The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-17
The Increasing Agitation Among the
"A Men ON Strike,

ia --7~- Men ON Strike.
The demonstration made at Steinway's
factory by some of the men on strike gives
evidence of the growth of spirit Of vio-
1ence among the workingmen which is fraught
with danger to the success of the labor move
Cnent. AS long as the men were self-contained
End law-abiding they received the support of
Hn outside sympathy which was invaluable to
Their cause; but the recurrence of scenes such
Hs were witnessed yesterday will force all law
abiding citizens to take sides with the en-
ployers, because the men by hosting the ban
ner of riot declare themselves enemies Of the
community. We have repeatedly warned the
advocates Of the rights of labor that their VIC
tories here must be moral ones, and that any
attempt to enforce their opinions or terms on
others by bludgeon arguments would be put
down by the strong arm of the law. No
class Of the community have greater
Interest in the supremacy of the law
and the strict maintenance of individual
right than have the workingmen and no
course could be more foolish or illogi-
cal than an attempt on their part to trample
upon it. When men set out to assert what
They consider their rights they are sometimes
stupid enough to see only one side of ques-
lion, and, either through ignorance or vicious
ness, refuse to others the very privileges they
demand for themselves. The fundamental law
upon which our institutions are based is the
right of the individual to pursue his own hap
piness and well being by the ways which ap-
n,aor hact fO inc ho ipf~
upon no right Of others. Accepting this gene
raj law as applicable to all, we recognize the
right of labor to strike, and of capital to lock
out, and also that of individuals to refuse to
be bound by the decisions of the class to which
they belong. With few inconsiderable ex-
ceptions the mass Of the workingmen seemed
to recognize and respect these principles; but
the demonstrations of Saturday would 60 to
prove that there are unquiet spirits only too
ready to support their own views by appeals
to physical force. Apart from the crimi-
nality of resorting to deeds of vio-
ience, such conduct would be the height
of folly, as any disorders would un-
cisive manner by the whole power of the State
and federal authority. No doubt the long
resistance Of some of the employers is causing
considerable suffering among the working
classes; but this furnishes no justification for
having recourse to violent measures even if by
their aid anything could be gained. But the fact
is that instead OF lettering their position, they
would array the mass of order-loving citizens
against them and expose themselves to the
action of the law in such a manner as would
insure the defeat of the present movement
There can be no excuse for such acts as the
taking possession Of factories or the intimida-
ton of those who choose to continue at work;
and if men will persist in making demonstra-
lions of this kind they must expect scant
courtesy at the hands of the police. We
think the use of the locust ought not to
be resorted to unless under circum-
stances that call for the vindication
,cf the law and even then it should be
used with discretion; but if violent men will
Use force as means of conversion or per-
suasion they must be reduced to reason by
similar measures of repression. Although
considerable injury has been inflicted on the
trade of the city by the long continuance of
the strike and the disturbance of business re-
sulting from it, we admit the right of the
workingmen to refuse to work except on their
own terms; but we insist that they shall show
equal respect for the rights Of Others Such
scenes as occurred on Saturday must not be
repeated, or we shall feel obliged to call upon
the authorities to adopt precautionary and re-
lrressive measures. At whatever cost, the law
must be obeyed and order maintained.