *n the (ol+he4*k* 1roken,
de+peratel2 roa0ed the +treet+. Lead wa+ *n 02 l*01+, /n/ttera1le wear*ne++ *n e4er2
ner4e. I +at l*0p, peer*n. *nto the n*.ht. =etro.rad wa+ h/n. *n a 1lack pall, a .ha+tl2
corp+e. The +treet6la0p+ fl*ckered 2ellow, l*ke candle+ at *t+ head and feet.
The follow*n. 0orn*n., )arch 1<, +t*ll hea42 w*th +leep after the lack of *t d/r*n.
+e4enteen an3*o/+ da2+, I wa+ ro/+ed 12 the tra0p of 0an2 feet. Co00/n*+t+ were
0arch*n. 12, 1and+ pla2*n. 0*l*tar2 t/ne+ and +*n.*n. the Internat*onal. It+ +tra*n+,
3GC
once 7/1*lant to 02 ear, now +o/nded l*ke a f/neral d*r.e for h/0an*t2:+ fla0*n.
hope.
)arch 1< 666 the ann*4er+ar2 of the =ar*+ Co00/ne of 1<H1, cr/+hed two 0onth+
later 12 Th*er+ and @all*fet, the 1/tcher+ of th*rt2 tho/+and Co00/nard+. "0/lated *n
Kron+tadt on )arch 1<, 19C1.
The f/ll +*.n*f*cance of the 5l*>/*dat*on5 of Kron+tadt wa+ d*+clo+ed 12 Len*n
h*0+elf three da2+ after the fr*.htf/lne++. At the Tenth Con.re++ of the Co00/n*+t
=art2, +ta.ed *n )o+cow wh*le the +*e.e of Kron+tadt wa+ *n pro.re++, Len*n
/ne3pectedl2 chan.ed h*+ *n+p*red Co00/n*+t +on. to an e>/all2 *n+p*red paean to
the New "cono0*c =ol*c2. ,ree trade, conce++*on+ to the cap*tal*+t+, pr*4ate
e0plo20ent of far0 and factor2 la1o/r, all da0ned for o4er three 2ear+ a+ rank
co/nter6re4ol/t*on and p/n*+hed 12 pr*+on and e4en death, were now wr*tten 12 Len*n
on the .lor*o/+ 1anner of the d*ctator+h*p. (ra-enl2 a+ e4er he ad0*tted what +*ncere
and tho/.htf/l per+on+ *n and o/t of the part2 had known for +e4enteen da2+: that 5the
Kron+tadt 0en d*d not reall2 want the co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+. (/t ne*ther d*d the2
want /+.5 The na*4e +a*lor+ had taken +er*o/+l2 the +lo.an of the #e4ol/t*on: 5All
power to the o4*et+,5 12 wh*ch Len*n and h*+ part2 had +ole0nl2 pro0*+ed to a1*de.
That had 1een the*r /nfor.*4a1le offence. ,or that the2 had to d*e. The2 had to 1e
0art2red to fert*l*-e the +o*l for Len*n:+ new crop of +lo.an+, wh*ch co0pletel2
re4er+ed the old. The*r chef d:oe/4re the New "cono0*c =ol*c2, the N"=.
Len*n:+ p/1l*c confe++*on *n re.ard to Kron+tadt d*d not +top the h/nt for the
+a*lor+, +old*er+, and worker+ of the defeated c*t2. The2 were arre+ted 12 the
h/ndred+, and the Cheka wa+ a.a*n 1/+2 5tar.et6+hoot*n..5
tran.el2 eno/.h, the anarch*+t+ had not 1een 0ent*oned *n conne3*on w*th the
Kron+tadt 50/t*n2.5 (/t at the Tenth Con.re++ Len*n had declared that the 0o+t
0erc*le++ war 0/+t 1e wa.ed a.a*n+t the 5pett2 1o/r.eo*+*e,5 *ncl/d*n. the anarch*+t
ele0ent+. The anarcho6+2nd*cal*+t lean*n.+ of the la1o/r oppo+*t*on pro4ed that the+e
tendenc*e+ had de4eloped *n the Co00/n*+t =art2 *t+elf, he had +a*d. Len*n:+ call to
ar0+ a.a*n+t the anarch*+t+ 0et w*th *00ed*ate re+pon+e. The =etro.rad .ro/p+ were
ra*ded and +core+ of the*r 0e01er+ arre+ted. In add*t*on the Cheka clo+ed the pr*nt*n.
and p/1l*+h*n. off*ce+ of the @olo+ Tr/da, 1elon.*n. to the anarcho6+2nd*cal*+t
1ranch of o/r rank+. !e had p/rcha+ed o/r t*cket to )o+cow 1efore th*+ happened.
!hen we learned a1o/t the whole+ale arre+t+, we dec*ded to +ta2 a l*ttle lon.er *n ca+e
we too +ho/ld 1e wanted. !e were not 0ole+ted, howe4er, perhap+ 1eca/+e *t wa+
nece++ar2 to ha4e a few anarch*+t cele1r*t*e+ at lar.e to +how that onl2 51and*t+5 were
*n o4*et pr*+on+.
In )o+cow we fo/nd all e3cept half a do-en anarch*+t+ arre+ted and the @olo+
Tr/da 1ook6+tore clo+ed. In ne*ther c*t2 had an2 char.e+ 1een 0ade a.a*n+t o/r
co0rade+, nor had the2 1een .*4en a hear*n. or 1ro/.ht to tr*al. Ne4erthele++, a
n/01er of the0 had alread2 1een +ent awa2 to the pen*tent*ar2 of a0ara. Tho+e +t*ll
*n the (/t*rk2 and the Ta.anka pr*+on+ were 1e*n. +/17ected to the wor+t per+ec/t*on
and e4en ph2+*cal 4*olence. Th/+ one of o/r 1o2+, 2o/n. Ka+h*r*n, had 1een 1eaten
12 a Chek*+t *n the pre+ence of the pr*+on warden. )a3*0o4 and other anarch*+t+ who
had fo/.ht on the re4ol/t*onar2 front+, and who were known and re+pected 12 0an2
Co00/n*+t+, had 1een forced to declare a h/n.er6+tr*ke a.a*n+t the terr*1le
3G3
cond*t*on+.
The f*r+t th*n. we were a+ked to do on o/r ret/rn to )o+cow wa+ to +*.n a
0an*fe+to to the o4*et a/thor*t*e+ deno/nc*n. the concerted tact*c+ to e3ter0*nate
o/r people.
!e d*d +o of co/r+e, a+ha now a+ e0phat*c a+ I that prote+t+ fro0 w*th*n #/++*a
12 the handf/l of pol*t*cal+ +t*ll o/t of pr*+on were ent*rel2 f/t*le. %n the other hand,
no effect*4e act*on co/ld 1e e3pected fro0 the #/++*an 0a++e+, e4en *f we co/ld
reach the0. Year+ of war, c*4*l +tr*fe, and +/ffer*n. had +apped the*r 4*tal*t2, and
terror had +*lenced the0 *nto +/10*++*on. %/r reco/r+e, a+ha declared, wa+ "/rope
and the &n*ted tate+. The t*0e had co0e when the worker+ a1road 0/+t learn a1o/t
the +ha0ef/l 1etra2al of 5%cto1er.5 The awakened con+c*ence of the proletar*at and of
other l*1eral and rad*cal ele0ent+ *n e4er2 co/ntr2 0/+t 1e cr2+tall*-ed *nto a 0*.ht2
o/tcr2 a.a*n+t the r/thle++ per+ec/t*on for op*n*on:+ +ake. %nl2 that 0*.ht +ta2 the
hand of the d*ctator+h*p. Noth*n. el+e co/ld.
Th*+ 0/ch the 0art2rdo0 of Kron+tadt had alread2 done for 02 pal. It had
de0ol*+hed the la+t 4e+t*.e+ of h*+ 1el*ef *n the (ol+he4*k 02th. Not onl2 a+ha, 1/t
al+o the other co0rade+ who had for0erl2 defended the Co00/n*+t 0ethod+ a+
*ne4*ta1le *n a re4ol/t*onar2 per*od, had at la+t 1een forced to +ee the a12++ 1etween
5%cto1er5 and the d*ctator+h*p.
If onl2 the co+t for the profo/nd le++on ta/.ht the0 had not 1een +o terr*f*c, I
+ho/ld ha4e taken co0fort *n the knowled.e that a+ha and I were a.a*n /n*ted *n o/r
+tand, and that 02 #/++*an co0rade+ h*therto anta.on*+t*c to 02 att*t/de to the
(ol+he4*k* had now co0e clo+er to 0e. It wo/ld 1e a rel*ef not to ha4e to .rope
f/rther *n d*+tre++*n. *+olat*on and not to feel +o al*en *n the 0*d+t of people who0 I
had known *n the pa+t a+ the a1le+t a0on. the anarch*+t+, not to ha4e to choke 1ack
02 tho/.ht+ and e0ot*on+ 1efore the one h/0an 1e*n. who had +hared 02 l*fe, 02
*deal+, and 02 la1o/r+ thro/.h o/r co00on lot of th*rt26two 2ear+. (/t there wa+ the
1lack cro++ erected *n Kron+tadt and the 1lood of the 0odern Chr*+t+ tr*ckl*n. fro0
the*r heart+. 8ow co/ld one cher*+h per+onal co0fort and rel*efB
%n o/r wa2 to the Leonte4+k2 we ran *nto a parade 0ore de0on+trat*4e and +how2
than the /+/al 4ar*et2. !hat wa+ the +pec*al occa+*on, we *n>/*red. 8ad we 7/+t co0e
to )o+cow that we were *.norant of the .rand e4entB !h2, *t wa+ the ret/rn of
@eneral la+cho46Kr*0+k2 that wa+ 1e*n. cele1rated. 5!hat?5 cr*ed a+ha and I *n
the +a0e 1reath, 5the !h*te @eneral, the ;ew61a*ter, the 0an who had w*th h*+ own
hand +n/ffed o/t the l*4e+ of #ed +old*er+ and ;ew+, the +worn and relentle++ ene02
of the #e4ol/t*onB5 The 4er2 one, we were a++/red. 8e had recanted and had 1e..ed
to 1e read0*tted to the fatherland he lo4ed +o well, +wear*n. to +er4e the (ol+he4*k*
fa*thf/ll2 henceforth. 8e wa+ now 1e*n. rece*4ed w*th 0*l*tar2 hono/r+ and fQted at
the order of the o4*et @o4ern0ent 12 worker+, +old*er+, and +a*lor+ +*n.*n.
re4ol/t*onar2 +on.+ for the ed*f*cat*on of one of the 0o+t *0placa1le foe+ of the
#e4ol/t*on. !e walked o4er to the #ed >/are to +ee the +pectacle of Leon Trot+k2,
the Co00*++ar of the #e4ol/t*onar2 Ar02 of the oc*al*+t #ep/1l*c, re4*ew*n. h*+
force+ 1efore the t+ar*+t .eneral la+cho46Kr*0+k2. The .rand +tand wa+ not far fro0
;ohn #eed:+ .ra4e. !*th*n *t+ +hadow Leon Trot+k2, the 1/tcher of Kron+tadt, wa+
cla+p*n. the 1lood6+ta*ned hand of h*+ co0rade Kr*0+k2. A +pectacle *ndeed to 0ake
3G4
the .od+ weep w*th la/.hter?
hortl2 after th*+, @eneral la+cho46Kr*0+k2 wa+ ordered to Karel*a, a de+olate
d*+tr*ct *n the north, to 5l*>/*date the co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 /pr*+*n. there.5 The
+*0ple Karel*an+, a++/red of the*r r*.ht to +elf6deter0*nat*on, had fo/nd the
Co00/n*+t 2oke too *rk+o0e and had naI4el2 prote+ted a.a*n+t the a1/+e+ the2 had
1een 0ade to +/ffer. !ho 0ore co0petent to 1r*n. the 50/t*neer+5 to rea+on than
@eneral la+cho46Kr*0+k2B
%ne +olace wa+ left /+. !e d*d not ha4e to eat o/t of the +la2er:+ hand. )2 dear old
0other and o/r fr*end 8enr2 Al+1er. had +a4ed /+ fro0 that de.radat*on. Thro/.h a
fr*end 02 0other had +ent 0e three h/ndred dollar+, and 8enr2 had left a+ha +o0e
cloth*n. to e3chan.e for food. In o/r new 0ode of l*4*n. the+e wo/ld .o a lon. wa2
to keep /+ a1o4e water.
!e had not 2et adapted o/r+el4e+ to the proce++ of e3*+tence that the 1/lk of the
non6pr*4*le.ed were forced to /nder.o. !a2la2*n. pea+ant+ at dawn for a +/ppl2 of
wood, p/ll*n. *t ho0e on a +le*.h, chopp*n. *t w*th fro-en hand+, carr2*n. *t /p three
fl*.ht+ of +ta*r+9 then fetch*n. water +e4eral t*0e+ a da2 fro0 a lon. d*+tance and /p to
o/r >/arter+9 cook*n., wa+h*n., and +leep*n. *n a l*ttle hall 1edroo0, a+ha:+ +0aller
e4en than 0*ne and ne4er >/*te war0 666 th*+ wa+ 1*tter hard, at f*r+t, and terr*1l2
e3ha/+t*n.. )2 hand+ were chapped and +wollen, and 02 +p*ne, ne4er 4er2 +tron.,
wa+ f/ll of ache+. )2 dear fr*end al+o +/ffered a .reat deal, e+pec*all2 fro0 the ret/rn
of h*+ old tro/1le w*th h*+ le.+, the l*.a0ent+ of wh*ch he had +tretched 12 h*+ fall *n
New York and wh*ch had cr*ppled h*0 for a 2ear.
8owe4er, ph2+*cal pa*n and wear*ne++ were a+ noth*n. to o/r *nner l*1erat*on 666
the +p*r*t/al relea+e we felt that we no lon.er had to a+k or accept an2th*n. fro0 the
power+ that had dealt the f*nal 1low to 5%cto1er5 12 the +la/.hter of Kron+tadt.
Con+*der*n. the co0plete collap+e of all the re4ol/t*onar2 pre+ence of the
d*ctator+h*p, a =eter Kropotk*n 0/+e/0 /nder *t+ protect*on +tr/ck 0e a+ a d*rect
de+ecrat*on of h*+ na0e. a+ha had al+o co0e to +ee the *ncon.r/*t2 of a 0e0or*al to
=eter w*th*n the c*tadel of Len*n, Trot+k2, and la+cho46Kr*0+k2. %/r #/++*an
co0rade+ a.reed w*th /+. t*ll the2 cl/n. to the *dea of the 0/+e/0 a+ the onl2 centre
of anarch*+t tho/.ht that the (ol+he4*k* wo/ld not dare la2 hand+ on. oph*e,
howe4er, d*d not want the Kropotk*n 0/+e/0 t/rned *nto anarch*+t head>/arter+. 8er
a01*t*on a+ the l*felon. co0pan*on and co6worker of =eter wa+ a te+t*0on*al to all of
=eter:+ 4er+at*le act*4*t*e+ 666 *n the f*eld+ of +c*ence, ph*lo+oph2, letter+, h/0an*+0,
and anarch*+0. !h*le I /nder+tood oph*e and felt w*th her, I ne4erthele++ had to
+/+ta*n 02 co0rade+ *n the*r de+*re to e0pha+*-e the anarch*+t *n Kropotk*n. 8e
h*0+elf had w*lled *t +o. 8e had cho+en anarch*+0 a+ h*+ .oal, and *t+ e3po+*t*on a+
h*+ +/pre0e *ntere+t *n l*fe. It wa+ therefore Kropotk*n the anarch*+t who +ho/ld 1e
.*4en f*r+t place *n a 0/+e/0 ded*cated to h*0. Yet I co/ld not *.nore the *0portance
of oph*e:+ part *n the pro7ect. he alone had the de4ot*on, the lo4*n. pat*ence, the
t*0e and freedo0 nece++ar2 to 1r*n. the 0e0or*al to l*fe and to watch o4er *t+
de4elop0ent and .rowth. I po*nted o/t to o/r co0rade+ that, tho/.h the2 were +t*ll at
l*1ert2, the2 were *n dan.er of arre+t 12 the Cheka at an2 0o0ent. 8ow co/ld the2
/ndertake to 1/*ld and keep /p the 0/+e/0B "4en when free, the2 co/ld not do *t.
The*r da*l2 to*l, added to the con+/0*n. ta+k of +ec/r*n. the*r rat*on+, wo/ld lea4e
3GF
the0 ne*ther t*0e nor +tren.th to acco0pl*+h an2th*n. for =eter:+ 0e0or*al. )2 part
*n the pro7ect wo/ld 1e l*0*ted to an appeal to o/r people *n the &n*ted tate+, and
e4en that I wo/ld 0ake onl2 1eca/+e I wanted to help oph*e. I tho/.ht *t 4er2
*ncon+*+tent to ha4e a Kropotk*n 0/+e/0 *n pre+ent6da2 #/++*a, nor d*d I 1el*e4e *n
a+k*n. or accept*n. help for *t fro0 the o4*et a/tocrat+.
a+ha a.reed to 7o*n 0e *n the appeal, 1/t /nder no c*rc/0+tance+ wo/ld he ha4e
an2 f/rther deal*n.+ w*th the 0en re+pon+*1le for the Kron+tadt 1lood 1ath, for the
whole+ale per+ec/t*on of o/r co0rade+ and the n*.ht a++a/lt on the pol*t*cal+ *n the
(/t*rk2 pr*+on. The #o0ano4 d2na+t2, he e0pha+*-ed, had rarel2 1een ./*lt2 of +/ch
a wanton attack on pol*t*cal+. In the oc*al*+t #ep/1l*c Chek*+t+ and +old*er+ had
fallen /pon 0en and wo0en a+leep *n the*r cell+, 1eat the0, dra..ed the wo0en 12
the ha*r down the +ta*r+, and thrown the0 *nto wa*t*n. tr/ck+ to 1e +ent off no one
knew where. No per+on w*th an2 h/0an*t2 or re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2 co/ld ha4e
an2th*n. to do w*th +/ch cr*0*nal+, a+ha declared pa++*onatel2.
It wa+ not often that 02 co0rade wa+ aro/+ed to +/ch a p*tch or +howed h*+
*nd*.nat*on, no 0atter how deepl2 he felt *t. (/t the letter we had rece*4ed fro0 one
of the 4*ct*0+ of the fr*.htf/l n*.ht ra*d had 1een the la+t +traw to a+ha:+ wrath,
wh*ch had 1een acc/0/lat*n. for the pa+t two 0onth+.
The letter 1ore o/t the r/0o/r+ that had co0e to /+ d/r*n. the da2 follow*n. the
a++a/lt. It read:
Concentrat*on Ca0p, #2a-an
%n the n*.ht of Apr*l CF we were attacked 12 #ed +old*er+ and ar0ed Chek*+t+
and ordered to dre++ and .et read2 to lea4e the (/t*rk2. o0e of the pol*t*cal+, fear*n.
that the2 were to 1e taken to e3ec/t*on, ref/+ed to .o and were terr*1l2 1eaten. The
wo0en e+pec*all2 were 0altreated, +o0e of the0 1e*n. dra..ed down the +ta*r+ 12
the*r ha*r. )an2 ha4e +/ffered +er*o/+ *n7/r2. I 02+elf wa+ +o 1adl2 1eaten that 02
whole 1od2 feel+ l*ke one 1*. +ore. !e were taken o/t 12 force *n o/r n*.ht6clothe+
and thrown *nto wa.on+. The co0rade+ *n o/r .ro/p know noth*n. of the wherea1o/t+
of the re+t of the pol*t*cal+, *ncl/d*n. )en+he4*k*, oc*al*+t6#e4ol/t*on*+t+,
Anarch*+t+, and Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+.
Ten of /+, a0on. the0 ,an2a (aron, ha4e 1een 1ro/.ht here. Cond*t*on+ *n th*+
pr*+on are /n1eara1le. No e3erc*+e, no fre+h a*r food *+ +carce and f*lth29 e4er2where
awf/l d*rt, 1ed61/.+, and l*ce. !e 0ean to declare a h/n.er6+tr*ke for 1etter
treat0ent. !e ha4e 7/+t 1een told to .et read2 w*th o/r th*n.+. The2 are .o*n. to +end
/+ awa2 a.a*n. !e don:t know where to.
The rea+on for the o/tra.e wa+ that the Cheka co/ld not tolerate the co0parat*4e
freedo0 o/r 0en had e+ta1l*+hed *n the (/t*rk2, and the*r or.an*-at*on of cla++e+,
lect/re+, and d*+c/++*on+. Al+o the pol*t*cal+ had pleaded for refor0+ *n the treat0ent
of the ord*nar2 pr*+oner+. Con+tantl2 locked *n the*r cell+, .*4en a1o0*na1le food,
the*r e3cre0ent61/cket+ often not e0pt*ed for two da2+, f*fteen h/ndred *n0ate+ had
.one on +tr*ke. It had 1een ent*rel2 d/e to the pol*t*cal+ that the de0and+ of the
/nfort/nate+ had 1een +at*+f*ed and the tro/1le ter0*nated. The Cheka had not
for.*4en the +et61ack *t had rece*4ed thro/.h the *nter4ent*on of the pol*t*cal+. 8ence
the n*.ht a++a/lt of Apr*l CF.
3GG
#epeated *n>/*r*e+ 12 the )o+cow o4*et a1o/t the fate of the three h/ndred
)en+he4*k*, oc*al*+t6#e4ol/t*on*+t+, and Anarch*+t+ forc*1l2 re0o4ed fro0 the
(/t*rk2 el*c*ted the *nfor0at*on that the2 had 1een d*+tr*1/ted a0on. the %rlo4,
Yaro+la4l, and Alad*0*r pr*+on+.
hortl2 after the ra*d +t/dent+ of the )o+cow &n*4er+*t2 prote+ted *n an open
0eet*n. a.a*n+t the horror+ of Apr*l CF. The *n*t*ator+ were pro0ptl2 arre+ted, the
/n*4er+*t2 clo+ed, and the +t/dent+, who had co0e fro0 d*fferent part+ of #/++*a,
.*4en three da2+ to ret/rn to the*r nat*4e place+. The off*c*al e3planat*on .*4en for
the+e dra+t*c 0ea+/re+ wa+ lack of rat*on+. The 2o/n. people declared that the2 wo/ld
do w*tho/t the0 *f per0*tted to cont*n/e the*r +t/d*e+. (/t the2 were ordered to lea4e
7/+t the +a0e. A +hort t*0e later the /n*4er+*t2 wa+ opened a.a*n. 58enceforth no
pol*t*cal act*4*t*e+ of an2 k*nd w*ll 1e tolerated,5 declared =reo1ra-hen+k2, $ean of
the /n*4er+*t2. $ropp*n. profe++or+ fro0 the fac/lt2 and +/+pend*n. +t/dent+ *f the2
dared to prote+t had 1een a da*l2 occ/rrence. %nl2 the p/1l*c d*d not know a1o/t *t.
After Kron+tadt and the New "cono0*c =ol*c2 the acade0*c .a. 1eca0e 0ore +e4ere
and >/*te /na+ha0ed9 *t cea+ed to 1e a +tar6cha01er proceed*n.. Ale3e2 (oro4o2, a
well6known anarch*+t and profe++or of ph*lo+oph2, who had 1een free to teach *n the
)o+cow &n*4er+*t2 d/r*n. the re.*0e of the T+ar, wa+ forced to re+*.n /nder the
(ol+he4*k d*ctator+h*p. 8*+ offence con+*+ted *n that the +t/dent+ attended h*+ cla++e+
en 0a++e and heard h*0 .ladl2.
The arre+ted +t/dent+ were e3*led, a0on. the0 e4en .*rl+ of the a.e of +e4enteen
and e*.hteen, char.ed w*th 1elon.*n. to a c*rcle that wa+ +t/d2*n. the work+ of
Kropotk*n. In 4*ew of the +*t/at*on *t wa+ al0o+t ch*ld*+h to th*nk that the (ol+he4*k*
wo/ld he+*tate to la2 hand+ on the =eter Kropotk*n )/+e/0. (/t 0o+t of the
co00*ttee 0e01er+ ref/+ed to 1e con4*nced. a+ha and I needed no f/rther
7/+t*f*cat*on for o/r +tand. (e+*de+, we had def*n*tel2 dec*ded to lea4e #/++*a.
In the f*r+t week+ of a+ha:+ an./*+h that followed the 0a++acre of Kron+tadt I had
not dared to 0ent*on the *dea of def*n*tel2 lea4*n. #/++*a that had co0e to 0e d/r*n.
the +*e.e. I feared *t 0*.ht add to h*+ a.on2. Later, when he had 1ra4el2 p/lled
h*0+elf to.ether, I 1roached the +/17ect to h*0, not at all +/re that he wo/ld want to
.o, 1/t certa*n that I co/ld not lea4e h*0 1eh*nd /nder the 0/rdero/+ re.*0e. I wa+
therefore *00en+el2 rel*e4ed to f*nd that a+ha had +pent 0an2 +leeple++ n*.ht+
1rood*n. o4er the +a0e *dea. After we had d*+c/++ed e4er2 po++*1*l*t2 for 0ak*n. o/r
l*4e+ co/nt for 0ore than 0ere e3*+tence+ *n #/++*a, we had co0e to the concl/+*on
that no word nor act of o/r+ wo/ld 1e of 4al/e to the #e4ol/t*on or to o/r 0o4e0ent
or of the lea+t help to o/r per+ec/ted co0rade+. !e 0*.ht procla*0 fro0 the 0arket6
place the ant*6re4ol/t*onar2 nat/re of (ol+he4*+0, or we 0*.ht h/rl o/r l*4e+ a.a*n+t
Len*n, Trot+k2, and D*no4*e4 and .o down w*th the0. ,ar fro0 +er4*n. o/r ca/+e or
the *ntere+t of the 0a++e+ 12 +/ch an act, we +ho/ld 1e 0erel2 a*d*n. the d*ctator+h*p.
It+ +k*lf/l propa.anda wo/ld dra. o/r na0e+ thro/.h the 0*re and 1rand /+ 1efore the
world a+ tra*tor+, co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, and 1and*t+. Nor co/ld we cont*n/e .a..ed
and cha*ned. Therefore we dec*ded to .o. %nce a+ha wa+ clear that there wa+ noth*n.
4*tal for /+ to do *n #/++*a, w*th the #e4ol/t*on cr/+hed 12 the *ron hand of
d*ctator+h*p, he *n+*+ted on o/r lea4*n. +oon and *lle.all2. !e +ho/ld not 1e .*4en
pa++port+, he +a*d. !h2, then, keep /p the tort/reB Lea4e #/++*a l*ke th*e4e+ *n the
n*.ht, I prote+ted, #/++*a that had pro0*+ed the f/rf*l0ent of o/r hope+B I co/ld not
3GH
do that, not /nt*l we had tr*ed other 0ean+. I pleaded that we +ho/ld .et *n to/ch w*th
o/r co0rade+ a1road to f*nd o/t what co/ntr2 wo/ld ad0*t /+. 2nd*cal*+t dele.ate+
were +/re to attend the Con.re++ of the #ed Trade &n*on Internat*onal to 1e held *n
;/l2 *n )o+cow. !e 0*.ht entr/+t a 0e++a.e to the0, or +t*ll 1etter to 8enr2 Al+1er.,
who wa+ a1o/t to lea4e #/++*a. 8e wo/ld not 1e l*ke the other+ who had pro0*+ed to
del*4er o/r 0e++a.e to o/r people *n A0er*ca and to tell the0 frankl2 of the +*t/at*on.
)o+t of the0 e*ther had not done +o or had 0*+>/oted /+. No wonder tella and ,*t-*
+t*ll kept wr*t*n. enth/+*a+t*call2 a1o/t o/r wonderf/l opport/n*t2 for act*4*t2 *n
#/++*a. 8enr2 wa+ a1+ol/tel2 dependa1le9 we 0/+t wa*t /nt*l he +aw o/r co0rade+ *n
@er0an2. a+ha a.reed, tho/.h rel/ctantl2. 8e wo/ld f*nd no 0ore peace w*th
Kron+tadt on h*+ 0*nd, he +a*d.
I +hared h*+ .r*ef, a+ *ndeed d*d all o/r people and nearl2 e4er2one el+e who +t*ll
had re4ol/t*onar2 f*1re left. %/r place *n )o+cow 1eca0e the oa+*+ for o/r co0rade+,
a+ well a+ for other+ o/t+*de of o/r rank+. The2 ca0e at all ho/r+ of the da2 and e4en
late at n*.ht, h/n.r2, +p*r*tle++, *n 1lack de+pa*r. The 0eal+ *ntended for o/r+el4e+ and
perhap+ for one or two *n4*ted ./e+t+ had to perfor0 the 0*racle of Chr*+t:+ loa4e+ for
the 0an2 who wo/ld dr*ft *n 12 the t*0e we +at down to eat. To a++/re the0 that there
wa+ eno/.h to .o ro/nd I had to *n4ent all k*nd+ of rea+on+ for 02 poor appet*te:
headache+, +to0ach tro/1le, and the 4*ce of cook+ who alwa2+ ha4e the*r p*ck of the
1e+t 1efore the 0eal *+ +er4ed. I 0*nded the fa*ntne++ that wo/ld +o0et*0e+ o4erco0e
0e 0/ch le++ than the lack of pr*4ac2. (/t the+e people had no other place to .o,
nowhere where the2 0*.ht feel at ho0e or free to co00/n*cate the*r tro/1led +p*r*t. It
wa+ the onl2 +er4*ce we co/ld render and we d*d +o o/t of the f/llne++ of o/r heart+.
!e had other ./e+t+ not >/*te +o wear*n., tho/.h no le++ d*+tre++ed 12 the tra4a*l of
the*r nat*4e land. Ale3andra hakol, o/r +ecretar2 of the e3ped*t*on, arr*4ed for a +hort
+ta2 *n )o+cow. It wa+ .ood to +ee her a.a*n, to e3chan.e tho/.ht+ w*th her, and to
help d*+pel her .loo0 12 treat*n. her to the 0o+t cher*+hed del*cac2, .o..le60o..le,
a+ +he called *t Me..6no.N, wh*ch +he con+*dered the ac0e of 1l*++.
Thro/.h hakol we were a1le to renew o/r ac>/a*ntance w*th Aera N*kola2e4na
,*.ner, one of the loft*e+t f*./re+ *n the p*oneer re4ol/t*onar2 0o4e0ent known a+ the
Narodna2a Aol2a Mthe =eople:+ !*llN. I had 0et her the pre4*o/+ 2ear and had 1een
+hocked to f*nd her *n poor health and /nderfed. I had *n>/*red whether +he wa+
rece*4*n. the acade0*c rat*on wh*ch, tho/.h not plent*f/l, wa+ eno/.h to l*4e on.
Aera N*kola2e4na wa+ too pro/d to a+k for *t and +he had 1een o4erlooked, hakol
*nfor0ed 0e. L/nachar+k2, who0 I had .one to +ee a1o/t the 0atter, wa+ a+
*nd*.nant a+ I. 8e had known noth*n. a1o/t *t and he *00ed*atel2 ordered the rat*on
for Aera ,*.ner. Now +he looked 1etter and 2o/n.er. $e+p*te her al0o+t fo/r +core
2ear+, +he wa+ +t*ll a f*./re to fea+t one:+ e2e /pon, 0/ch of her for0er 1ea/t2 1e*n.
left, the 1ea/t2 that had *n+p*red poet+. ">/all2 0ar4ello/+ wa+ her +p*r*t after twent26
two 2ear+ +pent *n the chl/++el1/r. ,ortre++ and the 2ear+ of +tr/..le +*nce the
#/++*an dra0a /nfolded *t+elf 1efore her. @rac*o/+ of 0anner, w*tt2, and w*th *nf*n*te
h/0an*t2, Aera N*kola2e4na held /+ rapt 12 her re0*n*+cence+ of the hero*c
re4ol/t*onar2 epoch, the co0rade+ of the Narodna2a Aol4a per*od and the*r
e3traord*nar2 fort*t/de and dar*n.. The2 were the real prec/r+or+ of anarch*+0, Aera
tho/.ht, wholl2 ded*cated to *t+ real*-at*on 12 the 0a++e+, and w*tho/t lea+t tho/.ht
of +elf. he had known al0o+t all of the0 and her tr*1/te reflected her own p/re
4*+*on and .rande/r, e+pec*all2 when +he +poke of oph*e =ero4+ka2a, the h*.h
3G<
pr*e+te++ of the 0o+t +*.n*f*cant re4ol/t*onar2 epoch *n the world. Aera:+ narrat*4e
alwa2+ renewed 02 hope that what had 1een 0*.ht co0e a.a*n to l*fe *n o/r
)at/+hka #o++*2a.
An /ne3pected arr*4al fro0 A0er*ca wa+ o/r old fr*end (o1 #o1*n+, of the >/a*nt
a/to6ho/+e and the ant*6e0*t*c do.. 8e al+o had 5.ot rel*.*on5 666 #/++*a wa+ *n h*+
1lood. 8e had c/t loo+e fro0 h*+ aff*l*at*on+, co0rade+, and fr*end+ *n the &n*ted
tate+, and, tak*n. h*+ +a4*n.+ of 2ear+, he had co0e to the ho0e of the +o4*et+ to help
*n *t+ la1o/r+ and to .lor2 *n *t+ .a*n+. 8*+ w*fe, L/c2, had cho+en the +0oother and
+afer wa2 of the A0er*can ,ederat*on of La1or. (o112 wa+ a +tron. l*nk w*th o/r
pa+t. =o*.nantl2 real for a wh*le, *t wa+ +oon a.a*n o4er+hadowed 12 the 1lack clo/d+
*n the #/++*an +k2. Lo/*+e (r2ant +/ddenl2 appeared, no lon.er .r*ef6+tr*cken and *n
de+pa*r. e4en 0onth+ had pa++ed +*nce ;ack:+ death, and Lo/*+e wa+ 2o/n. and
.reed2 for l*fe. No wonder +he aro/+ed the 0*+.*4*n.+ and cen+/re of her h/+1and:+
co0rade+. he powdered her no+e and ro/.ed her l*p+ and +he wa+ caref/l of her
f*./re. /ch here+*e+ *n o4*et #/++*a? =erhap+ Lo/*+e had ne4er 1een a Co00/n*+t,
1/t onl2 the w*fe of one. !h2 0*.ht +he not .o her own wa2, I pleaded *n her
defence. That wa+ .r*+t to the Co00/n*+t a+cet*c+. I wa+ a 1o/r-ho/2 l*ke Lo/*+e and
other+ of her k*nd, the2 char.ed, alwa2+ cha0p*on*n. *nd*4*d/al r*.ht+ when there
wa+ onl2 one p/rpo+e 666 the d*ctator+h*p and *t+ a*0+.
Lo/*+e a+ked 0e to .o w*th her to tan*+la4+k2 for an *nter4*ew. I wa+ .lad of the
chance to 0eet the 0an who+e .reat art and that of h*+ .ro/p had often l*fted 0e o/t
of the dra1 real*t2. L/nachar+k2 had .*4en 0e a letter of *ntrod/ct*on to h*0 a+ well
a+ to Ne0*ro4*ch6$anchenko on 02 f*r+t 4*+*t to )o+cow. The2 had 1oth 1een *ll at
the t*0e, and +*nce then #/++*a:+ wa4e had +wept o4er 0e.
!e fo/nd tan*+la4+k2 a0on. 0o/nta*n+ of tr/nk+, 1o3e+, and 1a.+. 8*+ +t/d*o
had a.a*n 1een re>/*+*t*oned. It had happened +o 0an2 t*0e+ 1efore that he no lon.er
0*nded *t an2 0ore than h*+ per*od*c ho/+e arre+t+, he told /+. 8e felt 0/ch 0ore
d*+co/ra.ed a1o/t the po4ert2 of the #/++*an dra0a. Noth*n. of an2 0er*t d/r*n. the
pa+t fo/r 2ear+, he +a*d. The .rowth of a dra0at*c art*+t depend+ on the l*4*n. +o/rce
of creat*4e art9 when that *+ dr*ed /p, the .reate+t 0/+t need+ 1eco0e +ter*le. 8e wa+
not de+pa*r*n., he ha+t*l2 added9 no one co/ld de+pa*r who knew the trea+/re+ of the
#/++*an +o*l and +o/l. ,ro0 @o.ol to Chekho4, @ork*, and Andre2e4 the l*ne ha+
apparentl2 1roken, 1/t *+ not ent*rel2 lo+t. The f/t/re w*ll pro4e that, tan*+la4+k2
prophe+*ed.
The 4*+*tor clo+e+t to /+ wa+ 8enr2 Al+1er.. 8e ca0e often, +o0ehow d*4*n*n. the
0o0ent+ when we were alone. 8e wa+ alwa2+ laden w*th .*ft+ to replen*+h o/r larder,
and h*+ read2 w*t and f*ne h/0an >/al*t*e+ helped d*+pel o/r .loo0. 8enr2 no lon.er
talked a1o/t the .reat pol*t*cal chan.e+ that wo/ld follow when the front+ +ho/ld 1e
l*>/*dated. *nce he had ret/rned to #/++*a, e4er2 front had *ndeed 1een ter0*nated,
e4en the Kron+tadt front. The onl2 one left wa+ Karel*a and @eneral la+cho46
Kr*0+k2 wa+ attend*n. to that. C*4*l +tr*fe wa+ at an end. The t*0e had co0e for the
hope+ of Al+1er. to 1e f/lf*lled: free +peech, free pre++, and a0ne+t2 for the tho/+and+
of pol*t*cal+ *n o4*et pr*+on+. 5!here are the2, 8enr2B5 I once a+ked h*09 5where are
the l*1ert*e+ 2o/ had e3pected fro0 Len*n and h*+ part2B5 8e wa+ *ntellect/all2 too
hone+t to den2 that he wa+ ha/nted 12 Kron+tadt, a+ all of /+ were, and oppre++ed 12
the whole+ale arre+t+ of the pol*t*cal+ and the*r *nh/0an treat0ent. 8*+ lack of clar*t2
3G9
a1o/t the nat/re, 0ean*n., and p/rpo+e of the oc*al #e4ol/t*on wa+ h*+ tro/1le. 8e
re0a*ned the kn*.ht6errant, 1la0*n. the #e4ol/t*on, the 1ackwardne++ of the co/ntr2
and *t+ people, the *nter4ent*on*+t+, and the 1lockade for e4er2 cr*0e that wa+ *nherent
*n the d*ctator+h*p, *n the 0an*a for power to +/17/.ate e4er21od2 and e4er2th*n. for
the .reater .lor2 of that cold 0on+ter the Co00/n*+t tate. 8*+ att*t/de +o0et*0e+
ta3ed 02 pat*ence, 1/t ne4er 02 affect*on for o/r ea+26.o*n., .ood6nat/red fr*end.
Nor d*d *t affect the 1ond+ of o/r fellow+h*p. In (ol+he4*k #/++*a perhap+ 0ore than
an2where el+e one had to la/.h +o0et*0e+ to keep 1ack one:+ tear+.
%n one of h*+ la+t call+ at o/r place 8enr2 a.a*n 1ro/.ht a lar.e 1/ndle of cloth*n..
5!ell,5 he drawled to a+ha, 5*f Len*n can 1eco0e a +hopkeeper, wh2 not al+o
Ale3ander (erk0anB5 5/re,5 a+ha repl*ed, 5*t *+ ko+her now, onl2 I 1eat Len*n to *t.
I traded th*n.+ wh*le we were *n the &kra*ne 1efore the pope *n the Kre0l*n .a4e *t
h*+ 1ened*ct*on.5 5Yo/ for.et,5 I *nter7ected, 5that 2o/ en.a.ed *n trade a+ a
:+pec/lator and 1and*t.: Len*n doe+ *t *n the hol2 na0e of Karl )ar3. That:+ the
d*fference.5
Ye+, there*n wa+ the d*fference. The /nfort/nate+ *n the 0arket *n front of the
Nat*onal 8otel had .*4en wa2 to a lar.e pa+tr2 +hop. It wa+ +tacked w*th fre+h loa4e+
of wh*te 1read, cake, and p2ro+hk2. The owner, perhap+ not a Co00/n*+t, wa+ a
1/+*ne++ 0an accord*n. to Len*n:+ own heart. 8e knew how to attract c/+to0er+. The
place wa+ crowded and 1/+*ne++ 1r*+k. %/t+*de +tood the ra11le, pale6faced and fa*nt
w*th h/n.er, the*r e2e+ 1/l.*n. w*th cra4*n. for the 0*racle d*+pla2ed *n the +how6
w*ndow, l/3/r*e+ the2 had not +een *n 2ear+. 5!here do the+e th*n.+ co0e fro0B5 a
wo0an prote+ted a+ I wa+ pa++*n. there. 5A l*ttle wh*le a.o *t wa+ dan.ero/+ to ha4e a
1*t of wh*te 1read *n one:+ po++e++*on. And look at th*+. Look at tho+e loa4e+ of f*ne
cake? I+ *t for th*+ that we ha4e 0ade the #e4ol/t*onB5 +he 0oaned. 5I tho/.ht we
were thro/.h w*th the 1o/r.eo*+*e,5 a 0an cr*ed9 5look at the0 .o*n. *n and o/t of the
place? !hat are the2 and who are the2B5 The crowd took /p the refra*n, and +o0e
clenched the*r f*+t+. 5@o on now, d*+per+e?5 ca0e the order of a 0*l*t*a0en on ./ard
at the +tore. The +acred r*.ht+ of propert2 had to 1e protected.
A +tore on the T4er+ka2a that had 1een clo+ed for three 2ear+ now opened *t+ door+
w*th a lar.e +tock of cho*ce fr/*t, ca4*ar, fowl, and other th*n.+ one wo/ld not ha4e
1el*e4ed e3*+ted *n #/++*a. The crowd that .athered o/t+*de +ee0ed too o4erwhel0ed
to real*-e what *t wa+ all a1o/t. It wa+ a 1ra-en challen.e to the*r h/n.er. The*r
a0a-e0ent +oon t/rned to *nd*.nat*on and lo/d re+ent0ent. Tho+e neare+t r/+hed *nto
the +tore, the re+t follow*n.. (/t Len*n:+ .ood 1/+*ne++ 0an wa+ prepared. @/ard+ had
1een +tat*oned *n+*de to 0eet +/ch an e0er.enc2. The2 d*d the*r d/t2. The2 were the
onl2 force *n o4*et #/++*a that worked eff*c*entl2.
The Nep +pread. The ho/r of the new 1o/r.eo*+*e had arr*4ed. No f/rther need to
worr2 a1o/t o4*et+k2 +o/p or rat*on+ w*th +/ch an a++ort0ent of del*cac*e+ on hand.
No f/rther an3*et2 to h*de the loot taken fro0 the predece++or+ of the new pr*4*le.ed
cla++. I co/ld hardl2 tr/+t 02 e2e+ when at the tan*+la4+k2 ,*r+t t/d*o I 0et a
n/01er of wo0en dre++ed *n 4el4et and +*lk+, wear*n. co+tl2 +hawl+, and 1edecked
w*th 7ewelr2. !h2 notB The o4*et+k2 lad*e+ knew how to apprec*ate f*ne clothe+,
e4en *f the2 were +o0ewhat cr/0pled fro0 the*r h*d*n.6place+ and not e3actl2 *n
keep*n. w*th the late+t =ar*+*an fa+h*on+?
3H0
The .re2 and dra1 cont*n/ed, howe4er, a0on. the 0a++e+, wear*n. o/t the*r
alread2 depleted +tren.th *n the lon. wa*t for an order for a hole to l*4e *n, a 1*t of
cal*co or 0ed*c*ne for the*r +*ck fa0*l2 or e4en a coff*n for the*r dead. Th*+ wa+ no
hall/c*nat*on of 02 e3ha/+ted 1ra*n. It wa+ one of the 0an2 .ha+tl2 real*t*e+. %ne
+/ch ca+e wa+ related to 0e 12 An.el*ca (ala1anoff. he had 1een +ent 1ack to a l*ttle
roo0 *n the Nat*onal and co0pletel2 d*4e+ted of her o4*et f/nct*on+. III,
d*+*ll/+*oned, and 1roken, +he +/ffered 0ore than 0o+t of her co0rade+ fro0 the
late+t +o0er+a/lt of her *dol Il*ch. To +ee con+tantl2 the h/n.r2 crowd+ aro/nd the
1aker*e+ and pa+tr26+hop+ wa+ tort/re to one who, l*ke An.el*ca, felt ./*lt2 to accept
the .*ft of e4en a few 1*+c/*t+ fro0 her wed*+h fr*end+. It wa+ a p/r.ator2 wh*ch
onl2 we, who knew her well, co/ld apprec*ate.
In a fe4er*+h +tate +he told 0e of the +/*c*de of a fr*end, a Co00/n*+t wo0an, who
had 1een *n the re4ol/t*onar2 rank+ for a >/arter of a cent/r2. 8a4*n. heard of >/*te a
n/01er of Co00/n*+t+ who had ended the*r l*4e+ after the new econo0*c pol*c2 had
1een *ntrod/ced, I tho/.ht *t wa+ a ca+e of +*0*lar nat/re. (/t *t wa+ not that,
An.el*ca e3pla*ned. 8er co0rade had +hot her+elf *n the hope that her 4*olent death
wo/ld call attent*on to the pl*.ht of her +on, who wa+ *ll *n a ho+p*tal. he had lo+t one
+on at the re4ol/t*onar2 front. The +econd, a 0ere lad, wa+ t/1erc/lar and the
co00*++ar had not*f*ed the 0other that her 1o2 had o4er+ta2ed h*+ t*0e *n the ho+p*tal
and that +he wo/ld ha4e to take h*0 ho0e. he had tr*ed to .et an order for a roo0 *n
the Nat*onal, where the 1o2 wo/ld 1e a++/red +o0e co0fort. ,a*l*n. *n that, +he had
dec*ded to d*e +o that her +hot 0*.ht *nd/ce the =art2 "3ec/t*4e Co00*ttee to +ec/re
a roo0 for her ch*ld. 5The poor creat/re 0/+t ha4e 1een *n+ane,5 I prote+ted. An.el*ca
a++/red 0e that the wo0an had 1een >/*te *n her 0*nd, 1/t +he had 1een /na1le to +ee
her +on d*e l*ke a do.. The horror of *t had co0pletel2 o4ertaken An.el*ca on the da2
of the 1/r*al. he had .one w*th a co0rade to the ce0eter2 12 the la+t re>/e+t of the*r
dead fr*end. No one el+e wa+ there, nor the 1od2 of the decea+ed. An.el*ca wa+ near a
collap+e and her e+cort *n+*+ted on t/rn*n. 1ack. %n the wa2 the2 0et two Co00/n*+t
wo0en w*th a p/+hcart for a hear+e. The dela2 had 1een d/e to the d*ff*c/lt2 of
.ett*n. an order for the coff*n and a 1/r*al cert*f*cate.
Chapter FC, Cont*n/ed, pp. <9969CH.
The Nep flo/r*+hed, and the *n+p*red, flock*n. to the hol2 .ra*l, were a++/red that
the proletar*at wa+ *n f/ll control and that 0one2 wa+ no 0ore needed *n o4*et
#/++*a 1eca/+e the worker+ had free acce++ to the 1e+t the land prod/ced. A lar.e
cont*n.ent of the de4o/t 1el*e4er+ fro0 A0er*ca had conf*d*n.l2 t/rned o4er to the
recept*on co00*ttee on the 1order all the*r po++e++*on+. In )o+cow the2 were packed
l*ke +ard*ne+ *n co00on >/arter+, .*4en a +0all rat*on of 1read and +o/p, and left to
the*r fate. !*th*n a 0onth two ch*ldren of the .ro/p d*ed of /nderno/r*+h0ent and
*nfect*on. The 0en 1eca0e de+pondent, the wo0en *ll, one of the0 .o*n. *n+ane fro0
an3*et2 a1o/t her ch*ldren and the +hock of the cond*t*on+ +he had fo/nd *n #/++*a.
%/r fr*end, l*ttle (o112, h*+ hope+ alread2 +hattered, ca0e to tell /+ of the ca+e on the
4er2 da2 when another wo0an and her two ch*ldren had walked two 0*le+ fro0 the
)o+cow +tat*on to la2 the*r tra.ed2 at o/r door. )r+. Kono++e4*ch, her h/+1and, the*r
fo/rteen62ear6old da/.hter and l*ttle 1o2 had 1een deported fro0 A0er*ca after the2
had e3per*enced a do+e of )*tchell =al0er:+ rE.*0e. The2 ca0e to #/++*a w*th h*.h
enth/+*a+0 *n the*r heart+, tho/.h not >/*te +o cred/lo/+ a+ the other+ who had 1een
3H1
deported w*th the0. The2 had heard that #/++*a wa+ naked and +tar4ed and the2
dec*ded to d*+tr*1/te the*r po++e++*on+ a0on. the need2. Two week+ later
Kono++e4*ch, to.ether w*th h*+ fa0*l2, were taken off the tra*n on the*r wa2 to the*r
nat*4e 4*lla.e *n the &kra*ne. 8e wa+ acc/+ed of 1e*n. a )akhno4et+. 8e had 7/+t
arr*4ed fro0 the tate+, where he had 1een 0altreated and deported for h*+ pro6o4*et
+tand, he e3pla*ned to the Cheka, and he had ne4er e4en heard of )akhno. 8*+
prote+t+ d*d not help. 8e wa+ arre+ted, h*+ 1a..a.e conf*+cated, and h*+ w*fe and two
ch*ldren left at the +tat*on w*tho/t eno/.h 0one2 to e3*+t a week.
It wa+ at an2 rate work for /+ to tr2 to +a4e the w*fe of one co0rade fro0 .o*n.
0ad, to f*nd work for )r+. Kono++e4*ch, and to re+c/e her h/+1and fro0 pro1a1le
e3ec/t*on. %4er and a1o4e th*+ cra-2 pattern of o4*et l*fe, the fa0*ne +/ddenl2
loo0ed acro++ the land9 want and death +pread thro/.h the Aol.a re.*on and
threatened the re+t of the co/ntr2. The o4*et @o4ern0ent had known for two 0onth+
that 0*ll*on+ were l*kel2 to per*+h /nle++ *00ed*ate +tep+ for rel*ef were taken.
A.r*c/lt/ral +pec*al*+t+ and econo0*+t+ had warned the a/thor*t*e+ of the *0pend*n.
cala0*t2. The2 had frankl2 declared that the 0a*n ca/+e of the +*t/at*on wa+
*neff*c*enc2, 0*+0ana.e0ent, and 1/rea/crat*c corr/pt*on. In+tead of +ett*n. the
o4*et 0ach*ner2 to work to rel*e4e the cala0*t2, to ac>/a*nt the p/1l*c w*th the
+*t/at*on and ro/+e *t to the dan.er, the report of the +pec*al*+t+ had 1een +/ppre++ed.
The few non6Co00/n*+t+ who knew of *t were powerle++ to do an2th*n.. !e were
a0on. the latter. In the he2da2 of o/r fa*th *n the (ol+he4*k* we +ho/ld ha4e knocked
at the door of e4er2 leader and .*4en o/r help *n rel*ef work. !e had learned 1etter
+*nce Kron+tadt. Ne4erthele++ we *nfor0ed the Left ele0ent+ acce++*1le to /+ of the
threatened cala0*t2 and 1e..ed to 1e per0*tted to 7o*n *n a ca0pa*.n to +/cco/r the
fa0*ne6+tr*cken. The2 ha+tened to offer +/..e+t*on+ and a*d to the @o4ern0ent, 1/t *t
wa+ decl*ned. The #*.ht w*n. wa+ .*4en a 0ore fa4o/ra1le recept*on. Apart fro0
Aera ,*.ner, who had 7o*ned that .ro/p o/t of h/0an *ntere+t, 0o+t of the other+ were
Con+t*t/t*onal $e0ocrat+ who had 1*tterl2 fo/.ht the %cto1er #e4ol/t*on. The2 had
repeatedl2 1een arre+ted a+ co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, 1/t now the2 were accepted w*th
open ar0+ a+ the 5C*t*-en+: Co00*ttee.5 "4er2 fac*l*t2 wa+ .*4en the0 *n the*r work:
a 1/*ld*n., telephone+, t2p*+t+, and the r*.ht to p/1l*+h a paper. Two n/01er+
appeared, the f*r+t conta*n*n. an appeal 12 =atr*arch T*khon, who called /pon h*+
flock to contr*1/te the*r donat*on+ to h*0 +*nce he wo/ld 1e re+pon+*1le for the*r
d*+tr*1/t*on. The *ron2 of th*+ lo4e6fea+t 1etween the a4ant6.arde of the proletar*at
and *t+ ene0*e+ wa+ de0on+trated 12 the (/llet*n the latter *++/ed. It wa+ noth*n. el+e
than the re+/rrected old A2edo0o+t2, the 1lacke+t react*onar2 +heet of the t+ar*+t
rE.*0e, wh*ch *t re+e01led *n e4er2 deta*l +a4e *n na0e. It wa+ now called =o0o+hch
MA*dN.
%nce 0ore the .en*/+e+ of the o4*et c*rc/+ had +cored o4er (arn/0 and (a*le2.
Indeed, we+tern "/rope wo/ld no 0ore dare +a2 that pol*t*cal l*1ert*e+ were e3t*nct *n
the Co00/n*+t tate, or that the o4*et @o4ern0ent d*d not welco0e the co6
operat*on of all part*e+ *n the cr/c*al ho/r of fa0*ne.
After the .lad t*d*n.+ had 1een heralded a1road and .enero/+ a*d fo/nd *n the
A0er*can #el*ef Ad0*n*+trat*on, the lo4e6fea+t ca0e to a +/dden end. The all*ance
wa+ declared off, the 1r*de not 0erel2 7*lted, 1/t e4en thrown *nto the Cheka 7a*l. The
0e01er+ of the 5C*t*-en+: Co00*ttee5 were a.a*n deno/nced a+ co/nter6
3HC
re4ol/t*onar2, and *t+ leader+ e3*led to d*+tant part+ of the co/ntr2. Aera ,*.ner wa+
+pared, 1/t +he ref/+ed the hono/r. he went to the Cheka and de0anded to +hare the
fate of her co6worker+, 1/t the @o4ern0ent d*d not th*nk *t w*+e to to/ch her for fear
of the +tor0 of *nd*.nat*on that wo/ld ha4e 1een ra*+ed a1road.
=re+*dent Kal*n*n, of Kron+tadt *nfa02, tra4elled *n a tra*n de l/3e, w*th carload+ of
Len*n:+ w*+do0, and ro2all2 enterta*ned a ho+t of fore*.n corre+pondent+. The world
wa+ to learn how +ol*c*to/+ the o4*et tate wa+ of *t+ affl*cted people.
The act/al worker+ of the rel*ef, howe4er, were the fore*.n 1od*e+ that had
0eant*0e or.an*-ed the*r a*d. The worker+ of #/++*a and the 0a7or*t2 of the non6
Co00/n*+t pop/lat*on were perfor0*n. +/perh/0an la1o/r to +/cco/r the fa0*ne6
+tr*cken d*+tr*ct+. The *ntell*.ent+*a acco0pl*+hed 0*racle+. In the*r capac*t2 a+
ph2+*c*an+, n/r+e+, and d*+tr*1/tor+ of +/ppl*e+ +core+ of the0 +acr*f*ced the0+el4e+.
)an2 d*ed of e3po+/re and *nfect*on, and a n/01er were e4en k*lled 12 the dark and
cra-ed people who0 the2 had co0e to help. !*th 0*ll*on+ of l*4e+ de4o/red 12 the
fa0*ne, the lo++ of a few h/ndred 1o/r.eo*+ wa+ hardl2 worth not*c*n. 12 the
@o4ern0ent. It wa+ 0ore *0portant for the world re4ol/t*on that the o4*et rE.*0e
+/ddenl2 d*+co4ered the wealth conta*ned *n the ch/rche+. It co/ld ha4e 1een
conf*+cated 1efore w*tho/t 0/ch prote+t fro0 the pea+antr2. (/t now the
e3propr*at*on of the Ch/rch trea+/re+ added f/el to the f*re+ of hate wh*ch the
d*ctator+h*p had en.endered *n all cla++e+ of the people. Another de0on+trat*on of the
cont*n/ed re4ol/t*onar2 -eal of the Co00/n*+t tate wa+ to order *t+ own 0e01er+ to
del*4er forthw*th all the 4al/a1le+ the2 had *n the*r po++e++*on, e4en to the la+t tr*nket.
It wa+ a +hock to learn that Co00/n*+t+ +ho/ld 1e +/+pected 12 the*r own part2 of
hoard*n. 7ewelr2 or other 4al/a1le+. (/t apparentl2 there act/all2 were +/ch
0e01er+. The ed*tor of the I-4e+t*a, the well6known Co00/n*+t teklo4, who+e
+pec*alt2 wa+ to ho/nd non6Co00/n*+t re4ol/t*on*+t+ a+ 1and*t+, wa+ d*+co4ered to
ha4e a lar.e collect*on of +*l4er and .old, th*n.+ a Co00/n*+t wa+ not +/ppo+ed to
own. The2 co/ld not +hoot a pro0*nent part2 ed*tor a+ the2 had +hot a ,an2a (aron.
Ne*ther co/ld he 1e allowed to re0a*n *n the +anct/0. The rank and f*le 0*.ht 0/+ter
/p co/ra.e to de0and wh2 +/ch d*+cr*0*nat*on wa+ pract*ced. teklo4 wa+ therefore
+/+pended fro0 the paper, and other Co00/n*+t+ were +ent to the Cr*0ea.
The fa0*ne cont*n/ed *t+ de4a+tat*n. 0arch. (/t )o+cow wa+ far fro0 the +tr*cken
re.*on, and .reat e4ent+ were 1e*n. prepared for w*th*n *t+ .ate+. Three *nternat*onal
con.re++e+ were to take place: tho+e of the Co00/n*+t Internat*onal, of the !o0en:+
%r.an*-at*on+, and of the #ed Trade &n*on+. A n/01er of 1/*ld*n.+ ad7o*n*n. the
8otel de L/3e were 1e*n. reno4ated and the c*t2 cleaned /p and decorated for the
occa+*on. The 1l/e and .old of the c/pola+ on the fort2 t*0e+ fort2 ch/rche+
*nter0*n.led w*th the +carlet h/e+ of the 1/nt*n. and fla.+. All wa+ read2 for the
recept*on of the fore*.n dele.ate+ and 4*+*tor+ fro0 e4er2 part of the world.
A0on. the earl2 arr*4al+ were two I.!.!. dele.ate+ fro0 A0er*ca, !*ll*a0+ and
Ca+caden. %ther+ al+o +oon ca0e, a0on. the0 "lla #ee4e+ (loor, !*ll*a0 D. ,o+ter,
and !*ll*a0 $. 8a2wood. 8ow co/ld 5(*. (*ll5 co0e, we wondered, for we knew
that he wa+ o/t on twent26tho/+and6dollar 1a*l and /nder +entence of twent2 2ear+:
*0pr*+on0ent. !a+ *t po++*1le that he had 7/0ped h*+ 1ondB a+ha wa+ *ncl*ned to
1el*e4e *t9 he had lo+t fa*th *n (*ll +*nce 1914, when the latter had +hown h*0+elf
weak6kneed d/r*n. the free6+peech f*.ht+ that a+ha had cond/cted *n New York. I
3H3
defended (*ll hotl2, po*nt*n. o/t that o/r act*on+ are not alwa2+ to 1e 7/d.ed +o
ea+*l2. 5Not e4en 2o/r own, old 0an,5 I +a*d. (/t a+ha ref/+ed to co0e w*th 0e to
the hotel where 8a2wood wa+ lod.ed. 58e w*ll co0e to /+ *f he *+ reall2 an3*o/+ to
+ee /+,5 he declared. I la/.hed at +/ch cere0on2 w*th (*ll.
(*ll 8a2wood had often 1een /nder o/r roof, 12 da2 and 12 n*.ht, alwa2+ o/r
welco0e ./e+t, o/r co0rade *n 0an2 1attle+, tho/.h not +har*n. the +a0e *dea+. I
ha+tened to the 8otel de L/3e, where the 0o+t fa4o/red dele.ate+ were >/artered, to
f*nd the old war6hor+e, of who0 I had alwa2+ 1een 4er2 fond. (*ll rece*4ed 0e *n the
+a0e war0 and .en*al 0anner that had capt/red all h*+ fr*end+. In fact, he
*00ed*atel2 e01raced 0e, 1efore the whole crowd. A roar went /p fro0 the 1o2+,
who 1e.an tea+*n. (*ll for keep*n. *t +ecret that ".@. wa+ a0on. h*+ 0an2 lad26lo4e+.
8e la/.hed .ood6nat/redl2 and drew 0e down to a +eat at h*+ +*de. I had co0e onl2
for a 0o0ent, I told h*0, 7/+t to welco0e h*0 and to tell h*0 where and when he
co/ld f*nd /+. I +t*ll co/ld .*4e h*0 a c/p of coffee 5a+ 1lack a+ n*.ht, a+ +weet a+
lo4e, a+ +tron. a+ re4ol/t*onar2 -eal.5 (*ll +0*led *n re0e01rance. 5I:ll co0e
to0orrow,5 he +a*d.
In the crowd +/rro/nd*n. 8a2wood I not*ced +e4eral *nterpreter+, who0 I knew a+
Chek*+t+. The2 were #/++*an6A0er*can Co00/n*+t+ who had r*+en *n +tat*on and
*0portance for the*r +er4*ce+ to the part2. The2 felt *ll at ea+e *n 02 pre+ence and e2ed
0e +/+p*c*o/+l2. I wa+ .lad to +ee (*ll a.a*n and al+o +e4eral other+ fro0 the tate+,
*ncl/d*n. "lla #ee4e+ (loor, who had 4*+*ted 0e *n the )*++o/r* pen*tent*ar2 and who
had alwa2+ +howed affect*on for 0e and *ntere+t *n 02 work. I pa*d no f/rther
attent*on to the 5*nterpreter+5 and +oon I left.
a+ha wa+ o/t when (*ll arr*4ed *n the late afternoon the follow*n. da2. )2 4*+*tor
tran+ferred 0e 1ack to A0er*ca, 02 old arena of +o 0an2 2ear+: effort. I pl*ed h*0
w*th >/e+t*on+ a1o/t 02 fr*end+, a1o/t tella and ,*t-*, "l*-a1eth @/rle2 ,l2nn, and
0an2 other+ who0 I +t*ll had *n 02 heart. I wanted to hear a1o/t the .eneral +*t/at*on,
the la1o/r 0o4e0ent, and the I.!.!., wh*ch had +*nce 1een all 1/t de0ol*+hed 12 the
war pho1*a, a+ well a+ a1o/t 02 own co0rade+. (*ll +topped 02 4olle2 of >/e+t*on+.
(efore we proceeded, he +a*d, he wo/ld f*r+t ha4e to 0ake h*+ own po+*t*on clear to
0e. I not*ced that he wa+ /nder the ner4o/+ ten+*on that /+ed to co0e o4er h*0 when
he +tood 1efore a lar.e a/d*ence, h*+ 1*. fra0e +hak*n. w*th +/ppre++ed feel*n.. 8e
had 7/0ped h*+ 1a*l, he +a*d +/ddenl29 he had r/n awa2. Not 1eca/+e of the twent2
2ear+ of pr*+on that faced h*0, tho/.h that wa+ no +0all 0atter at h*+ a.e.
5#*d*c/lo/+, (*ll,5 I *nterr/pted9 52o/ wo/ld ne4er ha4e to +er4e the whole +entence.
@ene $e1+ wa+ pardoned and Kate #*chard %:8are al+o.5 5L*+ten f*r+t,5 he
*nterr/pted9 5the pr*+on wa+ not the dec*d*n. factor. It wa+ #/++*a, #/++*a, wh*ch
f/lf*lled what we had drea0ed a1o/t and propa.ated all o/r l*4e+, I a+ well a+ 2o/.
#/++*a, the ho0e of the l*1erated proletar*at, wa+ call*n. 0e.5 8e had al+o 1een /r.ed
12 )o+cow to co0e, he added. 8e wa+ told he wa+ needed *n #/++*a. ,ro0 here he
wo/ld 1e a1le to re4ol/t*on*-e the A0er*can 0a++e+ and to prepare the0 for the
d*ctator+h*p of the proletar*at. It had not 1een ea+2 to dec*de to lea4e h*+ co0rade+ to
face the*r lon. ter0+ *n pr*+on alone. (/t the #e4ol/t*on wa+ 0ore *0portant and *t+
end+ 7/+t*f*ed all 0ean+. %f co/r+e, the twent26tho/+and6dollar 1a*l wo/ld 1e pa*d 12
the Co00/n*+t =art2. 8e had 1een .*4en a +ole0n pled.e for that. 8e hoped, he +a*d,
that I wo/ld /nder+tand h*+ 0ot*4e+ and not th*nk h*0 a +h*rker.
3H4
I d*d not a+k an2 0ore a1o/t A0er*ca, nor d*d I +at*+f2 h*+ re>/e+t to tell h*0 02
*0pre++*on+ of #/++*a. !*th a +hock I real*-ed that (*ll wa+ a+ 1l*ndfolded a+ we had
1een on o/r arr*4al *n the co/ntr2. !o/ld he al+o /nder.o the e3cr/c*at*n. operat*on
that wo/ld re0o4e the +cale+ fro0 h*+ e2e+B And what wo/ld 1eco0e of (*ll when
h*+ ho/+e of card+ had t/01led o4er h*0, and all h*+ hope+ were 1/r*ed l*ke o/r+B 8e
had 1/rned h*+ 1r*d.e+ *n A0er*ca, and ne4er a.a*n co/ld he f*re the *0a.*nat*on of
the proletar*an 2o/th of h*+ co/ntr2 and 7/+t*f2 to the0 h*+ e+cape at a t*0e when the2
needed h*0 +o de+peratel2. !ho wo/ld a.a*n entr/+t h*+ l*fe to a capta*n who had
1een the f*r+t to a1andon h*+ +*nk*n. +h*pB And later on, when he wo/ld co0e to +ee
o4*et #/++*a w*th open e2e+, what wo/ld he doB 8e wo/ld 1e ca+t on the ref/+e6p*le,
l*ke +o 0an2 1efore h*0, after he had +er4ed the propa.anda p/rpo+e+ of )o+cow.
(*ll, +o rooted *n h*+ nat*4e +o*l and *t+ trad*t*on+, +o al*en to #/++*a, *.norant of her
lan./a.e and her people66
I had al0o+t for.otten the pre+ence of 02 ./e+t *n the conte0plat*on of the tra.*c
f/t/re that wa+ awa*t*n. h*0. 5!h2 +o +*lentB5 he a+ked. 5(eca/+e +*lence *+ 0ore
.olden than +peech,5 I 7oked. Later, after he had .ot h*+ 1ear*n.+ *n the new co/ntr2,
we 0*.ht talk a.a*n, I added. Co/ld he co0e often, he a+ked, 57/+t a+ *n the da2+ of
C10 "a+t Th*rteenth treetB5 5Ye+, dear (*ll,5 I repl*ed, 5an2 t*0e, *f 2o/ +t*ll want to
after 2o/ ha4e 1een taken *n hand.5 8e d*d not /nder+tand, nor d*d I e3pla*n.
a+ha r*d*c/led the 0ot*4e+ (*ll had .*4en for r/nn*n. awa2. #/++*a and all the
other rea+on+ were not con4*nc*n. to h*0. The2 were no do/1t contr*1/tor2 factor+,
1/t the 0a*n rea+on wa+ that (*ll >/aked 1efore the twent2 2ear+ *n Lea4enworth. In
late 2ear+ he had repeatedl2 +hown the wh*te feather. I need ha4e no an3*et2 a1o/t
(*ll:+ f/t/re, a+ha a++/red 0e. 8e wo/ld f*t *n, e4en when he ca0e to +ee the
+t/pendo/+ del/+*on fo*+ted on the world 12 )o+cow. There wa+ no rea+on wh2 he
+ho/ldn:t. (*ll had alwa2+ +tood for a +tron. tate and central*-at*on. !hat wa+ h*+
%ne (*. &n*on 1/t a d*ctator+h*pB 5(*ll w*ll 1e *n clo4er here,5 a+ha concl/ded9
57/+t wa*t and +ee.5
Two da2+ later !*ll*a0 D. ,o+ter telephoned to a+k whether he co/ld co0e /p. It
wa+ 02 wa+h6da2 and I wa+ too 1/+2, 1/t a+ha offered to rece*4e ,o+ter *n h*+ roo0
/nt*l I +ho/ld 1e thro/.h w*th 02 work. It occ/rred to 0e that ,o+ter 0*.ht l*ke to
0eet chap*ro and other co0rade+ +t*ll free. (/t when I a+ked h*0 a1o/t *t, he +a*d he
wa+ not *ntere+ted *n #/++*an +2nd*cal*+t+. 8e onl2 wanted to talk to a+ha and 0e.
,o+ter had 1een a0on. the f*r+t *n A0er*ca to ad4ocate re4ol/t*onar2 la1o/r tact*c+ *n
the econo0*c +tr/..le, wh*ch the #/++*an Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ had appl*ed. It
+ee0ed +tran.e that he +ho/ld decl*ne to 0eet the+e re1el+ and to hear fro0 the0
what place, *f an2, +2nd*cal*+0 had *n the Co00/n*+t rE.*0e.
8e arr*4ed *n the co0pan2 of ;*0 (rowder, a Kan+a+ 1o2, who0 we /+ed to know
a+ an act*4e I.!.!. a+ha took the0 *n char.e. At noon, when 02 work wa+ f*n*+hed
and l/nch prepared, I *n4*ted o/r ./e+t+ to +hare *t w*th /+. Ae.eta1le+ and fr/*t were
plent*f/l on the 0arket and 0/ch cheaper than 0eat and f*+h. !e l*4ed al0o+t
ent*rel2 on th*+ d*et. The 1o2+ had e4*dentl2 not lo+t the*r A0er*can appet*te. The2 ate
w*th rel*+h and e3pre++ed apprec*at*on of ".@.:+ +k*ll *n prepar*n. +/ch d*+he+. ,o+ter
+a*d noth*n. d/r*n. the 0eal e3cept to *nfor0 /+ that he wa+ *n #/++*a *n the capac*t2
of a reporter for the ,ederated La1or =re++. (rowder talked a .reat deal a1o/t the
0ar4el+ of the Co00/n*+t tate and the wonderf/l th*n.+ the part2 had ach*e4ed. I
3HF
*n>/*red how lon. he had 1een *n the co/ntr2. 5A1o/t a week,5 he repl*ed. 5And 2o/
ha4e alread2 d*+co4ered that all *+ wonderf/lB5 5Indeed,5 he +a*d, 5*t can 1e +een at a
.lance.5 I con.rat/lated h*0 on h*+ e3traord*nar2 4*+*on and t/rned o/r con4er+at*on
*nto le++ t/r1/lent water+. %/r caller+ +oon left, wh*ch I d*d not re.ret.
Two other A0er*can+ ca0e to +ee /+, A.ne+ 0edle2 and her 8*nd/ fr*end Chato.
I had heard a .ood deal a1o/t A.ne+ *n the tate+ *n conne3*on w*th her 8*nd/
act*4*t*e+, 1/t I had ne4er 0et her per+onall2. he wa+ a +tr*k*n. .*rl, an earne+t and
tr/e re1el, who +ee0ed to ha4e no other *ntere+t *n l*fe e3cept the ca/+e of the
oppre++ed people *n Ind*a. Chato wa+ *ntellect/al and w*tt2, 1/t he *0pre++ed 0e a+ a
+o0ewhat craft2 *nd*4*d/al. 8e called h*0+elf an anarch*+t, tho/.h *t wa+ e4*dent that
*t wa+ 8*nd/ nat*onal*+0 to wh*ch he had de4oted h*0+elf ent*rel2.
Ca+caden, the Canad*an I.!.!. dele.ate, 4*+*ted /+ often, da*l2 look*n. 0ore
d*+tre++ed o4er the pol*t*cal *ntr*./e+ .o*n. on *n the prel*0*nar2 +e++*on+. The other
A0er*can dele.ate+ had alread2 1een roped *n 12 the Co00/n*+t+, he told /+, and
0ade to dance to the t/ne pla2ed 12 Lo+o4+k2, the pro+pect*4e pre+*dent of the #ed
&n*on Internat*onal. Ca+caden wa+ hold*n. o/t a.a*n+t the*r w*le+, 1/t he fore+aw that
he wo/ld ha4e no chance at the Con.re++. !e con+oled h*0 12 tell*n. h*0 that no one
w*th *ndependence and character wo/ld ha4e an2 chance. The Con.re++ wo/ld 1e
packed 12 0ar*onette+ of the #/++*an (ol+he4*k*, who wo/ld 4ote on e4er2 +/17ect a+
d*rected 12 5the centre.5 Ca++, a+ we fa0*l*arl2 called h*0, wa+ 1ra4e9 he wo/ld f*.ht
to the la+t for the *n+tr/ct*on+ .*4en h*0 12 h*+ or.an*-at*on, he a++/red /+.
The other dele.ate+ kept aloof fro0 /+, *ncl/d*n. 02 er+twh*le de4oted "lla #ee4e+
(loor. (*ll 8a2wood al+o d*d not ret/rn. The2 had all 1een warded off 12 the*r
5*nterpreter+,5 a+ were al+o #o1ert )*nor, )ar2 8eaton Aor+e, and To0 )ann. The2
were *n )o+cow and the2 co/ld not help know*n. that we were l*4*n. *n the c*t2. (o1
)*nor had 5chan.ed h*+ 0*nd a l*ttle5: he had 1eco0e a Co00/n*+t. !e had read h*+
confe++*on *n the L*1erator, wh*ch had, *n effect, 1een an open letter to the 0an he
had *dol*-ed, h*+ clo+e+t fr*end and teacher, Ale3ander (erk0an. )ar2 8eaton Aor+e,
an *nt*0ate of 02 New York c*rcle, wa+ a k*nd +o/l and a char0*n. co0pan*on. 8er
pol*t*cal 4*ew+ ca0e to her 12 pro32. he had 1een an I.!.!. when 4*4*d ;oe %:(r*en
wa+ her h/+1and, and no do/1t +he 0/+t 1e a Co00/n*+t now that +he wa+ w*th
)*nor. #ea+on eno/.h wh2 )ar2 +ho/ld not ha4e allowed her +/perf*c*al pol*t*cal
lean*n.+ to o1+c/re the fr*end+h*p that +he had for0erl2 +o often procla*0ed.
There wa+ al+o To0 )ann, the old cha0p*on of +2nd*cal*+0 and 1*tter foe of e4er2
pol*t*cal 0ach*ne, the 0an who had +hown the .reate+t concern for 02 welfare *n
London d/r*n. the e3c*t*n. da2+ of the (oer !ar. 8e had 1een o/r ./e+t *n New
York d/r*n. h*+ A0er*can to/r, wh*ch the effort+ of the )other "arth .ro/p had
+a4ed fro0 d*+a+ter. All the+e dele.ate+ l*4ed *n the 8otel de L/3e, a +tone:+ throw
fro0 /+. 58ow can h/0an 1e*n.+ .o 1ack +o ea+*l2 on the*r old aff*l*at*on+B5 I
re0arked to a+ha. I +ho/ld not take *t +o 0/ch to heart, he repl*ed. The2 had 1een
told that we were *n *ll rep/te w*th the (ol+he4*k* and therefore the2 were afra*d to
co0e near /+. ,or h*0+elf, he d*dn:t .*4e a da0n, and he d*d not +ee wh2 I +ho/ld. I
w*+hed I po++e++ed h*+ +*0ple and d*rect att*t/de.
The Lat*n dele.ate+ had al+o 1een .*4en a .entle h*nt *n re.ard to /+, we learned.
(/t the2 were of d*fferent 0ettle fro0 the An.lo6a3on+. The2 *nfor0ed the*r
3HG
5./*de+5 that the2 d*d not propo+e to den2 the*r co0rade+ or to 1e d*ctated to a1o/t
who0 the2 +ho/ld a++oc*ate w*th. The ,rench, Ital*an, pan*+h, @er0an, and
cand*na4*an Anarcho62nd*cal*+t+ lo+t no t*0e *n +eek*n. /+ o/t. In fact, the2 0ade
o/r place the*r head>/arter+. The2 +pent w*th /+ e4er2 free ho/r the2 had, ea.er to
know o/r *0pre++*on+ and 4*ew+. The2 had heard of the alle.ed per+ec/t*on of the
Left6w*n. ele0ent+ 12 the Co00/n*+t+, 1/t the2 had taken *t a+ a cap*tal*+t
fa1r*cat*on. The*r ,rench Co00/n*+t fr*end+, who had 0ade the 7o/rne2 w*th the0,
were al+o +*ncerel2 de+*ro/+ to learn the fact+. A0on. the0 (or*+ o/4ar*ne wa+ the
0o+t *ntell*.ent and alert *n>/*rer.
The Cheka wa+ of co/r+e well aware that the+e 0en were co0*n. *n and o/t of o/r
place. %/r att*t/de +*nce Kron+tadt had al+o not re0a*ned a +ecret fro0 the0. In fact,
a+ha had .one to the head of the o4*et pr*nt*n. ho/+e *n =etro.rad and had
de0anded 1ack the cop2 of h*+ =r*+on )e0o*r+, wh*ch the2 were to p/1l*+h *n
#/++*an. 8e had openl2 declared on that occa+*on, a+ well a+ to D*no4*e4 per+onall2,
that he wa+ thro/.h w*th the (ol+he4*k* 1eca/+e of Kron+tadt and all that *t *n4ol4ed.
!e were prepared to take the con+e>/ence+ and we +poke freel2 to o/r 4*+*tor+.
o/4ar*ne wa+ >/*te +haken 12 o/r acco/nt. It co/ld not 1e that Len*n and Trot+k2
knew a1o/t the real +tate of affa*r+, he tho/.ht. 8ad we tr*ed to talk to the0B !e had,
1/t we had not 1een rece*4ed. Yet a+ha had wr*tten a letter to Len*n e3pla*n*n. the
+*t/at*on and o/r +tand *n re.ard to *t. (/t all +/ch effort+ were a+ f/t*le a+ o/r prote+t+
and propo+al to the =etro.rad o4*et of $efence d/r*n. the Kron+tadt +*e.e. Noth*n.
wa+ 1e*n. done *n #/++*a, we *nfor0ed o/r 4*+*tor+, w*tho/t the knowled.e and
appro4al of the +/pre0e a/thor*t2, the Central Co00*ttee of the Co00/n*+t =art2,
and Len*n wa+ the head of *t.
The Co00/n*+t+ *n ,rance were co6operat*n. on 0an2 occa+*on+ w*th the*r
anarch*+t co0rade+, o/4ar*ne ar./ed. !h2 co/ld not the +a0e cond*t*on+ 1e 1ro/.ht
a1o/t *n #/++*a B The rea+on wa+ not far to +ee, we e3pla*ned. The ,rench
Co00/n*+t+ had not 2et atta*ned pol*t*cal power *n the*r co/ntr2. The2 had not 2et
ach*e4ed a d*ctator+h*p there, 1/t when that ho/r arr*4ed, the*r co0rade+h*p w*th the
,rench anarch*+t+ wo/ld 1e at an end, we a++/red o/4ar*ne. 8e tho/.ht *t *0po++*1le
and he *n+*+ted that he +ho/ld d*+c/++ the +/17ect w*th the lead*n. (ol+he4*k*. 8e
wanted to 1r*n. a1o/t an a0*ca1le relat*on+h*p 1etween h*+ #/++*an co0rade+ and
o/r+.
;/+t at that 0o0ent %l2a )a3*0o4a called. =ale and tre01l*n., +he told /+ that
)a3*0o4 and twel4e other co0rade+ *n the Ta.anka pr*+on had declared a h/n.er6
+tr*ke to the death. The2 had repeatedl2 de0anded the rea+on for the*r *0pr*+on0ent
+*nce )arch. Infor0at*on wa+ ref/+ed the0, nor had an2 char.e+ 1een 1ro/.ht a.a*n+t
the0. 8a4*n. fa*led to rece*4e a repl2 to the*r prote+t+, the2 had dec*ded to call the
attent*on of the fore*.n dele.ate+ to the*r *ntolera1le +*t/at*on 12 0ean+ of a de+perate
h/n.er6+tr*ke.
The +2nd*cal*+t+ pre+ent 7/0ped to the*r feet *n .reat e3c*te0ent. The2 wo/ld ha4e
ne4er 1el*e4ed +/ch a +tate of affa*r+ po++*1le *n o4*et #/++*a, the2 declared, and
the2 wo/ld *00ed*atel2 de0and an acco/nt*n.. The2 wo/ld ra*+e the >/e+t*on at the
open*n. of the #ed Trade &n*on Con.re++ the follow*n. 0orn*n.. o/4ar*ne *0plored
the0 to wa*t and f*r+t to +ee the trade6/n*on leader+, a0on. the0 To0+k2, the la1o/r
head, Lo+o4+k2, and other+. An open d*+c/++*on at the p/1l*c +e++*on+ wo/ld 1e
3HH
work*n. *nto the ene02:+ hand, he ar./ed9 the cap*tal*+t pre++ and the 1o/r.eo*+*e *n
,rance and other co/ntr*e+ wo/ld 0ake the 0o+t of *t. The 0atter 0/+t 1e +ettled
>/*etl2 and *n a fr*endl2 wa2, o/4ar*ne pleaded. The dele.ate+ left, a++/r*n. /+ that
the2 wo/ld not re+t /nt*l 7/+t*ce wa+ done to o/r +/ffer*n. co0rade+. The2 ret/rned
late at n*.ht to *nfor0 /+ that the trade6/n*on leader+ had 1e..ed the0 not to 0ake the
+candal p/1l*c and had pro0*+ed to do the*r /t0o+t to .et redre++ for the *0pr*+oned
anarch*+t+. The2 had +/..e+ted a co00*ttee of one dele.ate fro0 each co/ntr2,
*ncl/d*n. #/++*a, to confer w*th Len*n and Trot+k2. %/r co0rade+ fro0 "/rope were
onl2 too .lad to a4o*d a 1reach and the2 had w*ll*n.l2 accepted the propo+al.
I went w*th a+ha to the open*n. +e++*on of the Con.re++ to +ee who0 we 0*.ht .et
to act on the co00*ttee. !e were +/re that To0 )ann wo/ld 1e an3*o/+ to +er4e on
*t, for had he not fo/.ht a.a*n+t pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on all h*+ l*feB And (*ll 8a2wood
wo/ld certa*nl2 not ref/+e. !hen on tr*al for h*+ l*fe *n Idaho, he had faced death,
fro0 wh*ch the anarch*+t+ had helped to +a4e h*09 the2 had alwa2+ .*4en h*0 and h*+
I.!.!. or.an*-at*on +ol*dar*c a++*+tance at e4er2 arre+t and d/r*n. e4er2 tro/1le, a+
well a+ d/r*n. the war. 5To0 )ann 0a2 help,5 a+ha +a*d, 51/t 8a2wood won:t. I
0a2 tr2 to .et (o19 he wo/ld hardl2 ref/+e 0e,5 he added.
The )ar1le 8all *n the Trade &n*on 8o/+e wa+ the theatre where the .rand re4*ew
had 1een caref/ll2 prepared and rehear+ed. !e fo/nd the pr*nc*pal perfor0er+ all
.ro/ped on the +ta.e. The orche+tra +eat+ were packed 12 dele.ate+ fro0 e4er2 part of
the world, the #/++*an+ predo0*nat*n.. Not the lea+t *0portant a0on. the0 were the
dele.ate+ of +/ch lar.e *nd/+tr*al centre+ a+ =ale+t*na, (okhara, A-er1a*7an and
+*0*lar co/ntr*e+.
%/t+*de of the ra*l*n., +eparat*n. the off*c*al repre+entat*4e+ fro0 the .eneral
a/d*ence, were 1enche+ for the p/1l*c. !e took o/r +eat+ *n the f*r+t row, wh*ch the
dele.ate+ had to pa++ on the*r wa2 to the platfor0. (*ll 8a2wood wa+ *n the place of
hono/r. 8e +aw /+ co0e *n and he t/rned h*+ head awa2. 8a4*n. .one 1ack on h*+
co0rade+ *n d*+tre++, *t wa+ not +/rpr*+*n. that he +ho/ld al+o den2 h*+ for0er fr*end+.
a+ha had 1een r*.ht: there wa+ no need to worr2 a1o/t (*ll:+ f/t/re. 8e co/ld +ee no
0ore w*th h*+ .ood e2e than w*th h*+ 1l*nd one and he wo/ld 5f*t *n.5 I felt no an.er9 I
wa+ onl2 /n+peaka1l2 +ad.
To0 )ann +topped +hort when he reco.n*-ed /+. L*ke (*ll:+, h*+ .reet*n. had 1een
prof/+e onl2 a +hort t*0e a.o. 8e drew 1ack, howe4er, a+ +oon a+ I 0ent*oned the
propo+ed co00*ttee. 8e knew noth*n. a1o/t the 0atter, he +a*d, and he wo/ld f*r+t
ha4e to *n4e+t*.ate. a+ha 4*olentl2 /p1ra*ded To0 for h*+ lack of +ta0*na and for h*+
fear to d*+plea+e the (ol+he4*k 1o++e+. To0 w*nced at the re1/ke fro0 one who had
pa*d w*th an a.on2 of 2ear+ for h*+ lo2alt2 and de4ot*on, wh*le To0 had 0erel2 1een
+po/t*n.. 5All r*.ht, all r*.ht,5 he +a*d, +ha0efacedl2, 5I:ll +er4e on the co00*ttee.5
A+ we walked o/t of the hall d/r*n. the noon *nter0*++*on, we coll*ded w*th (o1
)*nor and )ar2 8eaton Aor+e. The2 were +tartled at the /ne3pected 0eet*n. and
looked 4er2 0/ch e01arra++ed. The2 pretended a fr*endl2 .r*n, (o1 ha+ten*n. to +a2
that he had 0eant to look /+ /p, 1/t had 1een too 1/+29 he wo/ld call on /+ +oon,
howe4er. 5!h2 the+e apolo.*e+B5 a+ha retorted9 5the2 are /nnece++ar2, and plea+e
don:t co0e o/t of d/t2.5 8e d*d not 0ent*on the co00*ttee to (o1.
3H<
%n o/r wa2 02 dear ch/0 kept +*lent. I knew how +ad he felt. 8e cared a .reat deal
a1o/t (o1 and he had tr/+ted *n h*+ +en+e of fa*r pla2.
The co00*ttee wa+ at la+t or.an*-ed and read2 to call on Len*n. None of the0 wa+
a 0atch for the +hrewd @rand )o./l. 8e knew 1etter how to d*4ert the*r attent*on
than the2 to co0pel h*+. To0 )ann, alwa2+ anathe0a to the r/l*n. cla++ of h*+
co/ntr2, now accepted and 0ade 0/ch of 12 the head of the new d2na+t2, pro4ed cla2
*n (ol+he4*k hand+. 8e wa+ too weak to re+*+t Len*n and he wa+ o4erco0e l*ke a
de1/tante f*r+t rece*4*n. 0ale ho0a.e. No le++ o4erawed were 0o+t of the other
0e01er+ of the co00*ttee, 1/t the La1o/r 2nd*cal*+t+ ref/+ed to 1e +*de6tracked 12
the +ol*c*to/+ *n>/*r*e+ of Il*ch a1o/t the cond*t*on+ of la1o/r a1road, the +tren.th of
the 2nd*cal*+t+ and the*r pro+pect+. The2 *n+*+ted on know*n. what he had to +a2
a1o/t the re4ol/t*onar2 h/n.er6+tr*ker+ *n #/++*a. Len*n +topped +hort. 8e d*d not
care *f all the pol*t*cal+ per*+hed *n pr*+on, he declared. 8e and h*+ part2 wo/ld 1rook
no oppo+*t*on fro0 an2 +*de, Left or #*.ht. 8e wo/ld con+ent, howe4er, to ha4e the
*0pr*+oned anarch*+t+ deported fro0 the co/ntr2, on pa*n of 1e*n. +hot *f the2 +ho/ld
ret/rn to o4*et +o*l. Len*n:+ ear+ had 1eco0e att/ned for nearl2 fo/r 2ear+ to +hoot*n.
and he had .rown *nfat/ated w*th the +o/nd of *t.
8*+ propo+al, +/10*tted to the Central Co00*ttee of the Co00/n*+t =art2 a+ a
0atter of for0, wa+ of co/r+e appro4ed 12 *t. A 7o*nt co00*ttee wa+ for0ed,
repre+ent*n. the @o4ern0ent and the fore*.n dele.ate+, to arran.e for the *00ed*ate
relea+e and deportat*on of the Ta.anka h/n.er6+tr*ker+ and the *0pr*+oned anarch*+t+.
%n the e*.hth da2 of the +tr*ke there wa+ +t*ll no def*n*te act*on taken, 1eca/+e the
h*.h a/thor*t2 of the All6#/++*an Cheka, w*th $-her-h*n+k2 and &n+chl*cht at *t+
head, *n+*+ted that 5there were no anarch*+t+ *n o4*et pr*+on+.5 There were onl2
1and*t+ and )akhno4t+2, the2 declared. The2 de0anded that the fore*.n dele.ate+
f*r+t +/10*t a l*+t of tho+e the2 wanted l*1erated for deportat*on. The r/+e wa+ an
o14*o/+ atte0pt to +a1ota.e the ent*re plan and to .a*n t*0e t*ll the Con.re++
ad7o/rned and the fore*.n dele.ate+ departed. o0e of the latter 1e.an to real*-e that
noth*n. wo/ld 1e done and that o/r co0rade+ 0*.ht +tar4e to death. The2 a.a*n
threatened to take the 0atter /p at the Con.re++ and ha4e *t d*+c/++ed *n open +e++*on.
(/t th*+ wa+ 7/+t what the o4*et a/thor*t*e+ were an3*o/+ to pre4ent. The2 pleaded
for a pr*4ate conference w*th the dele.ate+ and fa*thf/ll2 pro0*+ed to 1r*n. a1o/t a
+at*+factor2 arran.e0ent w*tho/t f/rther lo++ of t*0e.
%/r people *n the Ta.anka were 1e.*nn*n. to 1reak down /nder the tort/re of the
protracted h/n.er6+tr*ke. %ne of the0, a 2o/n. +t/dent of the )o+cow &n*4er+*t2, a
con+/0pt*4e, had alread2 collap+ed. 8*+ co6+tr*ker+ /r.ed h*0 to ter0*nate h*+ fa+t,
1/t he lo2all2 ref/+ed to de+ert the0, e4en *n the face of death. !e were powerle++ to
a*d *n an2 wa2. !*th hea42 heart+ a+ha and I kept after the +2nd*cal*+t 0e01er+ of
the 7o*nt co00*ttee, /r.*n. and plead*n. for +peed2 act*on. %ne da2, wh*le on o/r
wa2 to the Con.re++, we were 0et 12 #o1ert )*nor, who handed a+ha a lar.e
1/ndle. 5o0e pro4*+*on+,5 he +a*d +heep*+hl29 5we at the L/3e .et too 0/ch. )a21e
2o/:ll .*4e *t to the h/n.er6+tr*ker+. o0e l*.ht th*n.+ 666 ca4*ar, wh*te 1read, and
chocolate. I tho/.ht 666 5 5Ne4er 0*nd what 2o/ tho/.ht,5 a+ha *nterr/pted9 52o/ are
a rotter to add *n+/lt to the *n7/r2 the Ta.anka 0en ha4e alread2 end/red. In+tead of
prote+t*n. a.a*n+t the ho/nd*n. of 0en for the*r pol*t*cal 4*ew+, 2o/ tr2 to 1r*1e o/r
co0rade+ *nto 1reak*n. the*r +tr*ke 12 offer*n. the lea4*n.+ of 2o/r o4erfed fellow
3H9
dele.ate+.5 5(2 the wa2,5 I added, 52o/ had 1etter +top )ar2 8eaton Aor+e fro0 her
*rre+pon+*1le talk a1o/t o/r fr*end (o1 #o1*n+. $oe+ +he want to land h*0 *n the
ChekaB 5
(o1 0/01led that L/c2 #o1*n+ had all*ed her+elf w*th @o0per+, who wa+ f*.ht*n.
the #/++*an #e4ol/t*on. a+ha repl*ed that the fact that L/c2 wa+ work*n. w*th the
A0er*can ,ederat*on of La1or, wh*le +how*n. poor 7/d.0ent, d*d not +ta0p her
h/+1and a+ a co/nterre4ol/t*on*+t. 8e had 1etter c/r1 )ar2:+ ton./e. It 0eant a 0an:+
l*fe.
(o1 .rew pale, h*+ e2e+ +h*fted /nea+*l2 fro0 a+ha to 0e and 1ack, and then he
+tarted to +a2 +o0eth*n.. I +topped h*0. 5@*4e 2o/r parcel to the wo0en and ch*ldren
+h*4er*n. o/t+*de 2o/r 8otel de L/3e and .reed*l2 p*ck*n. /p the cr/01+ that fall
fro0 the wa.on6load+ of wh*te 1read 1ro/.ht to feed the dele.ate+.5 5Yo/ people
0ake 0e +*ck,5 (o1 cr*ed, tr2*n. to control h*+ ra.e9 52o/ 0ake a 1*. f/++ o4er the
th*rteen anarch*+t+ *n the Ta.anka and for.et that *t *+ a re4ol/t*onar2 per*od. !hat do
tho+e th*rteen 0atter, or th*rteen h/ndred e4en, *n 4*ew of the .reate+t re4ol/t*on the
world ha+ e4er +eenB5 5Ye+, we:4e heard that 1efore,5 a+ha retorted9 51/t I +ho/ld
reall2 not 1e an.r2 w*th 2o/, con+*der*n. that I 02+elf 1el*e4ed the +a0e +t/ff for
f*fteen 0onth+. (/t I know 1etter now. I know that th*+ :.reate+t re4ol/t*on: *+ the
.reate+t fra/d, 0a+k*n. e4er2 cr*0e to keep the Co00/n*+t+ *n power. o0e da2,
(o1, 2o/ 0a2 al+o co0e to real*-e *t. !e:ll talk then. Now we ha4e noth*n. 0ore to
+a2 to each other.5
%n the tenth da2 of the h/n.er6+tr*ke the 7o*nt co00*ttee f*nall2 0et *n the
Kre0l*n. a+ha and chap*ro had 1een a+ked 12 the Ta.anka pr*+oner+ to repre+ent
the*r de0and+. Trot+k2 wa+ to 1e the +poke+0an of the Central Co00*ttee of the
Co00/n*+t =art2, 1/t he fa*led to appear and L/nachar+k2 took h*+ place. &n+chl*cht,
act*n. head of the All6#/++*an Cheka, treated the dele.ate+ w*th open +corn and
f*nall2 left the roo0 w*tho/t e4en a .reet*n. to the0. The 5co0radel25 +e++*on 0*.ht
ha4e ended *n the arre+t of the fore*.n dele.ate+ had not the coolne++ of a+ha and
chap*ro +0oothed 0atter+. It re>/*red all h*+ +elf6re+tra*nt, a+ha later told 0e, not to
h*t &n+chl*cht for h*+ arro.ant 1eha4*o/r, 1/t the fate of o/r +/fferer+ wa+ at +take.
The a*r wa+ +/rchar.ed w*th anta.on*+0, and *t wa+ onl2 after lon. 1*cker*n. that an
a.ree0ent wa+ reached. A letter +*.ned 12 the 7o*nt co00*ttee, 1/t not conc/rred *n
12 Ale3ander (erk0an, wa+ forwarded thro/.h &n+chl*cht to the Ta.anka 0en,
conta*n*n. the follow*n. +tate0ent:
Co0rade+, *n 4*ew of the fact that we ha4e co0e to the concl/+*on that 2o/r
h/n.er6+tr*ke cannot acco0pl*+h 2o/r l*1erat*on, we here12 ad4*+e 2o/ to ter0*nate *t.
At the +a0e t*0e we *nfor0 2o/ that def*n*te propo+al+ ha4e 1een 0ade to /+ 12
Co0rade L/nachar+k2 *n the na0e of the Central Co00*ttee of the Co00/n*+t =art2.
To w*t:
1. All anarch*+t+ held *n the pr*+on+ of #/++*a who are now on a h/n.er6+tr*ke
w*ll 1e per0*tted to lea4e for an2 co/ntr2 the2 0a2 choo+e. The2 w*ll 1e +/ppl*ed
w*th pa++port+ and f/nd+.
C. Concern*n. other *0pr*+oned anarch*+t+ or tho+e o/t of pr*+on, f*nal act*on w*ll
3<0
1e taken 12 the part2 to0orrow. It *+ the op*n*on of Co0rade L/nachar+k2 that the
dec*+*on *n the*r ca+e w*ll 1e +*0*lar to the pre+ent one.
3. !e ha4e rece*4ed the pro0*+e, endor+ed 12 &n+chl*cht, that the fa0*l*e+ of the
co0rade+ to .o a1road w*ll 1e per0*tted to follow the0 *f the2 +o w*+h. ,or
con+p*rat*4e rea+on+ +o0e t*0e w*ll ha4e to elap+e 1efore th*+ *+ done.
4. The co0rade+ 1efore .o*n. a1road w*ll 1e per0*tted two or three da2+ at
l*1ert2 1efore the*r depart/re, to ena1le the0 to arran.e the*r affa*r+.
F. The2 w*ll not 1e allowed to ret/rn to #/++*a w*tho/t the con+ent of the o4*et
@o4ern0ent.
G. )o+t of the+e cond*t*on+ are conta*ned *n the letter rece*4ed 12 th*+ dele.at*on
fro0 the Central Co00*ttee of the Co00/n*+t =art2, +*.ned 12 Trot+k2.
H. The fore*.n co0rade+ ha4e 1een a/thor*-ed to +ee to *t that the+e cond*t*on+
are properl2 carr*ed o/t.
V*.nat/re+W %#LAN$I 6 pa*n
L"AAL 6 pa*n
I#%LL" 6 ,rance
)IC8"L 6 ,rance
A. C8A=I#% 6 #/++*a
V+*.nedW L&NAC8A#KY
The a1o4e *+ correct.
Ale3ander (erk0an decl*ne+ to +*.n 1eca/+e:
a. he *+ oppo+ed to deportat*on on pr*nc*ple9
1. he con+*der+ the letter an ar1*trar2 and /n7/+t*f*ed c/rta*l0ent of the or*.*nal
offer of the Central Co00*ttee accord*n. to wh*ch all the anarch*+t+ were to 1e
per0*tted to lea4e #/++*a9
c. he de0and+ 0ore t*0e at l*1ert2 for tho+e to 1e relea+ed, to ena1le the0 to
rec/perate 1efore deportat*on.
Kre0l*n, )o+cow
13XAIIX19C1
I wa+ .lad a+ha had ref/+ed to conc/r *n the o/tra.eo/+ dec*+*on that e+ta1l*+hed
the precedent of deportat*on of re4ol/t*on*+t+ fro0 o4*et #/++*a, of 0en who had
4al*antl2 defended the #e4ol/t*on, had fo/.ht on *t+ front+, and had +/ffered /ntold
dan.er and hard+h*p+. !hat a co00entar2 on the Co00/n*+t tate o/tdo*n. &ncle
a0? 8e, poor 1oo1, went onl2 a+ far a+ deport*n. h*+ fore*.n61orn opponent+. Len*n
and Co0pan2, the0+el4e+ pol*t*cal ref/.ee+ fro0 the*r nat*4e land onl2 a +hort t*0e
a.o, were now order*n. the deportat*on of #/++*a:+ nat*4e +on+, the 1e+t flower of her
re4ol/t*ona2 pa+t.
$e+pa*r *+ often 0ore co0pell*n. than h/n.er. The Ta.anka co0rade+ were
0ot*4ated 12 that, rather than 12 the*r ele4en tort/ro/+ da2+, *n ter0*nat*n. the*r
3<1
h/n.er6+tr*ke. The2 accepted the cond*t*on+ that were to +et the0 adr*ft. The2 were
co0pletel2 e3ha/+ted 12 the*r lon. fa+t, +o0e of the0 la*d /p w*th a h*.h
te0perat/re. The coar+e pr*+on food wo/ld ha4e 1een fatal to the0, 1/t Len*n had
declared that he d*d not care *f the2 per*+hed *n 7a*l. It wo/ld 1e a1+/rd to look for
0ore h/0an*t2 fro0 the pr*+on a/thor*t*e+ or to e3pect the0 to +/ppl2 +/*ta1le l*.ht
d*et. ,ort/natel2 the wed*+h dele.ate+ had .*4en /+ a +/*tca+ef/l of pro4*+*on+, and
the+e +er4ed to feed o/r pr*+oner+ d/r*n. the cr*t*cal da2+ of rec/perat*on.
The +e>/el of the 5a0*ca1le +ettle0ent5 o/4ar*ne and h*+ fellow ,rench dele.ate+
had hoped for wa+ +/ppl*ed 12 (/khar*n at the ele4enth ho/r of the #ed Trade &n*on
Con.re++. In the na0e of the Central Co00*ttee of the Co00/n*+t =art2 he 0ade a
feroc*o/+ attack on the 0en *n the Ta.anka and the #/++*an anarch*+t+ *n .eneral.
The2 were all co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+, he declared, who were plott*n. a.a*n+t the
oc*al*+t #ep/1l*c. The whole #/++*an anarch*+t 0o4e0ent wa+ noth*n. 1/t 1and*tr2,
he char.ed, the all2 of )akhno and of h*+ h*.hwa20en who had fo/.ht the
#e4ol/t*on and had 0/rdered Co00/n*+t+ and #ed Ar02 0en. The fla.rant 1reach
of the a.ree0ent to a4o*d p/1l*c*t2 *n the Ta.anka tro/1le, wh*ch the (ol+he4*k*
the0+el4e+ had *n+*+ted /pon, ca0e l*ke /ne3pected th/nder *n the f*nal +e++*on of the
Con.re++. The Lat*n dele.ate+, o/tra.ed 12 +/ch /nderhand tact*c+, were *00ed*atel2
on the*r feet. The2 de0anded to 1e heard *n prote+t, *n re1/ttal of the den/nc*at*on of
the*r #/++*an co0rade+. Cha*r0an Lo-o4+k2 had o1l*.*n.l2 .*4en the floor to
(/khar*n, tho/.h the latter wa+ not a dele.ate and had no r*.ht to addre++ the
Con.re++. (/t now Lo-o4+k2 re+orted to e4er2 po++*1le tr*ck to depr*4e the fore*.n
dele.ate+ of a chance to an+wer the l*1ello/+ char.e+ of (/khar*n. "4en +o0e of the
#/++*an Co00/n*+t dele.ate+ were d*+0a2ed 12 the proceed*n.+ and +/pported the
de0and of the Lat*n dele.ate+ to 1e heard. %f the An.lo6a3on dele.ate+ onl2
Ca+caden ro+e *n prote+t. To0 )ann, (*ll 8a2wood, (o1 )*nor, !*ll*a0 ,o+ter, and
"lla #ee4e+ (loor were +*lent *n the face of the cr2*n. *n7/+t*ce and +/ppre++*on. The
l*felon. cha0p*on+ of free +peech co/ld f*nd no word of prote+t a.a*n+t *t+ den*al *n
o4*et #/++*a. In the t/0/lt and /proar that followed (/khar*n:+ attack on the
anarch*+t+ few per+on+ *n the hall not*ced #2ko4, cha*r0an of the All6#/++*an o4*et
of "cono02, +*.nall*n. to the attend*n. Chek*+t+. A detach0ent of +old*er+ clattered
*nto the hall, add*n. f/el to the 1la-e *.n*ted 12 (/khar*n:+ +peech.
a+ha and I el1owed o/r wa2 to the platfor0. Th*+ t*0e I +ho/ld +peak, I told h*0,
e4en *f I had to re+ort to force, /nle++ chap*ro or +o0e 2nd*cal*+t dele.ate .ot the
floor. 8e wo/ld r/+h the platfor0, *f nece++ar2, a+ha +a*d. In pa++*n. he ca/.ht +*.ht
of (o1 )*nor. 8e .r*pped h*+ cane, a1o/t to +tr*ke h*0. 5Yo/:re a 2ellow c/r, 2o/ +on
of a 166,5 a+ha roared at h*0. )*nor reco*led *n fr*.ht. a+ha took /p h*+ +tand on one
+*de of the platfor0 +tep+, wh*le I +tood on the other. The 0a7or*t2 of the dele.ate+
were on the*r feet, cla0o/r*n. to 1e heard and prote+t*n. a.a*n+t Lo-o4+k2:+
a/tocrat*c cond/ct. (e+et on all +*de+, he wa+ f*nall2 forced to .*4e the floor to *rolle,
the ,rench Anarcho62nd*cal*+t. #o/+ed 12 the ;e+/*t*cal 0ach*nat*on+ of the
Co00/n*+t =art2, *rolle *n th/ndero/+ 4o*ce deno/nced the do/1le6deal*n. tact*c+ of
the o4*et @o4ern0ent and 1r*ll*antl2 ref/ted the cowardl2 cha.e+ a.a*n+t the
Ta.anka 0en and the #/++*an anarch*+t+.
!hen the new+ of the approach*n. deportat*on 1eca0e known, the Left oc*al*+t6
#e4ol/t*on*+t+, co0rade+ of )ar*a p*r*dono4na, dec*ded to 1enef*t 12 the pre+ence
of the fore*.n dele.ate+ and la1o/r 0en. In a +tate0ent d*+tr*1/ted a0on. the0 the2
3<C
+et forth that )ar*a, taken fro0 her +*ck61ed the pre4*o/+ 2ear, wa+ +t*ll 1e*n. kept *n
pr*+on. he had /nder.one +e4eral h/n.er6+tr*ke+ *n prote+t and had de0anded her
relea+e and that of her l*felon. fr*end and co0pan*on I-0a*lo4*ch. he had tw*ce 1een
at death:+ door and wa+ now *n a 0o+t precar*o/+ +tate. 8er co0rade+ wo/ld +/ppl2
the 0ean+ of +end*n. )ar*a a1road for 0ed*cal treat0ent, the +tate0ent read, *f the
o4*et a/thor*t*e+ wo/ld per0*t her to .o.
$r. I. te*n1er. re>/e+ted 0e to *ntere+t the dele.ate+ of the Internat*onal !o0en:+
Con.re++, then tak*n. place *n )o+cow. I went to +ee Clara Detk*n, the fa0o/+ old
oc*al $e0ocrat, who wa+ now h*.h *n the co/nc*l+ of the @o4ern0ent. he wa+
work*n. to rall2 the +/pport of the wo0en of e4er2 co/ntr2 for the world re4ol/t*on,
+he *nfor0ed 0e. !ell, )ar*a p*r*dono4na had alread2 +er4ed that ca/+e, I told her,
+er4ed *t the .reater part of her l*fe. he wa+ *ndeed the 4er2 +201ol of that
re4ol/t*on. It wo/ld do *rrepara1le har0 to the pre+t*.e of the Co00/n*+t =art2 *f
)ar*a wa+ to 1e e3t*n./*+hed *n a Cheka pr*+on, I /r.ed, and *t wa+ Clara Detk*n:+
d/t2 to pre4a*l /pon the @o4ern0ent to per0*t )ar*a p*r*dono4na to lea4e #/++*a.
Detk*n pro0*+ed to *ntercede *n 1ehalf of )ar*a. (/t at the clo+e of the Con.re++
+he +ent 0e word that Len*n wa+ too *ll to 1e +een. he had +poken to Trot+k2 *n the
0atter, and the !ar Co00*++ar had told her that )ar*a p*r*dono4na wa+ +t*ll too
dan.ero/+ to 1e at l*1ert2 or to 1e per0*tted a1road.
The #ed Trade &n*on Con.re++ wa+ o4er. It+ 0o+t pathet*c harle>/*n pro4ed to 1e
(*ll 8a2wood. The fo/nder of the I.!.!. *n A0er*ca and *t+ do0*nant f*./re for
twent2 2ear+, he allowed h*0+elf to 1e per+/aded to 4ote at the Con.re++ for the
Co00/n*+t plan to 5l*>/*date5 the 0*l*tant 0*nor*t2 la1o/r or.an*-at*on+, *ncl/d*n.
the I.!.!., and force the*r 0e01er+ to 7o*n the A0er*can ,ederat*on of La1or, wh*ch
8a2wood had for 2ear+ deno/nced a+ 5cap*tal*+t*c and react*onar2.5
The +0aller fr2 a0on. h*+ co0rade+, the "lla #ee4e+ (loor+, the (rowder+, and
Andre2ch*n+, took the c/e fro0 the*r ch*ef. Andre2ch*n had ne4er 1een 1le++ed w*th
0/ch 1ack1one. $/r*n. the )e+a1a #an.e +tr*ke he had 1een w*ll*n. to 0ake an2
co0pro0*+e to +a4e h*0+elf fro0 deportat*on. a+ha had *ntere+ted A0o+ =*nchot and
other *nfl/ent*al l*1eral+ *n h*+ 1ehalf and thro/.h the0 had +ta2ed the hand of the
I00*.rat*on (/rea/. !h*le Andre2ch*n wa+ *n Lea4enworth, he a.a*n +howed the
wh*te feather. I a+cr*1ed h*+ weakn++ to the fear of t/1erc/lo+*+, wh*ch had 1e./n to
/nder0*ne h*+ health. I wa+ at the t*0e *n the )*++o/r* pr*+on, 1/t *n co0pl*ance w*th
Andre2ch*n:+ repeated re>/e+t+ I /r.ed tella and ,*t-* to ra*+e the ten tho/+and
dollar+ needed to relea+e h*0 on 1a*l. The fa*thf/l .*rl+ had worked l*ke .alle26+la4e+
to +ec/re 1ond+ for other 4*ct*0+ of the war 0an*a, 1/t the2 wo/ld not ref/+e 0e.
The2 proc/red part of the 1a*l, wh*le a fr*end .a4e the 1alance. Andre2ch*n, +p*nele++
creat/re that he wa+, e0/lated h*+ teacher (*ll 8a2wood and 7/0ped h*+ 1ond. %n the
4er2 f*r+t da2 of h*+ arr*4al *n )o+cow he del*4ered a p/1l*c +peech *n wh*ch he
deno/nced h*+ I.!.!. fellow+ *n the &n*ted tate+ and pled.ed the (ol+he4*k* h*+
help *n de+tro2*n. the or.an*-at*on. Yet I felt that th*+ treacher2 wa+ not +o 0/ch the
fa/lt of Andre2ch*n, (*ll 8a2wood, and the 0an2 other+ who were on the*r knee+
1efore the hol2 +hr*ne of the Kre0l*n. It wa+ rather the appall*n. +/per+t*t*on, the
(ol+he4*k 02th, that d/ped and en+nared the0, a+ *t had al+o for0erl2 done to /+.
o4*et #/++*a had 1eco0e the 0odern +oc*al*+t Lo/rde+, to wh*ch the 1l*nd and the
3<3
la0e, the deaf and the d/01 were flock*n. for 0*rac/lo/+ c/re+. I wa+ f*lled w*th p*t2
for the+e del/ded one+, 1/t I felt onl2 conte0pt for tho+e other+ who had co0e, had
+een w*th open e2e+ and /nder+tood, and had 2et 1een con>/ered. %f the+e wa+
!*ll*a0 D. ,o+ter, once the cha0p*on of re4ol/t*onar2 +2nd*cal*+0 *n A0er*ca. 8e
wa+ keen6e2ed and he had co0e a+ a pre++ corre+pondent. 8e went 1ack to do
)o+cow:+ 1*dd*n..
No word had arr*4ed fro0 o/r co0rade+ *n @er0an2 *n repl2 to the letter +ent the0
a1o/t +ec/r*n. 4*+a+. a+ha wa+ chaf*n. /nder the dela2 of .ett*n. o/t of #/++*a. 8e
co/ld +tand the fearf/l tra.*6co0ed2 no lon.er, he +a*d. A @er0an 2nd*cal*+t
dele.ate, 0e01er of the ea0en:+ and Tran+port !orker+: &n*on, had al+o taken a
letter fro0 /+ and had pro0*+ed to +ee o/r people *n (erl*n. There wa+ no new+ 2et.
A+ *n h*+ earl2 da2+ after co0*n. o/t of the !e+tern =en*tent*ar2, a+ha 1eca0e 4er2
re+tle++. 8e co/ld not end/re 1e*n. *ndoor+ or +ee*n. people. 8e wo/ld roa0 the
+treet+ of )o+cow 0o+t of the da2 and late *nto the n*.ht, and 02 an3*et2 a1o/t h*0
.rew.
In h*+ a1+ence one da2 (o1 )*nor called. Not f*nd*n. a+ha, he ed.ed o/t. I d*d not
tr2 to deta*n h*0, for o/r old t*e+ had +napped. hortl2 after, there arr*4ed a letter fro0
h*0, addre++ed to a+ha. 8e read *t and handed *t to 0e w*tho/t co00ent. (o1:+ letter
d*lated on the 50o0ento/+ and world6re4ol/t*on*-*n. re+ol/t*on+5 pa++ed 12 the
Con.re++ of the Th*rd Internat*onal. 8e had alwa2+ known a+ha a+ the cleare+t 0*nd
*n the anarch*+t 0o4e0ent *n A0er*ca and a+ an *ndo0*ta1le and fearle++ re1el. Co/ld
he not +ee now that h*+ place wa+ *n the Co00/n*+t =art2B 8e 1elon.ed there, and *t
offered h*0 a lar.e f*eld for h*+ a1*l*t*e+ and de4ot*on. 8e co/ld not .*4e /p the hope
that a+ha wo/ld 2et co0e to real*-e the +/pre0e 0*++*on of the Co00/n*+t
d*ctator+h*p *n #/++*a and *t+ approach*n. con>/e+t of cap*tal*+0 thro/.ho/t the
world.
(o1 wa+ +*ncere, a+ha co00ented, 1/t the 4er*e+t 1lockhead pol*t*call2 and 1l*nd
a+ a 1at +oc*all2. 8e +ho/ld ha4e +t/ck to h*+ real f*eld, that of art. I /r.ed a+ha to
repl2 to (o1:+ letter, 1/t he ref/+ed. It wa+ /+ele++, he +a*d, and he wa+ wear2 of talk
and ar./0ent+. 8ow well I /nder+tood h*+ wear*ne++? I al+o felt co0pletel2 fa..ed
o/t. The ph2+*cal dr/d.er2 of o/r e3*+tence and the e3ce++*4e +/00er heat had
+apped 02 +tren.th. The +trea0 of 4*+*tor+, the lon. ho/r+ w*tho/t +leep, and the .reat
+tra*n of the Trade &n*on Con.re++ 0ade 0e feel t*red to death.
a+ha ret/rned fro0 one of h*+ lon. tra0p+ *n the c*t2 look*n. /n/+/all2 pale and
d*+tre++ed. !hen he 0ade +/re that I wa+ alone, he +a*d *n a wh*+per: 5,an2a (aron *+
*n )o+cow. he ha+ 7/+t e+caped fro0 the #2a-an pr*+on and +he *+ *n .reat dan.er9
w*tho/t 0one2 or paper+ and no place to .o.5
I wa+ +tr/ck d/01 w*th horror of the fate awa*t*n. ,an2a *f d*+co4ered. ,an2a *n
the 4er2 fortre++ of the Cheka? 5%h, a+ha, wh2 d*d +he co0e here, of all place+B5 I
cr*ed. 5That *+n:t the >/e+t*on now,5 he ret/rned9 51etter let /+ th*nk >/*ckl2 how we
can help her.5
%/r own place wo/ld 1e a trap for her. he wo/ld 1e d*+co4ered w*th*n twent26fo/r
ho/r+. The other co0rade+ were al+o 1e*n. watched. To .*4e her +helter wo/ld 0ean
death for the0 a+ for her. %f co/r+e, we wo/ld +/ppl2 her w*th 0one2, cloth*n., and
3<4
food. (/t how a1o/t a roof o4er her headB he wa+ +afe for the n*.ht, a+ha +a*d, 1/t
on the 0orrow +o0eth*n. wo/ld ha4e to 1e de4*+ed. There wa+ no 0ore +leep for 0e
that n*.ht 666 ,an2a we*.hed hea4*l2 on 02 0*nd.
"arl2 ne3t 0orn*n. a+ha left the ho/+e w*th 0one2 and th*n.+ for ,an2a, and I
re0a*ned *n +*cken*n. +/+pen+e /nt*l the late afternoon, 1e+et 12 fear+ for 1oth. )2
fr*end had a le++ an3*o/+ look when he ret/rned. ,an2a had fo/nd +helter w*th a
1rother of Aaron (aron. 8e wa+ a Co00/n*+t and h*+ place therefore +afe for ,an2a.
I +tared *n a0a-e0ent. 5It:+ all r*.ht,5 a+ha +a*d, tr2*n. to +oothe 02 fear+, 5the 0an
ha+ alwa2+ 1een fond of Aaron and ,an2a. 8e w*ll not 1etra2 her.5 I wa+ d/1*o/+ of a
Co00/n*+t allow*n. fa0*l2 t*e+ or per+onal feel*n.+ to *nterfere w*th h*+ part2:+
co00and+. (/t I co/ld +/..e+t no +afer place and I knew that ,an2a co/ld not re0a*n
o/t on the +treet+. a+ha felt +o rel*e4ed that ,an2a wa+ /nder co4er that I d*d not
want to aro/+e h*+ fear+ a.a*n. I pl*ed h*0 w*th >/e+t*on+ a1o/t the dar*n. .*rl 666 wh2
+he had co0e to )o+cow and when I co/ld +ee her.
That wa+ ent*rel2 o/t of the >/e+t*on, a+ha declared. It wa+ eno/.h for one of /+ to
take the r*+k. I had alread2 co/rted eno/.h dan.er, he ar./ed, 12 02 4*+*t+ to the
Ar+h*no4 fa0*l2. The (ol+he4*k* had +et a pr*ce on =2otr Ar+h*no4:+ head, dead or
al*4e, a+ the clo+e+t fr*end and a++oc*ate of Ne+tor )akhno. 8e wa+ *n h*d*n. and he
co/ld onl2 4ent/re o/t after dark to call on h*+ w*fe and *nfant *n the c*t2. I had *ndeed
1een repeatedl2 to +ee the0 and to take th*n.+ for the*r 1a12, and once a+ha had
acco0pan*ed 0e. Now he *n+*+ted that I pro0*+e not to atte0pt to +ee ,an2a. )2
dear, fa*thf/l pal wa+ +o concerned a1o/t 02 +afet2 that I wo/ld ha4e pro0*+ed
an2th*n. to rea++/re h*0. (/t at heart I deter0*ned to 4*+*t 02 ha/nted co0rade.
,an2a:+ 0*++*on *n )o+cow, a+ha conf*ded to 0e, wa+ to prepare the e+cape of
Aaron (aron. he had learned of the per+ec/t*on he wa+ /nder.o*n. *n pr*+on and +he
had deter0*ned to re+c/e her lo4er fro0 h*+ l*4*n. death. 8er own e+cape wa+ 0ade
for that 4er2 p/rpo+e. (ra4e, wonderf/l ,an2a, ded*cated to Aaron a+ few w*4e+ are,
2et not t*ed 12 law? )2 heart went o/t to o/r +plend*d co0rade *n tre01l*n. fear for
her 0*++*on, her +weetheart, and her+elf.
a+ha:+ acco/nt of h*+ 0eet*n.+ w*th ,an2a +er4ed to alla2 02 an3*et2 a1o/t her
and h*0. It e4en 0ade 0e la/.h. The c*t2 wa+ crowded and the park+ f*lled w*th
+poon*n. co/ple+. Lad*e+ of plea+/re were a1o/t e4er2where, enterta*n*n. +o0e of the
fore*.n dele.ate+ *n ret/rn for real 4al/ta or del*cac*e+ fro0 the 8otel de L/3e. a+ha
and ,an2a were no do/1t con+*dered 12 the pa++er+612 a+ en.a.ed *n +*0*lar
propa.anda act*4*t*e+. ,an2a looked 0/ch *0pro4ed ph2+*call2 and wa+ *n f*ne
+p*r*t+. he wa+ le++ worr*ed a1o/t Aaron now, 1eca/+e h*+ 1rother, to who0 +he had
conf*ded her 0*++*on, had pro0*+ed to a*d her +che0e. A.a*n I felt 02 heart fl/tter at
the r*+k ,an2a wa+ tak*n., 1/t I kept 02 own co/n+el.
Then the 1low ca0e and left /+ +t/nned. Two of o/r co0rade+ fell *nto the Cheka
net 666 Le4 Tchorn2, .*fted poet and wr*ter, and ,an2a (aron? he had 1een arre+ted
*n the ho0e of her Co00/n*+t 1rother6*n6law. At the +a0e t*0e e*.ht other 0en had
1een +hot at on the +treet 12 Chek*+t+ and taken pr*+oner+. The2 were e3*+t2
Me3propr*ator+N, the Cheka declared.
a+ha had +een ,an2a the preced*n. e4en*n.. he had 1een *n a hopef/l 0ood: the
3<F
preparat*on+ for Aaron:+ e+cape were pro.re++*n. +at*+factor*l2, +he had told h*0, and
+he felt al0o+t .a2, all /ncon+c*o/+ of the +word that wa+ to fall /pon her head the
follow*n. 0orn*n.. 5And now +he *+ *n the*r cl/tche+ and we are powerle++ to help,5
a+ha .roaned.
8e co/ld not .o on an2 lon.er *n the dreadf/l co/ntr2, he declared. !h2 wo/ld I
per+*+t *n 02 o17ect*on to *lle.al channel+B !e were not r/nn*n. awa2 fro0 the
#e4ol/t*on. It wa+ dead lon. a.o9 2e+, to 1e re+/rrected, 1/t not for a .ood wh*le to
co0e. That we, two +/ch well6known anarch*+t+, who had .*4en o/r ent*re l*4e+ to
re4ol/t*onar2 effort, +ho/ld lea4e #/++*a *lle.all2 wo/ld 1e the wor+t +lap *n the face
of the (ol+he4*k*, he e0pha+*-ed. !h2, then, +ho/ld I he+*tateB 8e had learned of a
wa2 of .o*n. fro0 =etro.rad to #e4al. 8e wo/ld .o there to 0ake the prel*0*nar2
arran.e0ent+. 8e wa+ +/ffocat*n. *n the at0o+phere of the 1lood2 d*ctator+h*p. 8e
co/ld not +tand *t an2 0ore.
In =etro.rad the 5part25 that traded *n fal+e pa++port+ and a*ded people to lea4e the
co/ntr2 +ecretl2 t/rned o/t to 1e a pr*e+t w*th +e4eral a++*+tant+. a+ha wo/ld ha4e
noth*n. to do w*th the0, and the plan wa+ off. I +*.hed w*th rel*ef. )2 rea+on told 0e
that a+ha wa+ r*.ht *n r*d*c/l*n. 02 o17ect*on to 1e*n. +0/..led o/t of #/++*a. (/t
02 feel*n.+ re1elled a.a*n+t *t and were not to 1e ar./ed awa2. )oreo4er, +o0ehow I
felt certa*n that we +ho/ld hear fro0 o/r @er0an co0rade+.
!e planned to re0a*n *n =etro.rad for awh*le, +*nce I hated )o+cow, +o o4err/n 12
Chek*+t+ and +old*er+. The c*t2 on the Ne4a had not chan.ed +*nce o/r la+t 4*+*t9 *t wa+
a+ drear2 *n appearance and a+ fa0*+hed a+ 1efore. (/t the war0 welco0e fro0 o/r
for0er co6worker+ *n the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on, the affect*onate fr*end+h*p of
Ale3andra hakol and of o/r neare+t co0rade+, wo/ld 0ake o/r +ta2 0ore plea+ant
than *n the cap*tal, I tho/.ht. =lan+ *n #/++*a, howe4er, al0o+t alwa2+ .o awr2. !ord
reached /+ fro0 )o+cow that the apart0ent on the Leonte4+k2 where we had +ta2ed
had 1een ra*ded and a+ha:+ roo0 *n part*c/lar had 1een ran+acked fro0 top to
1otto0. A n/01er of o/r fr*end+, a0on. the0 Aa++*l2 e0enoff, o/r old A0er*can
co0rade, had 1een ca/.ht *n the dra.net la*d 12 the Cheka. A -a++ada of +old*er+
re0a*ned *n the apart0ent. It wa+ apparent that o/r caller+, who d*d not know we
were awa2, were 1e*n. 0ade to +/ffer for o/r +*n+. !e dec*ded to ret/rn to )o+cow
forthw*th. To +a4e the e3pen+e+ of o/r tr*p I went to +ee )0e #a4*ch, to *nfor0 her
that we were at the call of the Cheka whene4er wanted. I had not +een the =etro.rad
Co00*++ar of the Inter*or +*nce the 0e0ora1le n*.ht of )arch F when +he had co0e
for the *nfor0at*on D*no4*e4 had e3pected fro0 a+ha re.ard*n. Kron+tadt. 8er
0anner, wh*le no lon.er +o war0 a+ 1efore, wa+ +t*ll cord*al. he knew noth*n. a1o/t
the ra*d of o/r roo0+ *n )o+cow, +he +a*d, 1/t wo/ld *n>/*re 12 lon.6d*+tance
telephone. The ne3t 0orn*n. +he *nfor0ed 0e that *t all had 1een a 0*+/nder+tand*n.,
that we were not wanted 12 the a/thor*t*e+, and that the -a++ada had 1een re0o4ed.
!e knew that +/ch 50*+/nder+tand*n.+5 were a da*l2 occ/rrence, not *nfre>/entl2
*n4ol4*n. e4en e3ec/t*on, and we .a4e l*ttle credence to )*ne #a4*ch:+ e3planat*on.
The part*c/larl2 +/+p*c*o/+ c*rc/0+tance wa+ the +pec*al attent*on .*4en to a+ha:+
roo0. I had 1een *n oppo+*t*on to the (ol+he4*k* lon.er than he and 0ore o/t+poken.
!h2 wa+ *t that h*+ roo0 wa+ +earched and not 0*neB It wa+ the +econd atte0pt to
f*nd +o0eth*n. *ncr*0*nat*n. a.a*n+t /+. !e a.reed to lea4e *00ed*atel2 for
)o+cow.
3<G
%n reach*n. the cap*tal we learned that Aa++*l2, arre+ted when he had called on /+
d/r*n. o/r a1+ence, had alread2 1een l*1erated. o were al+o ten of the th*rteen
Ta.anka h/n.er6+tr*ker+. The2 had 1een kept *n pr*+on two 0onth+ lon.er, de+p*te the
pled.e of the @o4ern0ent to free the0 *00ed*atel2 /pon the ter0*nat*on of the*r
h/n.er6+tr*ke. The*r relea+e, howe4er, wa+ the +heere+t farce, 1eca/+e the2 were
placed /nder the +tr*cte+t +/r4e*llance, for1*dden to a++oc*ate w*th the*r co0rade+, and
den*ed the r*.ht to work, altho/.h *nfor0ed that the*r deportat*on wo/ld 1e dela2ed.
At the +a0e t*0e the Cheka anno/nced that none of the other *0pr*+oned anarch*+t+
wo/ld 1e l*1erated. Trot+k2 had wr*tten a letter to the ,rench dele.ate+ to that effect,
notw*th+tand*n. the or*.*nal pro0*+e of the Central Co00*ttee to the contrar2.
%/r Ta.anka co0rade+ fo/nd the0+el4e+ 5free,5 weak and *ll a+ a re+/lt of the*r
lon. h/n.er6+tr*ke. The2 were *n tatter+, w*tho/t 0one2 or 0ean+ of e3*+tence. !e
d*d what we co/ld to alle4*ate the*r need and to cheer the0, altho/.h we o/r+el4e+
felt an2th*n. 1/t cheerf/l. )eanwh*le a+ha had +o0ehow +/cceeded *n
co00/n*cat*n. w*th ,an2a *n the *nner Cheka pr*+on. he *nfor0ed h*0 that +he had
1een tran+ferred the pre4*o/+ e4en*n. to another w*n.. The note d*d not *nd*cate
whether +he real*-ed the +*.n*f*cance of *t. he a+ked that a few to*let th*n.+ 1e +ent
her. (/t ne*ther +he nor Le4 Tchorn2 needed the0 an2 0ore. The2 were 1e2ond
h/0an k*ndne++, 1e2ond 0an:+ +a4a.er2. ,an2a wa+ +hot *n the cellar of the Cheka
pr*+on, to.ether w*th e*.ht other 4*ct*0+, on the follow*n. da2, epte01er 30, 19C1.
The l*fe of the Co00/n*+t 1rother of Aaron (aron wa+ +pared. Le4 Tchorn2 had
cheated the e3ec/t*oner. 8*+ old 0other, call*n. da*l2 at the pr*+on, wa+ rece*4*n. the
a++/rance that her +on wo/ld not 1e e3ec/ted and that w*th*n a few da2+ +he wo/ld
+ee h*0 at l*1ert2. Tchorn2 *ndeed wa+ not e3ec/ted. 8*+ 0other kept 1r*n.*n. parcel+
of food for her 1elo4ed 1o2, 1/t Tchorn2 had for da2+ 1een /nder the .ro/nd, ha4*n.
d*ed a+ the re+/lt of the tort/re+ *nfl*cted on h*0 to force a confe++*on of ./*lt.
There wa+ no Le4 Tchorn2 on the l*+t of the e3ec/ted p/1l*+hed *n the off*c*al
I-4e+t*a the ne3t da2. There wa+ 5T/rchan*no45 666 Tchorn2:+ fa0*l2 na0e, wh*ch he
al0o+t ne4er /+ed and wh*ch wa+ >/*te /nknown to 0o+t of h*+ fr*end+. The
(ol+he4*k* were aware that Tchorn2 wa+ a ho/+ehold word *n tho/+and+ of la1o/r and
re4ol/t*onar2 ho0e+. The2 knew he wa+ held *n the .reate+t e+tee0 a+ a 1ea/t*f/l +o/l
of deep h/0an k*ndl*ne++ and +20path2, a 0an known for poet*c and l*terar2 .*ft+
and a+ the a/thor of the or*.*nal and 4er2 tho/.htf/l work on A++oc*at*onal
Anarch*+0. The2 knew he wa+ re+pected 12 n/0ero/+ Co00/n*+t+ and the2 d*d not
dare p/1l*+h that the2 had 0/rdered the 0an. It wa+ onl2 T/rchan*no4 who had 1een
e3ec/ted.5
And o/r dear, +plend*d ,an2a, rad*ant w*th l*fe and lo4e, /n+wer4*n. *n her
con+ecrat*on to her *deal+, to/ch*n.l2 fe0*n*ne, 2et re+ol/te a+ a l*one++ *n defence of
her 2o/n., of *ndo0*ta1le w*ll, +he had fo/.ht to the la+t 1reath. he wo/ld not .o
+/10*++*4el2 to her doo0. he re+*+ted and had to 1e carr*ed 1od*l2 to the place of
e3ec/t*on 12 the kn*.ht+ of the Co00/n*+t tate. #e1el to the la+t, ,an2a had p*tted
her enfee1led +tren.th a.a*n+t the 0on+ter for a 0o0ent and then wa+ dra..ed *nto
etern*t2 a+ the h*deo/+ +*lence *n the Cheka cellar wa+ rent once 0ore 12 her +hr*ek+
a1o4e the +/dden p*+tol6+hot+.
I had reached the end. I co/ld 1ear *t no lon.er. In the dark I .roped 02 wa2 to
3<H
a+ha to 1e. h*0 to lea4e #/++*a, 12 whate4er 0ean+. 5I a0 read2, 02 dear, to .o
w*th 2o/, *n an2 wa2,5 I wh*+pered, 5onl2 far awa2 fro0 the woe, the 1lood, the tear+,
the +talk*n. death.5
a+ha wa+ plann*n. to .o to the =ol*+h front*er, to arran.e for o/r lea4*n. 12 that
ro/te. I wa+ afra*d to let h*0 .o alone *n h*+ pre+ent cond*t*on, h*+ ner4e+ +hattered 12
the fearf/l +hock of recent e4ent+. %n the other hand, *t wo/ld aro/+e +/+p*c*on *f 1oth
of /+ +ho/ld d*+appear fro0 o/r >/arter+ at the +a0e t*0e. a+ha real*-ed the dan.er
and con+ented to wa*t another week or two. The *dea wa+ for h*0 to proceed to
)*n+k9 I wa+ to follow when he +ho/ld ha4e 0ade the nece++ar2 arran.e0ent+. A+ we
+ho/ld ha4e to tra4el l*ke the re+t of the da0ned port*on of the pop/lat*on, a+ha
*n+*+ted that I take no 1a..a.e. 8e wo/ld carr2 w*th h*0 what we a1+ol/tel2 needed9
the re+t of o/r th*n.+ were to 1e d*+tr*1/ted a0on. o/r fr*end+. !e had co0e to
+tar4ed and naked #/++*a o4erflow*n. w*th the need of .*4*n. of o/r+el4e+ a+ well a+
of the tr/nkf/l+ of .*ft+ we had 1ro/.ht w*th /+. %/r heart+ were e0pt2 now and +o
0/+t 1e o/r hand+.
%/r preparat*on+ had to 1e 0ade *n the +tr*cte+t pr*4ac2, at n*.ht, when the re+t of
the tenant+ *n the apart0ent were a+leep. )an2a e0enoff, her lo4a1le Aa++*l2, and a
few other tr/+ted one+ knew of o/r plan. It wa+ tra.*c *ndeed, th*+ +che0*n. to +teal
o/t of the co/ntr2 that had held o/r h*.he+t lon.*n.+ and hope+.
In the 0*d+t of the pack*n. the lon.6e3pected letter fro0 @er0an2 arr*4ed. It
conta*ned an *n4*tat*on for a+ha, chap*ro, and 0e to attend the Anarch*+t Con.re++
that wa+ to take place *n (erl*n at Chr*+t0a+. It +ent 0e +p*nn*n. ro/nd the roo0,
weep*n. and la/.h*n. at the +a0e t*0e. 5!e +han:t ha4e to h*de and cheat and re+ort
to fal+e paper+, a+ha,5 I cr*ed *n .lee9 5we +han:t ha4e to +neak o/t l*ke th*e4e+ *n the
n*.ht?5 (/t a+ha d*d not +ee0 elated o4er *t. #*d*c/lo/+,5 he retorted, 52o/ don:t
0ean that o/r (erl*n co0rade+ can e3ert an2 *nfl/ence o4er Ch*cher*n, the
Co00/n*+t =art2, or the Cheka? )oreo4er, I ha4e no *ntent*on of appl2*n. to the0
for an2th*n.. I:4e alread2 told 2o/ that.5 I knew fro0 e3per*ence that *t wa+ /+ele++ to
ar./e w*th 02 +t/11orn pal when he wa+ an.r2. I wo/ld wa*t for a 0ore prop*t*o/+
t*0e. The new hope held o/t 12 the letter had reawakened 02 o17ect*on+ to lea4*n.
+ecretl2 the land that had known the .lor2 and the defeat of the .reat 5%cto1er.5
I +o/.ht o/t An.el*ca. he had told 0e that +he wo/ld help /+ +ec/re the con+ent of
the o4*et a/thor*t*e+ to lea4e the co/ntr2. he her+elf wa+ plann*n. to .o a1road to
re.a*n her health *n +o0e >/*et +pot. he, too, had reached the +p*r*t/al 1reak*n.6
po*nt, tho/.h +he wo/ld not ad0*t *t e4en to her+elf. $ear An.el*ca *00ed*atel2
offered to .et the nece++ar2 appl*cat*on 1lank+, and +he wo/ld .o to Ch*cher*n and
e4en to Len*n, *f need 1e, to 4o/ch for a+ha and 0e. 5No, dear An.el*ca,5 I
prote+ted, 52o/ +hall do noth*n. of the k*nd.5 I knew what *t 0eant to lea4e +/ch
+ec/r*t2. !e wo/ld not ha4e an2one endan.ered for /+, nor d*d we care to ha4e the
1ened*ct*on of Len*n. I *nfor0ed An.el*ca that all I wanted of her wa+ to help >/*cken
act*on *f pa++port+ were to 1e .ranted at all.
In the +pace *n the appl*cat*on re+er4ed for the pro0*+e of lo2alt2 and the +*.nat/re
of two part2 0e01er+ 4o/ch*n. for the appl*cant I wrote: 5A+ an anarch*+t I ha4e
ne4er pled.ed lo2alt2 to an2 .o4ern0ent, 0/ch le++ can I do *t to the #..,..#.,
wh*ch cla*0+ to 1e oc*al*+t and re4ol/t*onar2. I con+*der *t an *n+/lt to 02 pa+t to a+k
3<<
an2one to +tand the con+e>/ence+ of an2th*n. I 0a2 +a2 or do. I therefore ref/+e to
ha4e an2one 4o/ch for 0e.5
An.el*ca wa+ con+*dera1l2 pert/r1ed 12 02 declarat*on. he feared *t 0*.ht +po*l
o/r chance+ of +ec/r*n. per0*++*on to lea4e the co/ntr2. 5"*ther we .o o/t w*tho/t
an2 +tr*n.+ attached to /+, or we w*ll f*nd another wa2,5 I declared. !e wo/ld lea4e
no ho+ta.e+ 1eh*nd. An.el*ca /nder+tood.
I went to the ,ore*.n %ff*ce to f*nd o/t whether a re>/e+t fro0 o/r @er0an
co0rade+ that we 1e per0*tted to attend the Anarch*+t Con.re++ had 1een rece*4ed. I
wa+ called 1efore L*t4*no4, who wa+ act*n. *n 1ehalf of Co00*++ar Ch*cher*n. I had
ne4er 0et h*0 1efore. 8e looked l*ke a co00*+ 4o2a.e/r, +hort and fat and
d*+./+t*n.l2 content w*th h*0+elf. #ecl*n*n. *n an ea+2 cha*r *n h*+ l/3/r*o/+ off*ce he
1e.an to pl2 0e w*th >/e+t*on+ a+ to wh2 we wanted to lea4e #/++*a, what o/r
*ntent*on+ were a1road, and where we 0eant to l*4e. 8ad the ,ore*.n %ff*ce not
rece*4ed an2 co00/n*cat*on fro0 the (erl*n anarch*+t+, I *n>/*red. It had, he
ad0*tted, and he knew we had 1een *n4*ted to attend the Anarch*+t Con.re++ *n
(erl*n. That wa+ e3planat*on eno/.h, I told h*09 I co/ld add noth*n. f/rther. 5(/t *f
2o/ are ref/+edB5 he de0anded +/ddenl2. If h*+ @o4ern0ent wanted *t known a1road
that we were 1e*n. kept pr*+oner+ *n #/++*a, *t co/ld certa*nl2 do +o, for *t had the
power, I repl*ed. L*t4*no4 peered at 0e +tead*l2 o/t of l*ttle e2e+ 1/l.*n. fro0 h*+
p/ff2 face. 8e 0ade no co00ent, 1/t a+ked whether o/r (erl*n co0rade+ had 0ade
+/re that the @er0an @o4ern0ent wo/ld ad0*t /+. Certa*nl2 the latter wo/ld not 1e
an3*o/+ to *ncrea+e the n/01er of anarch*+t+ *n *t+ terr*tor2. It wa+ a cap*tal*+t co/ntr2
and we co/ld not e3pect the recept*on there that o4*et #/++*a had .*4en /+. 5Yet,
+tran.e to +a2,5 I repl*ed, 5the anarch*+t+ cont*n/e the*r work *n 0o+t "/ropean
co/ntr*e+, wh*ch cannot 1e +a*d to 1e the ca+e *n #/++*a.5 5Are 2o/ +*n.*n. the pra*+e+
of the 1o/r.eo*+ co/ntr*e+B5 he de0anded. 5No, onl2 re0*nd*n. 2o/ of fact+. I ha4e
1een +tren.thened *n 02 anarch*+t att*t/de that all .o4ern0ent+ are f/nda0entall2
al*ke, whate4er the*r prote+tat*on+. 8owe4er, what a1o/t o/r pa++port+B5
8e wo/ld let /+ know, he repl*ed. At an2 rate, the o4*et @o4ern0ent wo/ld not
/ndertake to +/ppl2 /+ w*th 4*+a+. That wa+ o/r own look6o/t, and, +a2*n. +o,
L*t4*no4 clo+ed the *nter4*ew.
a+ha had left for )*n+k, and ten da2+ pa++ed 1efore I rece*4ed a +*.n fro0 h*0.
Then a +hort note arr*4ed *n a ro/nda1o/t wa2, *nfor0*n. 0e that the tr*p had 1een
h*deo/+, 1/t that he had f*nall2 reached h*+ de+t*nat*on and wa+ 1/+2 5collect*n.
h*+tor*cal 0ater*al for the )/+e/0 of the #e4ol/t*on.5 8e had .*4en th*+ a+ a rea+on
for h*+ 7o/rne2 when he had p/rcha+ed h*+ t*cket.
I wa+ +o0ewhat d*+tracted fro0 02 an3*et2 and worr2 12 the .lad new+ that )ar*a
p*r*dono4na had 1een relea+ed. he wa+ al0o+t at death:+ door fro0 another h/n.er6
+tr*ke. ,ear*n. +he wa+ a1o/t to d*e *n pr*+on, the Cheka had per0*tted her fr*end+ to
take her o/t for a re+t and rec/perat*on. ho/ld +he .et well and +how the lea+t +*.n of
renewed act*4*t2, the a/thor*t*e+ had warned, +he wo/ld 1e *00ed*atel2 arre+ted and
*0pr*+oned a.a*n. 8er fr*end+ had *ndeed to take )ar*a awa2 1od*l2, a+ +he wa+ too
weak and *ll to walk. 8er co0pan*on l-0a*lo4*ch wa+ per0*tted to acco0pan2 her,
and 1oth wo0en were *n+talled 12 the*r fr*end+ *n )alakho4ka, near )o+cow. The
@o4ern0ent +tat*oned Chek*+t+ a1o/t the place to ./ard a.a*n+t an2 atte0pt to +p*r*t
3<9
)ar*a awa2.
There wa+ to 1e no end to )ar*a:+ 0art2rdo0, 1/t I felt that +he wo/ld at lea+t 1e
w*th her own fr*end+ and co0rade+, and tho+e who lo4ed her wo/ld 1e pr*4*le.ed to
look after her need+. It wa+ a co0fort*n. tho/.ht.
%n the twelfth da2, when I had a1o/t .*4en /p hope of hear*n. fro0 the ,ore*.n
%ff*ce a.a*n, An.el*ca telephoned to 0e that pa++port+ had 1een *++/ed to /+. I +ho/ld
call for the0 at the ,ore*.n %ff*ce, +he +a*d, and take w*th 0e dollar+ or "n.l*+h
po/nd+ to pa2 for the0. Ca1+ were a l/3/r2 when +o 0an2 of o/r people were *n d*re
want, 1/t I d*d not ha4e the pat*ence to walk. I wanted to +ee the pa++port+ w*th 02
own e2e+ 1efore I wo/ld 1el*e4e that the2 had act/all2 1een .ranted. It pro4ed tr/e,
howe4er, reall2 tr/e. a+ha and I wo/ld not ha4e to h*de and cheat to lea4e the
co/ntr2. !e +ho/ld 1e a1le to .o a+ we had co0e 666 *n the open, e4en *f de+olate and
den/ded of drea0+.
%/r co0rade A. chap*ro had appl*ed *ndependentl2 and I wa+ happ2 to learn that
h*+ pa++port wa+ al+o read2 and awa*t*n. h*+ call.
I tele.raphed a+ha: 5Th*+ t*0e I w*n, old +co/t. Co0e 1ack >/*ckl2.5 It wa+
pro1a1l2 catt*+h, 1/t re4en.e wa+ +weet. In 02 7o2o/+ e3/1erance I had not +topped
to con+*der the ano0al2 of the ,ore*.n %ff*ce de0and*n. 4al/ta when the po++e++*on
of +/ch c/rrenc2 wa+ +tr*ctl2 proh*1*ted. !ell, I 0/+ed, law+ were 0ade to 1e 1roken,
and none +o +k*lf/l a+ the law0aker+ the0+el4e+.
=a++port+ on hand, I wa+ now 1e+et 12 other 0*+.*4*n.+. A*+a+ how were the2 to 1e
o1ta*nedB %/r (erl*n co0rade+ not*f*ed /+ that the2 were tr2*n. the*r /t0o+t to +ec/re
o/r ad0*++*on to @er0an2. If we co/ld +o0ehow reach Lat4*a or "+thon*a, *t wo/ld
1e ea+*er to .et 4*+a+, the2 wrote.
a+ha 1/r+t *nto the ho/+e /nanno/nced. 8e looked a fr*.ht, /n+ha4en and
apparentl2 /nwa+hed for da2+, t*red and e3ha/+ted, and w*tho/t the +/*t6ca+e he had
taken w*th h*0. 5!hat:+ th*+B5 he de0anded9 57/+t a hoa3 to .et 0e 1ack hereB5 8e
had 0ade all preparat*on+, he +a*d, to cro++ the 1order and had co0e to fetch 0e. The
paper+ wo/ld 1e awa*t*n. /+ *n )*n+k and he had .*4en f*ft2 dollar+: depo+*t on the0.
5I+ the 0one2 to 1e lo+tB5 he de0anded. 5And the +/*t6ca+e,5 I ret/rned, 5*+ that to 1e
lo+t tooB5 8e .r*nned. 5That:+ alread2 lo+t,5 he repl*ed9 52o/ know, the2 are cle4er,
the+e #/++*an+. I wa+ told the +afe+t wa2 on tra*n+ *+ to t*e 2o/r 1a.+ to 2o/r le.+. I
d*d +o, and the rope wa+ +tron.. (/t the car wa+ p*tchdark 666 no l*.ht+ whate4er 666
and +o crowded I had to +tand all the wa2. The tra*n +topped at *nn/0era1le +tat*on+
and I 0/+t ha4e do-ed off. !hen I looked at 02 +/*t6ca+e 666 well, the rope wa+ there,
1/t no +/*t6ca+e. Co/ldn:t f*nd *t an2where *n the car. Cle4er of the0, wa+n:t *t.
5Cle4er of 2o/, too 666 the th*rd t*0e, *+n:t *tB Yo/:re a hard lo+er, old .*rl,5 he
tea+ed, 52o/ o/.ht to 1e .lad *t wa+n:t +*3teen h/ndred dollar+ a.a*n.5 !hat co/ld one
do w*th +/ch an *rrepre++*1le oneB I had to la/.h w*th h*0.
Tr*/0phantl2 I held o/t the pa++port+. 8e +cr/t*n*-ed the0 fro0 e4er2 +*de.
5!ell,5 he drawled, 5I wa+ +/re the2:d ref/+e. A fellow 0a2 1e wron., +o0et*0e+.5
390
(/t I co/ld +ee he felt rel*e4ed that *t wo/ld not ha4e to 1e the )*n+k ro/te. 8*+ tr*p
0/+t ha4e 1een .ha+tl2. It took h*0 a week to rec/perate fro0 *t.
The L*th/an*an 4*+a wa+ .ranted for two week+. A tran+*t thro/.h Lat4*a wa+
o1ta*ned w*tho/t 0/ch tro/1le. !e co/ld lea4e an2 da2. The certa*nt2 0ade /+ feel
do/1l2 the pl*.ht of the co0rade+ and fr*end+ who0 we were lea4*n. 1eh*nd 666 *n
want, d*+tre++, fettered and /tterl2 helple++ *n the o4*et 4o*d. The Ta.anka 0en
awa*t*n. deportat*on were +t*ll kept *n /ncerta*nt2. "3ha/+ted 12 the*r da*l2 cha+e
after the a/thor*t*e+ to +ec/re +o0e def*n*te +tate0ent or act*on, the2 were +pend*n.
0o+t of the*r t*0e *n the corr*dor of o/r apart0ent tr2*n. to reach the Cheka 12
telephone. There wa+ no lack of pro0*+e+ 1/t not a +*n.le one of the0 had 1een kept
d/r*n. the fo/r 0onth+ that had pa++ed +*nce the a.ree0ent to deport the 0en. "4er2
.a0/t of h/0an +/ffer*n. had 1een e3per*enced 12 the0, e4er2 ph2+*cal and +p*r*t/al
tort/re for op*n*on:+ +ake. Yet the2 were /nda/nted. Noth*n. co/ld affect the*r *deal
or weaken the*r fa*th *n *t+ f*nal tr*/0ph. )ark )rachn2, recentl2 ro11ed 12 death of
h*+ 2o/n. w*fe, w*th a poor l*ttle +*ckl2 *nfant on h*+ hand+, re0a*ned 1ra4e and
/n1ent. Aol*n, w*th h*+ fo/r +0all ch*ldren doo0ed to +tar4at*on 1efore h*+ 4er2 e2e+,
and w*th h*+ w*fe a*l*n. *n the*r cold and 1arren >/arter+, +t*ll cont*n/ed to wr*te
poetr2. )a3*0o4, h*+ health 1roken 12 +e4eral pre4*o/+ h/n.er6+tr*ke+, had lo+t
noth*n. of h*+ +t/d*o/+ *ntere+t+. %l2a )a3*0o4a, del*cate and +en+*t*4e, who had for
+e4en 0onth+ tw*ce weekl2 carr*ed hea42 load+ of pro4*+*on+ to the Ta.anka pr*+on *n
cont*n/o/+ +tre++ and an./*+h a1o/t the fate of her 1elo4ed )a3*0o4, co/ld +t*ll
cra4e 1ea/t2 and +oc*al fellow+h*p. Yarchook, a da/ntle++ f*.hter, w*th tr*al+ and
tr*1/lat*on+ to 1reak the +tron.e+t, had al+o w*th+tood all the Ta.anka horror+. The
re+t of the 0en awa*t*n. deportat*on were of the +a0e f*1re and .r*t. A0a-*n. were
the2, and tho+e other wonderf/l fr*end+ and co0rade+ we had 0et *n the &kra*ne and
all thro/.h #/++*a, 0en of co/ra.e, a1*l*t2, and hero*c end/rance for the +ake of the*r
*deal+. I owed 0/ch to the0, and *n 02 heart I felt .ratef/l for ha4*n. known the0.
The*r +ta/nch co0rade+h*p, /nder+tand*n., and fa*th had helped to +/+ta*n 0e
+p*r*t/all2 and had kept 0e fro0 1e*n. +wept awa2 12 the a4alanche that had pa++ed
o4er all of /+. The*r l*4e+ had 1eco0e one w*th 0*ne9 the approach*n. part*n. wo/ld,
I knew, 1e a wrench and 1*tter hard. )2 +pec*al fa4o/r*te+ were Ale3e2 (oro4o2 and
)ark )rachn2, the f*r+t 1eca/+e of h*+ 1r*ll*ant 0*nd and .rac*o/+ per+onal*t2, the
other for h*+ +parkl*n. 4*tal*t2, read2 w*t, and /nder+tand*n. of h/0an fra*lt2. It wa+
harde+t for 0e to lea4e the0 1eh*nd9 and of co/r+e al+o o/r dear )an2a and Aa++*l2.
To ea+e the pan.+ of part*n., o/r dear fr*end+ kept a++/r*n. /+ that 12 lea4*n. o/r
tra.*c #/++*a we +ho/ld 1e a*d*n. the0, for we co/ld do 0/ch 0ore for the co/ntr2
a1road than *n #/++*a, work for a 1etter /nder+tand*n. of the cha+0 1etween the
#e4ol/t*on and the rE.*0e and for the pol*t*cal 4*ct*0+ *n o4*et pr*+on+ and
concentrat*on ca0p+. The2 were certa*n o/r 4o*ce+ wo/ld 1e heard *n we+tern "/rope
and A0er*ca to .ood ad4anta.e, and the2 were .lad we were lea4*n.. The2 pretended
a .a2 0ood to cheer /+ at o/r farewell part2.
(elo6%+tro4, ;an/ar2 19, 19C0. % rad*ant drea0, % 1/rn*n. fa*th? % )at/+hka
#o++*2a, re1orn *n the tra4a*l of the #e4ol/t*on, p/r.ed 12 *t fro0 hate and +tr*fe,
l*1erated for tr/e h/0an*t2 and e01rac*n. all. I w*ll ded*cate 02+elf to 2o/, % #/++*a?
In the tra*n, $ece01er 1, 19C1? )2 drea0+ cr/+hed, 02 fa*th 1roken, 02 heart l*ke
a +tone. )at/+hka #o++*2a 1leed*n. fro0 a tho/+and wo/nd+, her +o*l +trewn w*th the
dead.
391
I cl/tch the 1ar at the fro-en w*ndow6pane and .r*t 02 teeth to +/ppre++ 02 +o1+.
Chapter F3
#I@A? ;%TLIN@ C#%!$ AT T8" TATI%N, T#AN@" =""C8, la/.hter,
and .lar*n. l*.ht+. It wa+ 1ew*lder*n. and *t a..ra4ated 02 fe4er*+h cond*t*on fro0
the 1ad cold I had contracted on the wa2. !e planned to .o to o/r co0rade T+4etko4,
who wa+ e0plo2ed *n the o4*et tran+port depart0ent. 8e and h*+ lo4el2 w*fe
)ar2/++a had 1een o/r clo+e fr*end+ *n the earl2 =etro.rad da2+. L*ttle )ar2/++a,
del*cate a+ a l*l2, to.ether w*th T+4etko4 and other+, had ./arded =etro.rad a.a*n+t
@eneral Y/den*ch. #*fle o4er +ho/lder, 1ra4e )ar2/++a had 1een prepared to la2
down her l*fe for the #e4ol/t*on. Later the2 had end/red /ntold pr*4at*on and
hard+h*p+, wh*ch /nder0*ned )ar2/++a:+ health, and f*nall2 +he +/cc/01ed to t2ph/+.
(oth +he and T+4etko4 were of +terl*n. >/al*t2. 8e re0a*ned /nchan.ed *n h*+ *dea+,
notw*th+tand*n. that he wa+ co0pelled to earn h*+ l*4*n. *n the e0plo2 of the
(ol+he4*k re.*0e. I knew he wo/ld 1*d /+ a heart2 welco0e. t*ll, I +hrank fro0
renewed contact w*th what I had left 1eh*nd. Nor wa+ I *n a cond*t*on to 0eet people
and ar./e the >/e+t*on+ I had def*n*tel2 +ettled for 02+elf. I needed a re+t and I
wanted to for.et 666 to +h/t o/t the n*.ht0are 1eh*nd 0e and not to ha4e to th*nk of
the 4o*d 1efore 0e. !e con+*dered *t *nad4*+a1le to .o to a hotel: we wo/ld aro/+e
too 0/ch attent*on and we were part*c/larl2 an3*o/+ to a4o*d new+paper 0en. At
T+4etko4:+ we co/ld l*4e >/*etl2.
%/r f*r+t tho/.ht wa+ to prepare a 0an*fe+to +ett*n. forth the appall*n. cond*t*on+
of the pol*t*cal+ *n the Co00/n*+t tate and /r.*n. the anarch*+t pre++ *n "/rope and
A0er*ca to help +a4e the0 fro0 a +low death. It wa+ o/r de+perate cr2 after twent26
one 0onth+ of forced +*lence, the *n*t*al +tep of f/lf*ll*n. the pled.e .*4en o/r people
to 0ake known to the world the colo++al fra/d wrapped *n the #ed 0antle of
5%cto1er.5
New+ fro0 @er0an2 wa+ rea++/r*n.. %/r co0rade+ were work*n. to +ec/re o/r
ad0*++*on and the2 were conf*dent of +/cce++. (/t the2 needed a l*ttle 0ore t*0e and
therefore we 0/+t .et o/r Lat4*an 4*+a e3tended for a few da2+. The few da2+ dra..ed
*nto three week+. %w*n. to o/r per+*+tenc2, the 4*+a+ were renewed, 1/t onl2 *n
dr*1let+. !e wo/ld ha4e to .et o/t of the*r co/ntr2, the local a/thor*t*e+ *nfor0ed /+,
.o an2where or 1ack to #/++*a, where we 1elon.ed 5a+ (ol+he4*k+.5 The off*c*al+
were al0o+t w*tho/t e3cept*on 0ere 2o/th+. The*r new +tatehood had e4*dentl2 .one
to the*r head+ l*ke +/ddenl2 ac>/*red r*che+. The2 were 5cl*01er+,5 coar+e and
arro.ant, o4er1ear*n. to the po*nt of d*+./+t.
A ra2 of hope 1roke at la+t thro/.h o/r dark +k2. 5All *+ +ettled,5 o/r (erl*n
co0rade+ not*f*ed /+. The @er0an Con+/l *n #*.a had 1een .*4en *n+tr/ct*on+ to *++/e
the nece++ar2 4*+a. !e ha+tened to the Con+/late. It wa+ all r*.ht a1o/t o/r 4*+a, we
were told there, 1/t o/r appl*cat*on 0/+t f*r+t 1e +ent on to (erl*n. !*th*n three da2+
we wo/ld rece*4e the0.
In h*.h +p*r*t+ o/r 1o2+ a.a*n went to the Con+/late, conf*dent of +ec/r*n. the 4*+a+
th*+ t*0e. !hen the2 ret/rned, I knew the re+/lt w*tho/t a word 1e*n. +poken. %/r
39C
appl*cat*on wa+ ref/+ed.
A.a*n *t wa+ nece++ar2 to proc/re a prolon.at*on of o/r +ta2 *n Lat4*a. The +/llen
2o/n.+ter+ *n off*ce de0/rred, 1/t f*nall2 per0*tted /+ another fort26e*.ht ho/r+. At
the e3p*rat*on of that t*0e we 0/+t lea4e, the2 *n+*+ted, whether we proc/red an2 4*+a
12 then or not. 5Yo/:ll .o 1ack to 2o/r own co/ntr2,5 the2 declared pere0ptor*l2. %/r
co/ntr2B !here wa+ *tB The war had de+tro2ed the anc*ent r*.ht of a+2l/0, and
(ol+he4*+0 had t/rned #/++*a *nto a pr*+on. !e co/ld not ret/rn e4en there. Nor
wo/ld we *f we co/ld. !e:ll .o to L*th/an*a, we tho/.ht, and we +ho/ld ha4e reall2
.one there *f we had not 0*++ed the tra*n on o/r arr*4al *n #*.a.
%/r fr*end T+4etko4 wo/ld not hear of *t. L*th/an*a wa+ a trap, he declared. It
wo/ld 1e *0po++*1le for /+ to .et to @er0an2 fro0 there, nor co/ld we ret/rn to #*.a
a.a*n. 8e wo/ld arran.e a +/1 ro+a ro/te. 8e knew +o0e fre*.hter+ who+e crew+ were
+2nd*cal*+t+, and he wo/ld 0ana.e the 0atter. (/t co/ld "00a +tand 1e*n. +towed
awa2B I 1r*+tled at the *0pl*cat*on that I co/ld +tand le++ than the 1o2+. 5(/t 2o/r
co/.h 666 *t w*ll .*4e 2o/ all awa2?5 he retorted. I prote+ted 4*.oro/+l2. To e+cape 02
fe0*n*ne *nd*.nat*on o/r fr*end left to e+ta1l*+h the nece++ar2 conne3*on+. (/t h*+
+che0e pro4ed a 1/11le 666 l/ck*l2 for /+ all. ,or on the follow*n. da2, the la+t we
co/ld re0a*n *n Lat4*a, ca0e wed*+h 4*+a+ that o/r +2nd*cal*+t co0rade+ *n
tockhol0 had o1ta*ned. )r. (rant*n., the oc*al*+t =r*0e )*n*+ter, had pro4ed 0ore
decent than h*+ @er0an co0rade+.
Acco0pan*ed 12 T+4etko4 and )r+. C., ecretar2 hakol:+ +*+ter, who had
1efr*ended /+ and +/ppl*ed /+ w*th a lar.e l/nch61a+ket for the 7o/rne2, we went to
the ra*lroad +tat*on to 1oard the tra*n wh*ch wa+ to take /+ to #e4al. A+ *t p/lled o/t,
we hea4ed a deep +*.h of rel*ef. ,or a wh*le, at lea+t, o/r 4*+a tro/1le+ were o4er? (/t
the tra*n wa+ 1arel2 o/t of the +*.ht of o/r fr*end+ when we d*+co4ered that we had an
e+cort w*th /+. It pro4ed to 1e three Lat4*an +ecret +er4*ce 0en. The2 de0anded o/r
pa++port+, wh*ch the2 *00ed*atel2 conf*+cated, declar*n. that we were all /nder
arre+t. In 4a*n were o/r prote+t+ a.a*n+t the +/dden *nterr/pt*on of o/r 7o/rne2, when
the2 co/ld ha4e arre+ted /+ d/r*n. o/r +ta2 *n #*.a. The tra*n wa+ +topped and we
were taken off, 1a. and 1a..a.e, 1/ndled *nto an alread2 wa*t*n. a/to0o1*le, and
dr*4en 12 a ro/nda1o/t ro/te to the c*t2. The car ca0e to a halt 1efore a lar.e 1r*ck
1/*ld*n., and .reat wa+ o/r a+ton*+h0ent when, +o0e feet d*+tant, we reco.n*-ed the
ho/+e where we had occ/p*ed roo0+ *n the apart0ent of T+4etko4. It wa+ the =ol*t*cal
=ol*ce $epart0ent and we co/ld not help la/.h*n. at the 0anoe/4re+ of the
a/thor*t*e+ to 5catch5 /+ when all the t*0e we had 1een +o clo+e at hand.
%ne 12 one we were taken *nto an *nner off*ce and e3a0*ned a1o/t o/r
5(ol+he4*+0.5 I *nfor0ed the off*c*al that, tho/.h I wa+ not a (ol+he4*k, I ref/+ed to
d*+c/++ the +/17ect w*th h*0. 8e e4*dentl2 real*-ed that *t wa+ /+ele++ to threaten or
coa3 0e, and he ordered 0e taken to another roo0, for later d*+po+*t*on.
The roo0 wa+ f*lled w*th off*c*al+, +*tt*n. a1o/t, talk*n., apparentl2 w*th noth*n. to
do. I had a 1ook w*th 0e, and a+ *n the olden da2+ *n 02 adopted co/ntr2 666 how far
awa2 and lon. a.o *t +ee0ed now? 666 I wa+ +oon lo+t *n read*n.. I d*d not e4en not*ce
that the 0en had left and I wa+ alone. Another ho/r pa++ed and there wa+ +t*ll no +*.n
of 02 two co0pan*on+. I .rew +o0ewhat /nea+2, tho/.h I wa+ not alar0ed. I knew
that a+ha wa+ +ea+oned *n handl*n. d*ff*c/lt +*t/at*on+, and chap*ro wa+ al+o no
393
no4*ce *n +/ch 0atter+. 8e had had pre4*o/+ e3per*ence w*th the pol*ce. $/r*n. the
war, a+ ed*tor of the London Y*dd*+h weekl2, the Ar1e*ter ,re/nd, he had taken o4er
the ed*tor*al d/t*e+ of #/dolf #ocker, who had 1een *nterned. (efore lon. he wa+
arre+ted and had to +er4e +*3 0onth+ for an art*cle +o0eone el+e had wr*tten. 8e wa+ a
0an of d*+cret*on and cool6headed. I felt conf*dent that whate4er 0*.ht happen to 02
two fr*end+ or to 0e, we +ho/ld at lea+t ha4e a chance for a f*.ht. It wo/ld reach the
o/t+*de world and wo/ld th/+ +er4e o/r *dea+.
o0eone 1roke *n on 02 reflect*on+. A lar.e pol*cewo0an +tood 1efore 0e. he
ca0e to +earch 0e, +he anno/nced. 5#eall2B5 I re0arked9 5the three ho/r+ I wa+
wa*t*n. here were 0ore than eno/.h t*0e to de+tro2 an2 e4*dence of the con+p*rac2
the pol*ce +/+pect /+ of.5 8er +tol*d*t2 wa+ not affected 12 02 ra*ller2. he proceeded
to +earch 0e to the +k*n. (/t when +he atte0pted to .o f/rther, I +lapped her face. he
da+hed o/t of the roo0 4ow*n. +he wo/ld 1r*n. 0en to f*n*+h the 7o1. I dre++ed *n
order to rece*4e the .entle0en w*tho/t +hock*n. the*r 0ode+t2. %nl2 one ca0e, who
*n4*ted 0e to follow h*0 to 02 cell, wh*ch he locked /pon 0e. 8e wa+ an o1l*.*n.
chap. *lentl2 he po*nted to the ad7o*n*n. cell+, *nd*cat*n. that 02 two fr*end+ were
there. That wa+ a plea+ant +/rpr*+e and .a4e 0e .reat rel*ef. I wa+ *n +ol*tar2
conf*ne0ent, 2et I had not felt +o free and at peace for the pa+t twent26one 0onth+. I
had cea+ed to 1e an a/to0aton. I had re.a*ned 02 w*ll. I wa+ 1ack where I had 1een
*n the pa+t 666 *n the f*.ht. And 02 co0rade+ were near 0e, +eparated onl2 12 a wall.
@reat peace ca0e o4er 0e, content0ent and +leep.
%n the +econd da2 I wa+ taken down+ta*r+ for e3a0*nat*on. A 2o/th *n h*+ twent*e+
wa+ 02 *n>/*+*tor. 8e de0anded to know a1o/t o/r +ecret (ol+he4*k 0*++*on *n
"/rope, wh2 we had +ta2ed *n #*.a +o lon., w*th who0 we had a++oc*ated, and what
had 1eco0e of the *0portant doc/0ent+ he knew we had +0/..led *nto the co/ntr2. I
a++/red h*0 he +t*ll had 0/ch to learn to ach*e4e fa0e and fort/ne a+ an *nterro.ator
of +/ch an e3per*enced cr*0*nal a+ he had 1efore h*0. I wo/ld not take h*0 *nto 02
conf*dence, I told h*0, e4en *f I had an2 *nfor0at*on that he 0*.ht want. I wo/ld
d*4/l.e, howe4er, that I wa+ an anarch*+t not a (ol+he4*k. A+ he d*d not +ee0 to know
the d*fference, I pro0*+ed h*0 +o0e anarch*+t l*terat/re, wh*ch I wo/ld forward to
h*0 after lea4*n. the co/ntr2. 8e 0*.ht e3chan.e *nfor0at*on and tell 0e wh2 we
had 1een arre+ted and on what char.e.
8e wo/ld w*th*n a few da2+, he pro0*+ed. tran.e to +a2, he kept h*+ word. The
da2 1efore Chr*+t0a+ he ca0e to 02 cell to *nfor0 0e that 5*t wa+ an /nfort/nate
0*+take.5 I +tarted at the fa0*l*ar phra+e. 5Ye+, an /nfort/nate 0*+take,5 he repeated,
5and the fa/lt *+ w*th 2o/r fr*end+ the (ol+he4*k*, not 02 @o4ern0ent:+.5 I +corned
h*+ *n+*n/at*on. 5The o4*et @o4ern0ent .a4e /+ pa++port+ and per0*tted /+ to depart.
!hat *ntere+t co/ld *t ha4e to land /+ all *n 2o/r 7a*lB5 I de0anded. 5I cannot re4eal
tate +ecret+,5 he repl*ed, 51/t *t *+ tr/e, 7/+t the +a0e.5 !e wo/ld f*nd o/t later that
th*+ wa+ no *dle talk. (2 r*.ht we +ho/ld 1e *00ed*atel2 relea+ed, he added, 1/t there
were +o0e for0al*t*e+ to attend to, and all the +/per*or off*c*al+ had alread2 left for
the*r hol*da2+. I a++/red h*0 *t d*d not 0atter. I had +pent 0ore than the 1*rthda2 of
;e+/+ *n pr*+on, and that wa+, after all, the place where the Na-arene wo/ld now f*nd
h*0+elf *f he happened to 4*+*t o/r Chr*+t*an world. The 0an wa+ d/l2 +candal*-ed, a+
1ehoo4ed a pro+pect*4e tate pro+ec/tor.
The ./ard d*d 02 Chr*+t0a+ +hopp*n. for 0e, 1r*n.*n. 0e fr/*t, n/t+, cake, coffee,
394
and a can of e4aporated 0*lk. L/3/r*e+ the2 were, 1/t I wa+ an3*o/+ to prepare a
Chr*+t0a+ fea+t for 02 fr*end+ *n the ad7o*n*n. cell+. In ret/rn for a t*p the old ./ard:+
heart +oftened and he per0*tted 0e the /+e of the k*tchen +*t/ated on the +a0e floor. I
took 02 t*0e and fo/nd e3c/+e+ for .o*n. 1ack and forth to 02 cell, h/00*n. all the
t*0e: 5Chr*+t ha+ r*+en, re7o*ce, 2e heathen?5 and f*nd*n. a chance to wh*+per a few
word+ to 02 *n4*+*1le co0pan*on+. Two neatl2 wrapped packa.e+ and a lar.e ther0o+
1ottle of +tea0*n. coffee were carr*ed 12 the ./ard to the two de+peradoe+ ne3t door
*n ret/rn for a l*ttle Chr*+t0a+ .*ft to h*+ fa0*l2.
!e were f*nall2 relea+ed w*th prof/+e apolo.*e+. )2 fr*end+ related the*r
e3per*ence+ to 0e. The2 had al+o 1een +earched to the +k*n, the l*n*n. of the*r coat+
r*pped open, and the 1otto0+ of the*r +/*t6ca+e+ torn o/t for the +ecret doc/0ent+ we
were +/ppo+ed to ha4e 1ro/.ht o/t w*th /+. It had 1een a real 1/rle+>/e to watch the
ea.er face+ of the ./ard+ .rad/all2 t/rn to 1affled d*+appo*nt0ent. a+ha, old 7a*l61*rd
that he wa+, had 0ana.ed to +*.nal at n*.ht w*th l*.hted 0atche+ to a 2o/n. fellow
who +at read*n. *n a ho/+e oppo+*te. 8e threw o/t note+ to the 0an, one of wh*ch the
latter p*cked /p, and a+ha hoped *t 0*.ht reach o/r fr*end+ *n the c*t2. chap*ro had
repeatedl2 tr*ed to .et *n to/ch w*th 0e 12 tapp*n.. I had an+wered, 1/t he co/ld not
0ake 0e o/t. 5Nor I 2o/, old 0an,5 I confe++ed. 5Ne3t t*0e we:ll a.ree on the ke2.5
"4en *f I co/ld not /nder+tand h*+ .ood old #/++*an pr*+on +*.nal+, he added, I
+o0ehow alwa2+ 0ana.ed to +tart a c/*+*ne. 5he lo4e+ to cook, and e4en pr*+on can:t
+top her,5 a+ha *nterpo+ed.
At la+t, on ;an/ar2 C, 19CC, we departed fro0 #e4al, "+thon*a. To a4o*d a
repet*t*on of o/r #*.a ad4ent/re we went d*rectl2 to the +tea0er, tho/.h the 1oat wa+
not to lea4e /nt*l the follow*n. 0orn*n.. !e 0ade .ood /+e of the free da2 to +ee the
>/a*nt town, 0/ch older and 0ore p*ct/re+>/e than #*.a.
%/r recept*on *n tockhol0 wa+ fort/natel2 /noff*c*al. Ne*ther +old*er+ nor
worker+ were ordered o/t to 0eet /+ w*th 0/+*c and +peeche+, a+ on o/r arr*4al *n
(elo6%+tro4. ;/+t a few co0rade+ .en/*nel2 .lad to +ee /+. %/r .ood chaperon+ were
Al1ert and "l*+e ;en+en, who +teered /+ +afel2 pa+t the +hoal+ of A0er*can new+paper
0en. Not that I wa+ a4er+e to .reet*n. 02 ene0*e+ who had 1een +o ea.er to l*e a1o/t
02 do*n.+ *n #/++*a. (/t I preferred not to 1e 0*+>/oted on the o4*et e3per*0ent
/nt*l I had a chance to e3pre++ 02 tho/.ht+ o4er 02 own +*.nat/re. !*th the
tockhol0 Ar1etaren, o/r da*l2 +2nd*cal*+t p/1l*cat*on, and the (rand, an anarch*+t
weekl2, open to /+ to ha4e o/r +a2, there wa+ no need to 1e *nter4*ewed 12 reporter+,
and we were all .ratef/l to o/r fr*end+ for +a4*n. /+ fro0 fall*n. *nto the*r hand+.
Letter+ fro0 (erl*n e3pla*ned the +/dden chan.e of heart on the part of the @er0an
Con+/l *n #*.a after he had led /+ to 1el*e4e that the 4*+a wo/ld 1e *++/ed to /+. 8e
had 1een warned 12 a Chek*+t that we were dan.ero/+ con+p*rator+ on a +ecret
0*++*on to the Anarch*+t Con.re++ *n (erl*n. Th*+ al+o +hed a l*.ht on the *n+*+tence of
the Lett*+h off*c*al+ that 5o/r fr*end+ the (ol+he4*k+5 had 1een 1eh*nd o/r tro/1le *n
#*.a. The Lat4*an @o4ern0ent had known of o/r pre+ence *n #*.a, and the repeated
e3ten+*on+ of o/r +ta2 had 1een re.*+tered w*th the local pol*ce. The2 wo/ld ha4e
hardl2 wa*ted w*th o/r arre+t t*ll we were lea4*n. the co/ntr2, e3cept that the2 were at
the la+t 0o0ent +/ppl*ed 12 the o4*et e0*++ar2 w*th the +a0e *nfor0at*on he had
.*4en the @er0an Con+/l *n #*.a. %/r e3a0*ner+ e4er2where +tre++ed o/r alle.ed
po++e++*on of +ecret doc/0ent+. The*r e3cept*onall2 thoro/.h +earch al+o tended to
39F
*nd*cate that o/r .ood fr*end+ *n the Kre0l*n had deno/nced /+.
I real*-ed w*th a +hock what +tron. hold the (ol+he4*k +/per+t*t*on +t*ll had on 0e.
!ell know*n. the nat/re of the 1ea+t, I had 2et prote+ted 4ehe0entl2 a.a*n+t the
*n+*n/at*on+ of the Lett*+h off*c*al+ *n re.ard to the o4*et people *n )o+cow.
Notw*th+tand*n. 02 two 2ear+: da*l2 e3per*ence of (ol+he4*k pol*t*cal depra4*t2, I
wa+ 2et /na1le to cred*t +/ch ;e+/*t*+0 on the*r part 666 to .*4e /+ pa++port+ and at the
+a0e t*0e 0ake *t *0po++*1le for /+ to enter an2 other co/ntr2. I f/ll2 /nder+tood
now the +*.n*f*cance of L*t4*no4:+ a++/rance that 5the cap*tal*+t*c co/ntr*e+ w*ll not 1e
an3*o/+ to ha4e 2o/.5 (/t wh2, then, d*d the2 let /+ .o o/t of #/++*a, I wondered. )2
co0pan*on+ +a*d that the rea+on wa+ o14*o/+. To ref/+e /+ per0*++*on to lea4e wo/ld
ha4e ca/+ed too 0/ch prote+t a1road, a+ *n the ca+e of =eter Kropotk*n. 8e had *n fact
ne4er atte0pted to lea4e #/++*a, 1/t the 0ere r/0o/r that he had not 1een per0*tted
to do +o had aro/+ed the ent*re re4ol/t*onar2 and l*1eral world a1road and ra*ned
endle++ *n>/*r*e+ on the Kre0l*n. )o+cow e4*dentl2 d*d not want to *n4*te a +*0*lar
/proar a.a*n. %/r arre+t *n #/++*a wo/ld ha4e ca/+ed /nde+*ra1le p/1l*c*t2. %n the
other hand, the Cheka, aware of o/r +tand on the d*ctator+h*p and of o/r part *n the
prote+t of the fore*.n dele.ate+ *n re.ard to the Ta.anka h/n.er6+tr*ke, co/ld not lea4e
/+ at lar.e 0/ch lon.er. The 1e+t +ol/t*on of the +*t/at*on wa+ therefore to per0*t /+
to depart. It wa+ 1etter pol*c2 to appear 0a.nan*0o/+ and do the d*rt2 work a.a*n+t /+
o/t+*de the terr*tor2 of the #..,..#. Th*+ wa+ al+o the 4*ew e3pre++ed 12 o/r (erl*n
corre+pondent+. The @er0an Con+/l *n #*.a had co00/n*cated to h*+ /ncle =a/l
Ka0pf0e*er, the well6known oc*al $e0ocrat, the role pla2ed 12 the (ol+he4*k
Chek*+t *n the 0atter.
%/r wed*+h anarch*+t+ and anarcho6+2nd*cal*+t+ were certa*n we co/ld re0a*n *n
the*r co/ntr2 a+ lon. a+ we plea+ed. !e 0*.ht a+ well l*4e there a+ an2where el+e and
carr2 o/t o/r plan of wr*t*n. a1o/t o/r #/++*an e3per*ence+. The Ar1etaren wa+
an3*o/+ for art*cle+ fro0 /+, a+ wa+ al+o the (rand. (/t a+ha a+ well a+ I felt that
A0er*ca, o/r old ho0e, had f*r+t cla*0 on /+. It had 1een o/r f*eld of act*4*t2 for o4er
th*rt2 2ear+. ,or .ood or e4*l we were known there and we co/ld reach a w*der
a/d*ence than *n weden or *n an2 other co/ntr2. !e a.reed, howe4er, to 1e
*nter4*ewed for the Ar1etaren and the (rand and to wr*te appeal+ *n the0 for the
pol*t*cal+ *0pr*+oned and e3*led *n #/++*a.
No +ooner had o/r f*r+t art*cle appeared *n the Ar1etaren than )r. (rant*n. had h*+
+ecretar2 not*f2 the 2nd*cal*+t Co00*ttee that had o1ta*ned o/r 4*+a to weden that
5*t wa+ *nad4*+a1le for the #/++*an+ to appear *n pr*nt.5 (rant*n. wa+ a oc*al
$e0ocrat and wa+ oppo+ed to the (ol+he4*k*. (/t he wa+ al+o =r*0e )*n*+ter, and
weden wa+ at the t*0e d*+c/++*n. the reco.n*t*on of the #/++*an @o4ern0ent. An
add*t*onal rea+on wa+ the 1*d the (ol+he4*k* were 0ak*n. for a /n*ted front w*th the
oc*al $e0ocrat+, who0 1/t 2e+terda2 the2 had 1een deno/nc*n. a+ +oc*al tra*tor+
and co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+. )oreo4er, the react*onar2 pre++ +tarted a ca0pa*.n of
den/nc*at*on a.a*n+t (rant*n. for ha4*n. .*4en a+2l/0 to anarch*+t+ and (ol+he4*k+.
The latter char.e referred to An.el*ca (ala1anoff, who wa+ then *n weden. !e were
*nfor0ed that another e3ten+*on of one 0onth had 1een .*4en /+, 1/t at the e3p*rat*on
of that t*0e we wo/ld 1e e3pected to +hake the d/+t of weden off o/r re4ol/t*onar2
feet. =oor (rant*n. +ee0ed an3*o/+ to >/*et the +tor0 a.a*n+t h*0 12 +ec/r*n. o/r
depart/re a+ +oon a+ po++*1le. 8e wo/ld not dr*4e /+ o/t, of co/r+e, h*+ +ecretar2
a++/red o/r people, 1/t we +ho/ld tr2 at once to f*nd +o0e other co/ntr2 for o/r
39G
a1ode.
Co0rade+ *n half a do-en land+ were work*n. hard to +ec/re a+2l/0 for /+. %/r
(erl*n fr*end+ kept /p the*r +tren/o/+ effort+. In A/+tr*a o/r old co0rade $r. )a3
Nettla/ wa+ e3ert*n. h*0+elf *n o/r 1ehalf. In C-echo+lo4ak*a other+ were work*n. to
o1ta*n 4*+a+. Al+o *n ,rance. The +0aller co/ntr*e+ were hopele++, $en0ark and
Norwa2 ha4*n. alread2 +*.n*f*ed to o/r co0rade+ that there wa+ 5noth*n. do*n..5
The +*t/at*on wa+ rather de+perate, 0ade 0ore +o 12 +e4eral other c*rc/0+tance+.
The co+t of l*4*n. *n a tockhol0 hotel had 1ankr/pted /+ w*th*n a 0onth. The
ho+p*ta1le ;en+en+ *n4*ted 0e to +hare the*r two6roo0 apart0ent, wh*ch I accepted *n
the 1el*ef that *t wo/ld 1e onl2 for a +hort t*0e. a+ha had fo/nd a roo0 w*th a
wed*+h fa0*l2 who+e place wa+ too +0all e4en for the0+el4e+. 8e re.retted that we
had not followed h*+ or*.*nal plan of .o*n. 12 the )*n+k ro/te. It had 1een +t/p*d to
a+k )o+cow for pa++port+. At an2 rate, he wo/ld not appl2 for a 4*+a an2 0ore and he
wa+ deter0*ned to lea4e w*tho/t .*4*n. not*ce and to enter w*tho/t per0*++*on. I
co/ld do a+ I plea+ed, he declared.
There wa+ +o0eth*n. el+e that had co0e 1etween /+ 666 the >/e+t*on whether I
+ho/ld or +ho/ld not per0*t the New York !orld to p/1l*+h 02 +er*e+ of art*cle+ on
o4*et #/++*a. tella had ca1led 0e that the !orld wa+ ea.er for the +tor2 of 02
#/++*an e3per*ence. I had alread2 1een *nfor0ed to the +a0e effect *n #*.a 12 a
!orld repre+entat*4e. In fact, he told 0e h*+ paper had tr*ed to reach 0e +e4eral t*0e+
wh*le I wa+ +t*ll *n )o+cow. If I had 1een *nfor0ed a1o/t *t there and e4en *f I co/ld
ha4e +afel2 +ent o/t an art*cle fro0 #..,..#., I +ho/ld ha4e decl*ned to wr*te for a
cap*tal*+t paper on +o 4*tal an *++/e a+ #/++*a. I wa+ 7/+t a+ loath to con+*der the offer
that ca0e thro/.h tella. I wrote her that I preferred to ha4e 02 +a2 *n the l*1eral and
la1o/r pre++ *n the &n*ted tate+, and that I +ho/ld 1e w*ll*n. to ha4e the0 p/1l*+h 02
art*cle+ w*tho/t an2 pa2 rather than ha4e the0 appear *n the New York !orld or
+*0*lar p/1l*cat*on+.
tella tr*ed the ,ree0an, w*th an art*cle on the 0art2rdo0 of )ar*a p*r*dono4na.
It wa+ decl*ned. The other A0er*can l*1eral paper+ +howed e>/al *ll*1eral*t2. I
real*-ed that *n add*t*on to 1e*n. +ta0ped an I+h0ael*te I +ho/ld al+o 1e .a..ed on the
>/e+t*on of the (ol+he4*k*. I had kept +*lent lon. eno/.h. I had w*tne++ed the
+la/.hter of the #e4ol/t*on and had heard *t+ death6rattle. I had we*.hed the e4*dence
that wa+ da*l2 1e*n. added to the 0o/nta*n of (ol+he4*k cr*0e+. I had +een the
collap+e of the la+t 4e+t*.e of re4ol/t*onar2 pretence of the d*ctator+h*p. And all I had
done d/r*n. the two 2ear+ wa+ to 1eat 02 che+t and cr2: 5I ha4e +*nned, +*nned.5 In
A0er*ca I had pre+/0ed to wr*te The Tr/th a1o/t the (ol+he4*k* and to /phold and
defend the0 *n the +*ncere and *.norant 1el*ef that the2 were the prota.on*+t+ of the
#e4ol/t*on. Now that I knew the tr/th, wa+ I to 1e forced to +la2 *t and keep +*lentB
No, I 0/+t prote+t. I 0/+t cr2 o/t a.a*n+t the .*.ant*c decept*on po+*n. a+ tr/th and
7/+t*ce.
Th*+ I told a+ha and chap*ro. The2 al+o were deter0*ned to +peak o/t, and,
*ndeed, a+ha had alread2 wr*tten a +er*e+ of art*cle+ deal*n. w*th 4ar*o/+ pha+e+ of
the (ol+he4*k re.*0e, and the2 were 1e*n. p/1l*+hed *n the anarch*+t pre++. (/t 1oth
he and chap*ro e0pha+*-ed that the worker+ wo/ld not cred*t 02 +tor2 *f p/1l*+hed
*n a cap*tal*+t paper l*ke the New York !orld. I d*d not 0*nd chap*ro:+ o17ect*on
39H
1eca/+e he wa+ of the old +ectar*an +chool that had alwa2+ frowned on the *dea of
anarch*+t+: wr*t*n. for 1o/r.eo*+ p/1l*cat*on+, tho/.h nearl2 all of o/r lead*n.
co0rade+ had done +o. (/t a+ha knew that the 1/lk of worker+, part*c/larl2 *n the
&n*ted tate+, read noth*n. 1/t the cap*tal*+t paper+. It wa+ the2 who0 he wanted to
enl*.hten on the d*fference 1etween the #e4ol/t*on and (ol+he4*+0. 8*+ att*t/de h/rt
0e 4er2 0/ch and we ar./ed for da2+. I had repeatedl2 wr*tten for the New York
!orld *n the pa+t, a+ well a+ for other +*0*lar p/1l*cat*on+. !a+ *t not 0ore *0portant
how and what one +a*d than whereB a+ha *n+*+ted that *t d*d not appl2 *n th*+ ca+e.
An2th*n. I 0*.ht wr*te *n the cap*tal*+t pre++ wo/ld *ne4*ta1l2 1e /+ed 12 the
react*onar*e+ a.a*n+t #/++*a and I wo/ld 7/+tl2 1e cen+/red for *t 12 o/r own
co0rade+. I wa+ well aware of *t. 8ad I not 02+elf conde0ned the old re4ol/t*on*+t
(re+hko4+ka2a for +peak*n. /nder the a/+p*ce+ of 1o/r.eo*+ +pon+or+B Noth*n. 02
co0rade+ wo/ld +a2 a.a*n+t 0e co/ld 1e +o lacerat*n. a+ the co0p/nct*on I +/ffered
for ha4*n. +at *n 7/d.0ent o4er (a1/+hka. ,*ft2 2ear+ of her l*fe had .one *nto the
preparat*on of the #e4ol/t*on, onl2 to +ee *t e3plo*ted 12 the Co00/n*+t =art2 for *t+
pol*t*cal a*0+. he had w*tne++ed the .reat dE1Ycle wh*le I had 1een tho/+and+ of
0*le+ awa2. And I had added 02 +tone to the p*le h/rled a.a*n+t her when +he had
1een *n A0er*ca. ,or that 4er2 rea+on I 0/+t +peak o/t now. (/t a+ha /r.ed that we
co/ld do +o 12 0ean+ of pa0phlet+ that o/r people wo/ld c*rc/late. 8e had +e4eral of
the0 *n preparat*on9 a n/01er of h*+ art*cle+ had alread2 appeared *n o/r pre++9 three
of the0 had al+o 1een p/1l*+hed *n the New York Call, the oc*al*+t da*l2. !h2 co/ld
I not do the +a0eB The co0rade+ of the Internat*onal A*d ,ederat*on *n the &n*ted
tate+ were al+o /r.*n. +*0*lar 0ean+ for 02 pre+entat*on of the #/++*an +*t/at*on.
The2 had ca1led and wr*tten, +tre++*n. that I refra*n fro0 wr*t*n. for the cap*tal*+t
pre++. The*r 0a*n po*nt wa+ that *t wo/ld h/rt the ca/+e. The*r conde0nat*on left 0e
cold. (/t *t wa+ d*fferent w*th a+ha. 8e wa+ 02 l*felon. co0rade *n ar0+, 02 fr*end
and fellow f*.hter *n a h/ndred 1attle+ that had +corched o/r 1e*n.+ and te+ted o/r
+o/l+. !e had .one o/r +eparate wa2+ wh*le *n #/++*a re.ard*n. the >/e+t*on of
5re4ol/t*onar2 nece++*t2.5 There had 1een no 1reak 1etween /+, howe4er, 1eca/+e I
al+o had 1een /ncerta*n for a lon. t*0e *n 02 +tand. Kron+tadt had cleared o/r 0*nd+
and had 1ro/.ht /+ clo+er a.a*n. It wa+ harrow*n. now to ha4e to take a po+*t*on +o
d*4er.ent fro0 02 fr*end:+ att*t/de. $a2+ and week+ went *nto the confl*ct, the harde+t
l*fe had allotted 0e. All thro/.h the +p*r*t/al tort/re *t 1eat a.a*n+t 02 1ra*n: I 0/+t, I
wo/ld 1e heard, e4en *f *t +ho/ld 1e for the la+t t*0e. ,*nall2 I ca1led to tella to t/rn
o4er the art*cle+, +e4en *n all, to the New York !orld.
In 02 dec*+*on I wa+ +pared the 1*tterne++ of co0plete *+olat*on. %/r @rand %ld
)an "nr*co )alate+ta, )a3 Nettla/, #/dolf #ocker, the London ,reedo0 .ro/p,
Al1ert and "l*+e ;en+en, 8arr2 Kell2, and +e4eral other fr*end+ and co0rade+ who+e
op*n*on I 4al/ed e3pre++ed the*r appro4al of 02 +tand. I +ho/ld ha4e walked the wa2
of @ol.otha *n an2 e4ent. (/t *t wa+ 1al0 to ha4e the*r +/pport.
I wa+ too far awa2 to w*tne++ the f/r2 02 art*cle+ aro/+ed *n the Co00/n*+t rank+
or to 1e affected 12 the*r po*+ono/+ 4eno0. (/t fro0 the de+cr*pt*on+ +ent 0e a1o/t
Co00/n*+t 0eet*n.+ a.a*n+t 0e and fro0 the*r pre++ I co/ld +ee the +*0*lar*t2
1etween the*r 1lood6l/+t and that of o/thern wh*te+ at Ne.ro l2nch*n.+. %ne +/ch
occa+*on 0/+t ha4e 1een 0o+t ed*f2*n.: the .ather*n. pre+*ded o4er 12 #o+e =a+tor
toke+. %nce +he had +at at ".@.:+ feet 666 now +he wa+ call*n. for 4ol/nteer+ to 1/rn
".@., at lea+t *n eff*.2. !hat a p*ct/re? The cha*rlad2 *nton*n. the Internat*onal, and
the a/d*ence hold*n. hand+ *n an or.*a+t*c dance ro/nd the fla0e+ l*ck*n. "00a
39<
@old0an:+ 1od2 to the t/ne of the l*1erat*n. +on..
The +tereot2ped acc/+at*on that I had for+worn 02 re4ol/t*onar2 pa+t, 12 people
who had no pa+t to for+wear, wa+ al+o noth*n. to worr2 a1o/t. !hat d*d tro/1le 0e
wa+ that the New York !orld had not rated 02 l*terar2 4al/e a+ h*.hl2 a+ d*d 02
Co00/n*+t ad0*rer+. It had pa*d 0e a paltr2 three h/ndred dollar+ for each art*cle, or
twent26one h/ndred dollar+ for the +er*e+ of +e4en. And *t wa+ 1e*n. heralded 12 the
Co00/n*+t chor/+ that th*rt2 tho/+and dollar+ had 1een pa*d to the tra*tor ".@. I wa+
w*+h*n. *t were tr/e? I 0*.ht ha4e +a4ed at lea+t +o0e port*on of *t for the #/++*an
pol*t*cal 4*ct*0+ who were +/ffer*n. cold, h/n.er, and de+pa*r *n the pr*+on+ and e3*le
of the (ol+he4*k parad*+e.
&nder pre++/re fro0 the wed*+h +2nd*cal*+t+ (rant*n. had e3tended per0*++*on
for /+ to +ta2 for another 0onth. It wa+ to 1e the la+t. A*+a+ to other co/ntr*e+ were not
*n +*.ht, and a+ha and chap*ro dec*ded to take 0atter+ *nto the*r own hand+. The
latter +oon left and a+ha wa+ to .o ne3t. A co0rade *n =ra./e had +ec/red a 4*+a for
0e to C-echo+lo4ak*a and I *0plored a+ha to allow o/r fr*end to do the +a0e for
h*0. (/t the 0ere +/..e+t*on of *t aro/+ed h*+ wrath.
a+ha +towed awa2 on a tra0p +tea0er, 1/t 1efore the 1oat p/lled o/t of
tockhol0 word reached 0e fro0 the A/+tr*an Con+/late that a 4*+a had 1een .ranted
/+. *ck w*th fear that the 1oat 0*.ht lea4e 1efore I +ho/ld ha4e the 4*+a *n 02 hand+,
I d*d not care *f the cha/ffe/r 1roke all +peed l*0*t+. I fo/nd the 4*+a read2 for all
three of /+, 1/t w*th *t a de0and of the A/+tr*an )*n*+ter for ,ore*.n Affa*r+ that we
.*4e a wr*tten pled.e not to en.a.e *n an2 pol*t*cal act*4*t*e+ *n h*+ co/ntr2. I had no
*ntent*on of do*n. +o, and I wa+ conf*dent that ne*ther of the 1o2+ wo/ld con+ent to *t.
8owe4er, I co/ld not d*+clo+e the clande+t*ne depart/re of the one and the *0pend*n.
.o*n. of the other. I wo/ld con+/lt 02 co0rade+, I told the Con+/l, and ret/rn w*th
the an+wer the ne3t da2. It wa+ not alto.ether a l*e, a+ I +t*ll had t*0e to reach a+ha.
A 1l*--ard had de+cended on the c*t2, and the 1oat wa+ held /p for fort26e*.ht ho/r+.
It afforded 0e the chance to +end word to a+ha a1o/t the A/+tr*an 4*+a and the +tr*n.
attached to *t. I d*d not e3pect h*0 to accept *t, 1/t I felt he +ho/ld 1e *nfor0ed a1o/t
*t. A 2o/n. wed*+h fr*end, the one co0fort*n. a++oc*at*on of 02 d*+0al +o7o/rn *n
tockhol0, 1ro/.ht 1ack word that a+ha had dec*ded on h*+ co/r+e and wo/ld not 1e
+wer4ed fro0 *t. I ho4ered a1o/t the ne*.h1o/rhood of the wharf *n the deep +now to
1e near o/r +towawa2, who0 fate had wo4en *nto the 4er2 te3t/re of 02 l*fe.
A week after a+ha:+ depart/re I al+o dec*ded on a +/1 ro+a ro/te. Acco0pan*ed 12
02 2o/n. co0pan*on, I tra4elled to the +o/thern part of weden *n the hope of
f*nd*n. there 0ean+ to 1e +0/..led o4er to $en0ark. o0e +a*lor+ 02 fr*end knew
had a.reed to a*d 0e for three h/ndred kronen, e>/al to a1o/t a h/ndred dollar+. At
the la+t 0o0ent the2 de0anded do/1le the a0o/nt. I wa+ not *0pre++ed w*th the*r
rel*a1*l*t2 and we dropped the +che0e. !e fo/nd a 0an w*th a 0otor 1oat. !e were
*n+tr/cted to .et a1oard 1efore 0*dn*.ht, the 5lad2 to l*e flat and co4ered w*th a
1lanket /nt*l the *n+pector had 0ade h*+ ro/nd+.5 I d*d. It wa+ not the *n+pector,
howe4er. It wa+ a pol*ce0an. !e e3pla*ned that we were lo4er+ and de+t*t/te, and we
had taken ref/.e on the 1oat. 8e wa+ a k*ndl2 0an, 1/t he wanted to arre+t /+ 7/+t the
+a0e, /nt*l a .enero/+ t*p chan.ed h*+ 0*nd. I co/ld not help la/.h*n. at o/r
*0pro0pt/ +tor2, for *t reall2 e3pre++ed the +*t/at*on.
399
)2 fr*end wa+ cre+tfallen at the wa2 th*n.+ were 1/n.led. I con+oled h*0 12 +a2*n.
that I had alwa2+ 1een a 1/0 con+p*rator and that I wa+ .lad the +che0e had fa*led. It
had certa*n ad4anta.e+, howe4er 666 d*d *t not .*4e 0e a chance to +ee a war0er part
of weden and 0ore attract*4e wo0en than the cap*tal, and 666 not the lea+t 666 fort2
new 4ar*et*e+ of hor+6d:oe/4re that wo/ld *n+p*re the 0o+t fa+t*d*o/+ .o/r0et.
&pon 02 ret/rn to tockhol0 the ne3t da2, I fo/nd a letter fro0 the @er0an
Con+/l. A 4*+a for ten da2+ had 1een .ranted 0e.
Chapter F4
AT T8" @"#)AN (%#$"# I ,"LL #I@8T INT% T8" L%AIN@ A#) of two
+talwart =r/++*an off*c*al+ who+e Ka*+er !*lhel0 0o/+tache+ had lo+t noth*n. of
pr*de 12 the *.no0*n*o/+ retreat of the*r na0e+ake. '/*ckl2 the2 led 0e *nto a pr*4ate
off*ce. I wa+ confronted w*th a do++*er co0pr*+*n. all the e4ent+ of 02 l*fe, al0o+t
fro0 02 cradle da2+, where/pon the2 1e.an .r*ll*n. 0e for an ho/r. I con.rat/lated
the0 on the*r @er0an thoro/.hne++ *n ha4*n. kept +/ch a co0plete record that there
wa+ noth*n. I co/ld add. !hat were 02 *ntent*on+ *n @er0an2B 8ono/ra1le, of
co/r+e: to f*nd a 0*ll*ona*re old 1achelor *n +earch of a hand+o0e 2o/n. w*fe. At the
e3p*rat*on of 02 4*+a I wo/ld proceed to C-echo+lo4ak*a on the +a0e >/e+t. 5"*n
4erfl*3te+ ,ra/en-*00er5 the2 roared, and after a f/rther e3chan.e of co0pl*0ent+ I
wa+ e+corted 1ack to the tra*n.
,*4e 0onth+ after o/r co0rade+ had 1e./n the ca0pa*.n to ena1le 0e to enter
@er0an2, I landed *n (erl*n, w*th no 0ore hope that I +ho/ld 1e 0ore +/cce++f/l than
the2 *n +ec/r*n. a lon.er +ta2. I accepted C-echo+lo4ak*a a+ a la+t re+ort 666 a place of
e3*le. I had no conne3*on+ or fr*end+ there9 the co0rade who had helped to +ec/re 02
4*+a wa+ a1o/t to lea4e the co/ntr2. I knew I +ho/ld 1e c/t off fro0 e4er21od2 I cared
a1o/t. )oreo4er, the co+t of l*4*n. wa+ h*.h. (/t *n @er0an2 I wa+ on fa0*l*ar
.ro/nd: *t+ lan./a.e wa+ 02 0other ton./e. !hate4er +chool*n. I had rece*4ed wa+
*n that co/ntr2, and 02 earl2 *nfl/ence+ were @er0an. )o+t *0portant, there wa+ a
+tron. anarch*+t and anarcho6+2nd*cal*+t 0o4e0ent *n wh*ch I 0*.ht take root. )2
fr*end+ )*ll2 and #/dolf #ocker and 0an2 other dear co0rade+ were al+o *n (erl*n. I
wo/ld tr2 02 l/ck there, and, +ho/ld I ha4e to lea4e, *t wo/ld not 1e w*tho/t a f*.ht?
)/ch to e4er21od2:+ +/rpr*+e, the ,ore*.n %ff*ce 0ade no d*ff*c/lt*e+ a1o/t
.rant*n. 0e a 0onth:+ +ta2. At *t+ e3p*rat*on I wa+ *nfor0ed that two 0ore 0onth+
had 1een +ec/red for 0e, and that I wa+ to call at the ,ore*.n %ff*ce. I fo/nd the
ecretar2 en.a.ed w*th a 0an who looked l*ke a #/++*an. The latter wa+ e4*dentl2
lea4*n. for h*+ nat*4e land9 the ecretar2 wa+ +ee*n. h*0 to the door and *0pre++*n.
/pon h*+ 4*+*tor not to for.et to 1r*n. 1ack ca4*ar and e*n =el-. Then the off*c*al
t/rned on 0e w*th .ood old =r/++*an pol*tene++. !hat d*d I 0ean 12 co0*n. 1ack, he
+ho/ted, after he had told 0e I +ho/ld ha4e to lea4e at the end of the 0onthB )2 t*0e
wo/ld 1e /p to0orrow, he +a*d, and I:d ha4e to .o or I +ho/ld 1e forc*1l2 p/t acro++
the 1order. 8*+ chan.ed 0anner 0ade 0e th*nk that )o+cow and *t+ (erl*n +atrap+
were a.a*n at 02 heel+. The 0an who had 7/+t left wa+ pro1a1l2 a Chek*+t.
8owe4er, I co/ld not afford to lo+e 02 te0per. I e3pla*ned *n a+ lad2l*ke a tone a+
400
I co/ld /nder the c*rc/0+tance+ that another two 0onth+ had 1een .ranted 0e and
that I ca0e to ha4e 02 pa++port +ta0ped for that. 8e knew noth*n. a1o/t *t and he
wo/ld not .*4e 0e the e3ten+*on *f he d*d know, he declared. I had 1etter lea4e the
co/ntr2 >/*etl2 or 1e k*cked o/t. In that ca+e, I repl*ed, he wo/ld ha4e to +end +e4eral
0en to carr2 0e o/t. I left h*0 confo/nded 12 02 ,rechhe*t and went to the
#e*ch+ta. *n +earch of 02 +pon+or+. The2 kept 0e wa*t*n. three ho/r+, too 1/+2 w*th
affa*r+ of tate to +ee 0e. I wa+ *n a d*+t/r1ed +tate of 0*nd, 1/t +oon I for.ot 02
tro/1le+ *n watch*n. the ant*c+ of what ;ohann )o+t /+ed to call 5the 8o/+e of
)ar*onette+.5
;/d.*n. 12 the cont*n/o/+ +trea0 of dep/t*e+ to the refre+h0ent roo0+, the latter
+ee0ed to 1e the real +eat of the a/./+t 1od2. There, a0*d >/ant*t*e+ of t/llen,
e*del+ of 1eer, and ./+t+ of c*.ar6+0oke, the weal and woe of the @er0an 0a++e+
wa+ 1e*n. dec*ded. In the le.*+lat*4e hall +o0eone wa+ talk*n. a.a*n+t t*0e, no do/1t
to hold the fort t*ll h*+ pol*t*cal .ro/p +ho/ld ha4e reco/ped the0+el4e+ +/ff*c*entl2 to
knock the other on the head. It wa+ an enterta*n0ent I +ho/ld ha4e 1een +orr2 to 0*++.
The da2:+ hard work o4er, 02 +pon+or+ t/rned to 0e. After l*+ten*n. to 02 acco/nt
of the *nter4*ew at the ,ore*.n %ff*ce, the2 took /p the telephone. A rather war0
ar./0ent followed, *n the co/r+e of wh*ch the part2 at the other end wa+ told that he
wo/ld 1e reported to h*+ ch*ef for 5+/ppre++*n. the e3ten+*on *++/ed to ,ra/ ". @.
Ker+chner.5 The threat +ee0ed to 1e effect*4e a+ *nd*cated 12 5!ell, then 666 we knew
2o/:d 1e +en+*1le.5 The follow*n. 0orn*n. 02 pa++port wa+ +ta0ped for another two
0onth+: +ta2.
!*th th*+ re+p*te, I dec*ded on a l*ttle apart0ent. I had 1een dr*4en a1o/t +o 0/ch
that I felt 1r/*+ed *n e4er2 1one and I wa+ *n need of a re+t /nder 02 own roof. I
wanted +o0e peace to collect 02 tho/.ht+ 1efore 1e.*nn*n. 02 1ook on #/++*a. I
lon.ed for 02 fla3en6ha*red, 1l/e6e2ed wed*+h 1o2, who+e tender de4ot*on had 1een
02 0a*n+ta2 *n the three and a half 0onth+ of 02 e3*+tence *n tockhol0. I:d +end for
h*0 and ha4e two 0onth+ of per+onal l*fe *n a l*fet*0e that had ne4er 1een 02 own.
Aa*n hope I I real*-ed *t the 0o0ent I 0et 02 fr*end at the +tat*on. 8*+ f*ne e2e+ had
not lo+t the*r fr*endl*ne++, 1/t the .low that had rek*ndled 02 +o/l wa+ no lon.er
there. The2 had co0e to +ee what I had known fro0 the +tart, 2et d*d not w*+h to
real*-e 666 that he wa+ twent26n*ne and I f*ft26three.
!o/ld that the ad4ent/re had ended at *t+ he*.ht, a .olden 0e0or2 on 02 thorn2
road? (/t h*+ ea.erne++ to re7o*n 0e, and 02 own heart6h/n.er had 1een hard to
re+*+t. 5(erl*n +oon?5 had 1een o/r part*n. word. %nl2 fo/r week+ had pa++ed +*nce,
and h*+ fla0e had 1/rned o/t. I wa+ too +ta..ered 12 the /ne3pected 1low to th*nk
clearl2 and I cl/n. to the +traw that I 0*.ht reawaken the lo4e that had 1een 0*ne.
There were 4ar*o/+ rea+on+ wh2 I co/ld not tell h*0 to .o. 8e had a4o*ded
con+cr*pt*on and he had aro/+ed the +/+p*c*on of the tockhol0 pol*ce 1eca/+e of h*+
atte0pt to help a+ha w*th +o0e paper+. 8e had no 0ean+ and he wo/ld not 1e
per0*tted to work *n @er0an2. I felt I co/ld not +end h*0 awa2. !hat *f h*+ lo4e had
d*edB %/r fr*end+h*p wo/ld +t*ll 1e +weet 666 02 affect*on for h*0 +tron. eno/.h to 1e
content w*th that, I rea+oned. The re+t and 7o2 I had hoped for were t/rned *nto e*.ht
0onth+ of p/r.ator2.
401
)2 0*+er2 wa+ *ncrea+ed 12 a+ha:+ lack of +20path2 w*th 02 +tr/..le, the 0ore
+/rpr*+*n. 1eca/+e he had 1een k*nd and +ol*c*to/+ when I fo/.ht a.a*n+t the .row*n.
*nfat/at*on for 02 fr*end. 8e had r*d*c/led the +*ll2 con4ent*on+ re.ard*n. d*fference
*n a.e, and ad4*+ed 0e to follow 02 de+*re for the 2o/th who had co0e *nto 02 l*fe.
a+ha wa+ fond of the 1o2, and a+ for the latter, he wor+h*pped 02 old ch/0. (/t 02
2o/n. wede:+ arr*4al *n (erl*n and h*+ pre+ence *n the +a0e apart0ent +o0ehow
chan.ed the*r for0er f*ne co0rade+h*p *nto +*lent anta.on*+0. I knew the2 d*d not
0ean to h/rt 0e, and 2et *n the*r 0ale +hort6+*.htedne++ the2 d*d noth*n. el+e.
I wa+ *n no +tate of 0*nd for wr*t*n. a 1ook on #/++*a. The tho/.ht of that
/nfort/nate co/ntr2 and of *t+ pol*t*cal 0art2r+ wa+ e4er pre+ent w*th 0e and I felt I
wa+ 1etra2*n. the*r tr/+t. I wa+ do*n. noth*n. to 0ake the*r cond*t*on and the e4en
0ore po*.nant dra0a of 5%cto1er5 known. I tr*ed to +al4e 02 con+c*ence 12 a
contr*1/t*on I 0ade fro0 the +/0+ earned 12 02 art*cle+ and fro0 the 1roch/re the
London .ro/p had p/1l*+hed at 02 e3pen+e. a+ha wa+ do*n. +plend*d work, wr*t*n.
art*cle+ and *++/*n. pa0phlet+ on The #/++*an Tra.ed2, The Co00/n*+t =art2,
Kron+tadt, and related +/17ect+. %/r Ta.anka deportee+ were now al+o *n @er0an2
and the2 were 0ak*n. the0+el4e+ heard *n the anarch*+t pre++ and on the platfor0
re.ard*n. the o4*et real*t2. And e4en 1efore o/r 4o*ce+ were ra*+ed, o/r a1le
co0rade+ #/dolf #ocker and A/./+t*n o/ch2 had 1een enl*.hten*n. the @er0an
worker+ on the tr/e cond*t*on+ *n #/++*a.
Thro/.h 8er1ert wope, of the New York !orld, and Al1ert (on*, Cl*nton =.
(ra*nard, then pre+*dent of 8arper:+, 1eca0e *ntere+ted *n 02 planned work on
#/++*a. 8e pro4ed a 7o4*al old 0an, a 1ree-2 !e+terner, e3pan+*4e *n 0anner and
con4er+at*on9 1/t he d*d not +ee0 to ha4e the +l*.hte+t *dea of 1ook+ and the*r relat*on
to the*r a/thor+. 5*3 0onth+ for a 1ook on the o4*et+?5 he e3cla*0ed. 5Non+en+e?
Yo/ o/.ht to 1e a1le to d*ctate *t r*.ht off the 1at *n a 0onth.5 5Yo/r na0e and the
+/17ect w*ll 0ake the 1ook, not *t+ l*terar2 >/al*t2,5 he a++erted. 8e wo/ld 1et
an2th*n. that a 4ol/0e 12 "00a @old0an on the (ol+he4*k*, w*th an *ntrod/ct*on 12
8er1ert 8oo4er, wo/ld pro4e the .reate+t thr*ller of the da2. 5!h2, *t 0ean+ a fort/ne
for 2o/? $*d 2o/ e4er e3pect that, ".@.B5 5No, ne4er *n all 02 l*fe,5 I ad0*tted,
wonder*n. whether he wa+ 7ok*n. or +o *ncred*1l2 *.norant of 02 l*fe, 02 *dea+, the
*0portance of #/++*a to 0e, or wh2 I wanted to wr*te a1o/t *t. I felt that )r. (ra*nard
wa+ +o naI4e, +o l*ke the a4era.e A0er*can 0*nd, that I co/ld not take offence at h*+
+/..e+t*on of )r. 8oo4er, another perfect a4era.e A0er*can, to *ntrod/ce 02 poor
1ook to the world.
I e3pre++ed +/rpr*+e to Al1ert (on* that an2one +o l*0*ted a+ the pre+*dent of
8arper:+ +ho/ld 1e at the head of a p/1l*+h*n. ho/+e of >/al*t2 and rep/tat*on. 8e
e3pla*ned that )r. (ra*nard:+ do0a*n wa+ 1/+*ne++ and not the l*terar2 depart0ent,
wh*ch wa+ +o0e rel*ef.
I had had no e3per*ence w*th p/1l*+her+, o/r 1ook+ *n A0er*ca ha4*n. alwa2+ 1een
*++/ed 12 o/r+el4e+ thro/.h the )other "arth =/1l*+h*n. A++oc*at*on. Al1ert (on*,
repre+ent*n. (ra*nard and the )cCl/re New+paper 2nd*cate, d*d not f*nd *t
nece++ar2 to enl*.hten 0e on the*r co00erc*al 0ethod+. The re+/lt wa+ that I +old to
)r. (ra*nard the world r*.ht+ to 02 1ook on #/++*a for O1,HF0 ad4ance a.a*n+t the
/+/al ro2alt*e+ and f*ft2 per cent for the +er*al r*.ht+. It +ee0ed a 4er2 +at*+factor2
arran.e0ent to 0e, the 0o+t .rat*f2*n. pro4*+*on *n the a.ree0ent 1e*n. that noth*n.
40C
co/ld 1e chan.ed *n 02 0an/+cr*pt w*tho/t 02 knowled.e and con+ent.
)2 4*+a wa+ renewed for another two 0onth+ and the hope held o/t that I co/ld
ha4e f/rther e3ten+*on+. )2 l*4*n.6e3pen+e+ were now al+o +ec/red. I co/ld proceed
w*th 02 1ook. I had l*4ed w*th *t +*nce Kron+tadt and had worked *t o/t *n all *t+
a+pect+. (/t when I ca0e to wr*te *t, I wa+ o4erwhel0ed 12 the 0a.n*t/de of 02
+/17ect. The #/++*an #e4ol/t*on, .reater and 0ore profo/nd than the ,rench, a+ =eter
had r*.htl2 +a*d 666 co/ld I do *t 7/+t*ce *n one 4ol/0e and *n the l*0*ted t*0e +etB
Year+ were needed for +/ch a work, and a far a1ler pen than 0*ne to 0ake the +tor2 a+
4*4*d and 0o4*n. a+ *t+ real*t2. 8ad I .a*ned the nece++ar2 per+pect*4e and
detach0ent to wr*te w*tho/t per+onal .r*e4ance or ranco/r a.a*n+t the 0en at the
hel0 of the d*ctator+h*pB The+e do/1t+ a++a*led 0e at 02 de+k, .a*n*n. 0o0ent/0
the 0ore I tr*ed to concentrate on 02 ta+k.
)2 *00ed*ate +/rro/nd*n.+ were an2th*n. 1/t helpf/l. )2 2o/n. fr*end had .ot
*nto the +a0e +lo/.h a+ I. 8e had not the +tren.th to lea4e, nor I to +end h*0 awa2.
Lonel*ne++, the 2earn*n. to 1e cared for *n an *nt*0ate +en+e, 0ade 0e cl*n. to the
1o2. 8e ad0*red 0e a+ a re1el and a+ a f*.hter9 a+ a fr*end and co0pan*on I had
awakened h*+ +p*r*t and had opened to h*0 a new world of *dea+, 1ook+, 0/+*c, art.
8e d*d not want to l*4e awa2 fro0 0e and he needed the fellow+h*p and
/nder+tand*n. that he fo/nd *n o/r relat*on+h*p, he +a*d. (/t the d*fference, the e4er
pre+ent d*fference of twent26fo/r 2ear+, he co/ld not for.et.
)2 fr*end+ #/dolf and )*ll2 #ocker +en+ed the ph2+*cal and 0ental +tre++ I wa+
.o*n. thro/.h. I had not +een the0 +*nce 190H, when we had known each other onl2
a+ co0rade+. $/r*n. 02 +ta2 *n (erl*n I ca0e to apprec*ate and lo4e the*r 1ea/t*f/l
+p*r*t. #/dolf wa+ 4er2 0/ch l*ke 02 old co0pan*on )a3, a+ /nder+tand*n., tender,
and .enero/+, and not .*4en +o 0/ch to paral2+*n. *ntro+pect*on. Intellect/all2
1r*ll*ant and w*th a prod*.*o/+ capac*t2 for work, he wa+ a force *n the @er0an
anarch*+t 0o4e0ent and an *n+p*rat*on to e4er2one who ca0e *n contact w*th h*0.
)*ll2 wa+ al+o +en+*t*4el2 att/ned to h/0an +/ffer*n. and /n+t*nted *n her +20path2
and affect*on. The2 were a +ooth*n. help *n the 1attle I wa+ f*.ht*n. to .et control of
02+elf. I de+peratel2 needed to 1e.*n 02 1ook.
The arr*4al of 02 1elo4ed tella and Ian, 02 1a12 al0o+t a+ 0/ch a+ her+,
+o0ewhat d/lled 02 .naw*n. pa*n. I had not +een the0 for three 2ear+ and I had
lon.ed for the*r co0*n.. %ne week went 12 *n +weet har0on2 w*th 02 own, *n
re0*n*+cence+ of the pa+t, w*th all *t+ 7o2 and tra4a*l, of what *+ ad0*ra1le and what *+
hatef/l *n 02 adopted land.
A d*++onant note +oon d*+t/r1ed o/r *d2ll. tella had alwa2+ kept 0e on a pede+tal.
he co/ld not 1ear to +ee 02 feet of cla2. he had +/ffered thro/.h 02 relat*on to
(en, and now a.a*n 02 dear one re+ented that her adored Tante +ho/ld 5throw her+elf
awa2.5 )2 2o/n. wede wa+ >/*ck to +en+e the d*+da*n of 02 n*ece. 8e 1eca0e
0ore contrar2 and went o/t of h*+ wa2 to 1e part*c/larl2 d*+a.reea1le to her.
Ian, a 1ea/t*f/l 2o/n.+ter of +*3, w*ld and /n1r*dled a+ a 2o/n. colt, fo/nd o/r
apart0ent too +0all for h*+ ener.*e+. 8e knew no @er0an and he co/ld not
/nder+tand wh2 e4er21od2 +ho/ld walk a+ on .la++ 1eca/+e 5.rann2:+5 ner4e+ were
on ed.e. There wa+ w*+do0 fro0 the 0o/th of a ch*ld. "4en o/r 1a12 had learned to
403
.o 12 2ear+, and, fool that I wa+, I +t*ll felt 2o/n., reach*n. o/t h/n.r*l2 for the f*re of
2o/th. ,ort/natel2 02 +en+e of the r*d*c/lo/+ had not ent*rel2 for+aken 0e. I co/ld
+t*ll la/.h at 02 own foll2. (/t I co/ld not wr*te, or do a+ 02 wede 666 r/n awa2?
8e wo/ld .o to the +ea+hore for a few da2+, +o that tella and I co/ld 1e w*th each
other /nd*+t/r1ed, he +a*d. I d*d not prote+t9 I felt rather rel*e4ed. The two da2+
len.thened *nto a week w*tho/t a word to rea++/re 0e that all wa+ well w*th h*0. )2
an3*et2 .rew *nto an o1+e++*on that he had taken or lo+t h*+ l*fe. To e+cape the
tort/r*n. tho/.ht I tr*ed once 0ore to +tart 02 1ook. A+ *f 12 0a.*c the load I had
carr*ed for 0onth+ wa+ l*fted9 the harrow*n. +hadow+ d*+appeared to.ether w*th the
1o2 and 02 fr/+trat*on+. I 02+elf 1eca0e d*++ol4ed *nto the p*ct/re that wa+ tak*n.
for0 on the paper 1efore 0e.
A +tor0 1e.an *n the late afternoon and cont*n/ed thro/.ho/t the n*.ht. Th/nder
and l*.htn*n., followed 12 w*nd and ra*n, 1eat a.a*n+t the w*ndow+ of 02 roo0. I
wrote on, o1l*4*o/+ of e4er2th*n. e3cept the +tor0 *n 02 own +o/l. I fo/nd relea+e at
la+t.
The +tor0 o/t+*de had +topped. The a*r wa+ +t*ll, the +/n +lowl2 r*+*n. and
+pread*n. *t+ red and .old o4er the +k2 *n .reet*n. of the new da2. I wept, con+c*o/+
of the eternal re1*rth *n nat/re, *n the drea0+ of 0an, *n h*+ >/e+t for freedo0 and
1ea/t2, *n the +tr/..le of h/0an*t2 to .reater he*.ht+. I felt the re1*rth of 02 own l*fe,
to 1lend once 0ore w*th the /n*4er+al, of wh*ch I wa+ 1/t an *nf*n*te+*0al part.
The wede ret/rned hale and +o/nd. 8e had not wr*tten 1eca/+e he wa+ tr2*n. to
0/+ter /p co/ra.e to .o h*+ own wa2. 8e fa*led. 8e wa+ drawn 1ack 12 h*+ need of
0e. !o/ld I accept h*0 a.a*nB I d*d, certa*n that he co/ld not con+/0e 0e a+ 1efore.
I wa+ 1ack *n #/++*a now, *n her tr*/0ph and defeat, 02 e4er2 f*1re *ntent on
recreat*n. the tre0endo/+ panora0a I had w*tne++ed for twent26one 0onth+.
)2 dear old pal a+ha, tho/.h rarel2 +20pathet*c w*th 02 affa*r+ of the heart,
ne4er fa*led 0e *n o/r co00on act*4*t*e+ or *n h*+ cooperat*on w*th 02 l*terar2
effort+. ;/+t a+ +oon a+ he +aw 0e work*n. *n earne+t, he ca0e 1ack w*th h*+ old
ea.erne++ to help. I +ho/ld ha4e 0ade con+*dera1le pro.re++ now 1/t for a new
d*+t/r1ance.
Yo/n. people are rarel2 .enero/+ to each other, nor ha4e the2 pat*ence w*th each
other:+ +hortco0*n.+. )2 +ecretar2, an *ntell*.ent and eff*c*ent ;ew*+h6A0er*can .*rl,
and 02 2o/n. wede co/ld apparentl2 not .et on. The2 ar./ed 4*olentl2 and
>/arrelled o4er e4er2 tr*4*al 0atter. The +tra*n wa+ a..ra4ated when the .*rl 0o4ed
*nto o/r apart0ent. It wa+ lar.e eno/.h, and each of /+ had h*+ own roo0. (/t the two
2o/n. th*n.+ .lared and f/0ed at each other e4er2 0o0ent the2 were to.ether.
oon I d*+co4ered the tr/th of the @er0an +a2*n.: !a+ l*e1t +*ch, da+ neckt +*ch.
The two 2o/n. people had fallen *n lo4e w*th each other and were f*.ht*n. to d*+tract
02 attent*on fro0 the*r real feel*n.+. The2 were too /n+oph*+t*cated to 1e ./*lt2 of
del*1erate decept*on. The2 +*0pl2 lacked the co/ra.e to +peak and were perhap+
afra*d to h/rt 0e. A+ *f the*r frankne++ co/ld ha4e 1een 0ore lacerat*n. than 02
real*-at*on that the*r +how of *nd*fference wa+ onl2 a +h*eld? At heart I had not cea+ed
to 1el*e4e that 02 lo4e wo/ld rek*ndle h*+ affect*on, +o r*ch and a1/ndant d/r*n. o/r
404
0onth+ *n tockhol0.
I co/ld not end/re the +*ll2 h*de6and6+eek .o*n. on 1efore 02 e2e+. I a++/red the0
that noth*n. wo/ld chan.e 02 affect*on for the0, and that I wanted the .*rl to
cont*n/e w*th 0e /nt*l the 0an/+cr*pt wa+ t2ped, 1/t I wo/ld a+k the0 to f*nd
>/arter+ of the*r own. It wo/ld 1e le++ wear*n. for the three of /+.
The2 0o4ed o/t. The .*rl cont*n/ed to do 02 +ecretar*al work, 1/t her att*t/de
toward+ 0e had chan.ed. The 2o/n. wede kept co0*n. to +ee 0e, .enerall2 *n the
e4en*n., when h*+ +weetheart wa+ not pre+ent. he co/ld not 1ear to +ee h*0 w*th 0e,
he +a*d, or to 1e 0ade to feel that I wa+ h*+ *n+p*rat*on. I wo/ld alwa2+ re0a*n that, he
re*terated. It wa+ +o0eth*n. of a con+olat*on9 +t*ll, *t wo/ld 1e 1e+t *f he +ta2ed awa2
alto.ether, I told h*0. I wa+ pa+t 0*nd*n.. The*r lo4e wa+ 2o/n., and *t wa+ /nk*nd to
ca/+e *t pa*n. 8e took 02 ad4*ce and he d*d not co0e a.a*n /nt*l +hortl2 1efore he left
w*th the .*rl for A0er*ca, and then onl2 to +a2 .ood612e.
I +t*ll had the harde+t part of 02 1ook to do 666 an Afterword that wa+ to +et forth
the le++on+ of the #/++*an #e4ol/t*on wh*ch o/r co0rade+ and the 0*l*tant 0a++e+
w*ll ha4e to learn *f f/t/re re4ol/t*on+ are not to 1e fa*l/re+. I had co0e to real*-e that
w*th all the (ol+he4*k 0an*a for power the2 co/ld ne4er ha4e +o co0pletel2
terror*-ed the #/++*an people *f *t were not *nherent *n 0a++ p+2cholo.2 to 1e ea+*l2
+wa2ed. I wa+ al+o con4*nced that the concept*on of re4ol/t*on *n o/r own rank+ wa+
too ro0ant*c, and that 0*racle+ cannot 1e e3pected e4en after cap*tal*+0 +hall ha4e
1een a1ol*+hed and the 1o/r.eo*+*e el*0*nated. I knew 1etter now and I wanted to
help 02 co0rade+ to a clearer /nder+tand*n..
I felt that for an ade>/ate treat0ent of the con+tr/ct*4e +*de of re4ol/t*on I 02+elf
had to .et awa2 fro0 the phanto0 of the Co00/n*+t tate far eno/.h for o17ect*4e
wr*t*n.. I d*d not want 02 1ook to .o o/t *nto the world w*tho/t +o0e def*n*te
concl/+*on+. Yet *n 02 +tate of 0*nd I fo/nd *t *0po++*1le to .o *nto the co0ple3
pro1le0+ of the +/17ect. After week+ of confl*ct I dec*ded to 7ot down a few tho/.ht+,
+o0e fra.0ent+ that 0*.ht +er4e a+ a +ketch for a lar.er work on the 4*tal +/17ect.
a+ha a.reed that *n the l*.ht of the #/++*an e4ent+ a thoro/.h re4*+*on of the old
concept*on of re4ol/t*on had 1eco0e *0perat*4e. 8e or I or 1oth of /+ 0*.ht
/ndertake *t later. There wa+ no need to fret a1o/t the 0atter now. A 1ook of
*0pre++*on+, +/ch a+ 0*ne, wa+ no place for an anal2+*+ of theor*e+ and *dea+. #/dolf
al+o held th*+ 4*ew. A+ a re+/lt of the ad4*ce of 02 two fr*end+, who+e 7/d.0ent *n
+/ch >/e+t*on+ rarel2 erred, and 1eca/+e of 02 own feel*n. a1o/t *t, I wrote a clo+*n.
chapter +/..e+t*n. *n .eneral o/tl*ne the pract*cal, con+tr/ct*4e effort+ d/r*n.
re4ol/t*on.
I had rea+on+ for a do/1le cele1rat*on. I had re.a*ned 02 e0ot*onal +an*t2 and I
had co0pleted the 0an/+cr*pt of 5)2 Two Year+ *n #/++*a.5 a+ha al+o had ca/+e to
1e e3ceed*n.l2 .lad. The prec*o/+ d*ar2 he had kept *n #/++*a, wh*ch had e+caped the
Chek*+t+ who ran+acked h*+ roo0 1eca/+e I had *t h*dden *n 0*ne, had 1een lo+t after
*t wa+ +0/..led o/t of #/++*a. !h*le a+ha wa+ *n )*n+k, a fr*end had taken h*+ note6
1ook+ to @er0an2, pro0*+*n. to del*4er the0 to the #ocker+. @reat wa+ o/r +hock on
learn*n. that o/r (erl*n fr*end+ had fa*led to rece*4e the prec*o/+ packa.e. Noth*n.
co/ld replace the da26126da2 record a+ha had kept of e4er2 *nc*dent and e4ent
d/r*n. o/r +ta2 *n #/++*a. L/ck*l2 the pr*cele++ d*ar2 wa+ d*+co4ered after 0an2 an
40F
an3*o/+ week.
)onth+ pa++ed after 02 0an/+cr*pt had 1een 0a*led to the )cCl/re New+paper
2nd*cate, 1/t no word ca0e a1o/t *t+ rece*pt. I wrote w*th e4er2 +a*l*n. and +pent a
l*ttle fort/ne on ca1le+, 1/t there wa+ no repl2. tella and ,*t-*, who0 I had a+ked to
+ee (ra*nard a1o/t *t, reported that the2 had 1een told that the 0an had not appeared
*n h*+ off*ce +*nce h*+ ret/rn fro0 @er0an2, and no one at the 2nd*cate knew
an2th*n. a1o/t 02 0an/+cr*pt. I then ca1led )r. wope, of the New York !orld,
1e..*n. h*0 to .o after the pre+*dent of 8arper:+. I +aw @aret @arrett, of the Tr*1/ne,
wh*le he wa+ *n (erl*n and a+ked h*0 to help 0e locate the 0an/+cr*pt. I .a4e Al1ert
(on* no peace. All the+e frant*c effort+ 1ro/.ht no re+/lt+. &na1le to end/re the worr2
a1o/t 02 1ook an2 lon.er, I t/rned the 0atter o4er to 02 old fr*end and co/n+ellor
8arr2 !e*n1er.er. I wa+ conf*dent he wo/ld +/cceed *n 0ak*n. the )cCl/re people
or (ra*nard .*4e 0e an acco/nt.
In add*t*on to th*+ an3*et2 ca0e the new+ of the fr*.htf/l cala0*t2 that had
happened to 02 tella. he had lo+t the +*.ht of her r*.ht e2e. pec*al*+t+ who had
treated her nearl2 1ro/.ht her to the .ra4e 12 the*r e3per*0ent+. %ne of the0
d*+0*++ed her ca+e a+ a detached ret*na that co/ld not 1e c/red, and h*nted at co0plete
1l*ndne++. @er0an2 *+ fa0o/+ for *t+ e2e +pec*al*+t+ and I wa+ ent*rel2 free now to
de4ote 02+elf to 02 n*ece. I /r.ed her to co0e to 0e at once. he ca0e, a +hadow of
the rad*ant .*rl that had 4*+*ted 0e the pre4*o/+ 2ear. A +pec*al*+t d*a.no+ed her ca+e
a+ t/1erc/lo+*+ of the e2e+ and held o/t no hope for reco4er2.
$r. )a.n/+ 8*r+chfeld, who0 I knew for h*+ p*oneer work *n +e3 p+2cholo.2,
ca0e to o/r re+c/e. 8e +/..e+ted $r. Co/nt !*+er, of (ad L*e1en+te*n, *n Th/r*n.en.
8e wa+ a re0arka1le 0an, $r. 8*r+chfeld +a*d, a .reat d*a.no+t*c*an and an *nno4ator
*n the treat0ent of e2e affect*on+. The doctor added that I +ho/ld 1e part*c/larl2
*ntere+ted *n !*+er 1eca/+e he had 1een pro+cr*1ed and per+ec/ted 12 the profe++*on,
a+ I had 1een *n the pol*t*cal f*eld and he h*0+elf *n h*+ h/0an*tar*an and +oc*al
proph2lact*c work. I +0*led at the *dea that an ar*+tocrat +ho/ld 0eet w*th the +a0e
oppo+*t*on a+ a +oc*al re1el or e4en a+ $r. 8*r+chfeld, a ;ew work*n. to clear awa2 the
+e3/al pre7/d*ce+ of the @er0an )*chel. 8owe4er, we were w*ll*n. to tr2 Co/nt
!*+er.
Tho/.h we had 1een *nfor0ed a1o/t the att*t/de of the 0ed*cal profe++*on toward+
$r. !*+er, we were rather d*+0a2ed 12 the c*rc/lar handed /+ *n h*+ off*ce when we
arr*4ed for a con+/ltat*on. It wa+ an appeal to the )ed*cal $epart0ent of the !ar
)*n*+tr2 to ha4e $r. @raf !*+er +/ppre++ed on .ro/nd+ of profe++*onal *nco0petence,
>/acker2, and d*+hone+t2, and *t wa+ +*.ned 12 twent26two of the fore0o+t e2e
+pec*al*+t+ of @er0an2. ,or a 0o0ent the tho/.ht ca0e to 0e that there 0/+t 1e
+o0eth*n. wron. w*th $r. !*+er to ha4e called forth the en0*t2 of h*+ *ll/+tr*o/+
collea./e+. %/r /nplea+ant *0pre++*on wa+ +o0ewhat 0*t*.ated 12 the fact that !*+er
d*d not he+*tate to let h*+ pat*ent+ know the profe++*onal att*t/de a.a*n+t h*0. 8e co/ld
not /ndertake to treat an2 per+on, he +tated *n a foot6note, /nle++ a++/red of
conf*dence *n h*+ 0ethod. Th*+ ra*+ed h*0 con+*dera1l2 *n 02 e+t*0at*on and re+pect.
)2 f*r+t per+onal 0eet*n. w*th the pro+cr*1ed doctor freed 0e ent*rel2 fro0 the
la+t do/1t ra*+ed 12 the c*rc/lar. 8*+ ent*re de0eano/r 1el*ed the acc/+at*on a.a*n+t
h*0. 8*+ +*0pl*c*t2 and +*ncer*t2 were e4*dent *n e4er2 word. Tho/.h he had a l*ne of
40G
people wa*t*n., he took an ho/r and a half to e3a0*ne tella and then decl*ned to for0
a def*n*te op*n*on a1o/t her cond*t*on. 8e wa+ certa*n, howe4er, that +he had ne*ther a
detached ret*na nor t/1erc/lo+*+. 8e e3pre++ed the 4*ew that pro1a1le o4er+tra*n had
re+/lted *n e3ce++*4e 1lood6pre++/re, ca/+*n. a hae0orrha.e that for0ed a 1lood clot
o4er the opt*c ner4e. 8e hoped he co/ld treat *t *n +/ch a 0anner that *t wo/ld 1e
a1+or1ed *n her +2+te0. T*0e and care wo/ld tell. )/ch wo/ld depend on the pat*ent
her+elf. 8*+ treat0ent wa+ rather r*.oro/+, and 5The pat*ence of an an.el *+ re>/*red to
keep *t /p,5 the doctor re0arked, w*th a +0*le that l*t /p h*+ f*ne feat/re+. *3 ho/r+ or
0ore of da*l2 e3erc*+e+ w*th 4ar*o/+ len+e+ wa+ a +tren/o/+ proce++ that called for
co0plete re+t and rela3at*on after the ordeal. 8*+ char0 and h/0an *ntere+t con4*nced
0e that there wa+ a 1ea/t*f/l per+onal*t2 1eneath the ph2+*c*an who lo4ed h*+
profe++*on. "4er2 da2 +tren.thened 02 f*r+t *0pre++*on of $r. !*+er.
%/r pre+ence *n L*e1en+te*n 1ro/.ht to /+ 0an2 of o/r fr*end+ fro0 A0er*ca. ,*t-*
and =a/la, who0 we had not +een +*nce o/r deportat*on, ca0e for a +ta2. "llen
Kennan, o/r old $en4er fr*end, )*chael Cohn and h*+ new w*fe, 8enr2 Al+1er.,
#/dolf and )*ll2 #ocker, A.ne+ 0edle2, Chatto and co0rade+ fro0 "n.land. )2
l*fe had not 1een +o replete w*th fr*end+h*p and affect*on *n 0an2 2ear+. ;o2 o4er
tella:+ *0pro4e0ent f*lled 02 c/p of happ*ne++ to the 1r*0. 5'/een ".@. and her
co/rt,5 tea+ed 8enr2 at the lo4el2 +/rpr*+e part2 02 fa0*l2 arran.ed for 02 f*ft26
fo/rth 1*rthda2. Th*+ 0/ch, l*fe had .*4en 0e: fr*end+ who+e lo4e ne*ther faltered nor
chan.ed w*th the 2ear+, a trea+/re few po++e++.
A0on. the 0an2 1*rthda2 .*ft+ and 0e++a.e+ I rece*4ed wa+ al+o one fro0 02
fa*thf/l fr*end and co/n+ellor, 8arr2 !e*n1er.er. It 1ro/.ht the .ood new+ that 02
0an/+cr*pt had 1een +old 12 (ra*nard to $o/1leda2, =a.e and Co0pan2 and that the
1ook wo/ld 1e o/t *n %cto1er of that 2ear M19C3N. I ca1led that pa.e proof+ 1e +ent to
0e. The p/1l*+her+ repl*ed that *t wo/ld dela2 the *++/e of 02 1ook and a++/red 0e
that the2 wo/ld keep +tr*ctl2 to the 0an/+cr*pt.
After three 0onth+: treat0ent 12 $r. !*+er, tella re.a*ned part*al +*.ht of her
1l*nd e2e. Nor wa+ that the onl2 ach*e4e0ent of 5o/r @raf,5 a+ we 1e.an to call h*0.
"4er2 da2 *n h*+ pr*4ate cl*n*c I had occa+*on to +t/d2 4ar*o/+ ca+e+, affl*ct*on+
+*0*lar to tella:+, that had 1een .*4en /p a+ hopele++ and that $r. !*+er +/cceeded *n
c/r*n., part*all2 or co0pletel2. I tho/.ht *t *ncred*1le that an2one +o +k*lled and ea.er
to .*4e rel*ef +ho/ld ha4e 1een p/t *n the p*llor2.
,ro0 02 talk+ w*th $r. !*+er:+ pat*ent+, +o0e of who0 had known h*0 for 2ear+,
I learned of the 0o+t a0a-*n. con+p*rac2 I had e4er heard of *n the profe++*onal
world. The +tate0ent +ent to the !ar )*n*+tr2 12 the .ro/p of e2e +pec*al*+t+ wa+
onl2 a 0*nor part of the do++*er 0an/fact/red a.a*n+t the @raf. The2 had e4en .one to
the e3tent of +end*n. one of the*r worth*e+ to +p2 on h*0. A0on. the acc/+at*on+
a.a*n+t h*0 wa+ that he wa+ 0ercenar2. I ne4er knew an2one le++ concerned w*th
0one2 than !*+er. !hen the 4al/e of the 0ark wa+ .o*n. down f*4e t*0e+ a da2, he
ne4er a+ked a pfenn*. fro0 h*+ pat*ent+ /nt*l the2 had f*n*+hed the*r treat0ent. Th*+
*n4ol4ed lo++e+ that ca/+ed h*0 to clo+e h*+ p/1l*c cl*n*c, where the poore+t were
.*4en the +a0e treat0ent and attent*on a+ tho+e who co/ld afford to pa2. *3t26three
2ear+ of a.e, *n del*cate health, $r. !*+er worked twel4e ho/r+ a da2, +e4en da2+ a
week, and tho/.h he had +core+ of pat*ent+, he and h*+ w*fe l*4ed *n the /t0o+t
fr/.al*t2. At the +a0e t*0e he freel2 helped e4er21od2 who ca0e to h*0, not onl2
40H
profe++*onall2, 1/t fro0 h*+ l*0*ted 0ean+ a+ well.
$r. !*+er:+ .reate+t offence *n the e2e+ of h*+ detractor+, apart fro0 the fact that he
ach*e4ed re+/lt+ where the2 had fa*led, wa+ h*+ rel/ctance to ret/rn +old*er+ to the
front who had had the*r +*.ht *0pa*red. In one of the 0an2 *nter4*ew+ I had w*th h*0,
he re0arked: 5I know noth*n. a1o/t pol*t*c+ and I care l*ttle a1o/t *t. I onl2 know
+/ffer*n. h/0an*t2, the flower of the land +hot to p*ece+ 12 +en+ele++ hate. )2 a*0,
02 +ole *ntere+t, *+ to help the0 and *n+t*l *n the0 new fa*th *n l*fe.5
tella, ha4*n. 1e./n to +how +*.n+ of +tra*n fro0 the three 0onth+ of da*l2
appl*cat*on, $r. !*+er ordered her to take a co0plete re+t. It wa+ part of h*+ .eneral
+2+te0 to ha4e h*+ pat*ent+ rec/perate fro0 t*0e to t*0e 1efore cont*n/*n. the
treat0ent. he wa+ plann*n. to 4*+*t )/n*ch for the approach*n. !a.ner6tra/++
fe+t*4al, w*th the latter cond/ct*n. h*+ own opera+. a+ha, ,*t-*, =a/la, and "llen were
al+o .o*n. and the2 all /r.ed 0e to 7o*n the0.
(a4ar*a 1e*n. the +tron.hold of @er0an 7*n.o*+0, I wa+ d/1*o/+ a1o/t the
+/..e+t*on, 1/t the .*rl+ *n+*+ted and I acco0pan*ed the0. ,ort26e*.ht ho/r+ after
reach*n. )/n*ch ca0e a.a*n the fa0*l*ar knock on 02 door. Three 0en *n4*ted 0e to
acco0pan2 the0 to the =ol*-e* =re+*d*/0. The2 were not nearl2 +o pol*te a+ 02 earl2
caller+ *n (erl*n, 1/t the2 con+ented to wa*t lon. eno/.h to ena1le 0e to appr*+e 02
fr*end+ of 02 arre+t.
The do++*er *n the )/n*ch ro./e+: .aller2 wa+ a+ co0plete a+ the one on the
@er0an 1order. It conta*ned 0ater*al dat*n. 1ack to 1<9C 666 nearl2 e4er2th*n. I had
e4er wr*tten or +a*d 666 all a1o/t a+ha:+ act*4*t*e+ and 0*ne, and a co0plete collect*on
of photo.raph+. The 0o+t +/rpr*+*n. e3h*1*t wa+ a p*ct/re taken *n New York 12 02
/ncle, a photo.rapher, *n 1<<9. )2 4an*t2 flattered at +ee*n. 02+elf +o 2o/n. and
attract*4e, I offered to 1/2 a cop2. The pol*ce .rew >/*te an.r2 at +/ch 5fl*.ht*ne++5 *n
the face of 02 arre+t and certa*n deportat*on. After +e4eral ho/r+ *n>/*+*t*on I wa+
per0*tted to ret/rn to 02 hotel for l/nch on cond*t*on that I co0e 1ack a.a*n. I wa+
.ratef/l for the ho/r w*th 02 fa0*l2. )2 one re.ret wa+ that I had heard onl2 Tr*+tan
and I+olde and "lectra, and that 02 +/1+cr*pt*on to the re+t of the c2cle wo/ld 1e lo+t.
A0on. the char.e+ a.a*n+t 0e wa+ that I had 1een *n (a4ar*a *n the ,all of 1<93
on a +ecret 0*++*on. I den*ed the alle.at*on 1eca/+e I had then 1een 5otherw*+e
en.a.ed.5 5!hat wa+ *tB5 the2 de0anded. 5I wa+ tak*n. a re+t6c/re at (lackwell:+
I+land =en*tent*ar2 *n New York.5 And I had the effronter2 to ad0*t *tB !h2 notB I
had not 1een there for +teal*n. +*l4er +poon+ or +*lk handkerch*ef+. I wa+ there for 02
+oc*al *dea+, for the 4er2 one+ for wh*ch the2 were a1o/t to e3pel 0e. 5!e know
tho+e *dea+,5 the2 roared, 5plott*n. con+p*rac*e+, 1o01+, k*ll*n. of r/ler+.5 !ere the2
+t*ll afra*d of +/ch tr*fle+ after the world +la/.hter the2 and the*r @o4ern0ent had
helped to la/nchB %h, that wa+ for the protect*on of the ,atherland, 1/t I co/ld not 1e
e3pected to /nder+tand +/ch hol2 0ot*4e+. I cheerf/ll2 ad0*tted 02 l*0*tat*on+.
In the late afternoon I wa+ +ent 1ack to the hotel w*th a 1od26./ard and ordered to
lea4e on the e4en*n. tra*n. 8ow to .et a+ha awa2 wa+ 02 0a*n pro1le0. )2 2o/n.
pol*ce e+cort /nw*tt*n.l2 +/..e+ted a wa2. 8e co0pla*ned that he had 1een on d/t2
+*nce earl2 0orn*n. and now he wo/ld 1e /na1le to .et 1ack to h*+ w*fe and ch*ld
/nt*l he +aw 0e lea4e )/n*ch. I re0arked that he co/ld 7/+t a+ well t/rn 0e o4er to
40<
the hotel porter, who wo/ld take 0e to the +tat*on. 8e he+*tated onl2 lon. eno/.h to
+ee 0e p/ll o/t a f*4e6dollar 1*ll. The 0atter co/ld 1e arran.ed, he +a*d, *f I wo/ld
pro0*+e not to 7/0p o/t of the tra*n after *t left the +tat*on. #ea++/red that I had no
*ntent*on of co00*tt*n. +/*c*de, he went h*+ wa2.
In the hotel I held a h/rr*ed conference w*th the 0e01er+ of o/r part2. !e a.reed
that a+ha 0/+t .et o/t of )/n*ch at once, for *t wa+ certa*n that the pol*ce wo/ld f*nd
h*0 *f he re0a*ned another da2. ,*t-*, look*n. 4er2 lad2l*ke *n +p*te of her 0an2
5plot+5 wh*le +he had 1een w*th /+ *n A0er*ca, +aw a+ha to the +tat*on. !e 0et on
the tra*n when *t wa+ well o/t of (a4ar*a.
The pol*ce ret/rned to the hotel the ne3t 0orn*n. *n +earch of Ale3ander (erk0an,
and the +a0e da2 tella wa+ e3pelled fro0 the co/ntr2 1eca/+e +he wa+ the n*ece of
"00a @old0an. The2 d*d not 1other the other .*rl+, 1/t the latter dec*ded that the2
had had eno/.h of (a4ar*an ho+p*tal*t2.
tella went 1ack to !*+er and I re0a*ned *n (erl*n t*ll ,*t-*:+ +a*l*n.. I planned to
7o*n 02 n*ece a+ +oon a+ dear ,*t-* +ho/ld ha4e departed. It 1eca0e /nnece++ar2,
1eca/+e tella co/ld not lon.er +tand the +eparat*on fro0 her +on and h*+ father.
)oreo4er, $r. !*+er felt an3*o/+ a1o/t her 1eca/+e of the threaten*n. pol*t*cal
+*t/at*on *n @er0an2. 8e knew the te0per of the react*onar*e+ *n h*+ co/ntr2 and he
wo/ld not e3po+e h*+ fore*.n pat*ent+ to *t. 8e ad4*+ed tella to ret/rn to A0er*ca,
*0pre++*n. /pon her the nece++*t2 of the /t0o+t preca/t*on a.a*n+t e3po+*n. her +*ck
e2e. 8e al+o 0apped o/t a +2+te0 of treat0ent that +he co/ld cont*n/e her+elf /nt*l
the +pr*n., when he e3pected her to co0e 1ack. I fo/.ht a.a*n+t her lea4*n.. I dreaded
+o0e 0*+hap 666 a cold, +o0eth*n. /nfore+een, that 0*.ht throw her 1ack. (/t there
wa+ no hold*n. tella an2 lon.er, and the rea++/rance of o/r @raf >/*eted 02 fear+.
tella had hardl2 left when I rece*4ed a 1low that +ta..ered 0e. A cop2 of 02
1ook arr*4ed w*th the la+t twel4e chapter+ 0*++*n. and w*th an ent*rel2 wron. t*tle. A+
pr*nted, the 4ol/0e wa+ an /nf*n*+hed work, 1eca/+e the la+t chapter+ and part*c/larl2
02 Afterword, wh*ch repre+ented the c/l0*nat*n. e++ence of the whole, were left o/t.
The /na/thor*-ed na0e wa+ fearf/ll2 0*+lead*n.: )2 $*+*ll/+*on0ent *n #/++*a wa+
+/re to con4e2 to the reader that *t wa+ the #e4ol/t*on that had d*+*ll/+*oned 0e rather
than the p+e/do6re4ol/t*onar2 0ethod+ of the Co00/n*+t tate. The t*tle I had .*4en
02 work wa+ +*0pl2 5)2 Two Year+ *n #/++*a.5 The +p/r*o/+ t*tle wa+ a 4er*ta1le
0*+f*t. I wrote a +tate0ent for the pre++, wh*ch I +ent to tella, e3pla*n*n. that 02
0an/+cr*pt had 1een a0p/tated, and I ca1led 8arr2 !e*n1er.er to de0and of the
p/1l*+her+ an e3planat*on. I wanted the +ale+ +topped t*ll the 0atter +ho/ld 1e
+tra*.htened o/t.
In repl2, $o/1leda2, =a.e and Co0pan2 ca1led that the2 had 1o/.ht fro0 the
)cCl/re 2nd*cate the world r*.ht+ to the twent2 fo/r chapter+ *n the 1el*ef that the2
co0pr*+ed 02 co0plete +tor2. The2 had al+o 1een a/thor*-ed to /+e the*r own t*tle.
The2 had known noth*n. a1o/t the e3*+tence of the other chapter+.
"ner.et*c 8arr2 !e*n1er.er wo/ld not .*4e /p. 8e +/cceeded *n *nd/c*n.
$o/1leda2, =a.e and Co0pan2 to p/1l*+h the 0*++*n. chapter+ *n a +eparate 4ol/0e,
the co+t of pr*nt*n. to 1e ./aranteed 12 /+. I appealed to o/r co0rade )*chael A.
Cohn to e3tend the loan, wh*ch he d*d w*tho/t dela2.
409
)eanwh*le tella had +/ffered a relap+e. In cro++*n. the Atlant*c +he had done the
4er2 th*n. the @raf had warned her a.a*n+t. he re0a*ned on deck d/r*n. a +tor0
w*tho/t the pre+cr*1ed 1anda.e to protect her e2e. %n land*n. +he wa+ ca/.ht *n the
4orte3 of fa0*l2 worr*e+, wh*ch helped to a..ra4ate her cond*t*on. he re.retted
1*tterl2 not ha4*n. re0a*ned *n !*+er:+ care, and I reproached 02+elf for per0*tt*n.
her to lea4e when +he wa+ 0ak*n. +/ch pro.re++.
I had wr*tten a +tor2 on !*+er:+ work and planned to +end *t to the New York
!orld. (/t *t wa+ o/t of the >/e+t*on now. )2 reader+ co/ld not 1e e3pected to take
02 word that $r. !*+er wa+ not re+pon+*1le for tella:+ relap+e. I dec*ded to w*thhold
02 art*cle /nt*l +he co/ld a.a*n co0e /nder h*+ care. 8owe4er, the +tor2 appeared
after all, *n the New #e4*ew, a 0a.a-*ne p/1l*+hed *n Calc/tta *n the "n.l*+h
lan./a.e. A.ne+ 0edle2 and Chatto, the latter ha4*n. al+o 1een treated 12 the @raf,
1el*e4ed *n the +/cce++ of h*+ new 0ethod and the2 wanted to 0ake h*0 known *n
Ind*a. It+ p/1l*cat*on re+/lted *n a n/01er of 8*nd/+: co0*n. to $r. !*+er a+ pat*ent+.
It wa+ the onl2 co0fort *n 02 .r*ef o4er tella:+ cond*t*on.
The re4*ew+ of )2 $*+*ll/+*on0ent *n #/++*a +howed a+ 0/ch d*+cern0ent a+ the
repre+entat*4e of $o/1leda2, =a.e and Co0pan2 who had 1o/.ht three6>/arter+ of a
0an/+cr*pt a+ a co0plete work. A0on. the +core+ of re4*ewer+ onl2 one ./e++ed that
the 1ook wa+ an a1ort*on. It wa+ a (/ffalo l*1rar*an, who po*nted o/t *n the ;o/rnal
that "00a @old0an:+ narrat*4e ended w*th K*e4, 19C0, wh*le *n her =reface +he
+tated that +he had left #/++*a *n $ece01er 19C1. 8ad noth*n. happened *n all the
*nter4en*n. t*0e to *0pre++ the a/thorB The 0an:+ per+p*cac*t2 +tr*k*n.l2 reflected on
the d/llne++ of the 5cr*t*c+5 who pre+/0e to pa++ l*terar2 7/d.0ent *n the &n*ted
tate+.
The Co00/n*+t re+pon+e to 02 4ol/0e on #/++*a co/ld ha4e 1een fore+een, of
co/r+e. !*ll*a0 D. ,o+ter:+ 5re4*ew5 wa+ to the effect that e4er21od2 *n )o+cow wa+
aware that "00a @old0an wa+ rece*4*n. +/pport fro0 the A0er*can ecret er4*ce
$epart0ent. )r. ,o+ter knew that I +ho/ld not ha4e la+ted a da2 *n #/++*a *f the
Cheka had 1el*e4ed +/ch a th*n.. %ther Co00/n*+t+, who wrote a+ k*ndl2 a+ )r.
,o+ter, al+o knew that I had not 1een 1o/.ht. There wa+ onl2 one who had the
co/ra.e to +a2 +o: #ene )archand, of the ,rench .ro/p *n )o+cow, who +tated *n h*+
re4*ew that, tho/.h he re.retted 02 0*+./*ded 7/d.0ent, he co/ld not 1el*e4e that 02
+tand a.a*n+t o4*et #/++*a wa+ 0ot*4ated 12 0ater*al rea+on+. I apprec*ated h*+
.*4*n. 0e cred*t for 02 re4ol/t*onar2 *nte.r*t2, and I w*+hed he were 1ra4e eno/.h to
ad0*t that he wa+ /na1le to reconc*le h*0+elf to +o0e of the 0ethod+ the (ol+he4*k*
pract*ced *n the na0e of the #e4ol/t*on. Co00andeered to work *n the Cheka, #ene
)archand had +een eno/.h to plead for h*+ re0o4al, a+ otherw*+e he wo/ld 1e
co0pelled to lea4e the Co00/n*+t =art2. L*ke 0an2 other +*ncere Co00/n*+t+ he d*d
not /nder+tand the #e4ol/t*on *n ter0+ of the Cheka.
Not +o (*ll 8a2wood. A+ a+ha had fore+een, he ea+*l2 took the (ol+he4*k 1a*t.
Three week+ after h*+ arr*4al *n #/++*a he wrote to A0er*ca that the worker+ were *n
f/ll control and that pro+t*t/t*on and dr/nkenne++ had 1een a1ol*+hed. Lend*n.
h*0+elf to +/ch o14*o/+ fal+ehood+, wh2 +ho/ld (*ll not al+o cred*t 0e w*th 0ot*4e+
he knew were a1+/rdB 5"00a @old0an d*d not .et the +oft 7o1+ +he wa+ look*n. for9
that wa+ wh2 +he wrote a.a*n+t the $*ctator+h*p of the =roletar*at.5 =oor (*ll? 8e
410
1e.an roll*n. down the prec*p*ce when he ran awa2 to +a4e h*0+elf fro0 the 1/rn*n.
ho/+e of the I.!.!. 8e co/ld not +top h*0+elf *n h*+ fall.
)2 Co00/n*+t acc/+er+ were not the onl2 one+ to cr2 5Cr/c*f2?5 There were al+o
+o0e anarch*+t 4o*ce+ *n the chor/+. The2 were the 4er2 people who had fo/.ht 0e on
"ll*+ I+land, on the (/ford, and the f*r+t 2ear *n #/++*a 1eca/+e I had ref/+ed to
conde0n the (ol+he4*k* 1efore I had a chance to te+t the*r +che0e.
$a*l2 the new+ fro0 #/++*a a1o/t the cont*n/ed pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on +tren.thened
e4er2 fact I had de+cr*1ed *n 02 art*cle+ and *n 02 1ook. It wa+ /nder+tanda1le that
Co00/n*+t+ +ho/ld clo+e the*r e2e+ to the real*t2, 1/t *t wa+ reprehen+*1le on the part
of people who called the0+el4e+ anarch*+t+ to do +o, e+pec*all2 after the treat0ent
)oll*e te*0er had rece*4ed *n #/++*a after ha4*n. 4al*antl2 fo/.ht *n A0er*ca for the
o4*et rE.*0e.
,or her act*4*t*e+ *n 1ehalf of o4*et #/++*a and a.a*n+t *nter4ent*on )oll*e
te*0er had 1een ra*lroaded 12 an A0er*can co/rt to f*fteen 2ear+ *n pr*+on. (efore
+he had 1e./n her +entence *n the )*++o/r* tate =r*+on, +he had end/red *ncred*1le
cr/elt2 for +*3 0onth+ *n the New York workho/+e. After e*.hteen 0onth+ *n the
;effer+on C*t2 =en*tent*ar2 )oll*e, to.ether w*th three other 0e01er+ of her .ro/p,
had 1een relea+ed to 1e deported to #/++*a. /rel2 the+e 2o/n. people de+er4ed well
of the Co00/n*+t tate. The 1o2+, 0ore adapta1le to the new wron.+, 0ana.ed to
0o4e +afel2 a0on. the cl*ff+ of the d*ctator+h*p. Not +o )oll*e, who wa+ of d*fferent
f*1re. he fo/nd the o4*et 7a*l+ f*lled w*th her co0rade+, and, wh*le +he co/ld not
0ake her prote+t heard a+ +he had a.a*n+t the cr*0e+ *n the &n*ted tate+, +he
/ndertook to ra*+e f/nd+ to +/ppl2 food to the *ncarcerated anarch*+t+ *n the =etro.rad
7a*l+. /ch co/nter6re4ol/t*onar2 work co/ld not 1e tolerated on o4*et +o*l.
"le4en 0onth+ after )oll*e had co0e to #/++*a, +he wa+ arre+ted, char.ed w*th the
he*no/+ offence of feed*n. her *0pr*+oned co0rade+ and corre+pond*n. w*th
Ale3ander (erk0an and "00a @old0an. A protracted h/n.er6+tr*ke and the
4*.oro/+ prote+t of the Anarcho62nd*cal*+t dele.ate+ to the Con.re++ of the #ed
Trade &n*on Internat*onal 1ro/.ht a1o/t )oll*e:+ relea+e, 1/t not freedo0 of
0o4e0ent. he wa+ for1*dden to lea4e =etro.rad, placed /nder Cheka +/r4e*llance,
and ordered to report e4er2 fort26e*.ht ho/r+. *3 0onth+ later )oll*e:+ roo0 wa+
ra*ded and +he wa+ a.a*n arre+ted. In the Cheka )oll*e wa+ .r*lled, kept *n a f*lth2
cell, and once 0ore co0pelled to h/n.er6+tr*ke.
,*nall2 )oll*e wa+ deported 12 the #/++*an oc*al*+t ,ederated o4*et #ep/1l*c
wh*ch +he had +o +ta/nchl2 cha0p*oned *n A0er*ca and for wh*ch +he had w*ll*n.l2
taken f*fteen 2ear+: *0pr*+on0ent. Co/ld an2th*n. e3pre++ 0ore forc*1l2 the
de.enerat*on of the Kre0l*n r/ler+, once re4ol/t*on*+t+ the0+el4e+B Yet +o0e
anarch*+t+ cen+/red 0e 1eca/+e I had ref/+ed to handle the (ol+he4*k fet*+h w*th k*d
.lo4e+. The ca+e of )oll*e and of her fr*end ,le+h*n, 1oth of who0 had .one thro/.h
the +a0e per+ec/t*on and +/ffer*n., wo/ld ha4e 1een eno/.h for 0e to 1rand the
)o+cow o/tf*t. The2 ca0e +tra*.ht to /+ *n (erl*n 666 +tar4ed, *ll, penn*le++, w*tho/t a
po++*1*l*t2 of f*nd*n. work *n @er0an2 or of 1e*n. ad0*tted to an2 other co/ntr2. Yet
the*r +p*r*t wa+ /nda/nted none the le++. The2 had e+caped the (ol+he4*k *nferno. Not
+o tho/+and+ of other tr/e re1el+ who re0a*ned *n the Co00/n*+t parad*+e. !hat
0attered to 0e the conde0nat*on and attack+ of the -ealot+ *n co0par*+on w*th 02
411
*na1*l*t2 to help the )oll*e+ and the tho/+and+ of other+ *n pr*+on and e3*leB I had
done noth*n. for the0 +*nce 02 arr*4al *n @er0an2.
The @er0an #e4ol/t*on wa+ onl2 +k*n6deep, 1/t *t +/cceeded *n e+ta1l*+h*n.
certa*n pol*t*cal l*1ert*e+. %/r co0rade+ co/ld p/1l*+h the*r paper+, *++/e 1ook+, and
hold 0eet*n.+. The Co00/n*+t+ carr*ed on the*r propa.anda w*th l*ttle 0ole+tat*on,
conde0n*n. *n @er0an2 the a1/+e+ the2 defended *n #/++*a. The react*onar2
nat*onal*+t ele0ent+ were al+o not *nterfered w*th. The*r arro.ance knew no 1o/nd+,
e>/all*n. that of the 0*l*tar*+t+ of the old =r/++*an re.*0e. !*th two +/ch I had an
enco/nter *n a +/1wa2 tra*n. The2 were ra*l*n. a.a*n+t the 4erda00te ;/den a+ *dle
4a0p*re+ and the ca/+e of the r/*n of the ,atherland. I l*+tened for a wh*le and then
re0arked that the2 were talk*n. non+en+e. I had l*4ed *n a land where there were
0*ll*on+ of ;ew*+h work*n.0en, I told the0, and 0an2 of the0 1ra4e f*.hter+ for the
1etter0ent of h/0an*t2. 5!here *+ thatB5 the2 de0anded. 5In A0er*ca,5 I repl*ed. It
drew a 4olle2 of a1/+e fro0 the0. A0er*ca had tr*cked @er0an2 o/t of 4*ctor2, the2
cr*ed. A+ the tra*n reached 02 +tat*on and I al*.hted, the2 +ho/ted after 0e: 5!a*t t*ll
th*n.+ chan.e and we:ll f*3 +/ch a+ 2o/ 7/+t a+ we d*d #o+a L/3e01/r..5
Tho/.h *n a de+perate econo0*c +*t/at*on, @er0an2 en7o2ed con+*dera1le pol*t*cal
freedo0. That *+ to +a2, the nat*4e+. (/t I wa+ not a @er0an and con+e>/entl2 I had
no r*.ht to e3pre++ op*n*on+. It wa+ not a 0atter of 0ere arre+t: *t 0eant e3p/l+*on.
There wa+ apparentl2 no other co/ntr2 w*ll*n. to let 0e *n, 1/t I tho/.ht I 0*.ht tr2
A/+tr*a a.a*n. L*ke h*+ tr*1e *n other land+, the A/+tr*an )*n*+ter for ,ore*.n Affa*r+
+*.n*f*ed h*+ read*ne++ to ad0*t 0e, 1/t on cond*t*on that I a1+ta*n fro0 all pol*t*cal
act*4*t2. Nat/rall2 I ref/+ed.
)2 fr*end+ #/dolf and )*ll2 #ocker fa4o/red one of the two wa2+ o/t of 02
d*le00a: the le.al*-at*on *n @er0an2 12 0arr*a.e, or "n.land. The f*r+t 0ethod had
1een a fre>/ent pract*ce a0on. the #/++*an *ntell*.ent+*a and re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n the
da2+ when wo0en had no pol*t*cal +tat/+ apart fro0 the*r h/+1and+ or father+. In
@er0an2 #o+a L/3e01/r. had contracted +/ch a no0*nal 0arr*a.e to ena1le her to
re0a*n *n the co/ntr2 and follow her work. !h2 co/ldn:t I do the +a0eB I, the2 +a*d,
+ho/ld .o thro/.h w*th the r*d*c/lo/+ cere0on2 and end 02 tro/1le+. /ch a +tep had
lon. 1efore 1een +/..e+ted *n A0er*ca. e4eral co0rade+ had 1een w*ll*n. to
+acr*f*ce the0+el4e+ for the ca/+e, a0on. the0 02 old fr*end 8arr2 Kell2. It wo/ld
ha4e pre4ented the &n*ted tate+ fro0 deport*n. 0e, )*ll2 re*terated. (/t I had 1een
/na1le to do the l/d*cro/+ and *ncon+*+tent th*n., ha4*n. oppo+ed the *n+t*t/t*on of
0arr*a.e all 02 l*fe. )oreo4er, there had 1een the l/re of #/++*a, the .low*n. drea0.
That too wa+ dead now, to.ether w*th the not*on that one co/ld re0a*n on earth
w*tho/t 0ak*n. co0pro0*+e+.
)2 d*ff*c/lt*e+ *n weden and other co/ntr*e+ 0ade 0e a0ena1le to the +/..e+t*on
of 0arr*a.e *n order to .a*n a foothold now *n +o0e corner of the world. 8arr2 Kell2
wa+ +t*ll read2 to keep h*+ pro0*+e. %n h*+ 4*+*t to weden he had a.a*n offered to
take 0e 1ack to A0er*ca a+ h*+ 1r*de. @ood old +co/t? 8e had 1een /naware of the
new law 12 wh*ch an A0er*can h/+1and wa+ no lon.er a protect*on for h*+ fore*.n6
1orn w*fe.
No +/ch law e3*+ted *n @er0an2, #/dolf *nfor0ed 0e, and I 0*.ht a+ well .*4e
+o0e 0an a chance to 0ake a 5re+pecta1le wo0an5 of 0e? If not that, then I +ho/ld
41C
.o to @reat (r*ta*n. It wa+ +t*ll pol*t*call2 the free+t co/ntr2. 8e h*0+elf wo/ld .o
1ack there *f he co/ld. 8e had deeper root+ *n "n.land than *n h*+ nat*4e land, ha4*n.
l*4ed and worked *n that co/ntr2 nearl2 a+ lon. a+ a+ha and I had *n A0er*ca. 8e
co/ld /nder+tand wh2 I felt al*en e4er2where and wh2 I d*d not want to 1e 1o/nd to
@er0an2. I wo/ld pro1a1l2 ne4er 1e content an2where, c/t off fro0 02 old
0oor*n.+. The ne3t 1e+t wa+ "n.land.
I wa+ d/1*o/+. It d*d not +ee0 po++*1le that @reat (r*ta*n had e+caped the react*on
follow*n. /pon the war an2 0ore than had other co/ntr*e+9 +t*ll, *t 0*.ht 1e worth
tr2*n.. )2 pre+ent po+*t*on wa+ *n+/pporta1le. The onl2 p/1l*c 0eet*n. I had
addre++ed *n 1ehalf of the #/++*an pol*t*cal+ 1ro/.ht 0e an off*c*al warn*n. a.a*n+t
e3pre++*n. an2 f/rther cr*t*c*+0 of the o4*et #ep/1l*c.
Another d*ff*c/lt2 wa+ how to earn 02 l*4*n. 12 02 pen. The @er0an pre++ wa+
o/t of the >/e+t*on9 too 0an2 nat*4e wr*ter+ were +tar4*n.. At the +a0e t*0e
A0er*ca:+ hatred of @er0an2 wa+ +t*ll +tron.. Two art*cle+ I had +ent the New York
!orld were ref/+ed. %ne treated of @erhart 8a/pt0ann *n conne3*on w*th h*+ +*3t*eth
ann*4er+ar2, cele1rated on a nat*onal +cale. The !orld had ca1led *t+ con+ent to 02
.o*n. to (re+la/, where the 0a*n fe+t*4*t*e+ were tak*n. place, 1/t decl*ned 02 art*cle
on the .ro/nd that *t wa+ 5too h*.h61row.5 )2 +econd e++a2 wa+ on the #/hr
occ/pat*on, w*th *t+ re+/lt*n. 1*tterne++ and +/ffer*n.. A th*rd art*cle, on the
e3per*0ental new +chool+ *n @er0an2, and a fo/rth on the fore0o+t wo0en *n
@er0an art, letter+, and la1o/r, were ret/rned 12 a do-en 0a.a-*ne+ I had not the
lea+t chance of earn*n. 02 +alt 12 wr*t*n. on @er0an top*c+. ,ro0 (ra*nard, who had
1roken o/r a.ree0ent and 1otched 02 1ook, there wa+ no hope of an2 *nco0e.
"n.land d*d not appear 4er2 ent*c*n.. t*ll, *t 0*.ht afford 0e a+2l/0 w*th
co0parat*4e pol*t*cal freedo0, and perhap+ al+o an opport/n*t2 to earn 02 l*4el*hood
thro/.h lect/re+ and art*cle+. ,rank 8arr*+ wa+ *n (erl*n, keep*n. open ho/+e. 8*+
*ntere+t and k*ndne++, a+ when I wa+ *n the )*++o/r* pr*+on, had not chan.ed. It wo/ld
1e >/*te ea+2 to .et 0e to "n.land, he +a*d. 8e knew al0o+t e4er2one *n the La1o/r
@o4ern0ent and he wo/ld tr2 for a 4*+a for 0e. oon after, ,rank left for ,rance, and
+e4eral 0onth+ pa++ed 1efore I heard fro0 h*0 a.a*n. 8e *nfor0ed 0e that the 8o0e
%ff*ce had a+ked no >/e+t*on+ a1o/t 02 pol*t*cal 4*ew+ or *ntent*on+. It had 0erel2
*n>/*red whether I had 0ean+ of +/pport. ,rank had repl*ed that I wa+ an a1le wr*ter
who earned 02 l*4*n. 12 02 pen. )oreo4er, he co/ld na0e a do-en per+on+ who
wo/ld con+*der *t a pr*4*le.e to +/pport h*+ fr*end and he wa+ one of the0. hortl2
afterward+ I wa+ not*f*ed 12 the (r*t*+h Con+/late *n (erl*n that a 4*+a had 1een
.ranted 0e.
"3cept for the part*n. fro0 a+ha and fro0 the other fr*end+ who had endeared
the0+el4e+ to 0e, I had no re.ret+ on lea4*n. @er0an2. A*c*++*t/de+ of 0an2 k*nd+,
not the lea+t the death of 02 0other *n A0er*ca, had not 1ro/.ht 0e cheer and 7o2.
"nforced *nact*4*t2 e01*ttered e4en the occa+*onal ho/r+ of tran>/*ll*t2 d/r*n. 02
+ta2 of twent26+e4en 0onth+. a+ha had f*n*+hed h*+ The (ol+he4*k )2th9 he wa+ *n
.ood health, had ac>/*red a c*rcle of fr*end+, and wa+ de4ot*n. h*0+elf to the work of
a*d for the re4ol/t*onar2 pol*t*cal+ *n pr*+on and e3*le *n #/++*a. ,or the re+t, I wa+
.lad to .et awa2. "n.land 0*.ht let 0e take root, offer an o/tlet for 02 ener.*e+,
re+pond to an appeal for the doo0ed and da0ned *n the o4*et land. That wa+ worth
.o*n. to "n.land for9 *t wa+ a new hope to cl*n. to.
413
!*th th*+ tho/.ht to .*4e 0e co/ra.e, I left @er0an2 on ;/l2 C4, 19C4, 4*a
8olland and ,rance, for "n.land.
)2 $/tch 4*+a per0*tted a +ta2 of onl2 three da2+, 2et lon. eno/.h to addre++ the
twent*eth ann*4er+ar2 cele1rat*on of the Ant*6)*l*tar*+t oc*et2, or.an*-ed 12 o/r
.rand cha0p*on of peace, o/r old co0rade, $o0ela N*e/wenh/*+. $/tch +ecret6
+er4*ce 0en watched the ho/+e of 02 ho+t, de L*.t. The2 followed /+ to the +tat*on
and wa*ted /nt*l 02 tra*n p/lled o/t. At the +a0e t*0e the $/tch @o4ern0ent wa+
enterta*n*n. another 4*+*tor, a o4*et repre+entat*4e. No l*0*t wa+ p/t on h*+ +ta2, nor
were h*+ 0o4e0ent+ +hadowed. !hen I e3pre++ed +/rpr*+e that a react*onar2
.o4ern0ent l*ke that of 8olland +ho/ld offer ho+p*tal*t2 to an e0*++ar2 of the
Co00/n*+t tate, 02 fr*end+ +0*led. 5#/++*a *+ a wheat6prod/c*n. co/ntr2 and
#otterda0 a .ood centre for the d*+tr*1/t*on of her e3port+,5 the2 e3pla*ned.
)2 ,rench tran+*t 4*+a wa+ for two week+. The *n+pector at the 1order *n+*+ted that
*t d*d not per0*t 0e to +top and ordered 0e to connect *00ed*atel2 w*th the 1oat tra*n
for "n.land. I ref/+ed to 1/d.e. After a lon. parle2, .rea+ed 12 A0er*can ca+h, I wa+
allowed to proceed.
The two week+ *n =ar*+, the c*t2 I lo4e 1e+t *n "/rope, were en7o2a1le *n the
co0pan2 of fr*end+ fro0 A0er*ca. There were =a/la, who had co0e fro0 (erl*n,
8arr2 !e*n1er.er, l*ttle $oroth2 )*ller, ,rank and Nell*e 8arr*+, and 0an2 other+,
+o0e of who0 I had not +een *n f*4e 2ear+.
5Two week+?5 o17ected !e*n1er.er9 5I:ll .et 2o/ an e3ten+*on for a 0onth at
lea+t.5
58ow can 2o/ 666 an /nknown per+on hereB5 I retorted.
5&nknown 666 0eB And co0*n. +tra*.ht fro0 the Law2er+: Con.re++, rece*4ed 12
the K*n. of "n.land, and pre+ented to the =re+*dent of the ,rench #ep/1l*cB5 8arr2
prote+ted *nd*.nantl2. 5Yo/ wa*t and +ee.5
$re++ed *n 0orn*n. clothe+, wear*n. a top hat, w*th r*11on+ on h*+ coat, 8arr2
pre+ented h*0+elf w*th 0e at '/a* d:%r+a2. 8*+ cl*ent, )ada0e Ker+chner, had co0e
fro0 @er0an2, he anno/nced, to confer w*th h*0 on *0portant 1/+*ne++ 0atter+ that
wo/ld take at lea+t a 0onth. %ne look at 8arr2:+ re.al*a, and the e3ten+*on wa+
.ranted.
5&nknownB5 +a*d 8arr2 tr*/0phantl2. 5a2 *t a.a*n *f 2o/ dare.5 I wa+ a+ 0eek a+
a la01.
In apprec*at*on I offered to chaperon h*0 thro/.h =ar*+. In the +a0e .ro/p w*th 02
fr*end were +e4eral of h*+ collea./e+. The one I l*ked 1e+t wa+ Arth/r Leonard #o++.
8e wa+ of the rare t2pe that one .et+ to con+*der *n a +hort t*0e a+ a .ood fr*end.
)2 dear old fr*end+ were th*nn*n. o/t. I had 1een 0ore fort/nate *n 02 fr*end+h*p+
than 0o+t people, and I .a*ned new one+, a0on. the0 Nell*e 8arr*+, ,rank:+ w*fe. I
had ne4er 0et her 1efore9 *t wa+ lo4e at f*r+t +*.ht on 02 part, and Nell*e +ee0ed to
414
l*ke 0e al+o. ,rank cont*n/ed to 1e eternall2 2o/n.9 at +*3t26e*.ht he co/ld +t*ll r/n
twel4e 1lock+ for e3erc*+e after an ela1orate 0eal and eno/.h dr*nk to 0ake 0o+t
0en /n+tead2. !*ne onl2 0ade h*0 0ore w*tt2 and +parkl*n.. !hat *f he loo0ed
lar.e+t *n h*+ own e+t*0at*onB o do 0o+t people who+e .*ft+ are not nearl2 +o
1r*ll*ant a+ h*+. 8e wa+ e3tre0el2 enterta*n*n. w*th the +tor*e+ of the people he had
known *n e4er2 cl*0e and +tat*on *n l*fe, fro0 1r*ckla2er+, cow1o2+, and +tate+0en to
the .en*/+e+ of art and letter+. ,rank wa+ an e3tre0*+t *n h*+ lo4e+ and hate+. If he
cared for 2o/, no pra*+e wa+ too .enero/+9 *f he d*+l*ked 2o/, he +aw 2o/ all 1lack.
8*+ ene0*e+, real or *0a.*nar2, had no redee0*n. >/al*t*e+. %ften he wa+ /nfa*r and
/n7/+t and we .a4e and took 0an2 4er1al 1low+ fro0 each other.
)2 +ta2 *n =ar*+ +er4ed to *ncrea+e 02 a4er+*on to .o*n. to London. I dreaded *t+
fo.+, 1leakne++ and ch*ll. ,rank /r.ed 0e to dela2 no lon.er. 8e e3pected the La1o/r
@o4ern0ent to 1e defeated *n the co0*n. elect*on+9 the Tor*e+ wo/ld pro1a1l2 *.nore
02 4*+a. To enco/ra.e 0e he enlar.ed on the 0an2 *ntere+t*n. people I +ho/ld 0eet
there who wo/ld welco0e 0e and help *n 02 conte0plated ca0pa*.n *n 1ehalf of the
#/++*an pol*t*cal+, a+ well a+ *n 02 lect/re+ on the dra0a and l*terat/re.
8elpf/l a+ e4er wa+ ,rank, 1/t he co/ld not 0ake London:+ a/t/0n and w*nter
attract*4e to 0e. =erhap+ *f I co/ld +ec/re a ret/rn 4*+a to ,rance, I 0*.ht f*nd
"n.land le++ *rk+o0e. 8arr2 !e*n1er.er had +a*led and 0o+t of the people I knew *n
=ar*+ lacked the nece++ar2 conne3*on+ to help 0e to a ret/rn 4*+a.
)2 0eet*n. w*th "rne+t 8e0*n.wa2 held o/t +o0e hope. It wa+ at a part2 .*4en
12 ,ord )ado3 ,ord. The affa*r 0*.ht ha4e 1een d/ller had not 8e0*n.wa2 1een
there. 8e re0*nded 0e of 1oth ;ack London and ;ohn #eed 1eca/+e of h*+ +*0pl*c*t2
and e3/1erance of +p*r*t. 8e *n4*ted 0e to d*nner to.ether w*th a new+paper fr*end of
h*+ who, 8e0*n.wa2 1el*e4ed, co/ld +ec/re a ,rench 4*+a for 0e. "rne+t, *n h*+ rPle
a+ pro/d father of a 1/3o0 1a12, looked 2o/n.er and wa+ .a2er *n h*+ ho0e +ett*n..
8*+ 7o/rnal*+t fr*end d*d not *0pre++ 0e, nor co/ld he do an2th*n. a1o/t a 4*+a,
tho/.h he had pro0*+ed 0/ch. In+tead he wrote a +*ll2 +tor2 a1o/t 0e, p/rport*n. to
1e an *nter4*ew on #/++*a, not one word of wh*ch wa+ tr/e.
Chapter FF
%N" I C"#TAIN T% (" $IA==%INT"$ IN A)"#ICAN #"=%#T"#, Y"T
ne4er *n the London weather d/r*n. a/t/0n or w*nter. It wa+ fo..2 and dr*--l*n.
when I arr*4ed *n epte01er, and *t d*d not let /p /nt*l )a2. &nl*ke 02 4*+*t *n 1900,
when I l*4ed *n a 1a+e0ent, 02 >/arter+ th*+ t*0e were on the he*.ht+: a 1edroo0 on
the th*rd floor *n the ho/+e of 02 old fr*end $or*+ Dhook. I e4en had the l/3/r2 of a
.a+6+to4e, wh*ch I kept .o*n. all da2. The 0on+ter fo. 0ocked 02 f/t*le atte0pt+ to
keep the ch*ll o/t of 02 old 1one+, e4en when I tr*ed to +natch a l*ttle cheer fro0 an
occa+*onal ra2 of +/nl*.ht. $or*+ and the other co0rade+ *n+*+ted that *t wa+ 5not
reall2 cold.5 A0er*can +tea06heated apart0ent+ had +po*led 0e for the 50*ld (r*t*+h
cl*0ate,5 the2 +a*d. The2 wo/ld not ha4e the*r ho0e+ centrall2 heated *f the2 co/ld.
,*re6place+ were 50ore +en+*1le, 0ore healthf/l, and plea+anter.5 I told 02 fr*end+
that I had 1een awa2 fro0 A0er*ca f*4e 2ear+ and had for.otten *t+ 0ater*al 1le++*n.+.
I had 1een *n Archan.el when the te0perat/re wa+ f*ft2 1elow -ero and I had not felt
41F
+o ch*ll2. =oet*c fanc2, the2 tea+ed. If the da0p 0ake+ one 0*+era1le, *t prod/ce+
.ood co0ple3*on+, r*ch fol*a.e, and the +tren.th of the (r*t*+h "0p*re. $el*cate +k*n+,
the l/+c*o/+ .reen lawn+ and 0eadow+, are d/e to the weather, and the need to e+cape
fro0 h*+ own cl*0ate ha+ 0ade the "n.l*+h0an fore0o+t a0on. .lo1e6trotter+ and
colon*-er+.
I +oon real*-ed that ph2+*cal hand*cap+ wo/ld 1e the lea+t of 02 d*ff*c/lt*e+. The
anarch*+t+ of London were 02 fr*end+ of 0an2 2ear+, +ol*c*to/+ and w*ll*n. to a++*+t
*n an2th*n. I wanted to do. The2 were the re0nant of the old ./ard of the pre6war
.ro/p+, *ncl/d*n. ;ohn T/rner, $or*+ Dhook, her 1rother !*ll*a0 !e++, To0 Keell,
and !*ll*a0 C. %wen, a for0er co6worker of 0*ne *n A0er*ca. (/t the2 were d*4*ded
a0on. the0+el4e+. To0 Keell, the p/1l*+her of ,reedo0, and %wen, *t+ ed*tor, had
kept the paper al*4e *n +p*te of all 4*c*++*t/de+. (/t there wa+ no real 0o4e0ent *n
London or *n the pro4*nce+, I +oon learned. Co0*n. a+ I d*d fro0 the +eeth*n.
anarch*+t act*4*t*e+ *n (erl*n, the +*t/at*on *n "n.land wa+ depre++*n.. The .eneral
pol*t*cal cond*t*on+ were wor+e than I had ant*c*pated. The war had created .reater
ha4oc w*th trad*t*onal (r*t*+h l*1eral*+0 and the r*.ht of a+2l/0 than *t had *n other
land+. @ett*n. *nto the co/ntr2 wa+ e3tre0el2 d*ff*c/lt for an2one of ad4anced +oc*al
*dea+. )ore d*ff*c/lt to re0a*n *f one en.a.ed *n +oc*o6pol*t*cal propa.anda. The
La1o/r @o4ern0ent wa+ e3pell*n. people on a+ +l*.ht prete3t+ a+ had the Tor*e+
1efore. )2 co0rade+ tho/.ht *t e3traord*nar2 that I +ho/ld ha4e 1een .ranted a 4*+a,
and e3pre++ed do/1t that I wo/ld 1e allowed to re0a*n lon. *f I 1eca0e pol*t*call2
act*4e. The ant*6al*en law+ had al0o+t de+tro2ed the Y*dd*+h anarch*+t 0o4e0ent, a+
e4er2one act*4e *n the "a+t "nd feared e3p/l+*on at an2 t*0e. The d*+r/pt*on *n rad*cal
rank+ 1ro/.ht a1o/t 12 the nefar*o/+ 0ethod+ of )o+cow +er4ed to +tren.then the
hand+ of react*on. In for0er da2+ the l*1eral and rad*cal .ro/p+ /+ed to take a
co00on +tand a.a*n+t e4er2 encroach0ent on pol*t*cal freedo0 and *n oppo+*t*on to
econo0*c *n7/+t*ce. Now the2 were all at each other:+ throat+ o4er the >/e+t*on of
#/++*a.
The older re1el+ were d*+*ll/+*oned 12 the collap+e of the #e4ol/t*on. The 2o/n.er
.enerat*on, a+ far a+ *t wa+ at all *ntere+ted *n *dea+ Mwh*ch wa+ l*ttle eno/.hN, wa+
carr*ed awa2 12 the (ol+he4*k .la0o/r. Co00/n*+t *ntr*./e and den/nc*at*on were
do*n. the re+t to w*den the cha+0.
It wa+ a d*+hearten*n. p*ct/re. (/t I wa+ *n "n.land and I d*d not propo+e to r/n
awa2, notw*th+tand*n. the odd+ a.a*n+t 0e. )2 co0rade+ a.reed that 02 na0e and
knowled.e of #/++*an cond*t*on+ 0*.ht rall2 the rad*cal and La1o/r fact*on+ to the
+/pport of the pol*t*cal 4*ct*0+ of the d*ctator+h*p. The2 were certa*n that 02 pre+ence
*n "n.land wo/ld 1e a +t*0/l/+ to o/r own co0rade+. I d*d not feel +an./*ne a1o/t
the +*t/at*on. I d*d not know how to reach the (r*t*+h people, and the onl2 +/..e+t*on I
co/ld 0ake wa+ a d*nner at +o0e re+ta/rant a+ 02 dE1/t 1efore the London l*1eral
p/1l*c. )2 co0rade+ were elated o4er the *dea, and +et to work.
)2 note to #e1ecca !e+t 1ro/.ht a k*nd of repl2 and an *n4*tat*on to l/nch. I wa+
plea+antl2 +/rpr*+ed to f*nd her an2th*n. 1/t "n.l*+h *n her 0anner. (/t for her
+peech I +ho/ld ha4e tho/.ht her an %r*ental, +he wa+ +o 4*4ac*o/+, ea.er, char0*n.,
d*rect. 8er fr*endl*ne++, the co+*ne++ of her roo0, the hot tea, were .ratef/l after a
lon., cold r*de *n the dra1 a/t/0n afternoon. he had not read 02 wr*t*n.+, +he
frankl2 ad0*tted, 1/t +he knew eno/.h a1o/t 0e to add her welco0e to that of the
41G
other+ and +he wo/ld 1e happ2 to +peak at the d*nner. he wo/ld al+o arran.e an
e4en*n. to ha4e her fr*end+ 0eet 0e. I wa+ not to he+*tate to call on her for an2th*n. I
0*.ht need. I left 02 ho+te++ w*th the co0fort*n. feel*n. that I had fo/nd a fr*end, an
oa+*+ *n the de+ert London +ee0ed to 0e.
The da2 of the d*nner 1e.an *n darkne++ and ended *n a downpo/r. I went to the
re+ta/rant w*th a +*nk*n. heart. $or*+ tr*ed to rea++/re 0e that no one *n "n.land
0*nded the weather9 I wa+ known and wo/ld draw a crowd. 5cotland Yard, the
new+paper+, and perhap+ a few per+on+ ac>/a*nted w*th A0er*can l*1eral tho/.ht,5 I
retorted. There wa+ no /+e to dece*4e o/r+el4e+9 I +ho/ld not +et "n.land af*re. 5An
*nc/ra1le pe++*0*+t,5 02 fr*end la/.hed9 +he co/ld not /nder+tand how I had kept /p
the +tr/..le for +o 0an2 2ear+. =oor $or*+ nearl2 collap+ed when we reached the
hotel. There wa+n:t a 1aker:+ do-en pre+ent at +e4en o:clock. (/t at e*.ht +he walked
on a*r9 two h/ndred and f*ft2 people had crowded *nto the d*n*n.6roo0, and add*t*onal
ta1le+ had to 1e la*d for ./e+t+ who cont*n/ed to co0e, e4en after the +peeche+ had
1e./n. I wa+ profo/ndl2 0o4ed that +o 0an2 +ho/ld 4ent/re o/t on +/ch a n*.ht to
welco0e 0e.
The +p*r*t of the e4en*n., the 0e++a.e+ of .reet*n. fro0 8a4elock "ll*+, "dward
Carpenter, 8. @. !ell+, Lad2 !arw*ck, I+rael Dan.w*ll, and 8enr2 alt, and the
1ea/t*f/l tr*1/te+ pa*d to 02 pa+t effort+ 12 Colonel ;o+*ah C. !ed.wood, o/r
cha*r0an, 12 #e1ecca !e+t, and 12 (ertrand #/++ell co0pletel2 +wept 0e off 02
feet. /rel2 the ho+p*tal*t2 and .enero+*t2 +hown pol*t*cal ref/.ee+ *n "n.land, often
de+cr*1ed to 0e 12 =eter Kropotk*n, were not dead. I +ho/ld at la+t f*nd 02 +phere of
act*on. !*th a feel*n. of .rat*t/de I 1e.an 02 addre++ on the p/rpo+e of 02 co0*n. to
"n.land and the th*n.+ I wanted to do. I ha4e rarel2 had a 0ore attent*4e a/d*ence
/nt*l I 0ent*oned #/++*a. h*ft*n. of cha*r+, t/rn*n. of neck+, and d*+appro4al on the
face+ 1efore 0e were the f*r+t *nd*cat*on+ that all wa+ not .o*n. to 1e +o har0on*o/+
a+ *t +ee0ed at f*r+t. I went on w*th 02 +peech. It wa+ *0portant that the 0a*n rea+on
for 02 pre+ence *n "n.land +ho/ld 1e clear to e4er2one. I re0*nded 02 hearer+ of the
#/++*an #e4ol/t*on of 190F and the horror+ that followed *t. It wa+ 02 *ll/+tr*o/+
co0rade =eter Kropotk*n, then l*4*n. *n "n.land, who had aro/+ed the con+c*ence of
the rad*cal and l*1eral world to prote+t a.a*n+t the fr*.htf/l per+ec/t*on of pol*t*cal+.
8*+ 5;:acc/+e?5 wa+ taken /p *n the 8o/+e of Co00on+, and *t +/cceeded *n check*n.
the a/tocrac2. 5Yo/ w*ll 1e +hocked to learn that a +*0*lar +*t/at*on e3*+t+ *n #/++*a
toda2,5 I +a*d. 5The new r/ler+ are cont*n/*n. the old terror. Ala+? There *+ no
Kropotk*n to *nd*ct the0 at the 1ar of h/0an*t2.5 I d*d not feel, I cont*n/ed, the e>/al
of 02 .reat teacher *n 1ra*n or per+onal*t2, 1/t I wa+ deter0*ned to do all I co/ld to
0ake known the fearf/l +tate of affa*r+ *n #/++*a. !*th whate4er a1*l*t2 and 4o*ce I
po++e++ed I wo/ld cr2 o/t 02 5;:acc/+e?5 a.a*n+t the o4*et a/tocrac2 re+pon+*1le for
pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on, e3ec/t*on+, and +a4a.e 1r/tal*t2.
The appla/+e wa+ *nterr/pted 12 lo/d prote+t+. o0e d*ner+ 7/0ped to the*r feet
and de0anded the floor. The2 ne4er wo/ld ha4e 1el*e4ed, the2 +a*d, that the arch6
re1el "00a @old0an wo/ld all2 her+elf w*th the Tor*e+ a.a*n+t the !orker+:
#ep/1l*c. The2 wo/ld not ha4e 1roken 1read w*th 0e had the2 known that I had .one
1ack on 02 re4ol/t*onar2 pa+t. It wa+ .row*n. late. The e4en*n. 0eant too 0/ch to
0e to ha4e *t end *n a row. !e were plann*n. a 0eet*n. *n '/een:+ 8all, I *nfor0ed
the a/d*ence, and there we all +ho/ld ha4e opport/n*t2 to d*+c/++ the 0atter *n deta*l.
41H
The report+ of the d*nner *n the London da*l2 pre++ were cop*o/+ and fa*r. %nl2 the
8erald wa+ e4a+*4e a1o/t 02 talk, tho/.h *t pr*nted a +hort para.raph a1o/t the other
+peeche+. I wa+ *nfor0ed that *t+ ed*tor+, @eor.e Lan+1/r2 and 8a0*lton ,*fe, were
*nd*.nant at 02 51reach of fa*th.5 The2 had added the*r na0e+ to that of @eor.e
loco01e, who had a++/red the 8o0e %ff*ce that 02 +ole p/rpo+e *n co0*n. to
"n.land wa+ to do re+earch work *n the (r*t*+h )/+e/0. I e3pla*ned to 02 fr*end+
that )r. loco01e wa+ the 0an thro/.h who0 ,rank 8arr*+ had .ot per0*++*on for
0e to enter "n.land. Ne*ther 8arr*+ nor I had a/thor*-ed h*0 to 0ake an2 pled.e+ on
02 1ehalf. A+ to the .entle0en of the 8erald, the*r +hare *n help*n. +ec/re a 4*+a for
0e wa+ new+ to 0e. I d*d not know )r. ,*fe. )r. Lan+1/r2 I had 0et *n #/++*a, and
fro0 what I knew of h*+ att*t/de to the Co00/n*+t tate *t wo/ld ha4e ne4er occ/rred
to 0e to a+k fa4o/r+ of h*0. (/t I co/ld /nder+tand )r. Lan+1/r2:+ cha.r*n o4er 02
*ntended ca0pa*.n to +hed l*.ht on the #/++*an +*t/at*on. The a/thor of the +tate0ent
that the teach*n.+ of ;e+/+ had 1een real*-ed *n #/++*a co/ld not afford to 1e 0ade
r*d*c/lo/+.
)2 con4*ct*on that .o4ern0ental +cene6+h*ft*n. doe+ not alter the econo0*c
+*t/at*on of the 0a++e+ had not chan.ed. The oc*al*+t+ *n power, *ncl/d*n. tho+e of
@reat (r*ta*n, had +tren.thened 02 att*t/de on the >/e+t*on of the tate. Nowhere had
the2 helped to *0pro4e the l*fe of the worker. I wa+ certa*n that )r. )ac$onald
wo/ld do no 0ore d/r*n. h*+ +econd ter0 than he had *n h*+ f*r+t. (/t there wa+ one
0atter of /t0o+t *0portance that the La1o/r @o4ern0ent co/ld acco0pl*+h:
reco.n*t*on of the o4*et @o4ern0ent. I wa+ 4*tall2 *ntere+ted *n that, 1eca/+e I knew
*t wo/ld re0o4e the halo of 0art2rdo0 fro0 the 1row of the Co00/n*+t tate. The
*nternat*onal proletar*at wo/ld then real*-e that the o4*et @o4ern0ent wa+ of the
+a0e cla2 a+ the other+. I therefore dec*ded not to talk a1o/t #/++*a d/r*n. the
ca0pa*.n.
Now *t wa+ o4er and 02 +peeche+ co/ld not affect the fate of the Independent
La1o/r =art2. It wa+ *t+ own *nco0petence *n deal*n. w*th the po4ert2 and d*+tre++ of
the co/ntr2 wh*le +t*ll *n off*ce that defeated *t. I felt free to wr*te for The T*0e+ and
the London $a*l2 New+ the art*cle+ the2 had re>/e+ted. It wa+ not onl2 that I had
f*nanc*all2 reached 1otto0, 1/t 0a*nl2 1eca/+e we needed f/nd+ for o/r 0a++
0eet*n. *n '/een:+ 8all. The (r*t*+h anarch*+t+ were too poor to contr*1/te 0ore than
a few +h*ll*n.+, and +o far no one of 0ean+ had 4ol/nteered to a*d. I wa+ .lad to earn
fort2 po/nd+ and at the +a0e t*0e +peak to a w*der p/1l*c.
%w*n. to the elect*on+ and the approach*n. hol*da2+, o/r 0eet*n. had to 1e
po+tponed t*ll ;an/ar2. )2 fr*end+ *n+*+ted that the 1ack*n. of a n/0ero/+ co00*ttee
wa+ *nd*+pen+a1le to the 0oral +/cce++ of o/r /ndertak*n.. I chafed at the dela2 and
re+ented the *dea of a co00*ttee. I told 02 fr*end+ of the lar.e 1*rth6control 0eet*n.+
02 co6worker (en #e*t0an had 0ana.ed w*th 7/+t a few co0rade+ to a++*+t h*09 the
1*. de0on+trat*on+ a+ha had or.an*-ed and o/r ant*war prote+t+. !e had had no
pro0*nent +/pport. !h2 wa+ *t nece++ar2 *n LondonB In A0er*ca a+ha and I were
well known, 1/t *t wa+ d*fferent *n "n.land, 02 fr*end+ repl*ed. 8ere people 0o4ed *n
a herd, at the d*rect*on of the*r +hepherd, and th*+ appl*ed al*ke to part2 or.an*-at*on+,
+oc*et*e+, and cl/1+. !e 0/+t ha4e 1ack*n. to reach the p/1l*c ear. The2 a.reed w*th
what #e1ecca !e+t had told 0e a1o/t free6lance lect/re work. 5It *+ not done *n
"n.land,5 +he had +a*d. London a/d*ence+ pa*d ad0*++*on to lect/re+ onl2 for
char*ta1le p/rpo+e+.
41<
In 02 p/1l*c career I had 1een aff*l*ated w*th .ro/p+ onl2 te0porar*l2. I worked
for the0, not w*th the0. !hate4er 4al/e 02 act*4*t*e+ had *n A0er*ca wa+ d/e to 02
free6lanc*n. and *ndependent po+*t*on. )2 London fr*end+ /r.ed that 02 f*r+t lar.e
p/1l*c appearance 0/+t ha4e the proper +/pport. The d*nner had alread2 called
attent*on to 02 pre+ence *n London and to 02 p/rpo+e. The 0eet*n. wo/ld pa4e 02
wa2 for f/rther effort+. After all, the2 knew 1e+t how to reach the (r*t*+h p/1l*c, and I
wa+ w*ll*n. to follow the*r ad4*ce.
,or two week+ I 1o01arded w*th letter+ e4er2 na0e on the l*+t of the pro+pect*4e
co00*ttee, 1/t the re+pon+e wa+ ne.l*.*1le. )o+t of the0 d*d not e4en repl2. %ther+
.a4e e4a+*4e rea+on+ wh2 the2 co/ld not +er4e. )r. Dan.w*ll wrote that, ow*n. to
poor health, he had .*4en /p all p/1l*c part*c*pat*on9 1e+*de+, he d*d not 1el*e4e that a
co00*ttee of known La1o/r people wo/ld do 0e the +l*.hte+t .ood. I 0*.ht approach
the oc*et2 for $e0ocrat*c Control, of wh*ch 1oth he and (ertrand #/++ell were
0e01er+. 8e co/ld +/..e+t noth*n. 0ore. 8e wa+ +orr2 I had had to .o to #/++*a to
f*nd o/t what he had known all alon.: that the )o+cow d*ctator+h*p wa+ t2rann2.
8a4elock "ll*+ +ent a k*ndl2 note. !h*le he wa+ certa*n of the +*ncer*t2 of 02
0ot*4e+, he feared 02 cr*t*c*+0 of #/++*a wo/ld .*4e co0fort to the react*onar*e+.
The2 had ne4er prote+ted a.a*n+t the t+ar*+t a/tocrac2 and he had no pat*ence w*th
the*r oppo+*t*on to (ol+he4*+0, wh*ch wa+ onl2 5*n4erted t+ar*+0.5 At an2 rate he d*d
not l*ke co00*ttee f/nct*on+.
The 4enera1le )r+. Co1den6ander+on, an old fr*end of the Kropotk*n+, who had
co6operated w*th the0 a.a*n+t the pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on+ of the t+ar*+t rE.*0e, Lad2
!arw*ck, (ertrand #/++ell, and =rofe++or 8arold La+k* *n4*ted 0e to co0e to the0
for a talk.
Two per+on+ con+ented to 1e on o/r co00*ttee w*tho/t an2 re+er4at*on+: #e1ecca
!e+t and Colonel ;o+*ah !ed.wood. "dward Carpenter wrote that 1eca/+e of a.e he
co/ld not 4ent/re o/t *n the e4en*n., 1/t he wa+ read2 to 1ack 02 effort+, wh*ch, he
wa+ conf*dent, +tood for freedo0 and 7/+t*ce.
#e1ecca !e+t had alread2 .*4en 0e con+*dera1le help. At her ho0e I had 0et her
collea./e+ on the fe0*n*+t p/1l*cat*on T*0e and T*de 666 Lad2 #honnda, )r+.
Archdale, and #e1ecca:+ +*+ter, $r. Let*t*a ,a*rf*eld, a+ well a+ a n/01er of other+
*ntere+ted *n the wo0en pol*t*cal+ *n #/++*a. )2 c*rcle of ac>/a*ntance kept enlar.*n.,
and *n4*tat*on+ to l/ncheon+, tea+, and d*nner+ 1e.an to po/r *n. "4er2one wa+ 0o+t
ho+p*ta1le, attent*4e, and cord*al 666 all 4er2 plea+ant *f I had co0e to "n.land for
+oc*al enterta*n0ent onl2. (/t I had co0e for a p/rpo+e. I wanted to aro/+e the
+en+*1*l*t*e+ of fa*r60*nded "n.l*+h0en to the p/r.ator2 of #/++*a, to +t*r the0 to a
concerted prote+t a.a*n+t the horror+ parad*n. a+ oc*al*+0 and #e4ol/t*on. It wa+ not
that 02 ho+t+ and the*r fr*end+ were not *ntere+ted or that the2 >/e+t*oned the fact+ I
pre+ented. It wa+ the*r re0otene++ fro0 the #/++*an real*t2, the*r l/kewar0ne++ to
cond*t*on+ the2 co/ld not 4*+/al*-e and hence d*d not feel.
The La1o/r leader+ were callo/+. In the word+ of a (r*t*+h oc*al*+t, 5It wo/ld
+pell pol*t*cal d*+a+ter to 02 part2 to declare to *t+ con+t*t/ent+ that the (ol+he4*k+ had
+la*n the #e4ol/t*on.5 )r. Cl*fford Allen, +ecretar2 of the Independent La1o/r =art2,
419
declared that 5"00a @old0an *+ an old6t*0e Chr*+t*an, +t*ll 1el*e4*n. *n the Tr/th
and +peak*n. *t o/t.5 The 0o+t *0portant *++/e wa+ trade w*th #/++*a, he a++erted. I
had 0et )r. Allen *n =etro.rad, *n 19C0, when he had co0e w*th the (r*t*+h La1o/r
)*++*on, for wh*ch a+ha had acted a+ *nterpreter *n )o+cow. (oth of /+ had 1een
*0pre++ed 12 Allen:+ *ndependent and *deal*+t*c per+onal*t2. It wa+ +o0ewhat of a
+hock to d*+co4er that *n h*+ off*c*al capac*t2 he wo/ld allow con+*derat*on+ of
1/+*ne++ to loo0 h*.her than h/0an 4al/e+. I ad0*tted that I wa+ not a +hopkeeper,
1/t I 1el*e4ed eno/.h *n l*1ert2 to let h*+ part2 1e one. Yet I fa*led to +ee the
conne3*on 1etween 5trade w*th #/++*a5 and ac>/*e+cence *n the cr*0*nal do*n.+ of the
Cheka. "n.land had traded w*th the #o0ano4+, 1/t l*1ert26lo4*n. "n.l*+h0en had
often prote+ted a.a*n+t the horror+ of the t+ar+, not 0erel2 12 word+, 1/t 12 deed+.
!h2 +ho/ld *t 1e d*fferent nowB 8ad the (r*t*+h +en+e of 7/+t*ce and h/0an*t2 1een
+hell6+hocked that the2 co/ld re0a*n deaf to the de+perate cr2 of tho/+and+ *n o4*et
d/n.eon+B $*d I 0ean to co0pare the r/le of the T+ar w*th that of the (ol+he4*k*B
=ol*t*call2 the*r rE.*0e wa+ wor+e, I told 02 hearer+, *t+ t2rann2 0ore *rre+pon+*1le
and $racon*c. The o4*et @o4ern0ent wa+ proletar*an, after all, and *t+ /lt*0ate a*0
+oc*al*+0, )r. Allen e3po+t/lated. 8e d*d not appro4e of all the 0ethod+ of the
d*ctator+h*p, 1/t ne*ther he nor h*+ part2 co/ld afford to 7o*n a ca0pa*.n a.a*n+t *t.
)o+t of the other+ +hared h*+ 4*ew.
A0on. the +core+ of people I 0et, 4er2 few +howed +/ch k*ndl2 concern a+ Lad2
!arw*ck. I had e3per*enced +o 0an2 +et1ack+ and d*+appo*nt0ent+ that I cl/n. to the
hope that her *ntere+t *n #/++*a wa+ 4*tal and that +he co/ld 1e depended on to *nd/ce
her co0rade+ to 7o*n o/r co00*ttee, or at lea+t do +o her+elf. (/t pre+entl2 Lad2
!arw*ck *nfor0ed 0e that *t wo/ld 1e nece++ar2 to po+tpone the conference arran.ed
to 0eet at her ho/+e 1eca/+e +he had 1een re>/e+ted 12 the La1o/r 0en to awa*t the
ret/rn fro0 #/++*a of the (r*t*+h Trade &n*on $ele.at*on. he +ee0ed to 1e 4er2
0/ch afra*d that an2 0o4e on her part 0*.ht 1r*n. 1ack the T+ar. Apparentl2 +he
cont*n/ed *n that fear, for I ne4er heard fro0 her a.a*n.
!hen I f*r+t called on =rofe++or 8arold La+k*, he e3pre++ed the op*n*on that I
o/.ht to take +o0e co0fort *n the 4*nd*cat*on anarch*+0 had rece*4ed 12 the
(ol+he4*k*. I a.reed, add*n. that not onl2 the*r rE.*0e, 1/t the*r +tep1rother+ a+ well,
the oc*al*+t+ *n power *n other co/ntr*e+, had de0on+trated the fa*l/re of the )ar3*an
tate 1etter than an2 anarch*+t ar./0ent. L*4*n. proof wa+ alwa2+ 0ore con4*nc*n.
than theor2. Nat/rall2 I d*d not re.ret the oc*al*+t fa*l/re, 1/t I co/ld not re7o*ce *n *t
*n the face of the #/++*an tra.ed2. If I co/ld at lea+t aro/+e the la1o/r and rad*cal
ele0ent+? o far I had 0ade no pro.re++. %/t+*de of #e1ecca !e+t and Colonel
!ed.wood I had fo/nd no one who reall2 cared a1o/t the woe of #/++*a. In A0er*ca
I had ne4er 0et +/ch lack of re+pon+e to an2 appeal. La+k* tho/.ht I wo/ld f*nd e4en
the 0o+t rad*cal ele0ent+ rel/ctant to oppo+e the (ol+he4*k*. The2 were too
enth/+*a+t*c a1o/t the #e4ol/t*on to draw l*ne+ of de0arcat*on. In t*0e I 0*.ht
*ntere+t the la1o/r rank+. 8e wo/ld do h*+ 1e+t to a*d 0e9 he wo/ld *n4*te h*+ fr*end+
for the ne3t /nda2 afternoon to hear 02 +tor2. %nce 0ore hope +pran. fro0 what
+ee0ed a hopele++ and f/t*le >/e+t.
It wa+ *0po++*1le for 0e to +peak d*+pa++*onatel2 a1o/t #/++*a, 1/t on th*+
occa+*on I +o/.ht to +/ppre++ all per+onal feel*n.. I +poke *n a con4er+at*onal tone and
a+ o17ect*4el2 a+ I co/ld. At the concl/+*on of 02 talk 0o+t of 02 >/e+t*oner+
de0anded whether I co/ld po*nt o/t 5an2 pol*t*cal .ro/p 0ore l*1eral than the
4C0
(ol+he4*k*, 0ore eff*c*ent for e+ta1l*+h*n. a de0ocrat*c .o4ern0ent +ho/ld the o4*et
rE.*0e 1e o4erthrown.5 I repl*ed that I d*d not want the Co00/n*+t tate o4erthrown,
nor wo/ld I a*d an2 .ro/p that atte0pted +/ch a co/p. ,/nda0ental chan.e+ were not
0ade 12 part*e+, 1/t 12 the awakened con+c*o/+ne++ of the 0a++e+. That had
happened *n )arch and %cto1er 191H and wo/ld happen a.a*n, tho/.h pro1a1l2 not
*n the near f/t/re. The d*ctator+h*p had d*+cred*ted all +oc*al *deal+, and the people
were e3ha/+ted 12 2ear+ of c*4*l +tr*fe. It wo/ld re>/*re a lon. t*0e to rek*ndle the*r
re4ol/t*onar2 f*re. I wa+ not *ntere+ted *n a chan.e of r/ler+ *n #/++*a, 1/t I wa+
4*tall2 concerned *n the pl*.ht of the pol*t*cal 4*ct*0+ of the Kre0l*n a/tocrat+. I
1el*e4ed that +tron. rad*cal op*n*on *n the &n*ted tate+ and "/rope wo/ld affect the
o4*et .o4ern0ent a+ *t had that of the #o0ano4+. It 0*.ht help to c/r1 the*r
de+pot*+0, +top per+ec/t*on for 0ere op*n*on, con4*ct*on+ w*tho/t tr*al, and whole+ale
e3ec/t*on+ *n the cellar+ of the Cheka. !ere not the+e +*0ple h/0an de0and+ worth
tr2*n. forB 5Ye+, 1/t *t 0*.ht lead to the ret/rn of a/tocrac2.5
The +a0e e4a+*on+ and o17ect*on+, the +a0e fa*nt6heartedne++, I ca0e acro++ *n
e4er2 .ro/p I addre++ed. It wa+ appall*n.. At la+t real*-*n. the f/t*l*t2 of 02 effort+, I
re+ol4ed not to wa+te 0ore t*0e on the el*te, the La1o/r pol*t*c*an+, or the lad*e+
da11l*n. *n +oc*al*+0. Anarch*+t+ had alwa2+ carr*ed on the*r work w*tho/t +o6called
re+pecta1le 1ack*n. and the2 wo/ld ha4e to do +o now. (etter +0all 0eet*n.+ /nder
o/r own a/+p*ce+ and w*tho/t o1l*.at*on to an2one than the +/pport of the 1o/r.eo*+
world. The do-en 0e01er+ of o/r l*ttle .ro/p a.reed to .o ahead *n an2 wa2 I +ho/ld
+/..e+t, and the2 proc/red o/th =lace In+t*t/te for o/r 0eet*n.. The2 re0*nded 0e
that 0an2 a 1ra4e 4o*ce had pleaded fro0 that platfor0 for freedo0 and 7/+t*ce. I
recollected that I had +poken there *n 1900, d/r*n. the (oer !ar, /nder the
cha*r0an+h*p of To0 )ann. )an2 +cene+ had 1een +h*fted +*nce. )ann wa+ *n the
1o+o0 of the new cha/rch and I wa+ +t*ll pro+cr*1ed 12 1oth +*de+, the cap*tal*+t and
the Co00/n*+t.
=rofe++or La+k* not*f*ed 0e that h*+ fr*end+ were of the op*n*on that the I.L.=.
+ho/ld a1+ta*n fro0 attack*n. o4*et #/++*a. 8e added that (ertrand #/++ell, tho/.h
he d*+l*ked the o4*et 0ethod+, do/1ted the ad4*+a1*l*t2 of 02 propa.anda. %ther+
were con4*nced that I wa+ 0ore an3*o/+ to attack the (ol+he4*k* than to o1ta*n
redre++ for the pol*t*cal+9 the2 wo/ld not +/pport +/ch an o/t+poken opponent of
#/++*a. o0e held that act*on 0/+t co0e fro0 the Trade &n*on $ele.at*on and not
fro0 non6"n.l*+h +o/rce+. =rofe++or La+k* concl/ded 12 +tat*n. that the La1o/r
leader+ wo/ld do noth*n. that 0*.ht *n4ol4e the0 *n a contro4er+2 w*th the o4*et+.
%n the whole he a.reed w*th (ertrand #/++ell that a ca0pa*.n *n 1ehalf of the
pol*t*cal+ 0/+t not 1e /nder ant*6(ol+he4*k a/+p*ce+ 5+/ch a+ 2o/r+.5
(ertrand #/++ell:+ +tand wa+ a d*+appo*nt0ent to 0e. I had +een h*0 and talked
w*th h*0 at len.th. !h*le he had not pro0*+ed to act on the propo+ed co00*ttee,
+a2*n. he wo/ld ha4e to th*nk the 0atter o4er, he had +hown no *nd*cat*on that he d*d
not care to aff*l*ate h*0+elf w*th an a4owed anarch*+t. It wa+ rather d*+co/ra.*n. to
f*nd the 1r*ll*ant cr*t*c of the tate, the 0an who+e +p*r*t/al att*t/de wa+ anarch*+t*c,
f*.ht +h2 of co6operat*on w*th an anarch*+t. And La+k*, too, the 1old e3ponent of
*nd*4*d/al*+0?
The Trade &n*on $ele.at*on ret/rned fro0 #/++*a on f*re w*th the wonder+ the2
had +een 666 rather, had 1een +hown? The2 wa3ed enth/+*a+t*c *n the $a*l2 8erald and
4C1
at 0eet*n.+ a1o/t the +plend*d o4*et ach*e4e0ent+. The2 had +pent all of +*3 week+
*n #/++*a9 co/ld one +peak w*th .reater knowled.e and a/thor*t2B
If I fa*led to aro/+e the (r*t*+her+, I +/cceeded *n *0pre++*n. a few A0er*can+ *n
"n.land, 0o+t of the0 #hode+ +cholar+, who *n4*ted 0e to addre++ the0. )2 4*+*t to
%3ford wa+ >/*te an e4ent, not onl2 on acco/nt of the +plend*d 0eet*n. the 1o2+ had
arran.ed *n +p*te of the oppo+*t*on fro0 the 5Cool*d.e .an.,5 1/t al+o 1eca/+e of the
ho+p*tal*t2 and .enero/+ a*d .*4en 0e 12 =rofe++or . ". )or*+on, of the A0er*can
8*+tor2 $epart0ent, and 12 the do-en 2o/n. chap+, the 0o+t tho/.htf/l and w*de6
awake of the .ro/p, who 1eca0e 02 ardent fr*end+. Th*+ at lea+t I had .a*ned after
fo/r 0onth+ of effort. The .en/*ne *ntere+t and the +*ncere de+*re to help of +/ch new
fr*end+ a+ $a4*d o+k*ce, the well6known #/++*an re4ol/t*on*+t and one6t*0e ed*tor of
,ree #/++*a, of )r+. o+k*ce, the wr*ter and +*+ter of ,ord )ado3 ,ord, a+ well a+
the*r two 4*4*d 1o2+, wa+ a 0o+t +at*+f2*n. reco0pen+e.
Thank+ to the fa*thf/l and ener.et*c work of 02 co0rade+, a0on. the0 $or*+
Dhook, !*ll*a0 !e++, A. /.., To0 Keell, and !*ll*a0 C. %wen, o/r o/th =lace
In+t*t/te 0eet*n. wa+ crowded, notw*th+tand*n. the downpo/r and the ad0*++*on
char.ed. The tact of o/r cha*r0an, Colonal ;o+*ah !ed.ewood, 02 A0er*can +t/dent
fr*end+, +o0e 5real5 proletar*an+ to keep order, and 02 /+/al +an.6fro*d on the
platfor0 +a4ed the +*t/at*on.
!e had rea+on to re7o*ce o4er o/r +/cce++. !*tho/t 1ack*n., e*ther 0oral or
f*nanc*al, we co4ered the e3pen+e+ of o/r 0eet*n. and had +o0e +/rpl/+ left to +end
to the (erl*n ,/nd for pol*t*cal pr*+oner+. !*th To0 weetlo4e a+ trea+/rer, and A.
/.., a+ +ecretar2, the co00*ttee wa+ la/nched a+ a per0anent 1od2 for +2+te0at*c
act*4*t2. Tho/.h n/0er*call2 +0all, *t had a01*t*o/+ a*0+: a +er*e+ of lect/re+ on
#/++*a, the c*rc/lat*on of the (/llet*n of the ;o*nt Co00*ttee for the $efen+e of the
I0pr*+oned #e4ol/t*on*+t+ *n #/++*a, p/1l*+hed *n the "n.l*+h lan./a.e *n (erl*n
/nder a+ha:+ ed*tor+h*p, and the ra*+*n. of f/nd+. The (/llet*n conta*ned acc/rate
*nfor0at*on and data on pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on, a+ well a+ letter+ fro0 the *ncarcerated
and e3*led wh*ch a+ha and other 0e01er+ of the ;o*nt Co00*ttee were rece*4*n. +/1
ro+a fro0 #/++*a.
%/r 0a*n tro/1le wa+ that I fo/nd 02+elf 1etween two f*re+. I had no hope of a
hear*n. 12 the Independent La1o/r =art2 or *n the trade /n*on+9 ne*ther wo/ld I +peak
/nder the a/+p*ce+ of the Tor*e+. ,ro0 the latter I rece*4ed a n/01er of *n4*tat*on+ to
lect/re on #/++*a, 1/t I had to decl*ne 1eca/+e I learned that the2 were e3cl/+*4e
Con+er4at*4e cl/1+. Another ca0e fro0 the !o0an:+ @/*ld of the "0p*re *n =a*+le2.
I *n>/*red a1o/t *t+ pol*t*cal character and wa+ *nfor0ed that *t +tood for 5@od, K*n.,
and Co/ntr2.5 I wrote to the @/*ld that a+ an anarch*+t I rep/d*ated +oc*al
arran.e0ent+ wh*ch ra*+ed +o0e to the throne and conde0ned other+ to pa/per*+0. I
d*d not d*+cr*0*nate a.a*n+t an2 a/d*ence, whate4er *t+ +oc*al, pol*t*cal, or rel*.*o/+
1el*ef+9 *n the &n*ted tate+ I had lect/red 1efore the 0o+t d*4er+*f*ed crowd+ 666
lon.+hore0en and 0*ll*ona*re+, poor work*n. and profe++*onal wo0en9 *n hall+
1eh*nd +aloon+ and *n draw*n.6roo0+, *n 0*ne+ h/ndred+ of feet 1elow the .ro/nd,
fro0 p/lp*t+ and +oap61o3e+. ,ro0 o/r own platfor0 I +ho/ld 1e w*ll*n. to treat the
+/17ect of #/++*a, no 0atter who ca0e to hear 0e. %n an2 other top*c I +ho/ld 1e
w*ll*n. to talk *n the 8o/+e of Lord+, *n !*nd+or Ca+tle, or 1efore the Con+er4at*4e
=art2. (/t not on #/++*a.
4CC
I do/1ted that o/r co00*ttee co/ld +/cceed w*th *ndependent 0eet*n.+ *n reach*n.
the .eneral p/1l*c. The 0e01er+ were not d*+0a2ed. The2 wo/ld e3per*0ent w*th
"n.l*+h lect/re+, and the Ar1e*ter ,re/nd .ro/p 4ol/nteered to or.an*-e Y*dd*+h
0eet*n.+ *n the "a+t "nd. Th/+ enco/ra.ed, I +tarted 02 weekl2 ro/nd+ fro0 one end
of London to the other, *n ra*n, +leet, fo., and ch*ll, for three 0onth+. Not e4en *n 02
p*oneer da2+ *n the &n*ted tate+ had I fo/nd *t >/*te +o 1*tter to 1reak new .ro/nd a+
I d*d *n th*+ 4ent/re. The re+/lt wa+ hardl2 worth the effort, tho/.h the co00*ttee
*n+*+ted that *t wa+. "3pen+e+ were co4ered, +o0e 0one2 wa+ added to the =ol*t*cal
=r*+oner+: ,/nd, and cond*t*on+ /nder the Co00/n*+t tate were 0ade known to
h/ndred+ of people.
)2 to/r thro/.h the north of "n.land and +o/th !ale+ wa+ l*ttle to 1oa+t of. The
!el+h people were *0pre++*ona1le and ea+*l2 aro/+ed, 1/t not alwa2+ dependa1le,
;ohn T/rner had once told 0e. After the "n.l*+h *c*cle+ I had tr*ed to 0elt, I
welco0ed the !el+h crowd+ and the*r enth/+*a+0. The d*ff*c/lt2 wa+ not the
*nd*fference of the worker+, 1/t the*r dreadf/l po4ert2. )an2 had 1een /ne0plo2ed
for a lon. t*0e, and tho+e who were fort/nate eno/.h to ha4e 7o1+ earned the 1are+t
p*ttance. The a0a-*n. th*n. wa+ that people l*4*n. *n +/ch 1leakne++ +ho/ld co0e to
0eet*n.+ at all9 *t +ee0ed e3traord*nar2 that the2 co/ld 0/+ter /p eno/.h +20path2 *n
the*r +/ffer*n. 1rother+ *n far6awa2 #/++*a. The pale, p*nched face+ of the+e to*ler+
0ade 0e pa*nf/ll2 aware of 02 own po+*t*on. L*ke all 0*++*onar*e+ I wa+ appeal*n.
for 5char*t2 for Ch*na5 when help wa+ +o de+peratel2 needed at ho0e. If I co/ld at
lea+t enter the*r l*4e+, +hare *n the*r +tr/..le+, +how the0 that anarch*+0 alone ha+ the
ke2 that can tran+for0 +oc*et2 and +ec/re the*r well61e*n., 02 1e..*n. wo/ld ha4e
+o0e 7/+t*f*cat*on.
Alread2 *n London after 02 f*r+t lect/re+ I had 1e./n to chafe /nder 02
co0p/l+or2 +*lence on the fr*.htf/l econo0*c cond*t*on+ *n "n.land. The +oc*al
wron.+ *n @reat (r*ta*n co/ld of co/r+e *n no wa2 7/+t*f2 +*0*lar e4*l+ *n #/++*a. Nor
d*d I feel *t 7/+t to talk a1o/t the d*ctator+h*p and *.nore the +*t/at*on clo+e at hand.
Th*+ feel*n. wa+ con+tantl2 *ncrea+*n. and add*n. to 02 *nner +tr/..le. I co/ld not .o
on 0/ch lon.er w*th 02 ant*6o4*et act*4*t*e+ w*tho/t 4o*c*n. 02 +tand on the
.eneral +oc*al >/e+t*on. That opport/n*t2 den*ed 0e *n "n.land, a+ *ndeed e4er2where
el+e, I +ho/ld ha4e to +top d*+c/++*n. the (ol+he4*k tate. I co/ld not clo+e 02 e2e+ to
the fact that I owed 02 a+2l/0 to 02 att*t/de on #/++*a 666 a do/1tf/l and
/nco0forta1le ho+p*tal*t2, wh*ch I co/ld not accept *ndef*n*tel2. )2 co0rade+ /r.ed
0e to re0a*n for 02 work. I had no rea+on to feel that I 0/+t not appeal for the
*0pr*+oned re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n #/++*a 1eca/+e I co/ld not take part *n the +oc*al +tr/..le
*n "n.land, the2 ar./ed. I wa+ the f*r+t anarch*+t ret/rned fro0 the o4*et co/ntr2 to
e3pla*n *n @reat (r*ta*n the relat*on of the (ol+he4*k* to the #e4ol/t*on9 +/ch
knowled.e wa+ 4*tal e4er2where, 1/t nowhere 0ore +o than *n "n.land, where 0an2
of the la1o/r leader+ were e0*++ar*e+ of )o+cow. Th*+ appl*ed part*c/larl2 to +o/th
!ale+, where certa*n off*c*al+ of the )*ner+: ,ederat*on were e+po/+*n. the 0*racle of
the Co00/n*+t tate. The +*0ple tr/+t and fa*th of 02 co0rade+ wa+ deepl2 to/ch*n..
=roletar*an fro0 *nfanc2, the*r l*4e+ 1arren of 1ea/t2 and 7o2, the2 cl/n. to the*r *deal
a+ the +ole hope of a new and free world. T2p*cal of the0 wa+ ;a0e+ Colton, who at
the a.e of +*3t26f*4e wa+ +t*ll co0pelled to +la4e *n the 0*ne+ for h*+ da*l2 1read. 8e
had .*4en the .reater part of h*+ l*fe to act*4e +er4*ce *n o/r rank+, and w*th 0/ch
pr*de he told 0e that, l*ke 02+elf, he had 1eco0e an anarch*+t a+ a re+/lt of the
4C3
7/d*c*al 0/rder of o/r Ch*ca.o 0art2r+. !*th no chance for an ed/cat*on, he had
p*cked /p 0/ch knowled.e and a clear /nder+tand*n. of +oc*al pro1le0+. 8e de4oted
h*+ nat*4e a1*l*t2 a+ a +peaker to the ca/+e and he contr*1/ted to the propa.at*on of
anarch*+0 fro0 h*+ 0ea.re earn*n.+. The co0rade+ *n h*+ .ro/p, 2o/n.er 0en w*th
fa0*l*e+ to +/pport, were carr*ed alon. 12 5;*002:+5 ener.2 and *n+p*red 12 h*+ lo4e
and con+ecrat*on to the *deal.
The Trade &n*on #eport on #/++*a, +*.ned 12 all the dele.ate+, *ncl/d*n. ;ohn
T/rner, pro4ed a co0plete wh*tewa+h of the o4*et rE.*0e. The .ro/nd *t co4ered
wo/ld ha4e re>/*red +e4eral 2ear+: +t/d2, e3ten+*4e tra4el, and a lon. +ta2 *n the
co/ntr2. The La1o/r dele.ate+ had 1een *n #/++*a +*3 week+, 0ore than a week of
wh*ch wa+ +pent *n tra*n+, a+ ;ohn told 0e. %14*o/+l2 the*r report co/ld not repre+ent
the per+onal knowled.e and o1+er4at*on of *t+ a/thor+. A+ a 0atter of fact, *t wa+ a
co0p*lat*on of the doc/0ent+ +pec*all2 prepared for the0 12 the a/thor*t*e+.
Ina+0/ch a+ 0o+t of the dele.ate+ had 1een pro6o4*et 1efore co0*n. to #/++*a, *t
wa+ >/*te nat/ral that the2 +ho/ld +wallow the whole (ol+he4*k 1a*t. The*r
*nterpreter+, one of the0 a na4al attachE of the (r*t*+h "01a++2 *n the t+ar*+t da2+,
another *n the d*plo0at*c +er4*ce for a lon. t*0e, were pa+t 0a+ter+ *n 0/+ter*n.
off*c*al data to .ood effect. The2 had w*nked at the old a/tocrac2 *n the *ntere+t+ of
the*r @o4ern0ent, and now, a+ adherent+ of the I.L.=., the2 had al+o to do
con+*dera1le w*nk*n.. That wa+ the*r profe++*on and I had no >/arrel w*th the0. (/t I
wa+ +hocked to +ee ;ohn T/rner +*.n the report. The 0ore +o 1eca/+e h*+ art*cle *n
,ore*.n Affa*r+, the *nter4*ew he .a4e to a repre+entat*4e of the New York ,orward,
a+ well a+ h*+ talk at o/r 0eet*n., flatl2 contrad*cted the paean+ of the report. I wrote
h*0 frankl2 how he had d*+appo*nted 0e and the other co0rade+. 8e repl*ed *n al0o+t
the *dent*cal phra+e Lan+1/r2 had /+ed to a+ha *n 19C0: he co/ld +how 0e 5an2
n/01er of poor, de+t*t/te and +tar4ed *n London.5 I fa*led to +ee the conne3*on
1etween the 0*+er2 *n "n.land and the +tate0ent *n the report that the #/++*an to*ler+,
tho/.h pol*t*call2 1o/nd, were econo0*call2 free and contented. T/rner and h*+ co6
dele.ate+ knew that th*+ wa+ no 0ore tr/e re.ard*n. the 0a++e+ *n #/++*a than *n
reference to the (r*t*+h worker+.
It wa+ *0perat*4e to /n0a+k the decept*on. I +/..e+ted to o/r co00*ttee a repl2
and I wa+ *n+tr/cted to prepare *t, w*th the help of $or*+ Dhook. The 1roch/re we
*++/ed co0pared the +tate0ent+ *n the report w*th >/otat*on+ fro0 the o4*et pre++
d/r*n. the 4*+*t of the (r*t*+h dele.ate+. It conta*ned no co00ent+ whate4er, a+ we
were w*ll*n. to let the (ol+he4*k* the0+el4e+ d*+pro4e the e3tra4a.ant cla*0+ of the
report. The Co00/n*+t+ *00ed*atel2 char.ed /+ w*th /+*n. 0ater*al fro0 the for.ed
I-4e+t*a and =ra4da, alle.edl2 p/1l*+hed 12 co/nter6re4ol/t*on*+t+ a1road. It wa+
a1+/rdl2 +*ll2, 1/t *t wa+ +ad to +ee e4en +o .ood an *n+/r.ent a+ Colonel ;o+*ah
!ed.wood chan.e front. 8e wrote 0e that he wo/ld take no re+pon+*1*l*t2 for the
pa0phlet and re>/e+ted that h*+ na0e 1e taken off the co00*ttee. !ed.wood, l*ke
0o+t of the other+, *ncl/d*n. e4en 02 co0rade ;ohn T/rner, 0o4ed *n a .roo4e and
lacked the *ndependence to +tand o/t a.a*n+t the Co00/n*+t rooter+.
The one e3cept*on *n the+e rank+ wa+ #e1ecca !e+t, who d*d not per0*t her
aff*l*at*on+ to *nfl/ence her att*t/de or c/rta*l her freedo0 of act*on. Tho/.h
e3tre0el2 occ/p*ed w*th her own work, +he ne4erthele++ fo/nd t*0e to *ntere+t her
fr*end+ *n 02 effort+, to p/t 0e *n to/ch w*th a l*terar2 a.ent who 0*.ht place )2
$*+*ll/+*on0ent *n #/++*a w*th a (r*t*+h p/1l*+her, to wr*te a preface for *t, and to
4C4
pre+*de at one of 02 lect/re+. (/t, then, #e1ecca !e+t *+ an art*+t, not a pol*t*c*an.
)r. C. !. $an*el wa+ another /nfettered +p*r*t9 a p/1l*+her, he d*d not con+*der
trade the all6e01rac*n. *++/e of l*fe. 8e cared 0ore for the *dea+ and l*terar2 >/al*t2
of work+ he wa+ *++/*n. than for the 0one2 the2 0*.ht 1r*n. h*0. !a+ he, too, an
old6fa+h*oned Chr*+t*an to prefer tr/th to 1/+*ne++, I *n>/*red, add*n. that I wa+
char.ed w*th that offence. I ad0*tted that *t wa+ naI4e of 0e to e3pect 0ore fro0 the
I.L.=. than fro0 an2 other pol*t*cal part2. I had alwa2+ known that, l*ke the 1ea+t+,
the2 ne4er chan.e the*r nat/re+, howe4er 0/ch the2 0a2 +hed the*r +k*n+. Ala+, one
.row+ older 1/t not w*+er or I +ho/ld not ha4e 1een +o +hocked to f*nd rad*cal+ ar./e
the l*fe and death of tho/+and+ *n ter0+ of co00erce. %n clo+er ac>/a*ntance )r.
$an*el d*d not pro4e w*+er than I, e4en *f 2o/n.er. 8e /ndertook to p/1l*+h a (r*t*+h
ed*t*on of )2 $*+*ll/+*on0ent *n #/++*a, f/ll2 aware that tho/.h *t 0*.ht +ec/re .lor2
fro0 po+ter*t2 *t co/ld not 1r*n. h*0 0/ch trade. )2 1ook had alread2 appeared *n
co0plete for0 *n a wed*+h ed*t*on, 1/t *t d*d not 0ean +o 0/ch to 0e a+ to +ee 02
work, +o atroc*o/+l2 1/n.led *n A0er*ca, *n one 4ol/0e *n "n.land, w*th a preface 12
#e1ecca !e+t.
)2 $*+*ll/+*on0ent, the art*cle+ *n the New York !orld, repr*nted and c*rc/lated
12 the London ,reedo0, 02 contr*1/t*on+ to the !e+t0*n+ter @a-ette and the !eekl2
New+, 1e+*de+ tho+e that had appeared *n the London T*0e+ and 1een +2nd*cated *n
the pro4*nce+, the art*cle *n the $a*l2 New+, and, f*nall2, o/r 1roch/re ref/t*n. the
f*ct*on of the trade6/n*on dele.ate+ conta*ned a wealth of *nfor0at*on acce++*1le to all
1/t the w*lf/ll2 1l*nd.
a+ha had al+o not 1een *dle9 h*+ The (ol+he4*k )2th now appeared, p/1l*+hed *n
New York 12 (on* and L*4er*.ht. (/t the latter had el*0*nated the concl/d*n. and
0o+t 4*tal chapter a+ 1e*n. an 5ant*cl*0a3.5 There/pon a+ha *++/ed *t a+ a 1roch/re
/nder that 4er2 t*tle and c*rc/lated *t at h*+ own e3pen+e. heet+ of the 1ook had 1een
*0ported to "n.land and the 4ol/0e +old at a proh*1*t*4e pr*ce w*tho/t the a/thor:+
knowled.e or con+ent, and w*tho/t h*+ rece*4*n. a cent of ro2alt*e+. The re4*ew+ were
+plend*d, the cr*t*c+ a.ree*n. that The (ol+he4*k )2th wa+ a con4*nc*n. and 0o4*n.
work of f*r+t6rate l*terar2 0er*t. In add*t*on a+ha had .athered a wealth of data and
doc/0ent+ a1o/t pol*t*cal per+ec/t*on /nder the o4*et d*ctator+h*p. 8e +ec/red the
+tor*e+ and aff*da4*t+ of n/0ero/+ pol*t*cal+ who had e+caped or 1een deported fro0
#/++*a. Added to +*0*lar 0atter collected 12 8enr2 @. Al+1er. and I+aac $on Le4*ne,
the whole con+t*t/ted a collect*4e *nd*ct0ent of (ol+he4*k terror o4erpower*n. *n *t+
effect. %n the +tren.th of *t Al+1er. and Le4*ne proc/red letter+ of prote+t a.a*n+t the
)o+cow de+pot*+0 12 0en and wo0en of *nternat*onal fa0e, and the ent*re 0ater*al
wa+ p/1l*+hed *n New York 12 the Internat*onal Co00*ttee for =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+ *n
a 4ol/0e ent*tled Letter+ fro0 #/++*an =r*+on+.
!e kept o/r pled.e to o/r +/ffer*n. co0rade+ *n #/++*a. !e 0ade known the*r
ca/+e a+ well a+ that of all other per+ec/ted re4ol/t*on*+t+. !e de0on+trated the a12++
1etween the (ol+he4*k* and 5%cto1er.5 !e wo/ld cont*n/e to do +o, a+ha thro/.h
the (/llet*n of the ;o*nt Co00*ttee for the $efen+e of =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+, and I
whene4er and where4er the opport/n*t2 pre+ented *t+elf. Now wa+ the t*0e for 0e to
t/rn to other 0atter+. After e*.ht 0onth+: a1+orpt*on *n the #/++*an +*t/at*on I felt
7/+t*f*ed *n +eek*n. d*fferent +/17ect+ for e3pre++*on. Th*+ wa+ e+pec*all2 *0perat*4e
1eca/+e I co/ld not .o on *ndef*n*tel2 accept*n. +/pport fro0 02 fa0*l2 and
4CF
A0er*can fr*end+. I +ho/ld not ha4e 1een a1le to keep .o*n. 1/t for +/ch dear and
de4oted fr*end+ a+ tewart Kerr, for *n+tance, who ne4er allowed a 0onth to pa++
w*tho/t a .*ft. Now that I 0*.ht 1eco0e +elf6+/pport*n. 12 0ean+ of lect/re+ on the
dra0a, I dec*ded to d*+cont*n/e 02 #/++*an work, at lea+t for a wh*le.
hortl2 after 02 arr*4al *n "n.land ,*t-* had appo*nted 0e her repre+entat*4e for
the =ro4*ncetown =la2ho/+e, to wh*ch +he had alread2 .*4en 2ear+ of la1o/r and lo4e.
)2 credent*al+ afforded 0e free acce++ to +o0e of the theatre+, 2et what I +aw d*d not
whet 02 appet*te for f/rther e3plorat*on of the London +ta.e. "n.l*+h fr*end+ +poke
h*.hl2 of the (*r0*n.ha0 #epertor2 Theatre, the onl2 o/t+tand*n. .ro/p of art*+t*c
0er*t. It had .rown o/t of a0ate/r 1e.*nn*n.+, the2 *nfor0ed 0e, and *t owed *t+ f*r+t
+tart and +plend*d de4elop0ent to the +k*ll and .enero+*t2 of *t+ fo/nder, (arr2 A.
;ack+on. )2 e3per*ence w*th (r*t*+h *ntellect/al ho+p*tal*t2 had 0ade 0e +o0ewhat
+cept*cal. %pport/n*t2 to 7/d.e for 02+elf ca0e when the (*r0*n.ha0 #epertor2
Co0pan2 opened *n London w*th haw:+ Cae+ar and Cleopatra, and I 0ade ha+te to
pre+ent 02 credent*al+ a+ ,*t-*:+ "/ropean a01a++ador. At no theatre *n the (r*t*+h
0etropol*+ had I 1een rece*4ed w*th .reater co/rte+2. The perfor0ance pro4ed to 1e a
re4elat*on. /ch +ett*n.+, at0o+phere, and en+e01le act*n. I had not +een +*nce the
tan*+la4+k2 t/d*o da2+, and e4en there the +cener2 d*d not co0pare w*th th*+ fea+t
for the e2e+. Cedr*c 8ardw*cke:+ Cae+ar +/rpa++ed that of ,or1e+6#o1ert+on, who0 I
had +een *n New York. 8e +/cceeded *n 0ak*n. the old #o0an *nten+el2 h/0an, w*th
eno/.h w*t to la/.h at h*0+elf. )*++ @wen ,fran.con6$a4*e+ a+ Cleopatra wa+ an
e3>/*+*te creat/re. ,or the f*r+t t*0e *n "n.land I wa+ a1le to 1an*+h the .loo0 the
tra4a*l of e*.ht 0onth+ had +ettled on 02 +p*r*t.
Nearer ac>/a*ntance w*th (arr2 ;ack+on, !alter =eacock, (ache )atthew+ M)r.
;ack+on:+ d*rectorN, and +e4eral other 0e01er+ of the co0pan2 +a4ed 0e fro0
7/d.*n. the nat/re of a whole people 12 the 1*tter e3per*ence+ I had w*th +o0e .ro/p+.
The2 knew I wa+ a +tran.er +tr/..l*n. to .a*n a foothold *n the*r co/ntr2, and that wa+
rea+on eno/.h for the0 to offer the*r help. The po++*1*l*t2 of lo+*n. 4ote+ or +/pport
and d*+a.ree0ent w*th 02 4*ew+ on +oc*al +/17ect+ d*d not affect the0. The2 were
*ntere+ted *n the h/0an, *n a fellow6creat/re adr*ft *n an al*en land. The2 0ade 0e
welco0e at the*r theatre+ and p/t 0e *n to/ch w*th c*rcle+ that co/ld ena1le 0e to
e+ta1l*+h 02+elf 12 0ean+ of lect/re+ on the dra0a.
)r. =eacock *ntrod/ced 0e to a n/01er of people, a0on. the0 @eoffre2
!h*tworth, the 8ono/ra1le ecretar2 of the (r*t*+h $ra0a Lea./e. )r. )atthew+
*ntere+ted the +ecretar2 of the (*r0*n.ha0 =la2.oer+ *n 02 work, wh*ch +oon 1ro/.ht
0e an en.a.e0ent fro0 that +oc*et29 and (arr2 ;ack+on, one of the 1/+*e+t 0en *n
London, alwa2+ fo/nd t*0e for 0e when I needed h*+ k*ndl2 a*d. )r. !h*tworth
.enero/+l2 t/rned h*+ ent*re off*ce o4er to 02 work9 the a++*+tant +ecretar2 of the
lea./e, the l*1rar2, and the l*+t of aff*l*ated +oc*et*e+ were p/t at 02 d*+po+al. )r.
!h*tworth al+o *n4*ted 0e to +peak at the conference of the $ra0a Lea./e, wh*ch
wa+ to take place *n (*r0*n.ha0.
In the lo4el2 #epertor2 Theatre I lect/red on the #/++*an theatre, d*+c/++*n. the
+t/d*o+, the Ka0ern2, and )e2erhold. The at0o+phere wa+ free fro0 +tr*fe or
ranco/r, the a/d*ence+ were recept*4e, the >/e+t*on+ keen and *ntell*.ent. Inter0*++*on
1ro/.ht e4er2one to.ether *n ea+2 +oc*a1*l*t2 that wa+ 0o+t enco/ra.*n. to 0e.
4CG
Too late I learned that *n "n.land *t *+ c/+to0ar2 for cl/1+ and +oc*et*e+ to arran.e
the*r lect/re co/r+e+ +*3 0onth+ *n ad4ance. t*ll, I +/cceeded *n +ec/r*n. +e4en
en.a.e0ent+ for the earl2 a/t/0n fro0 the =la2.oer+ *n )anche+ter, L*4erpool,
(*rkenhead, (ath, and (r*+tol. In the la+t c*t2 a +er*e+ wa+ al+o 1e*n. planned 12 o/r
own people. The $ra0a t/d2 C*rcle I had or.an*-ed *n London wa+ plann*n. +e4eral
lect/re+ on the or*.*n and de4elop0ent of the #/++*an dra0a, and the anarch*+t+ *n the
"a+t "nd of London a+ked for the +a0e co/r+e *n Y*dd*+h. I co/ld look forward to a
1/+2 t*0e do*n. work I had alwa2+ lo4ed.
$/r*n. 02 earl2 da2+ *n "n.land, when e4er2th*n. +ee0ed 1leake+t, tella had
wr*tten 0e that London wa+ a cold 1ea/t2 that re>/*red 0/ch woo*n. 1efore
re4eal*n. her char0+. 5!ho care+ to woo a cold 1ea/t2B5 I repl*ed. Now I had 1een
pa2*n. co/rt to her for n*ne 0onth+. Co/ld *t 1e that I wa+ 1e.*nn*n. to to/ch her
heartB
London wa+ reall2 1ea/t*f/l now *n *t+ prof/+*on of .reen and a1/ndance of
flower+ and +/n, a+ *f *t wo/ld ne4er wear 0o/rn*n. or weep torrent+ a.a*n. %ne
1e.r/d.ed e4er2 0o0ent *ndoor+, know*n. how +hort6l*4ed the .lor2 wa+. (/t +*3
ho/r+ e4er2 da2 wa+ the 4er2 lea+t I needed to cope w*th the h*+tor*c trea+/re+ I
d*+co4ered *n the (r*t*+h )/+e/0 on the #/++*an theatre and dra0a. Th*+ *n+t*t/t*on
had 1een one of 02 o17ect*4e+ *n co0*n. to "n.land, 1/t *t wa+ onl2 now that I had
the t*0e, the *ntere+t, and the need for a4a*l*n. 02+elf of all *t offered. The lon.er I
worked *n the 0/+e/0, the 0ore *nfor0at*on I /nearthed on +ta.e arran.e0ent, old
pla2+, +cener2, and co+t/0e+. Th*+ led to w*der f*eld+, e01rac*n. the pol*t*cal and
+oc*al 1ack.ro/nd+ of the dra0at*+t+ of d*fferent per*od+, and the*r corre+pondence
that reflected the*r feel*n.+ and react*on to #/++*an l*fe. It wa+ a fa+c*nat*n. +t/d2 and
+o a1+or1*n. a+ to 0ake 0e for.et the clo+*n.6ho/r. %ne th*n. 1eca0e pla*n fro0 the
+tart. I co/ld not hope to co4er e4en a fract*on of the 0ater*al *n +*3 lect/re+, or *n a
do-en. An ent*re 4ol/0e wo/ld 1e re>/*red. =rofe++or !*ener, =eter Kropotk*n, and
other+ had wr*tten +/ch work+ on #/++*an l*terat/re. It occ/rred to 0e that 02 dra0a
+er*e+ 0*.ht +er4e a+ an *ntrod/ct*on to a lar.er 1ook to 1e wr*tten at +o0e later date.
)2 0eet*n.+ w*th 8a4elock "ll*+ and "dward Carpenter +tood o/t a+ the
f/lf*ll0ent of a w*+h cher*+hed for a >/arter of a cent/r2. Not that I learned to know
the0 1etter thro/.h o/r fleet*n. per+onal contact than I had thro/.h the*r work+. I +aw
"ll*+ for a 1are half6ho/r *n h*+ London apart0ent and we were 1oth rather ton./e6
t*ed. (/t *f I had l*4ed near h*0 for 2ear+, I +ho/ld not ha4e real*-ed 1etter the
onene++ of the 0an w*th h*+ l*fe:+ la1o/r+, +o e3pre++*4e of h*+ /n*>/e per+onal*t2 and
loft2 4*+*on wa+ e4er2 l*ne that had +poken to 0e o/t of the pa.e+ of h*+ l*1erat*n.
work.
)2 4*+*t w*th "dward Carpenter la+ted the .reater part of an afternoon *n h*+
0ode+t cotta.e at @/*ldford. 8e wa+ nearl2 e*.ht2, fra*l and fee1le. Alon.+*de of h*+
dapper co0pan*on, who0 e4er21od2 addre++ed a+ @eor.e, h*+ clothe+ looked +ha112.
(/t there wa+ d*+t*nct*on *n h*+ carr*a.e, and .race *n e4er2 .e+t/re. $ear "dward had
l*ttle chance to 1e heard, for *t wa+ @eor.e who d*d 0o+t of the talk*n. a1o/t the work
5"dward and I5 had wr*tten wh*le the2 were *n pa*n, and the 1ook 5we:re plann*n.
th*+ +/00er.5 =at*ent and for1ear*n. wa+ "dward toward+ the conce*t of +0all people,
4*ew*n. *t w*th the w*+do0 of the +a.e.
4CH
I atte0pted to tell h*0 how 0/ch h*+ 1ook+ had 0eant to 0e 666 Toward+
$e0ocrac2, An.el !*n.+, !alt !h*t0an. 8e +topped 0e, .entl2 p/tt*n. h*+ hand
o4er 0*ne. In+tead I +ho/ld rather tell h*0 a1o/t Ale3ander (erk0an, he +a*d. 8e had
read h*+ =r*+on )e0o*r+, 5a profo/nd +t/d2 of 0an:+ *nh/0an*t2 and pr*+on
p+2cholo.2, and of h*+ own 0art2rdo0, portra2ed w*th e3traord*nar2 +*0pl*c*t2.5 8e
had alwa2+ wanted to know 5a+ha5 and 5the @*rl5 *n the 1ook.
8a4elock "ll*+ and "dward Carpenter? )2 +/00er wa+ *ndeed enr*ched 12 the+e
two .rand +e*.ne/r+ of *ntellect and heart.
It 1ro/.ht al+o other *ntere+t*n. e4ent+ o/t+*de of 02 re+earch work. ,*t-* arr*4ed
for a 1r*ef 4*+*t, and thro/.h her I ca0e to know =a/l and "++*e #o1e+on, a+ well a+
+e4eral of ,*t-*:+ a++oc*ate+ *n the =ro4*ncetown =la2ho/+e. The2 had co0e to London
to p/t on The "0peror ;one+ w*th =a/l #o1e+on. "++*e wa+ a del*.htf/l per+on, and
=a/l fa+c*nated e4er2one. I f*r+t heard #o1e+on +*n. a .ro/p of +p*r*t/al+ at a part2
.*4en 12 02 A0er*can fr*end "+telle 8eal2. Noth*n. I had 1een told a1o/t h*+ +*n.*n.
ade>/atel2 e3pre++ed the 0o4*n. >/al*t2 of h*+ 4o*ce. =a/l wa+ al+o a lo4a1le
per+onal*t2, ent*rel2 free fro0 the +elf6*0portance of the +tar and a+ nat/ral a+ a ch*ld.
8e ne4er ref/+ed to +*n., no 0atter how +0all the c*rcle, *f the co0pan2 wa+
con.en*al. The #o1e+on+ l*ked 02 cook*n., e+pec*all2 02 coffee, and +o we
e3chan.ed co0pl*0ent+. I wo/ld prepare d*nner for a cho+en few or arran.e a part2
of 02 "n.l*+h fr*end+ to 0eet the #o1e+on+, and =a/l wo/ld hold e4er2one
+pell1o/nd 12 h*+ .lor*o/+ 4o*ce.
The +/00er wa+ r*ch, the r*che+t *n 2ear+. Now that the +/nn2 da2+ were draw*n.
to an end, 02 fr*end+ were depart*n.. !ork I lo4ed la2 1efore 0e and I +t*ll had a
+to/t heart. (/t 12 $ece01er there wa+ l*ttle left of *t or an2th*n. el+e to help face the
London w*nter. )2 4ent/re *nto the =la2.oer+: +oc*et*e+ wa+ >/*te +at*+factor2.
@rat*f2*n. al+o were the L*4erpool and (*rkenhead or.an*-at*on+, 1eca/+e of the*r
0*3ed 0e01er+h*p. The other+ were p/rel2 0*ddle6cla++, w*th no 4*tal *ntere+t *n the
dra0a and no feel*n. for *t+ +oc*al and ed/cat*onal 4al/e. Ne4erthele++ the e3per*ence
pro4ed that I co/ld e+ta1l*+h 02+elf w*th the =la2.oer+ *f I co/ld hold o/t lon.
eno/.h to 1eco0e 1etter known *n "n.land, for a 2ear or two. I had no 0ean+ for *t,
nor the *ncl*nat*on to 1eco0e an ad7/nct.
The *ndependent lect/re+ *n London and (r*+tol a.a*n de0on+trated the tr/th of the
(r*t*+h +a2*n. that 5*t *+n:t done *n "n.land.5 The London fa*l/re wa+ part*c/larl2
d*+appo*nt*n. 1eca/+e the work had +tarted w*th e4er2 pro0*+e of +/cce++. Keat+:
8o/+e, >/a*ntl2 1ea/t*f/l and per0eated 12 the .en*/+ and +p*r*t of "n.land:+ .reat
poet, wa+ o/r 0eet*n.6place9 Cla*re ,owler hone, o/r +ecretar2, a +k*lf/l or.an*-er
and prod*.*o/+ worker, w*del2 known *n la1o/r and trade6/n*on rank+, w*th a do-en
fr*end+ to a++*+t her. A re4*ew of 02 dra0a work 12 #e1ecca !e+t and ,rank 8arr*+
c*rc/lated *n tho/+and+ of cop*e+9 (arr2 ;ack+on, @eoffre2 !h*tworth, A. ". ,*l0er,
and other+, no +tran.er+ *n the world of the dra0a, were anno/nced a+ cha*r0en. Yet
the attendance wa+ +0all and the rece*pt+ 1arel2 co4ered the e3pen+e+. Tr/e, the
a/d*ence+ were of a h*.h *ntellect/al order. That and the 7o2 of collect*n. 02 0ater*al
were the onl2 +at*+fact*on I .a*ned fro0 nearl2 +*3 0onth+: effort.
I +pent three week+ *n (r*+tol w*th +*0*lar re+/lt+. )2 +econd atte0pt to take root
*n the &n*ted K*n.do0 had th/+ al+o .one 12 the 1oard. The fo.+ and wet re0a*ned
4C<
fa*thf/l and wandered thro/.h 02 +2+te0 at the*r own +weet w*ll. I wa+ la*d /p w*th
ch*ll+ and fe4er when an *n4*tat*on ca0e fro0 02 dear fr*end+ ,rank and Nell*e
8arr*+ to 4*+*t the0 *n N*ce.
In ;/ne I had 0arr*ed the old re1el ;a0e+ Colton. (r*t*+h now, I d*d a+ 0o+t
nat*4e+ do who can +crape /p eno/.h to e+cape the*r co/ntr2:+ cl*0ate. The A0er*can
)erc/r2 had +ent 0e a che>/e for 02 +ketch on ;ohann )o+t, +o I wa+ a1le to pa2 02
fare to the +o/th of ,rance. The 8arr*+e+ were 0ar4ello/+ ho+t+, +par*n. no pa*n+ to
+/rro/nd 0e w*th care and help re+tore 02 health and cheer. I had +pent 0an2
*ntere+t*n. ho/r+ w*th ,rank 1efore, 1/t ne4er eno/.h to +ee 0ore than the art*+t, the
0an of the world, the *ntere+t*n. ca/+e/r. In the *nt*0ac2 of h*+ ho0e I wa+ a1le to
penetrate 1eneath what e4er2one con+*dered ,rank:+ e.ot*+0 and conce*t. I fo/nd that
02 ho+t knew h*0+elf 0/ch 1etter than an2one el+e d*d. 8e knew the h/0an, all too
h/0an *n h*+ 0ake6/p. 8e had h*+ .naw*n. do/1t+ whether he wa+ *ndeed the
+/pre0e art*+t he procla*0ed h*0+elf, whether h*+ work+ wo/ld l*4e and he 1e .*4en
an *00ortal n*che. ,rank wa+ not dece*4ed a1o/t h*+ own fo*1le+, howe4er 1l*nd he
0*.ht 1e to tho+e of h*+ fr*end+ or 0*+taken *n tho+e he looked /pon a+ ene0*e+.
,rank 8arr*+, when he t/rned h*0+elf *n+*de o/t, far fro0 le++en*n. 02 affect*on,
1ro/.ht h*0+elf nearer to 0e. !e had few *dea+ *n co00on, e+pec*all2 on +oc*al
pro1le0+. !e fo/.ht often, 1/t alwa2+ *n the 1e+t of feel*n., for we knew that no
0atter how far apart we 0*.ht dr*ft, o/r fr*end+h*p wo/ld not weaken.
)2 0eet*n. w*th Nell*e 8arr*+ *n =ar*+ the 2ear 1efore had +hown 0e l*ttle of her
per+onal*t2, e3cept for her o14*o/+ lo4el*ne++ and char0. $/r*n. 02 4*+*t all her rare
and e3>/*+*te >/al*t*e+ /nfolded l*ke a flower 1efore 0e. I had 0et w*4e+ of creat*4e
0en on pre4*o/+ occa+*on+. I had +een the*r 1*tterne++ to the*r h/+1and+: fr*end+, the*r
7ealo/+2 of fe0ale ad0*rer+, and well I knew how o4er1ear*n. and catt*+h 02 +e3 can
1e to the w*4e+ of the*r *dol+. )2 +20path*e+ were often w*th the w*4e+, for *t +ee0ed
0art2rdo0 eno/.h to 1e the +po/+e of an art*+t. I +ho/ld ha4e tho/.ht no le++ of
Nell*e had I fo/nd her /n.enero/+ to the ad0*rer+ of ,rank. (/t Nell*e wa+ an an.el, a
lar.e and lo4*n. +p*r*t, *ncapa1le of har+hne++, and no 0ere reflect*on of her fa0o/+
h/+1and, 1/t an *nd*4*d/al *n her own r*.ht, a keen o1+er4er of people and affa*r+, a
1etter 7/d.e of h/0an nat/re than dear old ,rank, and 0ore pat*ent and
/nder+tand*n..
I wa+ loath to lea4e 02 .ood fr*end+, 1/t nece++ar2 re+earch *n the (*1l*othE>/e
Nat*onale called 0e 1ack to =ar*+ 1efore ret/rn*n. to "n.land. I +t*ll had +o0e
en.a.e0ent+ to f*ll w*th the =la2.oer+: +oc*et*e+ *n L*4erpool on the l*ttle6theatre
0o4e0ent *n A0er*ca. I had addre++ed the0 1efore on the work+ of "/.ene %:Ne*ll,
and a wo0an reporter had re4*ewed 02 5+en+*t*4e hand+ and .old colo/red l*n*n. of
the opera cloak, rather +tartl*n. *n an anarch*+t,5 1/t the =la2.oer+ 0/+t ha4e l*ked 02
talk+, 1eca/+e the2 *n4*ted 0e a.a*n. I had al+o con+ented to del*4er another co/r+e of
lect/re+ on Cont*nental and A0er*can pla2+ *n a pop/lar hall, w*th one6+h*ll*n.
ad0*++*on. )2 co0rade+ were +/re *t wo/ld 1r*n. a crowd, 1/t on the appo*nted da2
there were no crowd+. tr*nd1er., the @er0an e3pre++*on*+t+, "/.ene %:Ne*ll, and
/+an @la+pell d*d not *ntere+t the (r*t*+h p/1l*c when pre+ented w*tho/t the +eal of
an or.an*-at*on or part2. 5It *+n:t done *n "n.land.5 I wa+ co0pelled to real*-e that a
0/ch lon.er per*od than I had tho/.ht wo/ld 1e nece++ar2 to 1reak thro/.h the wall
of what 5*+n:t done.5 ,*4e 2ear+, perhap+, *f not 0ore. (/t I d*d not ha4e 0an2 0ore
2ear+ to throw a1o/t. )eanwh*le I wa+ faced w*th the pro1le0 of 0ak*n. end+ 0eet.
4C9
Not t*ll 02 deportat*on had I e4er .*4en a tho/.ht to th*+ >/e+t*on9 I had felt that a+
lon. a+ I co/ld /+e 02 4o*ce and pen, I co/ld ea+*l2 earn 02 l*4*n.. *nce then I had
1een ha/nted 12 the +pectre of dependence, and *t .rew after 02 to/r of +o/th !ale+
and the pro4*nce+. I wo/ld rather take a 7o1 a+ a cook or ho/+ekeeper than .et 02
l*4*n. fro0 02 act*4*t*e+ a0on. the /nderpa*d 0*ner+ and cotton60*ll worker+. I
co/ld not allow the0 to defra2 02 ra*lroad fare+, let alone the e3pen+e+ of 02
lect/re+. The dra0a 0eet*n.+ not pa2*n. for the0+el4e+, I +aw no wa2 of cont*n/*n.
02 work *n "n.land.
A fr*end had once +a*d 7ok*n.l2 that I wa+ l*ke a cat9 5drop her o/t of a +*3th6+tor2
w*ndow and +he:ll land on her paw+.5 After the la+t fa*l/re I felt a+ *f I had *ndeed
1een thrown fro0 the top of the !oolworth (/*ld*n.. Two th*n.+ 1ro/.ht 0e on 02
paw+ a.a*n. %ne wa+ 02 plan of a 4ol/0e on 5The %r*.*n and $e4elop0ent of the
#/++*an $ra0a59 the other, a to/r thro/.h Canada. The anarch*+t+ there had *n4*ted
0e to co0e, and a New York co0rade pro0*+ed to ra*+e 02 e3pen+e+. I wo/ld .o to
+o0e l*ttle place *n ,rance and de4ote the +/00er to wr*t*n. and wo/ld lea4e for
Canada *n the fall. The two 4ent/re+, I hoped, 0*.ht +ec/re 0e for a 2ear or two to
l*4e and 1e act*4e *n "n.land. I 0ade +/re of 02 .o*n. to Canada 12 *00ed*atel2
re+er4*n. 02 pa++a.e.
The *ncent*4e to de4ote the ne3t fo/r 0onth+ to wr*t*n. had co0e fro0 C. !.
$an*el, 02 patron p/1l*+her. 8e had taken the keene+t *ntere+t *n 02 lect/re+ on the
#/++*an dra0at*+t+, had +ent a +teno.rapher to take the0 4er1at*0, and held o/t the
hope of *++/*n. 02 1ook *n the not too d*+tant f/t/re. (e+*de+ )2 $*+*ll/+*on0ent he
had al+o p/1l*+hed an "n.l*+h ed*t*on of Ale3ander (erk0an:+ =r*+on )e0o*r+ of an
Anarch*+t, for wh*ch "dward Carpenter had wr*tten a preface, and he had *0ported
+heet+ of Letter+ fro0 #/++*an =r*+on+, ne*ther of wh*ch /ndertak*n.+ added 0/ch to
h*+ coffer+. (/t *t *n no wa2 d*+co/ra.ed h*0 fro0 want*n. to tr2 h*+ l/ck a.a*n.
I wa+ a1o/t to lea4e London when the .eneral +tr*ke wa+ declared. I co/ld not
th*nk of r/nn*n. awa2 fro0 an e4ent of +/ch o4erwhel0*n. *0portance. !orker+ and
helper+ wo/ld 1e needed and I 0/+t re0a*n and offer 02 +er4*ce+. ;ohn T/rner wa+
the 0o+t l*kel2 0an to .et 0e *n to/ch w*th the people *n char.e of the +tr*ke. I
e3pla*ned to h*0 that I wa+ w*ll*n. to do an2 k*nd of work to a*d the .reat +tr/..le:
look after the rel*ef of the +tr*ker+: fa0*l*e+, or.an*-e the care of the*r ch*ldren, or take
char.e of feed*n.6+tat*on+. I wanted to help the rank and f*le. ;ohn wa+ del*.hted. It
wo/ld d*+pel the pre7/d*ce 02 ant*6o4*et +tand had created *n trade6/n*on c*rcle+ and
wo/ld de0on+trate that anarch*+t+ not 0erel2 theor*-ed, 1/t were capa1le of pract*cal
work and were read2 for an2 e0er.enc2. 8e wo/ld take 02 0e++a.e to the +tr*ke
co00*ttee and p/t the0 *n d*rect to/ch w*th 0e. I wa*ted for two da2+, 1/t no word
ca0e e*ther fro0 trade6/n*on head>/arter+ or fro0 ;ohn. %n the th*rd da2 I a.a*n
0ade the lon. tr*p on foot to +ee ;ohn and to *n>/*re a1o/t the 0atter. 8e had 1een
told that all help *n the +tr*ke +*t/at*on wa+ drawn fro0 trade6/n*on rank+, and that no
o/t+*de a*d wa+ needed. The e3c/+e wa+ fl*0+29 clearl2 the leader+ feared *t wo/ld
leak o/t that the anarch*+t "00a @old0an had +o0e conne3*on w*th the .eneral
+tr*ke. ;ohn wa+ loath to ad0*t 02 *nterpretat*on, nor co/ld he den2 that I 0*.ht 1e
r*.ht. It wa+ the old +tor2: the central*-ed 0ach*ner2 *n e4er2 walk of (r*t*+h l*fe left
no roo0 for *nd*4*d/al *n*t*at*4e. It wa+ tort/re to re0a*n ne/tral where the l*ne
1etween 0a+ter+ and 0en wa+ +o +harpl2 drawn, or to +tand 12 *dl2 wh*le the leader+
were 0ak*n. one 1l/nder after another9 nor wo/ld I lea4e 12 ra*l or +h*p 0anned 12
430
+tr*ke61reaker+. I fo/nd +o0e rel*ef *n 1e*n. o/t on the +treet+ 0*n.l*n. w*th the 0en
and .ett*n. the*r react*on+. The*r +p*r*t of +ol*dar*t2 wa+ wonderf/l, the*r fort*t/de
.reat, the*r d*+re.ard of the hard+h*p+ the +tr*ke had alread2 *0po+ed ad0*ra1le. No
le++ e3traord*nar2 wa+ the*r .ood h/0o/r and +elf6control *n the face of pro4ocat*on
fro0 the ene02: ar0o/red car+ rattl*n. alon. the +treet+, ta/nt+ and r*d*c/le fro0 the
2o/n. 1/ll*e+ *n char.e, and the affront+ of the wealth2 *n the*r l/3/r*o/+
a/to0o1*le+. A few enco/nter+ had taken place, 1/t on the whole the +tr*ker+ carr*ed
the0+el4e+ w*th pr*de and d*.n*t2, conf*dent of the 7/+t*ce of the*r ca/+e. It wa+
*n+p*r*n., 1/t *t al+o *ncrea+ed 02 0*+er2 at 02 own helple++ne++. %n the tenth da2 of
the +tr*ke, there +t*ll 1e*n. no +*.n of a +ettle0ent, I dec*ded to lea4e "n.land 12
a*rplane.
Chapter FG
,#I"N$ 8A$ &N"A#T8"$ A L%A"LY =%T IN AINT6T#%="D, AN
anc*ent, p*ct/re+>/e f*+h*n.64*lla.e *n the +o/th of ,rance. An enchanted place *t wa+:
a l*ttle 4*lla of three roo0+ fro0 wh*ch one ca/.ht a 4*ew of the +now6co4ered
)ar*t*0e Alp+, w*th a .arden of 0a.n*f*cent ro+e+, p*nk and red .eran*/0+, fr/*t6
tree+, and a lar.e 4*ne2ard, all for f*fteen dollar+ a 0onth. 8ere I re.a*ned +o0eth*n.
of 02 old -e+t for l*fe, and fa*th *n 02 a1*l*t2 to o4erco0e the hard+h*p+ the f/t/re
0*.ht hold. I d*4*ded 02 t*0e 1etween 02 wr*t*n.6de+k and 02 0Ena.e. I e4en fo/nd
t*0e to learn to +w*0. I prepared the 0eal+ on a >/a*nt, red61r*cked =ro4enZal +to4e *n
wh*ch onl2 charcoal co/ld 1e /+ed. )an2 fr*end+ fro0 A0er*ca and other part+ of the
world fo/nd the*r wa2 to 02 new ho0e *n a*nt6Trope-.
@eor.ette Le1lanc, )ar.aret Ander+on, =e..2 @/..enhe*0, Lawrence Aa*l, and
0an2 other+ ca0e for an ho/r or a da2 to d*+c/++ +er*o/+ 0atter+ or *n 7oll2 co0pan2.
=e..2 and Lawrence l*4ed not far fro0 /+ *n a 4*lla.e called =ra0o/+>/*er and there I
f*r+t 0et Kathleen )*lla2 and 8oward Yo/n.. The latter reproached 0e for not
wr*t*n. 02 a/to1*o.raph2. 5A wo0an of 2o/r pa+t?5 he e3cla*0ed9 57/+t th*nk what
2o/ co/ld 0ake of *t?5 I wo/ld, I told h*0, *f I co/ld +ec/re an *nco0e for two 2ear+,
a +ecretar2, and +o0eone to +co/r 02 pot+ and kettle+. 8e wo/ld /ndertake to ra*+e
f*4e tho/+and dollar+ on h*+ ret/rn to A0er*ca, Yo/n. pro0*+ed. In hono/r of 02
pro+pect*4e 1enefactor, =e..2 added a few 0ore 1ottle+ of w*ne to tho+e alread2
e0pt*ed at d*nner.
The fo/r 0onth+ *n a*nt6Trope- pa++ed all too >/*ckl2 *n la1o/r and pla2. A
.olden drea0, not w*tho/t *t+ r/de awaken*n., howe4er. )r. $an*el+ *nfor0ed 0e
that cond*t*on+ *n "n.land +*nce the .eneral +tr*ke had .rown fro0 1ad to wor+e9 there
1e*n. no +*.n of co0*n. *0pro4e0ent I +ho/ld not feel 1o/nd to h*+ f*r0 w*th 02
0an/+cr*pt on the #/++*an dra0a. That wa+ the f*r+t r*pple *n 02 a-/re +k2, 2et not +o
d*+concert*n. a+ the ca1le fro0 the New York co0rade who had pro0*+ed to ra*+e the
*n*t*al f/nd for 02 Canad*an to/r. 5It *+ off,5 he anno/nced.
The Canad*an @o4ern0ent had pro1a1l2 declared I wo/ld not 1e ad0*tted, or o/r
own people had recon+*dered the*r *n4*tat*on, I tho/.ht. (/t 02 con7ect/re+ pro4ed
fal+e. Canada re0a*ned 1l*++f/ll2 *.norant of the dan.er threaten*n. *t, and o/r
co0rade+ a++/red 0e the2 were e3pect*n. 0e w*tho/t fa*l.
431
)2 +pon+or wa+ apparentl2 afra*d of the 1od*l2 har0 I 0*.ht 0eet at the hand+ of
the Co00/n*+t+. 8*+ fear+ were not ent*rel2 .ro/ndle++9 Co00/n*+t+ *n New York
had 1roken /p rad*cal 0eet*n.+ and had e4en ph2+*call2 attacked the*r opponent+. The
hard t*0e+ wo/ld al+o affect the +/cce++ of 02 lect/re to/r, the co0rade wrote. I
apprec*ated h*+ .ood *ntent*on+ to protect 0e and 02 *ntere+t+, 1/t I co/ld not 1e 4er2
.rac*o/+ a1o/t the r*.ht he had a++/0ed to cancel 02 to/r. 8ad th*+ new 1low co0e
wh*le I wa+ 2et *n "n.land, I +ho/ld ha4e tho/.ht 02 world at an end. (/t l*fe *n
a*nt6Trope- had re+tored 02 +tren.th and w*th *t 02 f*.ht*n. +p*r*t. I ca1led three
fr*end+ *n the tate+ for loan+. The2 re+ponded +*0/ltaneo/+l2, tho/.h the2 l*4ed *n
d*fferent part+.
!h*le *n =ar*+, I l/nched w*th Theodore $re*+er. 5Yo/ 0/+t wr*te the +tor2 of 2o/r
l*fe, ".@.,5 he /r.ed9 5*t *+ the r*che+t of an2 wo0an:+ of o/r cent/r2. !h2 *n the
na0e of )*ke don:t 2o/ do *tB5 I told h*0 that 8oward Yo/n. had p/t the >/e+t*on
f*r+t. I had not taken *t 4er2 +er*o/+l2 and I wa+ not +/rpr*+ed that I had rece*4ed no
word fro0 h*0, tho/.h he had 1een 1ack *n A0er*ca +e4eral 0onth+. $re*+er
prote+ted that he wa+ .reatl2 *ntere+ted *n +ee*n. 02 +tor2 .*4en to the world. 8e
wo/ld +ec/re a f*4e6tho/+and6dollar ad4ance fro0 +o0e p/1l*+her and I wo/ld hear
fro0 h*0 4er2 +oon. 5All r*.ht, old dear, +ee what 2o/ can do? If 2o/ al+o for.et or *f
2o/ fa*l, I w*ll not +/e 2o/ for 1reach of pro0*+e,5 I la/.hed.
I entered Canada a+ /nheralded a+ I had "n.land two 2ear+ pre4*o/+l2. In )ontreal
I learned that no "n.l*+h anarch*+t had 1een heard *n Canada for a .reat 0an2 2ear+.
The onl2 act*4e people were the Y*dd*+h6lan./a.e .ro/p, 1/t the2 had no e3per*ence
*n or.an*-*n. "n.l*+h lect/re+. )2 fr*end I+aac $on Le4*ne had pro0*+ed to help w*th
the p/1l*c*t2 work, 1/t e4en 1efore he reached )ontreal, the new+paper+ anno/nced
that the dan.ero/+ anarch*+t "00a @old0an, 0a+>/erad*n. /nder the na0e of
Colton, had 0ana.ed to .et 12 the *00*.rat*on a/thor*t*e+ and had co0e to )ontreal.
To +a4e the )ontrealer+ f/rther trep*dat*on and to +at*+f2 the c/r*o+*t2 of the pre++
$on *++/ed a +tate0ent +ett*n. forth how and wh2 I had co0e to Canada and *n4*t*n.
pre++ *nter4*ew+. The telephone and door1ell of 02 ho+t+, the Dahler+, worked
o4ert*0e, and the paper+ were l/r*d w*th the new+ that ro0ance +t*ll l*4ed *n th*+
cra++l2 0ater*al*+t*c a.e: "00a @old0an and ;a0e+ Colton, a +o/thern !el+h 0*ner,
had red*+co4ered the*r 0/t/al affect*on after twent26f*4e 2ear+ and had 7o*ned the*r
l*4e+ *n 0atr*0on2. The *00*.rat*on a/thor*t*e+ were reported to ha4e +tated that
there wa+ no *ntent*on of *nterfer*n. w*th 02 pre+ence *n Canada a+ lon. a+ I 5d*d not
ad4ocate 1o01+.5
The )o+cow fanat*c+ +o/.ht to 1o2cott 02 lect/re+ 12 a ho/+e6to6ho/+e can4a++
of the rad*cal Y*dd*+h pop/lat*on. A few of the 0ore decent and +en+*1le Co00/n*+t+
deprecated the+e tact*c+. The2 +/..e+ted a de1ate 1etween cott Near*n. and 02+elf. I
+ho/ld ha4e preferred +o0e Co00/n*+t who had l*4ed *n #/++*a lon.er and knew the
+*t/at*on 1etter than )r. Near*n.. t*ll, I wa+ >/*te w*ll*n. to d*+c/++ w*th h*0 the
>/e+t*on of L*fe /nder the $*ctator+h*p. Not +o )r. Near*n.. 8*+ repl2 wa+ that *f ".@.
were d2*n. and he co/ld +a4e her l*fe, he wo/ld not .o ro/nd the corner to do +o.
(e+*de+ 02 lect/re *n the theatre and an addre++ at the "/.ene $e1+ )e0or*al
.ather*n. I del*4ered +*3 Y*dd*+h lect/re+ and +poke at a 1an>/et where +e4eral
h/ndred dollar+ were +/1+cr*1ed for the #/++*an pol*t*cal+. The 0o+t +at*+f2*n. re+/lt
43C
of 02 4*+*t *n )ontreal wa+ the .ro/p of wo0en I .athered *nto a per0anent 1od2 to
ra*+e f/nd+ for the *0pr*+oned re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n the Co00/n*+t tate.
The Toronto anarch*+t+ were 0ore n/0ero/+ and 1etter or.an*-ed. The2 were
carr2*n. on *nten+*4e propa.anda *n Y*dd*+h and e3ert*n. an *nfl/ence *n the*r
co00/n*t2, 1/t the2 +adl2 ne.lected the nat*4e+. The2 were ea.er, howe4er, to a++*+t
0e to an2 e3tent w*th 02 pro.ra0 of "n.l*+h lect/re+. The2 had done a .reat deal of
preparator2 work that pro0*+ed +/cce++ for 02 f*r+t appearance. /pport ca0e al+o
fro0 an /ne3pected >/arter. I had not*f*ed the Toronto new+paper+ of 02 4*+*t to the*r
c*t2, 1/t onl2 the tar +howed +/ff*c*ent *ntere+t to +end a repre+entat*4e, )r. C. #.
#eade. I wa+ a0a-ed to f*nd h*0 thoro/.hl2 *nfor0ed a1o/t the anarch*+t ph*lo+oph2
and fa0*l*ar w*th *t+ e3ponent+ and the*r work+. 8e 0*.ht a+ well 1e one of /+, I
7oked. L*fe wa+ d*ff*c/lt eno/.h w*tho/t 1e*n. an adherent of +/ch an /npop/lar
ca/+e or +har*n. *t+ *dea+ w*th a d/ll world, he la/.hed. 8*+ /nder+tand*n. and
fr*endl2 att*t/de e3erted a pro+el2t*n. effect on h*+ ed*tor+. In the word+ of the
Co00/n*+t+, the tar 1eca0e an 5"00a @old0an propa.anda +heet.5 The
e3planat*on .*4en for 02 5p/ll5 w*th the paper wa+ that *t+ owner had *n the pa+t 1een
a 5ph*lo+oph*c5 anarch*+t and re0a*ned ho+p*ta1le to ad4anced *dea+. (/t I felt that *t
wa+ d/e 0o+tl2 to #eade:+ .ood off*ce+. (oth he and )r+. #eade 1eca0e 02
enth/+*a+t*c +pon+or+. )r+. #eade e4en 4ol/nteered to or.an*-e a co/r+e of 02 dra0a
lect/re+. The2 were a0on. the few k*ndred *ntellect/al +p*r*t+ I en7o2ed d/r*n. 02
+ta2 *n Toronto.
$ear 0e01er+ of 02 fa0*l2 ca0e to 4*+*t 0e fro0 the tate+, and *t wa+ a .reat
7o2 to 1e w*th*n the*r reach, e4en *f the2 had to co0e to 0e *n+tead of 02 .o*n. to
the0. Not that the opport/n*t2 wa+ not offered 0e. Aar*o/+ fr*end+ were ea.er to
+0/..le 0e acro++ the 1order. !*th 02 p*ct/re *n e4er2 ro./e+: .aller2 *n the &n*ted
tate+, I co/ld not ha4e re0a*ned there lon. w*tho/t 1e*n. reco.n*-ed, and there wa+
no o17ect *n h*d*n.. Tho+e of 02 fr*end+ and co0rade+ who co/ld afford *t wo/ld
co0e to +ee 0e. ,or the re+t, I ne4er l*ked +en+at*on for *t+ own +ake. There +t*ll wa+ a
lar.e place *n 02 heart for 02 er+twh*le co/ntr2, re.ardle++ of her +ha112 treat0ent.
)2 lo4e for all that *+ *deal, creat*4e, and h/0ane *n her wo/ld not d*e. (/t I +ho/ld
rather ne4er +ee A0er*ca a.a*n *f I co/ld do +o onl2 12 co0pro0*+*n. 02 *dea+.
The e3pen+e of tra4el *n Canada and the .reat d*+tance+ 1etween the lar.er c*t*e+
dec*ded 0e to .o no farther than "d0onton, Al1erta. !*nn*pe. nearl2 1eca0e 02
!aterloo. The c*t2 wa+ e3tre0el2 cold and *n the throe+ of a .r*ppe ep*de0*c, to
wh*ch I +/cc/01ed *n the f*r+t twent26fo/r ho/r+. Lack of cohe+*on *n o/r rank+,
1adl2 or.an*-ed 0eet*n.+, and Co00/n*+t o1+tr/ct*on at e4er2 .ather*n. 0ade the
+*t/at*on an2th*n. 1/t a cheerf/l pro+pect. 8/..*n. 02 1ed 12 da2, *n a half +t/por
fro0 dr/.+ to 1reak 02 cold, I 0ana.ed to p/ll thro/.h the /nda2 e4en*n. 0a++
0eet*n. *n +p*te of the ro/.h6ho/+e created 12 the )o+cow 1*.ot+. Later I added a
co/r+e of dra0a lect/re+ to 02 +ched/le. The +*3 week+ *n !*nn*pe., tho/.h
+tren/o/+ to e3ha/+t*on, were not ent*rel2 w*tho/t co0pen+at*on. The alert and act*4e
2o/n. people *n the Ar1e*ter #*n. or.an*-at*on, and the .*rl +t/dent+ of the &n*4er+*t2
who *n4*ted 0e to +peak, were the +a4*n. .race of 02 ordeal. I al+o +/cceeded *n
weld*n. to.ether the rad*cal wo0en *nto a rel*ef +oc*et2 for the *0pr*+oned
re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n #/++*a and added +o0e 0one2 to the f/nd.
"d0onton, Al1erta, pro4ed a record61reaker. I ca0e there for two lect/re+. I
433
+ta2ed to del*4er f*fteen *n one week, +o0e da2+ +peak*n. three t*0e+. All the ;ew*+h
or.an*-at*on+ *n town and 0o+t of the Canad*an la1o/r, +oc*al, and ed/cat*onal .ro/p+
*n4*ted 0e to +peak. The two e3tre0e+ of the 4ar*e.ated a/d*ence+ I addre++ed that
week were factor2 .*rl+ d/r*n. the*r l/nch ho/r *n the +hop and the fac/lt*e+ of
"d0onton Colle.e and the &n*4er+*t2 of Al1erta at a tea arran.ed *n one of the hotel+
12 )r+. 8. A. ,reed0an, the pre+*dent of the Co/nc*l of ;ew*+h !o0en. The
e3traord*nar2 *ntere+t 02 pre+ence *n "d0onton aro/+ed wa+ ent*rel2 d/e to the
k*ndl2 effort+ of three people, none of who0 wa+ an anarch*+t. )r+. ,reed0an wa+ a
+ta/nch and +*ncere adherent of the pre+ent pol*t*cal order, ". 8an+on wa+ a oc*al*+t6
Nat*onal*+t, and Carl (er. wa+ an I.!.!.
A note fro0 =e..2 @/..enhe*0 on 02 ret/rn to Toronto e3pre++ed +/rpr*+e that I
had not an+wered 8oward Yo/n.:+ letter re.ard*n. 02 a/to1*o.raph2. 8ad I chan.ed
02 0*nd a1o/t per0*tt*n. h*0 to ra*+e a f/nd to ena1le 0e to wr*te the 1ookB 8e wa+
plann*n. to proceed w*th *t and +he wo/ld open the +/1+cr*pt*on w*th f*4e h/ndred
dollar+. I repl*ed that I had ne4er rece*4ed 8oward:+ letter, 1/t *t wa+ all r*.ht for h*0
to .o ahead. Yet I +ho/ld prefer to ha4e 02 old fr*end !. . Aan Aalken1/r.h *n
char.e of the hard work the appeal wo/ld enta*l. I knew that *f ener.2 and
*ndefat*.a1*l*t2 co/ld a4a*l, Aan wa+ +/re of +/cce++. !*th =e..2 @/..enhe*0 and
8oward Yo/n. a+ 02 f*r+t +pon+or+, Kathleen )*lla2 a+ the off*c*al +ecretar2, and
Aan to do the hea42 corre+pondence, the pro7ect wa+ f*nall2 la/nched to +ec/re f/nd+
for 02 wr*t*n. the 50a+terp*ece that wo/ld +et the world af*re.5
)eanwh*le 02 Toronto co0rade+ kept on *n+*+t*n. that I wa+ wanted *n the*r
0*d+t. The2 had ne4er 1el*e4ed that the*r c*t2 co/ld re+pond +o war0l2 to anarch*+t
propa.anda. The2 /r.ed that I 0ake Toronto 02 per0anent ho0e or that I re0a*n
there +e4eral 2ear+ at lea+t. The2 offered to foot all 1*ll+ and I +ho/ld con+*der 02+elf
en.a.ed, the2 declared. )o+t of the+e Y*dd*+h anarch*+t+ were work*n.0en, 1arel2
earn*n. the*r l*4*n.: e3pan+*4e )a/r*ce Lan.1ord and h*+ w*fe, (eck2, to*l*n. to
+/pport the*r +*3 adora1le ch*ldren, w*th lar.e appet*te+9 A. ;/dk*n, we*.h*n. no 0ore
than n*net2 po/nd+, w*th a +*ck w*fe, r/nn*n. a new+paper del*4er2 tr/ck9 .en*al and
k*ndl2 ;oe $e++er, *ll for 0onth+9 @/r*an, *0k*n, @old+te*n, and other co0rade+ 666
e4er2 one of the0 w*th hea42 1/rden+ to carr2. I wo/ld not con+ent to accept +/pport
e4en fro0 ;/l*/+ elt-er, the onl2 50*ll*ona*re5 *n o/r rank+, let alone fro0 the0. Nor
co/ld I th*nk of +pend*n. the re+t of 02 l*fe *n Canada. (/t I wo/ld r*+k *t for a 2ear.
The +pec*al dra0a co/r+e, arran.ed 12 02 two art*+t fr*end+ ,lorence Lor*n. and
,rance+ !2l*e, had left a +/rpl/+. )2 fa0*l2 +ent ca+h a+ the*r 1*rthda2 .*ft+. The two
(en+, (*. and L*ttle, and other fr*end+ had al+o re0e01ered 0e on the occa+*on. I
wo/ld ha4e eno/.h to keep .o*n. for part of the +/00er. I tho/.ht I wo/ld re+t /p for
a wh*le and then 1/ckle down to prepare a new lect/re co/r+e. (/t I lo+t all de+*re for
a re+t w*th the *0pend*n. 0/rder of acco and Aan-ett*.
The f*r+t knowled.e of the*r arre+t had reached 0e *n #/++*a9 then noth*n. 0ore
t*ll I wa+ *n @er0an2. o o4erpower*n. were the proof+ of the*r *nnocence, *t +ee0ed
*0po++*1le that the tate of )a++ach/+ett+ wo/ld repeat *n 19C3 the cr*0e Ill*no*+ had
co00*tted *n 1<<H. /rel2 +o0e pro.re++ had 1een 0ade *n A0er*ca *n the pa+t
>/arter of a cent/r2, +o0e chan.e *n the 0*nd+ and heart+ of the 0a++e+ to pre4ent the
new h/0an +acr*f*ce, I rea+oned. tran.e that I, of all people, +ho/ld ha4e tho/.ht +o.
I who had l*4ed and +tr/..led *n the &n*ted tate+ for 0ore than half 02 l*fe and had
434
w*tne++ed the *nert*a of the worker+ and the /n+cr/p/lo/+ne++ and the *nh/0an*t2 of
the A0er*can co/rt+? !*th o/r Ch*ca.o 0en *nnocentl2 +la*n, w*th a+ha doo0ed to
twent26two 2ear+ for an offence that le.all2 called onl2 for +e4en, w*th )oone2 and
(*ll*n.+ 1/r*ed al*4e on per7/red te+t*0on2, the 4*ct*0+ of !heatland and Central*a
+t*ll *n pr*+on, and all the other+ I had +een ra*lroaded? 8ow co/ld I ha4e 1el*e4ed that
acco and Aan-ett*, howe4er *nnocent, wo/ld e+cape A0er*can 57/+t*ce5B The power
of +/..e+t*on had taken 0e off 02 ./ard. The whole world had rep/d*ated the
0on+tro/+ po++*1*l*t2 that acco and Aan-ett* wo/ld 1e den*ed a new tr*al or that the
+entence of death wo/ld 1e carr*ed o/t. I had 1een *nfl/enced 12 *t and had done l*ttle
to help +ta2 the han.0an:+ hand reach*n. o/t for the+e two 1ea/t*f/l l*4e+. %nl2 after I
had co0e to Canada d*d I f/ll2 real*-e 02 0*+take. Talk*n. +ee0ed *ncon+e>/ent*al
and f/t*le. Yet *t wa+ all I co/ld do to call attent*on to the 1lack deed a1o/t to 1e
co00*tted acro++ the 1order, after the +e4en 2ear+: p/r.ator2 +/ffered 12 the two
per+ec/ted 0en. Ala+, 02 fee1le 4o*ce, l*ke that of 0*ll*on+, cr*ed *n 4a*n. A0er*ca
re0a*ned deaf.
)2 co0rade+ or.an*-ed a 0e0or*al 0eet*n.. I con+ented to +peak, tho/.h I knew
that no paean of the*r 4elo/r and no1*l*t2 co/ld ra*+e the0 to .reater .lor2 *n the e2e+
of po+ter*t2 than Aan-ett*:+ own 1ea/t*f/l +on. or acco:+ la+t +*0ple and hero*c
word+.
A1+orpt*on *n +o0e 4*tal *ntere+t had often helped 0e o4er the +a4a.er2 0an
*nfl*ct+ on h*+ 1rother. Concentrated +t/d2 of the 0ater*al for 02 w*nter:+ work 0*.ht
d/ll the pa*n o4er o/r .reat and po*.nant lo++.
The =/1l*c and &n*4er+*t2 l*1rar*e+ *n Toronto were lack*n. *n 0odern work+ on
the +oc*al, ed/cat*onal, and p+2cholo.*c pro1le0+ occ/p2*n. the 1e+t 0*nd+. 5!e do
not 1/2 1ook+ we con+*der *00oral,5 a local l*1rar*an wa+ reported a+ +a2*n.. I
ac>/*red a l*1rar*an of 02 own *n Arth/r Leonard #o++, 1e+t of fr*end+, who +ent 0e
two 1o3e+ of the late+t reference 1ook+ on the +/17ect+ I wa+ prepar*n.. I al+o ca0e
/pon a r*ch !alt !h*t0an collect*on, owned 12 )r. 8. ,. a/nder+, +ecretar2 of the
Toronto !alt !h*t0an ,ellow+h*p, who *n4*ted 0e to +peak at the ann/al .ather*n.
*n 0e0or2 of the @ood @re2 =oet.
)2 l/ck *n Toronto far e3ceeded 02 de+ert+. K*nd heart+ +/ppl*ed 02 e4er2 w*+h.
5A +ecretar2B5 5!h2, there:+ )oll2 K*r-ner 666 +he:ll do 2o/r work.5 !*th*n the 2ear
)oll2 chan.ed her na0e to Acker0an, 1/t not her lo2alt2 to 0e. 5A centrall2 located
place for o/r p/1l*c*t2B5 5!h2, there:+ C. ). 8erl*ck, the law2er. $on:t 2o/ fear, he *+
al+o a oc*al*+t and ea.er to p/t h*+ off*ce at 2o/r +er4*ce.5 A ph2+*c*an, a dent*+t, and
ta*lor+ at 02 call, and a k*dnapper who+e co-2 ho0e +oon 1eca0e 0*ne. The dear
wo0an, "+ther Laddon, wa+ a1o/t 02 own a.e, 1/t +he 0othered 0e a+ *f I were her
ch*ld. he fretted a1o/t 02 health, worr*ed a1o/t 02 0eal+, and 1/ttonholed
e4er21od2 to warn the0 not to dare 0*++ hear*n. the .reat orator ".@. Indeed, 02
l/ck e3ceeded 02 de+ert+.
In ;an/ar2 19C< I del*4ered 02 f*nal talk *n a +er*e+ of twent2, e01rac*n. 4ar*o/+
pro1le0+ of o/r t*0e. The la+t e4en*n., on wh*ch I d*+c/++ed (en L*nd+e2:+
Co0pan*onate )arr*a.e, 1ro/.ht o/t an a/d*ence e>/all*n. the total attendance of
fo/r other 0eet*n.+. I wa+ a++/red that I had perfor0ed a feat no p/1l*c +peaker had
e4er atte0pted *n Toronto 1efore. I had co0e a+ a +tran.er w*tho/t f/nd+ or a
43F
0ana.er. !*th*n a 2ear I had created eno/.h *ntere+t to +ec/re a/d*ence+ tw*ce a
week for e*.ht 0onth+. )o+t *0portant, 02 fr*end+ tho/.ht, wa+ the effect of 02
lect/re on corporal p/n*+h0ent *n the +chool+. The ca0pa*.n or.an*-ed to a1ol*+h the
+a4a.e pract*ce wa+ the d*rect re+/lt of *t, the2 +a*d. I co/ld not ha4e ach*e4ed what I
d*d had *t not 1een for the effect*4e +/pport of +/ch fr*end+ a+ the #eade+, #o1ert
Low, )ar2 #a0+e2, ;ane Cohen, the 8/.he+e+, ,lorence Lor*n. and ,rance+ !2l*e,
and 02 co0rade+ *n Toronto. The*r +hare wa+ no le++ than 0*ne, nor +ho/ld the*r
cred*t 1e.
The week *n )ontreal 1efore +a*l*n. wa+ free fro0 the .loo0 and d*+appo*nt0ent+
of 02 pre4*o/+ 4*+*t. I ca0e a+ the ./e+t of the !o0en:+ A*d oc*et2, the .ro/p I had
or.an*-ed for the rel*ef of the per+ec/ted re4ol/t*on*+t+ *n #/++*a. )2 2ear:+ a1+ence
had not da0pened the*r ardo/r nor le++ened the*r effort+. )r+. Dahler, Lena lack0an,
)*nna (aron, #o+e (ern+te*n, and the other hard worker+ had +/rpa++ed 02
e3pectat*on+ *n the a0o/nt of f*nanc*al a*d the2 had +/cceeded *n +end*n. to (erl*n
for the #/++*an =ol*t*cal =r*+oner+: ,/nd. The2 pro4ed e>/all2 eff*c*ent w*th the two
0eet*n.+ the2 arran.ed for 0e, the lar.e+t and 0o+t *ntere+t*n. I had had *n )ontreal.
I .reatl2 en7o2ed the f*ne fellow+h*p at the farewell d*nner the2 .a4e 0e. %ther
fr*end+ added to the *ntere+t and plea+/re of 02 +ta2, a0on. the0 )r. and )r+. 8. ).
Ca*+er0an, enth/+*a+t*c ;/da*+t+, who .athered the Y*dd*+h *ntell*.ent+*a to attend 02
lect/re on !alt !h*t0an at the*r ho0e. The2 were pro/d that I wa+ one of the*r race,
the2 re*terated. It wa+ worth co0*n. 1ack to )ontreal to reach the*r Y*dd*+h heart+ 12
the .race of the .o* !alt !h*t0an.
"4el2n cott wa+ *n the c*t2 and I +pent +o0e lo4el2 ho/r+ w*th her. I had read and
ad0*red her "+capade 2ear+ 1efore we 0et. %/r fr*end+h*p 1e.an *n London and wa+
ce0ented 12 "4el2n:+ letter+, no le++ 0a+terl2 than her l*terar2 work. !e la/.hed to
tear+ o4er the recollect*on of o/r recent 0eet*n. *n Ca++*+, ,rance. he had *n4*ted
a+ha and 0e to d*nner and we had arr*4ed *n the co0pan2 of =e..2 and Lawrence at
fo/r *n the 0orn*n., h/n.r2 a+ wol4e+. $a-ed w*th +leep, "4el2n had anno/nced that
+he co/ld offer /+ onl2 coffee9 not a +crap had 1een left fro0 the +/0pt/o/+ d*nner.
The call to ar0+ for 5".@.:+ L*fe5 had not 1ro/.ht 1attal*on+ to the fore, Aan
r/ef/ll2 reported9 no 0ore than a tho/+and dollar+ had co0e *n, tho/.h he had
1o01arded e4er2one w*th*n reach. 8*+ face l*t /p when he learned that the co0rade+
of the ,re*e Ar1e*ter t*00e had, thro/.h the effort+ of *t+ ed*tor, ;o+eph Cohen, (.
A3ler, and arah @r/1er, ra*+ed nearl2 a+ 0/ch, and that Toronto and )ontreal had
not la..ed 1eh*nd. (/t we were +t*ll onl2 half6wa2 toward+ the needed f*4e tho/+and
dollar+. Aan wa+ not d*+co/ra.ed: he wo/ld cont*n/e to pe+ter tho+e who had once
procla*0ed the*r fr*end+h*p for ".@. !hat were 02 plan+B !o/ld I wa*t 1efore
1e.*nn*n. 02 workB $*d he dare +/..e+t that a .ood anarch*+t wo/ld +top halfwa2, I
tea+ed 02 *0pre+ar*o. In f*fteen 0onth+ I had ra*+ed o4er th*rteen h/ndred dollar+ for
the pol*t*cal f/nd, +o0e 0one2 for the f*.ht to re+c/e acco and Aan-ett* and for
+*0*lar ca/+e+. I had pa*d 02 de1t+, a0o/nt*n. to twel4e h/ndred dollar+, and I had
eno/.h left to co4er 02 ret/rn pa++a.e, a+*de fro0 the new f/nd for 02
a/to1*o.raph2.
I wa+ ret/rn*n. to ,rance, to lo4el2 a*nt6Trope- and 02 enchant*n. l*ttle cotta.e
to wr*te 02 l*fe. )2 l*fe 666 I had l*4ed *n *t+ he*.ht+ and *t+ depth+, *n 1*tter +orrow
and ec+tat*c 7o2, *n 1lack de+pa*r and fer4ent hope. I had dr/nk the c/p to the la+t
43G
drop. I had l*4ed 02 l*fe. !o/ld I had the .*ft to pa*nt the l*fe I had l*4ed?
43H