The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-04-10
DoNALDsoNvIIIE LOUISIANA SATURDAY April. 10 1880

cussed; and it might have been found
that both sides could make some con-
cessions, alike profitable to both. I'm
willing labor poorly requites it's en-
ployer.
1t is probable that some effort was
made in this direction, but the senti-
ment was not general enough to ere.
ate hope among the strikers that an
amicable adjustment might be
reached. They seem to have been
impressed with the idea that en-
ployers were Indifferent to their ap-
peal, determined to make no conces-
sion; which the threats Of the actual
use of force did not dispel. 1t made
them susceptible to reckless leader
ship. Legal rights were disregarded,
and on affidavits of planters, in an
extra judicial way, State troops were
brought to the places of discord.
1 There was no difficulty encountered
in serving civil process. 1t does not
appear that the strikers ever con-
templated resistance to proper an-
thority. 1t is not clearly established
that the civil authorities of the par
ishes, either attempted the service of
summons, or to make an arrest, but
with an incompetency deserving of
the strongest rebuke, dispatched
hastily to the Governor of the State
for troops to suppress riot. With un-
usual alacrity the Governor re-
sponded. For years tile bulldozers
have demoralized laborers in many
Of the parishes of this State, and they
have appealed to the Executive for
protection, and that official has re-
feFred them to commissioned bull
dozers for relief, with tender regard
for the civil authority. In St. Charles
a Democratic judge Of a strongly Re-
publican parish, armed Will, affidayits
Of his fellow Democrats, swiftly
brings to his aid battalion, to strike
terror to the hearts Of deluded Ne
groes demanding a dollar day for
their wages With a little more re-
spect to the forms Of law, but like
result, witness also the parish of st
John. Here the affidavits declare the
parish Jail to be insecure, and the
prisoners are hurried to trial before
Democratic judges of New Orleans
deprived of jury in their own vicin-
age-at the mere whim of the ruling
minority in control of the State gov
ernlnent. ...~.. .@H
The invocation of force was not q
satisfactory answer to the demand for
higher wages, however justly it may
have been merited by lawless pro-
ceedings of the strikers. Dissatisfac-
ton still exists. flow to remove it
is question of considerable interest
to all parties concerned. The strikers
of St. Charles and St. John need to
be kindly aud firmly impressed with
the fact that they have suffered, for
the most part, because of poor leader
ship. They have the right to ask for
an increase of wages but they should
clearly understand that strike must
be voluntary affair on the part of
those who join it. They have no law
fnl right to fog or assault physically
uDfaithful members of their associa-
ton. The very moment they attempt
to use violence to induce a single la
borer to quit work, strikers become
an assemblege which it is the duty Of
a peace officer to disperse or arrest.
They have no right to enter upon the
property of another for any purpose,
in connection with their organization,
without the consent of the owner. A
strike should always be considered as
a doubtful method of last resort. Ap-
peal first to the generosity and sense
of justice of employers, and if this
fails, make such manly protest inside
the bounds of the law, as che occasion
warrants.
The Negroes, as citizens, have the
right to demand fair treatment; as
laborers, they may be as free as the
freest, if they 80 will it. The whole
country is open to them, and steam
ers land at their doors. The self-in-
ttrest and good will of planters will
be brought into exercise by manly
action.
Mr.. Tilden's satellites say he is not
q coward, but the people of this State
believe he showed the white feather,
and if he secure his own nomination,