Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-02
THE MORAL OF THE STRIKE.

ing throes. Here and there it gives
a feeble remaining evidence of life.
The real workingmen condemned
the excuses committed in their
name, and in many instances, re.
GREETING the great wrongs done to
industry, capital and society, has
tened to array themselves on the
side of law, which is the highest
expression Of organized commune
ties, and contributed their full
share toward REFRESHING the out
break Of the lawless, ignorant and
exeitable classes. The original
issue, the demand for higher wages,
has been almost forgotten in the
general calamity of Frustrated
traffic, imperilled homes and terror
stricken people. Upon more care
full reflection some of the strikers
came to the conclusion that they
had been receiving living wages, and
offered to return to work at old
prices Of labor. In some instances
concessions were made; in Others
the railroads holdo MT and will carry
their point. The evils Of which
w%orkingmen complain may be
traced back to various causes, which
we will not amplify at length, but
may mention in brief as reckless
extraVagance of the government,
and nearly all connected Herewith
for several years after the war; the
pOmp and display Of public officials,
initiated, unfortunately, by too many
who were driven to bankruptcy,
corruption and ruin; the sudden ac-
quirement Of fortunes by ignorant,
vain people, who attempted to lead
in social or political life; and lastly
a mania for wealth and a letting
down Of moral tone which has led
to the creation Of monopolies, the
tyranny Of capital, and reckless
abuse Of power. The workingmen
have observed the snobbish inso-
lence Of suddenly acquired wealth,
the extravaganza and abundance of
the few compared with their own
stinted families and have grown DIS
contented and morose. In a land
that boasts Of free schools and
Churches they often see their chill
dren growing mp in ignorance, too
poor TO spare time for one or dress
for the other. To accumulate prop
ertyis out Of the question with this
class; to keep soul aud body to-
gether and their nakedness clothed
is the utmost possibility that
the most Of this class NAV
dream Of 1t is mockery to
talk TO them Of coy homes and
bright Gresides, Of the comloEts and
elegancies Of life and the dignity Of
citizenship under free institutions.
The strike was a great but a natu-
raj mistake. 1t is over. The men
have gone back To their shanties.
where they find empty cupboards
and hungry children. They will
60 to work at the old figures rather
than s~tarye, but more than ever
convinced that capital is their natu-
raj enemy and government its ally.
Some are more intelligent, but they
realize only the more keenly the,
hardships and unpromisiug future.
From this gloomy picture, which is
not oyerdrawn, we can only find 4
hopeful contrast by turning to the
fields Of agriculture, which always
yield a rich reward at the touch Of
r labor's wand. The small farmer
if intelligent and industrious. !,
the most independentman on earth.
. To this class the country must looE
more than ever for the selC.sns.
tanning, c%ontented citizenship thu.
) constitutes the strength aud dor,
aud safety of a great nation lik,
!. ours. Riots and outbreaks n.ve.
/ occur in the agricultural districts
c where men live according TO tn.
I laws OF nature, love liberty and re
spect human and divine lavyy IL.
Z want more people in the fields.
greater diversity Of labor and o
crops A mechanic or a common
3 labOrer cannot be turned into
o farmer at once, but the rising gen