It is the logical application of this proposition that will defeat the “propaganda of action.”  If it be enacted that any man who advocates the commission of any criminal act, or who afterwards condones the crime, shall be deemed guilty of an offence equal to that advocated or condoned and punished accordingly, the “propaganda of action” in all branches of criminal endeavor will be effectually stifled without the doubtful expedient of directing legislation against any particular social or economic theory.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN NEW YORK TO BUFFALO UP THE HILL

It was Saturday, the 14th, at nine o’clock, when we left New York for Albany, following the route of the Endurance Contest.

The morning was bright and warm.  The roads were perfect for miles.  We passed Kings Bridge, Yonkers, Hastings, and Dobbs Ferry flying.  At Tarrytown we dropped the chain.  A link had parted.  Pushing the machine under the shade of a tree, a half-hour was spent in replacing the chain and riveting in a new link.  All the pins showed more or less wear, and a new chain should have been put on in New York, but none that would fit was to be had.

We dined at Peekskill, and had a machinist go over the chain, riveting the heads of the pins so none would come out again.

Nelson Hill, a mile and a half beyond Peekskill, proved all it was said to be,—­and more.

In the course of the trip we had mounted hills that were worse, and hills that were steeper, but only in spots or for short distances; for a steady steep climb Nelson Hill surpassed anything we found in the entire trip.  The hill seems one-half to three-quarters of a mile long, a sharp ascent,—­somewhat steeper about half-way up than at the beginning or finish.  Accurate measurements were made for the Endurance Contest and the results published.

The grade was just a little too much for the machine, with our luggage and ourselves.  It was tiresome walking so far beside the machine, and in attempting to bring it to a stop for a moment’s rest the machine got started backward, and was well on its way down the hill, gaining speed every fraction of a second.  It was a short, sharp chase to catch the lever operating the emergency brake,—­which luckily operated by being pushed forward from the seat,—­a pull on the lever and the machine was brought to a stop with the rear wheels hanging over the edge of a gulley** at the side.  After that experience the machine was allowed to go to the top without any more attempts to rest.

At Fishkill Village we saved a few miles and some bad road by continuing on to Poughkeepsie by the inland road instead of going down to the Landing.

We inquired the way from an old man, who said, “If you want to go to P’keepsie, follow the road just this side the post-office; you will save a good many miles, and have a good road; if you want to follow the other fellers, then keep straight on down to the Landing; but why they went down there, beats me.”