Frostburg mining journal., 1883-02-10
MINING JOURNAL.
FRoSTBURG, MD, FEB. 10, 1888.

AN estimabls and intelligent Cum
berlsnd gentleman remarked to us
the other day that "while dsprecating
references to "revolt" in discussions
Of the monopolistic and monsrchical
tendencies o. the period" he never
the!ess heartily approved sentiments
such as those contained in the JOUR-
NAL editorial last week concerning
the Mayer testimonial"
On the other hand, in a
strong and striking sermon on The
temper Of our times, the Rev.
DR.. Potter, Of New York, dwelt
last Sunday with emphasis upon
the decay in the public mind
Of those quick and ardent sympathies
with the injured and the oppressed
which went out go freely in the days
of our fathers to the people Of Greece
and Poland and Hungary, struggling
for their rights against overwhelmi n 6
odds.
In some respects we disagree with
both authorities. In the first in
stance, to us0 the language of an en-
insnt lawyer, "the freedom of a COM
muAity results necessarily from the
freedom Of the sndividuals that COM
pose it. This was the very principle
that triumphed in the success of our
Revolution, and no one can deny it
now except for reasons which would
have made him a Tory in l776."
The Speaker Of the Virginia House
of Burgesses whistled "treason" when
Patrick Henry delivered his ;mmor-
tai climacteric. This official was a
type Of many who, probably not want
ing in actual sympathy with the peo-
pie, yet for the sake of peace was
more willing to.bear the pains of op-
preston than tempt the ills Of resist
ance.
In the other case, the decay" OF
fellow-fesling is not so marked as Dr.
Potter believes. The people are not
deaf nor dumb to the dangers that
threaten them. From beneath the
calm exterior of things they are
watching encroachments upon the
domain Of right, and, conscious of the
strength Of their position do not ex-
hibit that solicituds which the times
appear to call for. The doctri ne o.
local self-guvernmcnt was never more
firmly rooted in the public mind than
at this day, and it is growing il
strength and intensity as against the
interference of all outside influences
whatever. Let those who think they
have crushed" the people of thii
coal region revert to the inevitably
futile effort the government is max
ing to overcome the impediments
which lie in the way Of subjugating
polygamous Utah. These impedi
ments reside in the institutions o.
''locsl liberty" and other constitu-
tional rights peculiar to our system
Can these rights of weak defendants
be ridden down without also impair.
ing the immunitiss Of the strong
who are asked to wink at it, and in
winking at it to consent to the over
throw of all the mstes and bounds
of that freedom defined by law which
makes them strong?
Scarcely anything short of wal
will coerce Utah into change oi
social practices, and even war will
not alter its religious belief, In
some measure, at least, the govern
ment must fail.
So we hold with regard to the
unsurpstions Of corporate power-a
force far less potential than that Of
the government as against the work.
iDgmen--a force far more powerful
than the Mormon.
But as to the term, "revolt." We
deprecste its use nucn less than we
do the occasion for it, use.