Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-09-05
FATALITY OF STRIKES.


The trouble is virtually over. In u
country whore universal suffrage is tho
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unemployed industry, it is impossible
to upset the system which is Of the
peoples own establishing. As for Com
munism, there is no chance for II here
When the protested Communist gets
up to address a crowd, his sole object
i've point is the necessity OF changing
the Constitution. lie wants paternal
Government and that is why many
people are willing to believe that he is
in the regular employ of speculators
and their kin, who desire Capitalization
above all things. Jay Gould lot it out
in anunguarded moment when he call.
cd for Grant and monarchy. II is in
our largo cities that the dangerous elc-
ment chiefly exists. The farms swarm
with workingmen, too, but they never
strike for higher wages, nor spout
aboutan equal distribution of property,
nor combine to stop railroad trains be-
cause the companies exact more than
their share in the transportation of the
crops. Laboring men of every class
and walk have a perfect right to
strike and leave of work, and there
their right terminates, When they as
sumo to dictate to employers that they
shall employ none but themselves they
stretch their right beyond all recogni-
ton. Nor has the striker any claim
on the sympathy prospect Of the public
which he rccklessly plunges into con-
fusion and distress by his conduct. If
he is dissatisfied with either his work
or wages, and is unwilling to continue
whore he is until he can do better, he
is at liberty to leave his place and
make way for somebody who will take
it on the same terms. But he is trying
to stand a pyramid on its apex whom
he undertakes TO forbid his former en-
ployer to continue business unless he
will employ him again on different
terms.
This sudden blaze OF tho spirit Of
discomfort through the Middle and
Western States is tho result Of four
years OF dulness in trade and industry.
The slightest occasion caused it AZ last
to break forth. 1t had n great deal
more ferceness than steady heat. The
great mass OF workingmen refused TO
be swept into it, for they reflected
that a general uprising, with its con-
sequent idleness, would put the coun-
try in much worse plight than it is
in now, and in every respect fail to
ameliorate their own condition. We
are unable to see any danger from such
general insurrection Of labor as the
birds Of evil omen are so voluble in
prophesying. Those who are the bone
and sinew Of the Government and the
country are not going to combine Tor
the overthrow of both. And they will
do efficient work at this crisis by re-
pudiating the false doctrine of the
strikers, that they may legitimately
coerce their employers. In this lies
the viciousness of the whole movement
of modern strikes. Thcy imply the
use of force to carry out theirpurposes,
when violence instantly changes the
relations of the parties and of the
strikers to the public. Once thorough.
ly separate this detestable notion from
strikes, and their real meaning and in
tent will be appreciated by the public.
Until this is done, they will be of no
practical effect, and deserve to be Of
none. A simple question of violence
and resistance sets others aside, and
forbids the public TO entertain a
thought Of any rights which are urged
by violent methods. There is as much
need OF reforming the striking system
as other things, and wehope tho recent
disturbances will hasten the consum-
nation. Boston Post.