Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-05
sooIAIIsM I'm THE NORTHWEST.

SOCIALISM IN THE NORTHWEST.
The boldand conspicuous figure which
Socialism is assuming in cities like Chi
caeo and 81. Louis furnishes problem
for the political philosopher. AT the
late city election in the former city the
Socialist candidate for Mayor polled over
10000 votes; three OF the niminees OF
the organization were chosen to the
City Council; and, perhaps, other mi
nor positions were filed by representa-
tives Of the same ism.
A short time ago they held a kind OF
Jubilee in the Exposition building at
Chicago. II consisted OF an exhibition
of the armed force OF the commune in
Chicago. At times during the conyen-
ton they were parading the public
streets. 10 the number of five thousand,
and carrying arms. Tney showed them
selves to be well disciplined, well armed
and well equipped generally. Great
crowds thronged to the exposition build
ing, paying an admission fee. by which
the organization collected several thou
sand dollars. This money was designed
10 be expended in the purchase OF mus
kets and ammunition for additions to
their armed force.
In regard to the purposes oil TINS
Chicago commune, the Tunes says they
donot materially differ from those OF the
commune OF Paris. the socialism OF Ger
many or the nihilism OF Russia. They
are alike subversive OF law and OF order.
TheirpurpOses can only be accomplished
by revolution. Declaringthese purposes,
holding the law TO be organized oppres-
sion, these men arm themselves ana
are extending their military organl-
cation for what they term the
defense OF their rights. The Ameri-
can citizen is armed only with the
ballot for the protection and defense OF
his rights and liberties. 1t proves SUI
ficient. But these men-all OF whom
are foreign born, most OF whom are not
voters. all OF whom are ignorant Of our
government, laws and institutions, and
who claim rights" antagOnistic 10 and
destructive Of the government laws and
institutions - shoulder muSkets in
defense of their so-called rights.
II means, it can only mean, as
does every appeal to arms,
revolution. Meanwhile candidates rival
each other in their servile trucking to
the commune in Chicago. And tine
commune in Chicago consists OF igno-
rance, fanatlcism and desperation, led
by reckless, hair-brained zealOts and I'M
scrupulous demagogucs. The whole
business is wretched folly. But it Is
the folly which plays with fire; and
who can foretell WHEN the SPARK may
he dropped that will lead to terrible
explosion?
With such an organization in their
midst, openly menacing the pubic
safety. and possessing the force and the
arms sufficient at any mcment to over
power the police and take possession OF
the city, it is "a situation under which
the citizens of Chicago might well feel a
little nervous. For, what force, "
asks the Times, "would be required to
capture the Chicago watcr-worSs?
| How many minutes would it take to
disable or blow up the engines? That
done the city would be at the mercy Of
incendiaries. Amidst spreading flames
and the inevitable panic and confusion,
hnM-muchtimewonbAhe lost ,Ra6InGrR the
what pillage and plumber might
be carried on, and what out.
rageous perpetra:eI in "righting"
the wrongs which in the communist
theory property and established rights
represent? 1t can hardly be amisS to
consider these questions, and 10 act up
on them; for there is no security to be
tounl in refusing % recognize facts that
cannot be concealed and which have al
ready been considered by those who
menace the public safety. The public
security should not b. let to depend
upon the iorhearancc or discretion OF
the communist lea lers, nor upon their
control over the armed military force
which they are or-aniz'n-. Their
NOV ,ment should be ch,cEcd before
that force IT TVS Gr 'i'a'l..