Chapter 12 : In Working-Class Memory

For Labor can but honor those who witness with their lives and the manner of their dying, to the power of Labor's struggle.

______

"The greatest men of a nation are those whom it puts to death." - Ernest Renan

______

Martyred, Tokio, January 24, 1911.

The following comrades were arrested in the fall of 1910, on the bogus charge of plotting against the Imperial family. Tried and sentenced by Special Secret Court, December, 1910. Government issued statements against accused but forbade all statements to be published on their behalf.

Denjiro Kotoku. Journalist and Essayist. Age, 41.

Seinosuke Oishi. Doctor of Medicine. Studied in America. Age, 45.

Qudo Uchiyama. Buddhist Priest. Age, 32.

Tadao Niimura. Small landowner. Age, 25.

Uichita Matsus. Landowner and Journalist. Age, 35.

Uichiro Nimi. Journalist. Age, 32.

Suga Kanno. Journalist. Sweetheart of Kotoku. Age, 31.

Umpei Morichika. Originally a small farmer. Ex-Local Government Official. Age, 31.

Rikisaku Furukawa. Horticulturist. Age, 30.

Takichi Miyashita. Merchant. Age, 42.

Kenshi Okumiyo. A very old revolutionary agitator. Age, 55.

Heishiro Naruishi. A law student. Age 25.

All claimed to be Socialists. Some called themselves Anarchists. Others maintained, with Dietzgen, that Socialism, Communism, and Anarchism are one and the same idea or social theory.

Kotoku's mother, seventy years old, came from her native province of Kochi-Tosa, to see her only son during his trial. Shortly before the close she was permitted to interview him in the presence of the authorities. The aged woman addressed her son stoically, and urged him to face death like a Samurai, the ancient warrior.

He did not reply, and the mother returned home, where she died two days later. After the final hearing in court, Kotoku was shown a telegram telling him of his mother's death.