The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-07-26
The Labor Revolt.


fearful demonstrations of the railroad en-
ployees OF The United States. Years ago, in
calnlcr times, we discussed this question,
and have no reason to change the views we
then expressed, because recent events have
proven them to have been almost prophetic.
We will merely here, and at this time, de-
clare our sympathy with the cause OF the la
Dor interests OF the country, while regret
ting and condemning any excuses which
have resulted or may result from the events
which have engaged the anxious attention
of the entire country for the past two weeks.
There are other methods, besides violence,
to redress wrongs and formulate remedies.
The ballot is the laboring mans legitimate
weapon under our laws, and il he would adj
dress himself to the duty OF educating him
self to proper appreciation of its power, he
would not only elevate his citizenship but
would prove stronger bulwark to Republi-
can liberty. The laboring men OF the coun-
try have paid too little attention to legisla-
ton Municipal, State and National. They
have allowed the scheming politicians and
place hunters to dclude and deceive them,
and wrest from them their rights and power
by specious appeals and soft sentences.
With the ballot properly appreciated and
exercised, the legislation of the country
would long ere this have more evenly adj
justed the relations of Labor and Capital,
and infused into our statutes less OF corpo-
rate despotism and more of;manhood authori-
ty.
The evils which have eliminated in
bloody results, within the past few weeks,
have been growing in magnitude for many
years past, and with giant strides within the
past decade. The Changers were the first
to organize against them. They appealed
to the ballot box, and in some instances
brought the relentless, despotic exactions
Of Corporations to a halt. Yet the encroach-
ments of corporate and monied power upon
labor have been moving on and increasing.
Insolence has followed unchallenged author
ity, until the rights OF persons were consid-
| cred mere dross as compared to the profits
of Capital. That far-seeing and highly gift
ed man-equal in intellectual majesty to the
great men of the political arena-Vice Presi-
dent Keyser, of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
| road-forecast the future several years ago,
when he proposed reform in the system of
compensation in that great corporation. He
suggested that the Company only employ
such force as it could equitably pay-to dis
pense with surplus labor, by degrees, as the
| business of the Road required, and to fix
the rates of compensation at living prices
to dispense with dividends to the stock hol-
| ders, until business revived. and economic
| in all the expenditures, before severe con-
|Eraction was resortcd to with the labor inter-
ests, then receiving only living return.
His wise suggestion was unheeded, and fore
seeing the probable result of persistent
and continuous encroachment upon this i'm.
portant and essential adjunct to public ell
terprise, he prepared for the worst. Recent
events have indicated his wisdom, and tes-
titled to his understanding of cause and eff
feet.
| The concerted and simultaneous reduction
Of the wages OF labor on all the leading rail-
road lines of the country, had all the appear
ance OF the combination OF corporate capital
against unorganized labor. It may not have
been so designed. But the fact that stock
dividends were not Observation-Disclosures
Injuries were not curtalled-gaudy display
was not abated, impressed the men whose
families were suffering for the necessities OF
iIsot h the belief that they were the vic
tins OF an organized despotism and with
the cry for bread on their lips, they inaugu-
rated the strike, which has spread with such
disastrous fury All over the country-cuiist-
OF the people, in the I'M
DERIVING cause, yet revolving from the ex-
cesses.
This is prolific theme of suggestion, but
we will not here follow it, leaving it for an
other occasion, when the popular mind is
calmer. We will say, however, that the
remedy for the hardships Of labor is not in
violence; nor indeed are the excuses which
have followed the first outbreak been the
work of the honest laborers. Loafers and
robbers have taken dvantage of the excite
ment. and inlulged heir propensity for de-
struction and pillage, in the hope Of shifting
the suspicion and responsibility upon others.
The remedy is in salutary laws, and these
may be secured through the legitimate
method OF the ballot. It. is simply another
phase of the evils here alluded to, that the
people of Virginia are now struggling
against. It is the despotism of the Caucus
and the politicians with which they have to
contend. They are seeking their remedy
through the ballot. The mod fcation OF the
wrongs must come through legislation. And
it is so with al classes OF labor. By prop
er appreciation and exercise of the ballot,
salutary laws can be enacted, free i'lstitu-
tions strengthened, and the interests of all
conceived and adjusted, upon principles of
Justice and humanity.
Bad partlzan legislation by the last Con-
gress, causing the discharge of thousands of
laborers and artizans, at time when all
industries were Frustrated, assisted material :
ly.in precipitating the commotion from which
the country is now suffering. But if all this
tempest and turbulence teach nothing else,
it will impress two truths upon the popular
mind-first, that laws'must be enacted with
reference to labor as we'll as capital, and,
second, that the government should be
strong enough to uphold the laws wherever
and whenever invaded or violated. And
this, too, in defiance of the delusive and
sentimental theory of State Rights. 1t is
the duty Of good citizenship everywhere to
stand by the laws and see that the rights of
persons and property are respectcd-that
constituted authority is obeycd, and our in
stitutions indicated. And this, we hope
will be the result, when the fury of passion
has subsidized, and that any evils complained
Of will be corrected through peaceful and law
ful instrumentalities.
A Severe Thrust
The Manchester Courier, edited by DR..
Montero, one OF the most erndite and in
cisive writers in the State, in it issue of the
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