New-York tribune., 1878-07-11
KEARNEY AND HIS FRIENDS.
THE CALIFORNIA AGITAToRs.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 1.-The labor movement III
California has acquired proportions which may
render some of its leaders interesting more
especially as the East is threatened with visit
from Kearney who has made himself the most CON
spicuous figure in the agitation, which for the
last six months has proved disturbing element in
the society and politics of tho Pacific coast Ever
since the railroad strike which occurred about this
time last year there have been from time
to time indications of activity among the laboring
populations of the larger cities and the impression
has become pretty general that trouble may yet be
expected from the Vaccinations of agitators and
demagogues. inspired by the Socialist and Com
munist committees in Europe who think they soc
in the liberties enjoyed by the citizens of the
United States, and in the popular character
of institutions, opportunities for car
rying out their views denied them in cOun-
tries where large standing armies. a powerful
executive and more arbitrary system Of admins
tration, render combinations entered into for the
purpose of subvering the existing relations OF labor
and capital a dangerous undertaking. 1t is by
strange anomaly that they have chosen for their
operations not only the freest country in the world
but the particular State in that country where cap
tai is largely in the hands of self-made men. many
of whom have sprung from the very class which has
now risen against them.
In no part of the world probably, exist such OPP
portunites for a laboring to rise to financial
and social eminence as in California nowhere do
80 few preiudIccs oppose barrier to the rapid I'D
yancement of honest enterprise and industry or do
the laws favor the wOrkngman to the same extent.
1t is indeed because he may be said to enjoy greater
privileges here than elsewhere and because the
wealthy class is comparatively limited, and largely
recruited from his own rank that he has chosen it
as the arena in which the first battles are TO be
fought. He seems to regard with more intense
bitterness those of his own class who have pros
pered in the world than those who have inherited
their wealth and possessions, while, per contra, no
one sympathizes less with the wOTkingman who Is
pauper than the wOTkingman who has become
millionaire Hence the storm RACES violently in
the Pacific State, and passions arc becoming 80 in
tensfed that it is difficult TO sec how collision
can be avoided.
Had the WOrkingmen carried the State Conven-
tion it would not have been possible for the capital
lists tamely to have submitted TO legislation which
would have amounted to Wholesale coniiscaton. and
it is probable they would have forcby resisted any
attempt to carry out the programme upon which the
platform of the WOrkiugmen was based. This con-
tlngency has happily been averted by the somewhat
unexpected defeat of the Kearneyites. There can
be no doubt that this rc.it was due O. thc arbitrary
and overbearing character of Kearley himself.
The safety of capital and society h. -. ays been
found to consist in the impOssbilty C r'i'' sion on
the part of its enemies. The tyTanTS Cb work
ingmen denOunce is always more consp pu,ly dis
played by those of their own number DO rise 10
the position of leaders, than by those accus-
toned to the functions of government. The sudden
elevation Of day laborer to the position Of pres'-
dent Of society Of his fellows is ALWAYS more thar
sufficient 10 turn his head and his despotic ten
denotes are taken advantage Of by those who
have been rendered jealous of his succos,,
and who invariably combine against him
until, in their turn. they rise TO the
surface and are overthrown. The history OF the
Paris Commune, so admirably travestied in SardOu's
play of Rabagas. affords remarkable illustration
of the rapdity with which internal dissension can
disnteGrate the most formidable combinations of
this kind Those who are on the defensive on these
occasions have on the other hand every inducement
to hold together; they not engaged in struggle
to excite each others jealousy, but TO protect their
own property. The instinct Of self-preseryatiOn
tends to bind people together just as he instinct OF
plunder tends to separate them, and II is due to this
that movements of the kind attempted by Kearney
In California invariably fail. 1t would be unwise,
however, to rely 700 absolutely upon these results
being nvarable. IL Only requires Napoleon of agi-
tati0n to create an organization and TO retain the
control Of it. which would be a most formidable dan
ger to society. One such man rising up. and tower
ing head and shoulders above his fellows. might
acquire an influence over them too powerful for
set OF jealous cOnspiratOrs TO oyerturn and If TO
diplomatic and administrative talents be added the
military instincts il is impossible TO say what might
not be the result.
It's fortunate circumstance that no apprehen-
sions need be entertained this score 50 far as
Kearney is concerned Although that individual
has mOdestly declined the proposal of being a can
didato for Presidential bonors at the next election
and processes that he will be satisfied with the rank
of general l d. not think that the army under his
command will constitute any very serious danger. 1t
Is of course impossible to say what latent poten-
cies j" may not b. contained in the very insignif-
cant and sessng material shell which is the
abode of Mr. Kearneys soaring spirit, but TO the eye
of the ordinary observer be does not the stuff Of
which great military commanders arc made. Short
of stature and Of frame rather feeble than other
wise Kearney possesses countenance of decidedly
repulsive type. Ii is markedly Hibemian but des
titue of the shrewdness and humor which frequent
" characterize even the commonest features of the
| Irish peasant. He bears the unmstakable stamp Of
| the low rOwdy-without redeeming trait-sulen,
| hang-d0g and unintellectual. permanent
scowl is the prevailing expression when in repose,
in which cunning and timidity seem blended in
about equal proportions. As he sat a prisoner in
court during his trial for incendiary language it
was impossible not to be struck with the forbid
| ding character of his countenance-tO be criminal
in dock seemed to be precisely the position for
which he had been fted by nature-and vet on the
platform, addressing q sympathetic audience. the
| whole man undergoes a marvellous change. The
eyes light up tho face becomes animated and loses
the stod scowl a grim, sardonic expression, not
altogether devoid Of humor. takes it's place, and
words flow with a volubity characteristic, no
doubt. Of his race, but occasionally with vigor
and point which prove him TO be man with an in