The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-07-30

Now that the strike, after ten days OF
trial, and an intrusion OF elements having
no connection with it, may be regarded as
near the close, IL will soon be time, when all
passion mas passed away, to consider what
has been lost or gained on either side
Nothing can DO clearer now than that the
whole dispute might have been adjusted
without the shedding of blood or the de-
struction Of property. which have cast a
dark shade over recent times.
Cancellation is far better and far
cheaper remedy for questions like those in
volvcd in this controversy, than coercion in
any form.
IT, at the outset. the Governors of West
Virginia and Maryland had called before
them representatives OF the strikers aud OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, with
view TO pcaccablc and fair settlement and
insisted that the rights of each should bc
fully determined, the trouble would have
been nppcd in the bud and probably ON bet
ter terms than have now been obtained
The fact is not to be disguised however,
that both Of them were more or less under
the influence of the great corporation,
which exercises SO large political power as
to bc able to send one of its former con-
ductors TO the Senate Of the United States,
and to make and unmakc public men in both
these States They called upon the EXccu-
tive at Washington for troops, instead Of
cXcrting their local authority, and bringing
the influence of the people to bear directly
upon the corporation and its revoltcd
hands That was the signal for general
movement. with all the unhappy conse-
lut Iu, /. oft
One of the worst features of this whole
affair, and which will be most lamcntcd
hereafter, was the employment Of Fcde-
raj troops and the demand for them by
no less than six Governors. When the
people Of the States once become accus-
toned to see their local disputes deter
mined by the regular army, which may
be employed according to the caprice OF
partisan President, there will Ice little left
Of republican government 10 preserve Once
concede that this may hc done, and. as
too many contend, ought to be done on the
slightest prOvocatiun, and nothing would
hc easier than to make occasion for such in
reference, and give the Executive free use
OF the army for his own ambitious or reyo-
lutionary designs.
That order may be preserved and the law
respected amid the most threatening signs
aud the alarm ofthc timd, has been demon
stratcd 10y the experience in this city, where
the utmost freedom Of speech was INDUCED.
and n public meeting Of tho DISCONTINUED
was allowed TO 20 cn without restraint, and
proceeded as quietly a. any gathering Of
public nature ever did at Cooper Institute,
And the same may be said generally OF the
entire State.
In san Francisco, whore the deepest pref
udico exists against the Chinese, who have
built most OF the railroads and other i'm
provcmcnts, the citizens organized to pro-
tect the peace Of the community, without
even calling upon the Governor for help.
They went about il in earnest, and the hood
lums and other rioters soon came TO know
what 1t would cost them to encounter an in
telligent and determined body Of men, who
volunteered for defence.
The Governor Of Indiana, instead Of order
ing out the militia and threatening the lives
of the workingmcn, appealed in manly
spirit to the employers and strikers and
thus avcrted collision that at one time
seemed almost inevitable. His counsels
were heard and the storm clouds did not
burst. These and other examples show
what might have been effected by prudence
and moral courage