_DR. FRUSTADT’S EXPERIENCES._
The next morning Dr. Frustadt remained in his own apartments for two or
three hours, excusing himself on account of important correspondence.
As those who chronicle events often are accorded the prerogative of
ubiquity, we will peep over his shoulder, and translate a German letter
which he indited to a friend in Geneva, Switzerland.
BAR HARBOR, August --, 188-.
DEAR COMRADE,--I find myself among capitalistic society at a
fashionable summer-resort. The location is a beautiful one, on
the Atlantic coast, and I must commend the taste of the American
_bourgeois_ in the selection of this spot for an aristocratic
resting-place.
That letter of introduction “worked like a charm.” When we found it,
I had no idea that it would prove an “open sesame” to such royal
entertainment as I am enjoying. Here I am: no Max V. Stellmacher--but
the veritable Dr. Frustadt, formerly of Heidelberg University. On the
strength of that letter from George Radbourne to Colonel Tapley, I
am--as Dr. Frustadt--much honored. The colonel invited me to be his
guest on a cruise from Boston to this place, and I accepted in order
to enjoy his hospitality, and, at the same time, to make a little
study of our capitalistic enemies in America. I cannot but admire
Colonel Tapley personally, but duty demands that I hate him, because
he belongs to the detestable class--our enemies. Personal tastes
must give way to principle. He is my adversary, because he stands in
the way of the “Coming Order.” Whatever obstructs the progress of
our propaganda must get out of the way, or fall. His son and another
young man, who came on the cruise with us, are peculiar, and I
instinctively feel their power of penetration. I think they mistrust
that I am a bogus “Dr. Frustadt;” at any rate, their presence
makes me uncomfortable. We also have with us a detestable English
aristocrat. I hate the very ground that he treads upon. One evening,
while on the cruise, I nearly decided to shove him overboard, but had
a timely conviction that the theory that it was an accident possibly
might not be accepted. I think, however, that but for a mysterious
restraining influence from those young men, the English sprig would
have been disposed of--_accidentally_, of course.
I know that you are anxious to learn how our brothers of the “Red
International” are progressing in this country. You can say to our
comrades, who are refugees in Switzerland, that societies are being
formed, from picked material, in all the large cities, and that
scientific anarchism is making much progress. There are several
“Black Hand” inner circles, the members of which have been initiated
from the most advanced of the lower societies. They are bound by
our most deadly secret oaths, and are being trained in the use and
manufacture of explosives. When the hour arrives, they will give a
good account of themselves. There is a prospect that some gigantic
strikes may soon occur, in which case the time may be favorable for
a beginning. Some of our ablest comrades manage to get inside of the
labor organizations, and become their leaders. Weaker dilutions of
our principles are numerous. There are several shades of socialists,
who expect to usher in the “Coming Order” by peaceful means. Even the
labor organizations are excellent as preparatory schools in arousing
class hatred, which must be fanned into a flame as a means to the
end. Our comrades here make good use of the numerous monopolies as
object-lessons against the Existing Order. We also have some unique
allies of the sentimental and philanthropic varieties, who condemn
existing forms of government. They unconsciously, but effectually,
fan the embers of discontent, and also form a kind of respectable
screen, behind which we can lay the foundations of Anarchy. They
have become weary of ordinary reforms, as applied to individual
character, and now boldly advocate the wiping-out of the present
political institutions. We are also aided by new departures in
economic legislation, which tend to break down the old heresies about
the “sacred rights of property.” Thus we have auxiliary influences
of various sorts and shades. Many of them are yet mild, but they all
tend towards our focal point. Henry George’s land theories, which
have gained some currency through their philanthropic aspects, in
their essence are anarchic, and only need “boiling down” to meet our
views. From the theory that land-ownership is robbery, it will be but
a _short step_ to the general application of the same principle.
Our comrades of the “Black Hand” inner circle are on the alert,
especially in Chicago, New York, and a few other cities, and the
circulation of our literature is pushed vigorously. The number of
anarchic tracts, papers, and pamphlets which are circulated in the
Polish, Bohemian, and German languages is immense. A vast number
of the population of these nationalities cannot read the English
language, which fact of itself gives us a grand opportunity.
Our greatest obstacle is a sort of sentimental patriotism and
reverence for the flag, which, of course, symbolizes the present
government. The Stars and Stripes (the American flag) is still rather
popular, but it must go down, for the Red flag is coming--coming.
There is already much progress in drilling, discipline, and the
scientific use of explosives. Our leaders in Chicago are so well
organized, that they say they can “_remove_” any “obstacle” with
impunity.
The price put upon my head on account of the little capers cut up in
Vienna matters nothing to me. My appearance has changed so much since
I left you in Geneva, that even a twin brother would hardly recognize
me but for the detestable scars. I could tear them out.
My missionary work in America will not permit me to remain much
longer as the guest of Colonel Tapley; besides, it would be awkward
if the genuine Frustadt should turn up with another copy of the
letter which he lost. Before many months there probably will be a
blow struck for Anarchy, and it now seems likely that Chicago will be
the place where the ball will open.
This information I have given to you for the benefit and
encouragement of the inner circles that you may visit. From what I
have seen, I am satisfied that our comrades in America will not be
behind when things are ripe for the crisis. In my present environment
I have posed as a mild socialist. When I am through with this farce
of “Dr. Frustadt,” I will write you more fully of downright business.
I need not remind you, comrade, to destroy this letter, as usual, as
soon as you are familiar with its contents.
Yours, for the Revolution and Anarchy,
MAX V. STELLMACHER.
Of what vagaries is the human mind capable! This Stellmacher
has idealized himself to himself as a reformer, perhaps even a
philanthropist. As a means to bring about the end in view, he was ready
to commit any crime whatsoever. Even murder, to him, would become a
duty when in the interest of his imagined reform. The world is full of
pseudo-reformers, similar in kind but milder in degree.
Touching this subject, Frederic Harrison well says,--“Communists and
Socialists imagine that if they could get hold of the machinery of
the State, they could suppress poverty, annihilate misery, and reward
merit. Their error consists in ignorance of the infinitesimal power of
government to suppress the individual wills of the citizens, and the
nullity of any authority that runs counter to the opinion around it. It
is more and more true that political conditions ultimately spring from
anterior intellectual convictions, and the attempt to raise the former
without a base of the latter becomes more and more preposterous. The
despotic and the Communistic theory of society spring from exactly the
same sophism: that of attributing to government a function which, in
modern societies, it is utterly powerless to fulfil.”
Stellmacher, alias Frustadt, by a peculiar process of reasoning,
concluded that he had a “mission” to perform in rescuing society from
its present condition, and in promoting Anarchy, which he believed
would be “Utopia itself.” He held to this view subjectively, until it
became ruling to him, and no obstacles were too great, no crimes too
dark, to obstruct his path.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” He becomes what he dwells
upon. By holding almost any theory persistently in consciousness, one
will make it realistic, especially if he surround himself with an
environment of the same quality.
When mankind learn to discipline and elevate their thinking, society
will be renovated. The regulation and government of external
manifestations deal only with effects.
Stellmacher and all his hosts of milder and more amiable imitators, who
have patent schemes for reforming society, as by governmental changes,
a new social system, new legislation upon land or labor, ignore
causation, and touch only effects.
All institutions and structures are but material duplicates of previous
mental plans and specifications. Reform must have its basis in improved
individual character, which results only from higher thinking.
When the mighty sweep of the law that men become what they dwell upon,
is more generally understood, mentality will be more carefully guarded
and disciplined. The casting will inevitably exhibit the features of
the mould.
The sensualist dwells in a sensual world, and to him everything has
a sensual hue. External law has no power to improve man’s moral or
mental quality, because it does not raise his thinking. If one’s
mental abiding-place be below a proper spiritual level, no matter what
his theories, creeds, or professions may be, he degrades himself and
society.
The human Ego should deny its animalism and materialism, and fit up its
living-room in a higher altitude. The man who does this for himself
does it in some measure for his neighbors and his race. Whenever such a
condition generally prevails, institutions, laws, and governments may
be left to shape themselves. All schemes, therefore, which aim merely
at the improvement of external manifestations are futile, because they
deal with results rather than causes.
Milton well says,--
“He that has light within his own clear breast,
May sit in the centre and enjoy bright day;
But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts,
Benighted walks under the mid-day sun;
Himself is his own dungeon.”
On the day after the dinner-party, Mr. Bonbright returned to the city.
He was interested in many great financial schemes which required his
constant attention. Even in midsummer, he was in his office early and
late. As his town house was closed during the absence of the family, he
was domiciled at a leading hotel. He could hardly content himself to
prolong his visits to Bar Harbor beyond two or three days, on account
of his impatience to again plunge into the currents of business. During
his brief vacations, he was in constant receipt of advices, reports,
and telegrams. Files of letters, despatches and quotations were
piled upon his desk, until the library at his summer cottage had the
appearance of a counting-room.
Though naturally fond of society, affectionate to his family, and of
generous impulses, his absorption in business had increased until
vacations had become dull and recreation insipid. The enjoyment of
anything outside of finance had well-nigh become a “lost art.” The
world that he lived in was a world of stocks and bonds, and these were
with him by day and by night. When he scanned his daily paper, any item
bearing upon values and markets at once caught his eye.
A cyclone in Texas, a drought in Dakota, a short crop in Russia, an
international complication, a foreign war, prospective legislation,
were all viewed with special reference to their effect upon his
investments and securities.
Mr. Bonbright, however, was not mercenary, much less penurious. He
entertained hospitably and lavishly, both in Commonwealth Avenue and at
Bar Harbor. A devoted husband and kind father, he was also charitably
inclined towards the poor and needy. He was esteemed both in society
and in business circles. Although intensely devoted to finance, it
was not so much for mere accumulation as for power, standing, and
success. Business to him was a legitimate game, and his interest and
delight were more in winning victories than in securing stakes. As
the world counts honesty he was honest, but at the same time shrewd,
far-reaching, and ambitious.
He prided himself upon his sound judgment and expertness in forecasting
results. As a matter of preference he would rather lose a few thousands
than have his predictions unfulfilled. Mentally, he was like a busy
mill, filled with machinery, running at full speed day and night.
The “Divine Architect” is the only creator of realities; but, in a deep
sense, men also are creators. They form the particular world in which
they dwell.
“Bring
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and, in itself,
Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.”