Anarchists

Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, sits on his throne. At his feet are an orb, a broken scepter, and a cleft shield showing St. George and the dragon. He is recoiling in horror at being mocked by a gathering of ghosts of the oppressed from ages past, while behind him anarchists with weapons, one about to throw a bomb, are preparing to strike.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Czar Nicholas II, on his throne in late 1905 was more than a decade from being forced to assuage his restive peoples with meaningless reforms, to abdicate, and to have himself and his family lived as peasants before being brutally murdered. This was in the future, as history knows, yet Carl Hassmann’s chilling portrayal of the Czar’s real position was true and prescient.

The figure of Puck, the magazine’s mascot, points at two men and tugs at the robe of Justice, who is raising the blindfold from over her eyes and giving the men a stern look. One is a ruffian holding a bomb and a red flag labeled “Anarchy.” The other is a well-dressed editor or journalist holding a yellow flag labeled “Yellow Journalism” and newspaper sheets labeled “Incendiary editorials ‘The president is the creature of the Trusts'” and “Assassination is the only remedy,” and he carries a satchel with sheets labeled “Seditious Editorials.” The ground is strewn with newspaper sheets covered with quotes that condemn President McKinley. Caption: Puck. — Don’t forget that they are two of a kind – equally responsible for the death of our President!

comments and context

Comments and Context

There are two foundation-stones of this cartoon, which was published shortly after the death of President William McKinley at an assassin’s hands. The first is that the murderer, Leon F. Czolgosz, was an avowed anarchist and follower of the violence-advocate Emma Goldman. The second is an indictment of the sensationalist press, although the malignant figure resembles neither William Randolph Hearst nor Joseph Pulitzer, the two most prominent of such publishers (New York Journal and World, respectively)… and the usual whipping-boys of cartoonists. Shortly before the assassination, the Hearst papers ran a poem (anonymous, but reportedly by Ambrose Bierce) and referring to the recently murdered governor of Kentucky: “The bullet that pierced Goebel’s chest / Cannot be found in all the West. Good reason; / It is speeding here To stretch McKinley in his bier.”

Theodore Roosevelt stands in front of an American flag wearing his Rough Rider uniform. An unkempt man named “Anarchy” shows shock at the sight of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-03-21

George B. Cortelyou encloses an anonymous letter from New York City signed by “Another Emma Goldman.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-12-26

Theodore Roosevelt strongly tells John O. Jackson that the author of the newspaper article he sent is deliberately lying and misconstruing Roosevelt’s speech. Roosevelt clarifies his statements about the Constitution and his response to anarchists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-19

After discussing the matter with the Department of State and the Department of Commerce and Labor, President Roosevelt tells Owen Wister that it is clear that Princess Sofia Grigorievna Kropotkina should not be allowed into the United States. The mere fact that she calls herself an anarchist is reason enough, and Roosevelt adds that he personally does not think she should come, as anarchists “add to the strength of the worst and most vicious elements of our civilization.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-10

President Roosevelt thanks Maud Nathan for her support and says that the “Hilquit type” of inciter gives the “reactionary type” its strength, while the extreme reactionary gives strength to the “anarchist agitator of the Hilquit type.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-11

President Roosevelt informs the Department of Justice that he has directed the Postmaster General George von L. Meyer to exclude the anarchist newspaper La Questione Sociale from the mail, and that it will not be admitted to the mail until a court or the Department of Justice advises that it must be admitted. Roosevelt asks if it is possible to prosecute the people who created the publication under federal law, calling them “enemies of mankind.” Roosevelt will also inform the Governor John Franklin Fort of New Jersey so that prosecution may be attempted under state law. Roosevelt says that the paper had been advocating for murder and arson, and that if such things are not illegal, then they should be.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-03-20

President Roosevelt is glad to hear from Marshal Daniels, but does not share his worries.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-29

Theodore Roosevelt appreciated Henry A. Brann’s speech on the parade of red flag anarchists.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-07

President Roosevelt confidentially sends Governor of New Jersey Stokes some correspondence with Secret Service Chief John E. Wilkie. Roosevelt feels Alfred W. Wishart is being imposed upon by William MacQueen’s request for a pardon as there is no doubt, he is a “shiftless character” and anarchist. Roosevelt directs Stokes to share the substance of the letter with the Board of Pardons.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-09-19

President Roosevelt comments on the ongoing furor surrounding the trials of Charles H. Moyer and Big Bill Haywood, looking down on he support they are receiving from socialists and anarchists from across the country. He reflects that he has had an odd presidency, and that “a goodly number of the things I have done which i regard as most important will probably never see the light and will be known to only a few people,” including the situation in Idaho, the Russo-Japanese peace negotiations, the Algeciras conference, and the Alaska boundary dispute.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-07-10

President Roosevelt explains the situation between Colorado Adjutant General Bell and William Henry Harrison Llewellyn about James D. Ritchie, and reproduces part of a letter from Llewellyn to Bell. Ritchie, described as “quite an anarchist,” was deported from Colorado to New Mexico, but Llewellyn wishes for Bell to go easy on him “under the circumstances.” Ritchie is a strong supporter of Roosevelt’s campaign.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-10-22

The Louisville Board of Trade met to discuss taking action regarding the death of William McKinley. The meeting requested greater protection for the president and stronger punishments for attacks against the president. Part of Governor Bradley’s speech regarding the enforcement of the laws is included.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-18

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-07

Creator(s)

Tomlinson, A. D.

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Henry E. Huck reports to Theodore Roosevelt that he finally got away from the sanitarium at Guelph, Ontario, and is currently safe in Detroit, Michigan. However, Arthur Heurtley will not help him, even after Huck shared how letters were stolen and that the sanitarium’s attendants were anarchists who harmed Marshall Field’s heirs. He sends a paper slip and does not think the American consul reported on it. Huck asks Roosevelt for help with the Field estate and to be admitted to a sanitarium, not an asylum. He would have reported the mail theft to Governor General of Canada Albert Henry George Grey but did not have the money or protection to get to Ottawa, Ontario. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-27

Henry E. Huck warns Theodore Roosevelt about the threat from anarchists in Orange Lodges in Canada, England, and the United States. He believes that the anarchists are persecuting him and requests help from a detective.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-19

Henry E. Huck tells Theodore Roosevelt about the difficulties with his sister Albertine Drummond, primarily that he is held at a sanitarium and is deprived of his rightful inheritance. He asks Roosevelt to speak to her and explain the situation. While he could have sold the story about the row and flag, the century’s biggest scandal, he refused. However, the resulting row will be dreadful if Huck is not given a hearing. Upon proving his sanity, he asks Roosevelt to help him get work to aid in keeping anarchists out of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-15

Assistant Secretary of State Bacon provides the requested report on Princess Sofia Grigorievna Kropotkina. She is the wife of Petr Alekseevich Kropotkin, a well-known geographer, scientist, and anarchist, and is known to assist him in his work. The State Department has no records regarding Kropotkin’s 1900 visit to the United States, nor the proposed visit of Kropotkina. There may be an indication in the records of the Department of Commerce and Labor regarding waiving the statute which excludes anarchists from entering the country.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-11-09

President Roosevelt encloses a letter from the Justice Department stating that existing statutes give the president the authority to prohibit the use of the mail for the commission of crimes or for advocacy of crimes. However, Congress should further legislate this matter. Roosevelt writes that anarchists are the enemy of “all mankind,” and as such, anarchy is “a deeper degree of criminality than any other,” and no papers published anywhere in the United States should be allowed to circulate if they advocate anarchy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-08