Francisco Ferrer; his life, work and martyrdom, with message written ...

His Life and Work. 69
francs at my disposal for my personal needs—stamps,
writing paper, telegrams, etc. What is more astonishing,
he refused to allozv my counsel to present a collection of
the works of the Modern School, for which I had asked,
that he might he able to account for the bad faith of the
clericals in fighting the Modern School. Thus they altogether
zvithdrczv my counsel's means of defence.
In yesterday's letter addressed to Mme. L.* I made a
list of the papers in my case, in which there is no charge.
The Judge searched everywhere, but could find nothing
against me. Finally he was obliged to turn for proofs to
the Attorney-General, who had said that I was the leader
of the rebellion. The Attorney-General, in his turn, was
compelled to admit that he had no proofs, but that he had
heard people say so.
My counsel is sure of my acquittal so far as the facts
are concerned, but he is afraid the court may permit
itself to be influenced by the evil atmosphere created
about me. Liberty is confined to the reactionary press,
which writes against me. As for the liberals, they cannot
say a word in my favor. Well, then
My counsel ought to be helped by the publication of
these facts.
With regards to all,
F. Ferrer.
As late as October 8th Ferrer assured Soledad in a
letter that he would surely be set at liberty. He shared
the fate of all idealists—absolute inability to comprehend
the gravity of reality.
"No reason to worry," he wrote in a letter dated October
2nd, "you know I am absolutely innocent. To-day
I am particularly hopeful and joyous ; it is the first time
I can write to you, and the first time since my arrest that
I can bathe in the rays of the sun streaming generously
through my cell window. You, too, must be joyous : I
will be free." Eleven days later he was dead.
Vi « ^
Education is always imposing, violating, constraining;
the real educator is he who can best protect the child
against his (the teacher's) own ideas, his peculiar whims;
he who can best appeal to the child's own energies.
Francisco Ferrer.
* This letter never reached its destination.