Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-07
communism" in Oh cago.

The Chicago papers are full of Communism"
1t continues to excite uneasy feeling there and
elsewhere. There seems to be nervous await
ing of trouhle-an apprehension that the terrible
scenes of last Summer may be repeated during
the next The facts are these A considerable
| number of operatives in Chicago have provided
themselves with arms and ammunition; they have
done this secretly; they are said to have drilled.
II is consequently alprchended that in the proba-
bic event of general strike, they intend to do
battle with the authorities who may seek to pre-
serve order and TO protect property. The strike
: looked for before the last Of May and there is
no hope of peaceable one. Mere inertia has be-
come obsolete. Strikers no longer content them
selves with ldleness. The simplicity of the old
fashioned turnout has disappeared. Strikers
have got beyond that. They are content no
longer with mere moral operations with srrestng
production. They have stuffed themselves full oc
astonishing doctrines and unpiiocped principles
Their ideas are all the more mischievous because
they are not particularly clear. Communism
means general confscaton and abolition of
properly. Socialism means equal distribution
of property Laborcrs. it is claimed, have a right
to dictate terms to capitalists while capital has no
rights which labor is bound to respect. They talk
lovely. They are prepared, should occasion
serve, 10 act illegally. They use a great many
phrases which have no meaning whatever. For
the sake of their phrases they are ready TO dis
sOciae society.
We do not intend here and now to discuss these
doctrines. When men huy guns, the time for ar
gument has gone by. When men organize them
selves into regiments they must he met by the
regiment. of law and order. Mnskets mean mis-
chief /, Is said that the american Commune"
j. $50 900 strong, and Is still growing stronger.
II So though we hardly believe the sto V, peace
fu, people ought TO be ready to become wa like at
a moments notice. SO they think IN Chicago. |
The Board of Trade has subscribed 50 500 for the
better aiming and equipment of the police The
packers, the commission men, the elevator men
are putting down their money handsomely The
Governor Of Illinois has placed himself IN com
mnncation with the civil and military officers of
Chicago. The militia regiments have been sup |
Piled with ammunition. The newspapers bli,tle |
with warnings print in the largest type. These !
precautions may suffice There NAV be no impur- !
iant outbreak of the mob spirit in Chicago. The |
philosophers with hreech leaders NAV consider !
discretion to be the better part of vaor. A bold
and determined 'front.' with law on lis side, usually /
has wonderful effect upon the most vouble re-
former. lie can do no mischief unless be catches
the body polite asleep, as be did last summer !
We told that the headquarters of this 'Amer- |
can Commune are 10 New York. 1t is not likely !
to undertake any local operations in this city. If
there any men of sense among the leaders |
here, they will try to inoculate their associates !
elsewhere with something of their own prudence. !
This will be better than misleading their brethren
in Lynn Richmond Chicago and San Francisco !
into bloody mischief. The country has sove- |
reign respect for the right of every man TO work /
for whom he peases and for what he peases |
This is fast ceasing to be question of wages 1t !
is becoming question of right and wrong, OF
honesty and robbery. In such a contest the coun.
try will take of itself Order only is tormid
able. Disorder is cowardly, and lacks persistence.
the American Communists" can have ample !
evidence that the union is not yet ready for anar !
chy, If they persist 10 promoting it. Trb9he