Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 7, 1895 - Tales and Fantasies, Volume II

THE DYNAMITER
our defenders. Whoever he in the right in this great and con-
fused war of politics; whatever elements of greed, whatever
traits of the bully, dishonour both parties in this inhuman
contest; — your side, your part, is at least pure of doubt.
Yours is the side of the child, of the breeding woman, of
individual pity and public trust. If our society were the mere
kingdom of the devil {as indeed it wears some of his colours)
it yet embraces many precious elements and many innocent
persons whom it is a glory to defend. Courage and devotion,
so common in the ranks of the police, so little recognised, so
meagrely rewarded, have at length found their commemoration
in an historical act. History, which will represent Mr. Parnell
sitting silent under the appeal of Mr. Forster, and Gordon
setting forth upon his tragic enterprise, will not forget Mr. Cole
carrying the dynamite in his d fenceless hands, nor Mr. Cox
coming coolly to his aid.
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.
FANNY FAN BE GRIFT STEVENSON.