New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-18
SIGNS or THE TIMES.
oa1 LETTER FROM TaURLow WEED.

LETTER FROM THURLOw WEED.
ACTION or tue HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES, on
TEE POTTER INvEsTIGATIoN A BIEssING To THE
CoUNTRT-oHARITY AS PREVENTIVE OF RIOTS.
70 TIE EaftOr or rae TFfbRne
SIR: The action Of the House Of Representatives
yesterday carries grateful sense of relief to
thoughtful minds throughout the country. That
action is most gratifying surprise 1t signalizos
BY highly ooHciliatory declarations manifest and
oreditable desire to qniet a dangerously perturbed
people, The emphatic aud overwhelming majority
in favor of two solemn and salutary declarations.
distinct but kindred, affords double assurance that
a disturbing question has been irreyocably settled.
The House of Representatives can scarcely measure
the magnitude of the blessing it has conferred upon
the country.
In letter published IN THE TRIBUNE Immediately
after the introduction of the Potter resolution, re-
marked that 1.-THE atmosphere is charged with
political electricity. If these explosive trains shOnld
be ignted by Mr.. Potters match, those with whom
he is closely connected will be among the rst and
largest sufferers" There is reason to hope that
the trains referred Co may not be ignited. A Con-
gressiOnal evolutionary example would have en-
couraged, stimulated and united other and even
more dangerous acknowledgements anAiOusly
awaiting their opportunity.
But while we breathe more freely, il is not the
part of prudence TO fold our arms The dangersw
not be while tens Of thousands of willing hands
seek in vain for employment. In every possible
way capital, for its own safety, should not only
encourage aud assist labor, but eheerully respond
to all appeals for the relief of deserving poor The
city abOunds in destitute families, destitute only
because deprived OF employment. Every possible
avenue to employment should be opened to women.
thousands of whom are anxious to accept any kind
of labor suitable to their sex by means Of which
they can earn their bread. L behalf Of the fani-
lies Of sober industrious and honest men suffering
for want Of employment, the rich should be cheer
ful givers. Just now our wealthy citizens WIN find
no better Investments for moderate part of their
incomes than the oharity-5Ox. The best and safest
insurance policies can be obtained from the
Howard, . " Five Points" and other Mission Off
ees The munifeent provision Of Mrs. Astor, which
enabled Mr.. Brace to send 100 orphan children to
comfortable homes. viii do much moro than that
lund-hearted lady dreams Of in protecting property
against riots. The frequent and liberal benefac-
lions Of MISS Catharine Wolf and Mrs. John c.
Green reach farther and exert wider influence than
was contemplated BY those Samaritan ladies'
If the army Of unemployed IRbOrers can be kept
from dangerous Affiliations until through resunp-
ton, prosperity can be restored, all VIII be well.
But, as Ihave heretofore urged, resumption must
not be stringent OF cruel. Il must not be reached
by further contraction. Resumption can and ought
to come easily, giving life and activity to com
merce and manufactures, and creating general and
abundant demand for labor. ....
Meantime, it should not be forgotten that hun
dreds OF families are suffering from the malign In
fluenoes OF trades unions. Large manufacturing
establishments have been driven out Of the city
into neighboring States, Noisy idle and in6del ag
tators are the worst enemies Of real wordngmen.
II must be admitted that little has been done by
Federal OF State legislation TO encourage protect
labor / do not therefore deprecate the efforts Of
Workingmen to assert themselves through the bal
lot-box This is a constitutional remedy, and may
be rghtfuly resored TO. There Is power and virtue
enough in the ballot to reform the evils which mis-
government iufIicts upon the people and country.
ReC- York, June Is, 1873. T.w.