The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-09-05
The Labor Problem,

at Athens, o., had this to say regard
ing the our Of the Democracy, and
in connection with the discussion of
the solution of the great labor prob
lem:
No recent act of the Democracy has
| exhibited a more reckless and unpatri-
| otto spirit than their treatment Of the
| great labor strike in their late owen
| ton at Columbus. They do not attempt
to handle the question on its merits,
but are willing to Lfan the flame of
| dissension, and increase the dangers of
the situation, if only they a gain some
partisan advantage thereby. / may
| overestimate the gravity of the situa-
ton; but, in my judgment, our country
has never confronted problems so seri-
GUS and a situation so dangerous as
those which threatened us in the late
labor strike. These dangers must lie
confronted, not by the passion of self
seeking partisanship, but by the intelli-
gence and justice of our whole people.
And, first of all, the supremacy of the
law must be maintained. In any
country where law cannot be enforced,
the people are compelled to choose be-
tween anarchy and:.:despotism. Lord
Macaulay long ago predicted that in a
struggle between capital and labor our
Government would ultimately be over
thrown. = y = If the great mass of
our people were allowed to grow up In
ignorance, it would be difficult, perhaps
impossible, to escape the logic of
Macaulay's letter. Our faith in the
democratic principles rests upon the
belief that intelligent men will see that
their highest political good is in liberty
regulated by just and equal laws. We
confront the dangers of universal suf-
frage by the blessings Of universal edu-
cation. We believe that the strength
of the State is the aggregate strength of
its individual citizens, and that suffrage
is the link that binds into a bond of
mutual interest and responsibility the
fortunes Of the citizen and the fortunes
of the nation. We believe that as popu-
lar suffrage is the broadcast basis, 1t
also, when coupled with intelligence and
| virtue, becomes the strongest, and most
enduring basis of a free Government. -"
The situation is gravely complicated by
the difficulties of the railway problem.
These corporations, by expansion and
consolidation, have grown too great
to be managed by the Governments
which authorized their existence.
They have escaped the control of the
States, but they must not escape the
control Of law, o be denied its just
protection. The Republicans of Ohio
having addressed themselves earnestly
to the study Of this great problem. 1t
is too early to be dogmatic in regard to
methods; but it is not too early to hear
with patience and consider with justice
the claims of all parties. Our only
escape from danger is to be found in
the resolute assertion Of the supremacy
Of law in the protection of society
against the assaults of Communism,
and, in the protection Of the individual
against the opposition of corporated
%monopolies. If capitalists and laborers
al come to an agreement by which
their joint earnings can be equally shar-
ed, it will be well for both; but no legis-
lation a compel such an agreement.
1t is the business of the Legislature not
to make contracts, but to provide for
their enforcement. 1t is not the prvo-
ince of legislation to furnish either
capital or labor to the citizen, but it is
the highest duty to protect the rights
of both. =
In spite of the failures and mistakes,
the Republican party deserves the con-
fidence of the country, and it confident
ly appeals to the good people of Ohio
for their continued support. 1t is
ready to enter upon the discussions of
all pending issues. 1t calls upon all its
friends to lay aside personal differences,
to forget all ~jealousies and riyalries, and
remembering that this is a state cam
paign, to give our best efforts to the
election of our ticket.