The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-06-18
,~he Strikes.
potent t..

Tn eome ouarters whe,-a strikes have been
going on long time with Ia. 'ue ploepec, VI
settlement, certain foolish emplo, VI iaoor
are calling for troops.
The strikes Of this summer OF 1882 ha "
been remarkable for the tranquility with
which they have been conducted. When
men who live from hand to mouth, or on
wages that do not allow them to lay up a
reserve, are suddenly thrown out OF work,
either by the action Of their employers or by
that Of their fellow workmen, they cannot
keep up the real or the feigned composure OF
the professional gambler who loses on the
throw of the dice Still, considering their
magnitude, the current labor strikes are
almost unprecedented in their preservation
OF order.
This years strikes are, in fact, the most
extensive or among the most extensive,
ever known In the country. Beginning with
Lowell and Fall River, going on to New
York and Brooklyn, thence to Pittsburgh
and Cleveland, and 80 on to Chicago and
Omaha, with scores OF cities and towns on
the way, probably upward of 100000 men, in
dozen different callings, will be found to
be concerned in strikes and lockouts, with
half million people affected through family
or other dependent relations Yet these
strikes do not absorb public attention like
the railroad labor troubles Of few years ago.
The reason Of this difference Is that then
the corporations demanded and received tho
assistance OF the military forces. HAYES the
Fraudulent President was then occupying
the White House; and in answer to calls from
Governors, who ought to have exerted their
local authority, and even Of railroad corpo-
rations he set the army in motion to put
down the strikers The consequence was
bloodshed, indignation, and general excite
ment Of the country.
1t is plain that some employers, remember
ing how, in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, on
this previous occasion, United States troops
were put at the command Of railroad compa-
MES, are now hoping for similar means to
| end their troubles VIGOROUSLY. In some
cases the Governors Of States have been
called on by city authorities, instigated by
persons pecuniarly interested in the labor
struggles, to send troops to guard against
apprehended riots. But to their credit, the
Governors have thus far notified these au-
thorities that they themselves have police
force; that they also have Sheriff and his
posse; that they have local militia in the
city or county, and must not, until these
resources are tried, call upon the State.
That the public peace and order must at
all times be preserved nobody disputes; but
it is most unwise to make an exasperatiDg
show of Calling guns and light batteries, with
infantry and cavalry, under an unfounded
pretence that mills or warehouses are to be
attacked. AS a fact public meetings and
picnics have been largely the order OF the
day among this years strikers. Some indi-
vidual instances of violence have occurred |;
but they have been exceptional, and the police
have usually handled them with success 1t
is natural that strikers, whose hearts are in
their callings, should gather to talk over
their prospects near the scenes of their late
labor. What else should they do, and where
else should they go2 In this country the
fact that men have struck does not indicate a
conspiracy against the public peace; and the
authorities who are charged with preserving
order should have their eyes open, not only to
the excitement Of men out of employ, but to
the designs of crafty persons wiz affect to
be in danger in order to create the very
disturbance they pretend to dread.
The right to stop working is as sacred as
the right to breathe After men have struck,
they cannot dismiss the circumstance from
their minds like Judge who, having settled
one case on the docket, turns with undivided
attention to something else. Their bread,
their life, is concerned. Not day passes
for them without some hope of an adjust
ment of the dispute and a return to work
and their instinct is to meet and learn the
news. Occasionally they may become ex-
cited and disorderly; but this fact affords no
excuse for shooting them down or dispensing
them by the bayonet. Striking is no crime.
1t is only the just and lawful act of freemen.