The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-06
Dlscontent-Not Communism.

ie0oAJ, We ouiah, Interpreted 10 De Ile
growth and spread OF the spirit and the pur
pose OF communism. Here and there in the
great cities cf the country, there may be
some real communists, who have sought the
more liberal institutions Of this country I'M
der which to propagate their mischieyous
and dangerous dosmas. There may be, also,
few reckless agitators, who avoid honest
labor and live by their wits, that have joined
in with this wicked cabal, would array
themselves against property rights in the
hope Of some spasmodc plumber, the
opportunity for which would be pre-
sented in the confusion of riots and
lawlessness. But the dissatisfaction and
dsquiet now attracting the attention of the
country, are the result OF the pressure OF
want, realized by those who would gladly
labor were employment to be had, and whose
instincts would revolt against the disturb
auce of the conservative restraints and
safeguards of society and government. We
have adverted to this subject on more than
one occasion through these columns, and
placed the prediction upon record, that if
there was not something done to revive in
dustrial enterprises, and stimulate active
endeayor in those pursuits which give to
labor employment, that the suffering and
deprivation now experienced by hundreds
OF thousands Of well meaning, industrious
citizens would crystalize into organization,
a nd lriv ba volf fl,a hv
rate resolves and startling action. 1t is a
time, indeed, when reasoning men should
seek to give employment of some kind to
this element OF society, and every one who
has something to spare Of this worlds goods
over his immediate wants, should seek to
devise a means to aid his less fortunate
neighbor. Instead of the man of capital
consulting his fears and locking up his
money in strong boxes, he should endeavor
to find channel in which to employ it so
that it would administer to the wants of
others. 1t is not rational to assume that the
mutterings that roll like distant thunder
from the densely populated cities and sus-
pended factories, are the howlings OF the
commune demanding that for which they
are not willing to labor and claiming values
which are not theirs by reason of the sweat
Of the brow. The labor element of Ameri-
ca is as foreign in its sympathies and aspi-
rations from the real communist, as is the
man of property himself. He recognizes iI
active capital his best friend and mutual
co-worker for the general good. 1t is only
when capital shrinks from its legitimate mis-
sion, and shuns the avenues of industry and
enterprise, that it fails in the uses for which
it was designed, and inflicts corresponding
harm upon willing labor, that is just as es-
sential to the well-being of society and the
conservation of government as the glitter
ing shekels represented by stocks or piled up
under iron bolts.
1t is not Communism that is manifestIng
itself in mutterings and threatening the
existence Of parties and the hopes of poll
tcians, but the out-givings of the suffer-
ing labor of the country, which, through
pernicious legislation and consequent pros
tration of industries, is clamoring for the
necessities of life. Not only is the air redo
lent with the murmurs of discomfort, which
come up from the great mass of the people,
who are more or less implicated in the re.
suits of the absence of employment for hon
est and willing labor, but organization is
being perfected, with astonishing rapidly
and system, to give expression through the
methods of law to the discomfort and sense
of wrong inflicted that prevails. These in
dications are not silent and secret, but
frank and open, that the world may see and
learn and the purpose and design be under
stood. Yet, while these significant signs
are being mouthed and recorded, Congress
continues its utter disregard of the warn
ings, as though inviting a popular upheaval
that may shake the very foundation OF gov
eminent itself. Partizan schemes, totally
foreign to any national good, and devised
for personal ends alone, engage the atten-
ton and consume the time OF those delega-
ted and paid by the people to legislate for
their interests. Great enterprises of nation
al utility, involving the interests of inter-
national commerce and development, and
incidentally the employment OF labor. are
made subordinate to the petty ambitions Of
local politicians. and the growth of the ma
ton lwarfe.l that The narrow purposes of
partiZaa politics may be subserved.
Let the politicians everywhere, ami of all
parties, understand that it is not commun
ism which is entering protest against this
repressiye policy. but free citizens OF Amer
lea, whose muscle and enterprise have added
to national wealth and greatness, built up
individual fortunes, and now aims to have
a share in shaping national policy. 1t may
answer the purpose OF corporate despotism
and insolent shoddyism, TO envcigh against
the honest labor of the county, and class it
with the wild and lawless aims of the
commune, but IN the exercise of liberty
guaranteed by our laws, the issue will come
sooner OF later, whether that element, which
is the dependence Of the government for its
defence in time of danger, Is to be hooted
into silence when asking for fair consid-
Grafton in the legislation of the government
and classified with the wanton destruction
of public peace, because of its importuni.
ty for the Inauguration of policy that will
give to labor legitimate return, and drive
want and desolation from the household.
Frightened at the effect Of the renewed
agitation of the Presidential question nd
the electoral count, upon the business of
the country, Senator Wallace, of Pennsyl-
yania, is authority for stating ssthat itisnow