New-York tribune., 1877-08-20
LAW md ORDER FIRST.

LAW AND ORDER FIRST
In his speech at Mansfield, Ohio, on FRI
day last, Secretary Sherman, in closing bis TO.
marks upon the Labor question. took occasion
to direct the attention of the worllingmen TO
one consideration which they ought never to
lose sight of, to wit: That in our system OF
government. whatever may be the grievances
or wrongs or injuries OF individuals or classes,
there is but one remedy, and that Is by peace
full, lawful appeals to the legally constituted
authorities. "No man has a right" he sald'
"by violence or crime to redress his injuries.
THIS is the lesson The TRIBUNE has striyen to
inculcate from the beginning of the recent VI
olent demonstrations, as of the first and high
est importance. 1t not only takes precedence
of all other questions involved, but 1T is
yitally essential that it should be definitely
settled before any other branch of the subject
be taken up for discussion. Secretary Sher-
man has not laid too much stress upon tins
feature of the business. The danger is that
parties and politicians in their eagerness TO
secure the votes of wOIkingmen and their fear
of giving them offence, will pass this by and
enter at once upon the demagogism and
quackeTy which they think necessary for their
purpose. 1t is to be feared that neither party
will have the courage to meet the issue fairly
and squarely, and, looking the mob in the face
say: "FiIst Of all, law and order, no nego-
citations nor treaty of any sort, nor even
"any discussion of grievances with the mob. "
To do that requires more than the courage of
the ordinary politician or the average conven-
ton. Bat it should be done first of all. Till
that is settled there is no safety for person or
property anywhere. Public opinion should
make such rigorous demand upon the poiiti-
clans in this respect that they will not dare
disregard it.
Secretary Sherman has what he cOnceives to
be a remedy, or at least mitigation of the evils
of the present condition, in plan for regulat-
ing railroad tariffs by Federal legislation so
that the rates shall be low enough to suit the
farmer who wants cheap transportation to mar
ket, and high enough to warrant the payment
of fair days wages for fair days work to
the employees of the roads Judge West, the
Republican candidate for Governor OF Ohlo
has plan for dividing the surplus profits OF
the railroad business and other enterprises
with the employers, mechanics, labOrers, etc.
Then there are innumerabe other statesmen
with innumerable schemes, each differing from
the others, for adjusting the relations of capl-
tai and labor upon an equitable basis, ameliorat-
ing the condition of the wOrkinginen, and or
ganizing Utopia at once. They are of the
most varied and diversified character. Some
are based upon the principle that the functions
Of Government should be restricted, and alb
solute individual liberty extended to the ut
most; ; Others, upon the idea that the Govern
ment should exercise the parental function,
conducting all business enterprises for the
common advantage, holding all property, and
making equal division of goods among all
citizens. Between these two extremes the shades
and varieties of views are infinite, and the
schemes for regulating the solutions between
capit.l and labor endless. The problem of it all
is worlG-od. and Is not going TO be solved III
a day or a month by any of the thousands OF
Industrious thought-brCcdc:s whom the recent
outbreak has driv..n to an examination OF the
subject of political economy 50 earnest and
thorough as to exhaust the resources of the
science in fortnight. We may safely set it
down that none of these gentlemen Will pro-
pose at once a practicable scheme or ADJUST
mentl upon which there will be public agree
mept. Once for all, ,let it be admitted by poll
ticians and conventions as well as the public,
that this is a subject upon which we have
multitude of opinions, and that we differ so
widely there is no possibility of our coming
together.
With so much confessed, it ought to be easy
for all parties to go further, and set their
stakes distinctly at this point: that while we
are working out the problem the law shall be
maintained, peace and order preserved, and all
rioters and meters to riot brought to certain
punishment AS to all other questions involved,
good citizens and honest men may and do
differ. Upon this there can be no disagree
ment whatever. Society cannot afford to par
lev with the mob or offer concessions to the
mob spirit Discussions of schemes for indus
trial bureaus, Congressional supervision of rail-
roads, the regulation of freight tariffs by law,
ETC., etc, are well enough in their way, but
the first thing to be established is the ability
and determination of the Government to up
hold the law, preserve peace and maintain
order Upon the need Of that there is sub
stantial agreement on the part of all good
citizens, whatever their supposed grievances
or wrongs. Let us make no mistake, but start
fairly from this point.
.--------------
SECRETARY SHERMAN on RESUMPTION