The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-22
SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNISTS.

"A correspondent Oh IHS NOW Iuh iHAtt,
writing from San Francisco, tells a story SO
identical to that of the first days OF the Paris
Commune that 1t is not at all wonderful that
the Northern press generally should break
out editorialy just now on "The Possibili-
ties Of an American Commune" The picture
that this correspondent draws of the situa-
ton on the Pacific coast may be sensational,
but that much truth lies at the bottom of
this story is evident from the speeches OF the
leaders of the Communists, which he repro
duces.
The original proposition of the San Fran
cisco workingmen-iucus q non lucendo--was
to drive the Chinese out Of the country; they
subsequently supplemented this by propos-
ing to hang the Legislature and all million
aires; and now they have extended their
operations, and propose Ito clean out the
entire American population as well. The
original weapons proposed for this work
were the torch and the rope, which lat
ter instrument received the designation of
the unwritten plank of the workingmens
platform; lately, however, they have armed
themselves with rifles, SO as to be prepared to
meet the United States soldiers in case of an
come in California that the fire department
and police force of San Francisco have had
to be increased in anticipation OF more work
for them; that insurance rates are going up
and property down; and, finally, that many
families are leaving San Francisco, fearing
trouble in the near future.
How great the panic is can be seen by the
wild appeal that the Alta California, and in
deed all the papers of San Francisco, daily
makes to the decent elements of that city to
organize; they call loudly for military COM
panies, for the resignation of the city author
tiles. unless they show more energy and life;
for the organization Of the vigilants. and ap-
peal to the citizens by the memories of 1776 to
organize if they wish to protect their lives
and their property.
These appeals are almost rs wild In their
language as the demands and cries of the
Communists themselves; and In themselves.
without word from the agitators, must create
alarm, fright and panic. The situation in
San Francisco has grown steadily worse
month after month, since last summer.
What was originally only strike became
political movement, and now threatens to be-
come revolution The City Council of San
Francisco and the Legislature Of California
have been appealed to a score of times, and
have passed hundred laws directed against
these disturbers but without accomplishing
anything.
1t is evident that on California soil the con-
fiict between communism and republican
ism must be fought. The sooner the issue is
forced the better. The whole North is suffer
ing from this bugaboo, and it should be ex-
ploded at once. The apparent success of the
San Francisco communists encourage the
socialistic classes to organize in other SEQ
lions of the country. A direct conflict be-
tween the authorities and these agitators
would dissipate this nightmare now prevail
ing all over the country-or rather, all over
the Northern and Western States. The Eng
fish Chartists, the Paris Communists, the
anti-Popery rioters, and thousand similar
historical incidents, show how weak and I'M
stable are these mob demonstrations, that at
times appear so threatening. 1t is not the
mob that is dangerous, but the timidity of
the authorities.