, 1877-10-20
gnsurrccIiOn OF Railroad Enl-
p,Oyc-.

Thomas \, Scott, published in the North
.imertcdn Rerien, must attract special at
tcntion, not only because the author is SO
widely known, and the article is so ably
written, but also because the subject is OF
such vast Importance. We only regret
that Colonel Scott did not give to the
Public the advantage OF his experience
and mature judgment as to the underly-
ing cause OF the dissatisfaction which
manifested itself in the unfortunate man
ner of which complaint is justly madc'
and that he did not prescribe the remedy
1t is to be most earnestly hoped that he
may yet do this. We quote as follows
This insurrection, which extended
through IA States, and in many cases
successfully detied the local authorities.
presents a state OF facts almost MS serious
as that which prevailed at the outbreak
OF the civil war Unless our own expe.
rience is to differ entirely from other
countries-and it is not easy to sec why
it should, with the increasing population
of our large cities and business centcrs,
and the inevitable assembage at such
points of the vicious and evil.disposed-
the late troubles may be but the prelude
10 other manifestations of mob violence,
with this added peril, that now, for the
first time in American history, has an
organized mob learned its power to ter
rorize the law-abiding citizens OF great
communities. With our recent expert.
ence before us, it is believed that no
thoughtful man can argue in favor Of de-
lay by the proper authorities in dealing
with lawless aud riotous assemblages
Delay simply leads to destruction OF
property, and may lead in the end to the
destruction of life. The force used to
repress such assemblages should be as
prompt in its manifestation as the evil
with which it deals. The interests con.
cerned are too grave to admit OF delay.
The raising Of the black flag and the
stoppage Of all vessels on the great lakes
and on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
would not produce one titbe OF the dam-
age to the whole country that has result
ed from the recent stoppage of the great
trunk lines. The burning of the vessels
aud their cargoes on these waters would
raise storm of wrath which no mob
would dare to face, and would be visited
by the United States Government, under
existing laws, with most exemplary pun
ishment. But what distinction can be
established between such crime and
the hideous destruction at Pttsburg of
over 1900 cars laden with the products
nf the various States, together with the
engines ready TO move them to their
destination, and the station buildings
and machine.shops that were absolutely
essential to their proper care and move
ment, and which with other like doings
resulted in the stoppagc OF all commerce
and bushes relations between the States,
not only on one highway, but on many
important lines, through the concerted
action of the mob and its leaders In
the city of Pittsburg much human life
and many private dwellings and other
property were sacrificed as the result OF
mob violence; indeed, it is almost q
marvel that large portion of that city
was not destroyed by fire. Only the pre-
vailing direction Of the wind averted
greater and more general disaster.
The authority OF the United States,
now potent to protect commerce moving
upon the waters. should be equally po-
tent when the same commerce is exposed
10 greater peril upon land. This brings
As, then, to the practical question In
:Sghat shape can this protection he put so
Eas'to be extended most efficiently and
with the least delayl The present regu-
lations all favor, unintentionally, the riot
ers and the mob. In the first place, the
Mayor OF Il city must exhaust his power,
the Sheriff of the county must essay his
strength; then, while precious time is
expending-for mob constantly attracts
dangerous elements and grows with I'M
punity and success-the Governor of the
State must be called upon by the Sheriff
Of a county. II the State happens to