Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-17
Tranlps.

1TampS.
The Rtvdl Neso Yorker in dealing with
the tramp question remarks as follows:
Elated by an increase in numbers, or
embodened by the lenient manner in
which he has been dealt with, the tramp
now assumes more threatening front.
Late advices from Ohio report that farm
ers are commanded to cease from using
labor. saving machinery. on pain of having
their implements destroyed; that notices
have been served, warning them that
buildings as well as crops would be fired,
were not these behess obeyed. Instances
are reported of the actual destruction of
mowers and reapers, and that timid agri
cultursts have reverted to the primitive
methods of the hand-scythe to secure
ripening crops. The drawer men have
met the crisis with threats of shooting the
first tramp that attempts to carry out the
programme.
Meanwhile, labor is in demand, at
prices ranging as high rs one dollar and
fifty cents per day, with very little response
to the offer. This is plain demonstration
of what has been affirmed, namely, that
the cry of "bread or lead" is not sincere.
Work is the last thing in the tramp's list
of wants, but it is now high time that the
subject was taken in hand seriously, and
that the fellow be made to feel that law
outweiehs buster.
The example set in Ohio, unless check
ed, will spread rapidly, and not only en-
danger the harvest, but paralyze one Of
our most important manufacturing indus
tries. Our laws must, indeed, be impo
tent, if they are not equal TO coping with
this new danger. We do not approve of
the farmer taking the matter, as he would
his revolver, in his own hand. The con-
stable and his posse were created for
nothing, if not to crush just such male
factors. The Justification is sufficient to
warrant the wholesale arrest of tramps
wherever found. If this were done, and
the prisoners compelled to work for their
food under state or county supervision, the
active intellects of the leaders would find
less appetite for composing threatening
notices.
While we in Vermont have as yet had
no serious trouble with this question, it is
well enough to be prepared for it if it
should be at any time brought home to our
doors. There can be no question that we
have now in our country multitudes whose
idea of the duties of citizenship and the
privileges of liberty are about on level
with those of the man who expressed bis
disappointment and disgust with our free
institutions in" pretty free country is
this, where man can't wallop his own
wife" That's the idea-do rs you please,
and have Others do rs you wish them to
do and if man by the exercise of that
very industry which the tramp respects so
much-so much, in fact. that he will never
make an intimate acquaintance with it
has gained something of property for his
future support, why, now steps this kinl
of fellow citizen upon the stage, anxious
to do his part of the business and spend
what the other has earned; so divide :"
is the cry; property is theft" COM
munism is justice" do as we say, Or we
will smash your machines, burn your
barns and grain stacks. outrage your wo-
men and take your life.
That, in short, is just about the rule of
faith and practice Of the tramp-how do
you like it? Here in our own state we
have lots of them, and if one fears of miss
ing chance of " entertaining angels una
wares" why, in Heavens name feed
them, and give them the cup of cold wa
ter; but in view of the assaults which
have been made on unprotected women,
and here in our own law-abiding state. our
advice is to keep the old double barrelled
shot gun loaded, and teach the women
how to use it; and then if the tramp in
ssts on his rights and privileges and a
more generous hospitality. why, then don't
disappoint him.
In all seriousness, the time has come
when we must take measures novel TO us
who have always relied on the law for pro-
lection, and which ordinarily is amply
able to protect us. and in accordance with
the first law of nature, self-preservation,
be able and ready to protect and defend
ourselves from lawlessness and violence,
by lawful violence on our own part for
self defence and self-proteetion.