A Few More Definitions – Moses Harman, 3/6/1902

Republished from our predecessor publication Lucifer the Light Bearer
We’re explicitly Communist & Satanically inspired but respect their view.

In its classification of journals, The Literary Digest (N.Y.) reckons Lucifer as “Anarchistic.” Other contemporary journals
have done, and continue to do, likewise. In order that there may be no misunderstanding of our position and object, I
would say: Names are apt to be misleading if not carefully defined or explained. The Latin word Lucifer, as used by us,
is defined by its English translation, “The Light-Bearer,” and by the picture at the head of our title page, showing that
the name Lucifer is synonymous with “Star of the Morning.” The Greek word Anarchy, translated into English, means
“without government; denial of government,” which latter term is commonly understood to mean rulership—control of
man by his fellow man—thus leaving the reader to conjecture as to what kind of social arrangement the professed
Anarchist would substitute for such government, such rulership. The Century Dictionary says: “Anarchy: a social theory
which regards the union of order with the absence of all direct government of man by man as the political ideal;
absolute individual liberty.” But the Century Dictionary is a comparatively recent publication; few people know of its
existence, and if their attention were called to it they would probably say, “Webster is the standard American dictionary;
it is the oldest and best.” Webster defines anarchy thus: “The state of society where there is no law or supreme power,
or where the laws are not efficient, and individuals do what they please with impunity; political confusion,” illustrating
and confirming this view by such quotations as: “Spread anarchy and terror all around.” — Cowper “Imperial anarchs
doubling human woes.” — Byron By such one-sided quotations from well-known authors, Webster, or his revisers,
evidently act the part of propagandists of opinion, instead of confining themselves to the legitimate business of
dictionary-making, which is simply showing the etymology and giving definitions of words. As we all know, there
are many grades and shades of anarchy and of anarchists—from the peace-loving and non-resistant Tolstoi to
the Czar-killing nihilists of Russia, or the king-killing and prime-minister-killing revolutionists of Italy and Spain.
There is constant need of definition. As in the case of the people called Socialists, there are scarcely two Anarchists
who are agreed on all lines of thought or of propaganda work.

For this reason mainly—and not because we fear the odium, the ostracism, the loss of liberty, etc., that may be the penalty
of calling oneself an Anarchist, a Socialist, a Revolutionist, or what not—some of us prefer not to label ourselves with any
badge, tag, or cognomen whatsoever.Speaking for myself alone, while I do not object to the names Anarchist, Socialist, Free
Thinker, Free Lover, Atheist, Infidel, Christian, or many others that I could mention, provided always that I be allowed to
define these words to suit myself, I want to be judged by what I do and what I say, rather than by what others do or say, or
call themselves.I want no handicap, no trammels or fetters of any sort, that may prevent change of opinion or intellectual
growth. He who calls himself by the name of any party, creed, or sect thereby discounts himself, discredits himself, as an
unprejudiced investigator or seeker after truth for truth’s sake. Whatever he may thereafter say upon questions that have
an immediate or remote bearing upon the success of his party, his sect, or his propaganda, will have lost much of its value
in the opinion of his hearers, because of his supposed mental bias in favor of such party, sect, or creed. In line with this
thought, I prefer not to classify Lucifer as an organ of anarchistic thought, doctrine, or action. Lucifer is not a Communist,
Socialist, Atheist, Agnostic, Christian, or Infidel publication. Lucifer’s name alone, together with the symbolism expressed
by the star—just risen above the mountaintop, heralding the near approach of “full-orbed Day”—is sufficient definition or
prospectus of its character and purpose. Lucifer is unique, original, individualistic. Lucifer is the follower, the imitator, the
echo, of no other journal, but will gladly cooperate with all journals of similar aims. In accord with its name and symbolism,
Lucifer aims to throw all the light possible on all subjects of human interest, and especially upon subjects that most need
the full light of day. “Ignorance is the only darkness.” To dispel the darkness of ignorance is therefore Lucifer’s special
mission. In order that the light may shine in darkest places, Lucifer demands liberty—liberty of thought, of speech, of
non-invasive action—including liberty of press and of mails; also the right of free assembly for the purpose of comparison
of ideas. Lucifer’s motto: Freedom to know, freedom to grow, and freedom to impart life-giving and life-saving knowledge.