From Oscar Neebe, "The Crimes I Have Committed" in Albert R- Parsons, Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis, as Defined by Some of Its Apostles (Chicago: 1887). Reprinted in Dave Roediger and Franklin Rosemont, eds, Haymarket Scrapbook (Chicago: Charles H. Kerr Publishing Company, 1986), 61.

Unlike the other seven men convicted of the 1886 Haymarket bombing, Oscar Neebe

received not death, but a fifteen-year jail sentence. In this brief address, Neebe tells the court he is sorry that he is "not to be hung " with his comrades.

I have been in the labor movement since 1875. 1 have seen how the police have trodden on the Constitution of this country, and crushed the labor organizations. I have seen from year to year how they were trodden down, where they were shot down, where they were "driven into their holes like rats," as Mr. Grinnell said to the jury. But they will come out! …..

Well, these are all the crimes I have committed. They found a revolver in my house, and a red flag there. I organized trade unions. I was for reduction of the hours of labor, and the education of laboring men, and the re-establishment of the Arbeiter-Zeitung - the workingmen's newspaper. There is no evidence to show that I was connected with the bomb-throwing, or that I was near it, or anything of that kind. So I am only sorry, your honor - that is, if you can stop it or help it - I will ask you to do it - that is, to hang me, too; for I think it is more honorable to die suddenly than to be killed by inches. I have a family and children; and if they know their father is dead, they will bury him. They can go to the grave, and kneel down by the side of it; but they can't go to the penitentiary and see their father, who was convicted for a crime that he hasn't had anything to do with. That is all I have got to say. Your honor, I am sorry I am not to be hung with the rest of the men.