New-York tribune., 1878-05-01
"c0uyUNJSur IN CHICAGO.

The Chicago newspapers are full Of "Commun-
ism" Ii continues 10 excite an uneasy feeling
there and elsewhere. There seems to be nervous
awaiting of trouble-an apprehension that the ter
rlble scenes of the last Summer may be repeated
during the next The facts are these: consider
able number of operatives in Chicago have provided
themselves with arms and ammunition; they have
done this secretly; they said 10 have drilled. II
is consequently apprehcnded that in the probable
event of general strike, they intend to do battle
with the authorities who may seek opreserye order
and to protect property The strike is looked for
before the last of May and there is no hope of a
pcaceable one. Mere inertia has become obsolete.
Strikers no longer content themselves with
idlcness. The simplicity of the old fash
ioned turnout has disappeared Strikers have
got beyond that. They are content no longer with
mere moral operations, with arrcsting production.
They have stuffed themselves full of astonishing
doctrines and unprincped principles. Their ideas
are all the more mischevOus because they are
not particularly clear. Communism means a gen.
eral conscatioh and abolition of property. Socialism
means an equal distribution of property. Laborers,
il is claimed, have right 10 dictate terms TO cap-
talists, while capital has rights which labor is
bound to respect. They talk lovely. They are pre-
pared should occasion serve, to act illegally They
use a great many phrases which have no meaning
whatever. For the sake of their phrases they are
ready to dissociate society.
We do not intend here and now to discuss these
doctrines. When men buy guns the time for argu-
ment has gone by When men organize themselves
into regiments they must be met by the regiments
of law and order. Muskets mean mischief. 1t is
said that the "American Commune" is 2sO,00O
strong, and is still growing stronger. If So,
though we hardly believe the story, peaceful
people ought to be ready to become warlIke at a
moments notice. SO they think in Chicago. Tho
Board Of Trade has subscribed $500 for the
better arming 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 him.
self in communication with the civil and military
officers of Chicago. The militia regiments have
been supplied with ammunition. The newspapers
brstle with warnings printed in the largest OF type.
These precautions may suffice. There may be no i'm
portant outbreak of the mob-sprit in Chicago. The
philosophers with breech-ioadcrs may consider dis
cretion to be the better part of valor. bold and
determined front, with law on its side, usually
has n wonderful effect upon the most vouble
reformer. He can do no mischief, unless
ne catches the body polite asleep, as he did last
Summer. We are told that the headquarters of
this American Commune" are in New-York. 1t is
not likely to undertake any local operations
in this city. If there are any men of
sense aomng the leaders here, they will
try to innoculate 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 a sovereign respect for
the right Of every man TO work for whom he peases
and for what he peases. This is fast ceasing
to be a question of wages. 1t is becoming
question of right and wrong of honesty
and robbery. In such contest the country will
take care OF itself Order only is formidable. Dis
order is cowordly. and lacks persistence. " The
American Communists can have ample evidence
that the Union is not yet ready for anarchy, if they
persist in promoting it.