!

That's how he heads it.

"REIGN OF TERROR IN THE COAL AND IRON DISTRICT

"Twelve years have now elapsed since the first assassinations
which proved the existence of a criminal organization in our
midst. From that day these outrages have never ceased, until
now they have reached a pitch which makes us the opprobrium
of the civilized world. Is it for such results as this that
our great country welcomes to its bosom the alien who flies
from the despotisms of Europe? Is it that they shall
themselves become tyrants over the very men who have given
them shelter, and that a state of terrorism and lawlessness
should be established under the very shadow of the sacred
folds of the starry Flag of Freedom which would raise horror
in our minds if we read of it as existing under the most
effete monarchy of the East? The men are known. The organization
is patent and public. How long are we to endure it? Can we
forever live--"

"Sure, I've read enough of the slush!" cried the chairman, tossing the
paper down upon the table. "That's what he says of us. The question I'm
asking you is what shall we say to him?"

"Kill him!" cried a dozen fierce voices.

"I protest against that," said Brother Morris, the man of the good brow
and shaved face. "I tell you, Brethren, that our hand is too heavy in
this valley, and that there will come a point where in self-defense
every man will unite to crush us out. James Stanger is an old man. He
is respected in the township and the district. His paper stands for all
that is solid in the valley. If that man is struck down, there will be
a stir through this state that will only end with our destruction."

"And how would they bring about our destruction, Mr. Standback?" cried
McGinty. "Is it by the police? Sure, half of them are in our pay and
half of them afraid of us. Or is it by the law courts and the judge?
Haven't we tried that before now, and what ever came of it?"

"There is a Judge Lynch that might try the case," said Brother Morris.

A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion.

"I have but to raise my finger," cried McGinty, "and I could put two
hundred men into this town that would clear it out from end to end."
Then suddenly raising his voice and bending his huge black brows into a
terrible frown, "See here, Brother Morris, I have my eye on you, and
have had for some time! You've no heart yourself, and you try to take
the he