Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-26
Our Dangers From within.

tCku6l OduXCl III tllC III VA AiOto VI IL
surrections, forgetting that SUE h trouble
arose from the very beginning OF our his
tory.
The Shays rebellion and the whisk,
insurrection were episodes of our earl.
youth; the "Native American" the anti
negro, and the draft riots, the war Itself
ano the regretable and widespread dis
furbanees Of 1877 suffice to show that a
no time have we been entirely free from
elements of disorder requiring she actiVt
interposition of armed force.
It is idle to close our eyes to the rae
that there now exists in certain localities
an element, mostly imported iron
abroad, fraught with danger to order and
well-being unless firmly and wisely con-
trolled.
This is not the place TO discuss tn.
question of socialism, atheism, or an
archy; let it suffice to say that even the
most extreme of extremists are rarely a.
together wrong, or without some shadow
of right, or what they believe to be right
They are often right as to many of their
facts, but wrong as to their conclusions
and entirely mistaken as to the practica-
BILE methods of gaining their ENDS. 1t is
but just and fair to listen honestly to
what they have to say, and if any wrong
thing be found, then to right it so far az
practicable.
There is no possible objection to free
and fair discussions; on the contrary, ii
is sure to do good.
There is no sound objection to labor
I unions, for labor has as much right as
capital TO unite for its own protection
and to improve IFS own condition, and
all candid men must acknowledge that
the condition of the masses of laboring-
men among the Christian nations is not
what sincere Christian would like to
have it.
Frankly and fully acknowledging
that the much needed amelioration of
the cor di.ion of the laboring classes is
an inevitable and the most important
problem of the immediate future, it must
at the same time be insisted upon-as
much in their own interest as in that OF
the society Of which they form SO i'm
portant pGrt-that in the prosecution
of their ends the labor organizations
shall restrict themselves TO fair, open.
honorable, and legal methods; that they
must never resort to violence toward
either the persons or property Of their
employers, or toward those of their
comrades who may hold different views;
and that hey must, still in their own IL
terest, always recognize the fundamental
truth that each mans liberty of action is
bounded bv the equal rights of his fell
low-men. To pass beyond this limit is
= license, not liberty; crime, not a virtue
ore privilege. The individual who per-
petrates this crime becomes at once fit
subject for the repressive action of the
law. When q mass of men too numer-
GUS 20 be dealt with by the ordinary ma
chinery of the law place themselves in
the same category, the safety Of the state
and the security of their fellow citizens
require that they should be dealt with
armed force.
The good community, the safety Of in
nocent members of society, require that
the moment the necessity for this action
arises, it should be prompt and efficient.
But in all such cases prevention is better
than cure, and all concerned should
learn that when peaceable discussion is
exhausted, there stands ready for in
slant use well disciplined force pre-
pared to act upon the instant to support
the majesty of the law.
do not think that in this country
danger is to be apprehended from the
organic .tion OF legitimate labor, because
our working men are as rule lntelli-
gent and industrious, good citizens and
good fathers of families. Knowing and
prepared to maintain their own rights,
they respect the legitimate rights of
others, and realize the fact that the we'll
being and happiness of their families de-
nQyod thu IF orIar ii
security: not that kind Of order which
prevents the many from ascending in
the scale Of happiness and prosperity as
the reward Of honest industry, nor that
kind Of security which enables priyil-
eyed few to keep the many in state of
subsection and ahject poverty, but order
and security as we understand them in
this free land Of ours-an order and Sc
curity which afford free scope to the le-
Ultimate aspirations of all, which give
equal political right and equal personal
freedom to all within cur limits; undsr
which those favored in this worlds
goods may retain them if provident, bat
with the certainty that they or their de-
scendants will find their deserved lower
level if wasteful squanderers, while the
poorest toll, if honest, capable, and in
dustfous, sees open for himself and his
children the pathway to honor and we'll
being.
Our nation is nation of working-men
whether their labor be intellectual or
the no less useful and honorable labor
with the handle.
Our danger, if danger there be, will
come not from the true working men, but
from those who do not intend to do so,
but prefer tc gain an easy living by mis- |
guiding and deceiving the true working
men, and emulate the wreckers of by
times, seek with their false lights to lure
the ship of society upon the rocks of an
archy and atheism that they nav prey
upon the remnants of the rich cargo
washed to the shore.
The theories of the anarchists, inter-
nationalists, and nihilists Lave only re-
Gently found their way among US; they |
are strictly foreign productions, which |
protective tarifi has not sufficed to ex-
clude, and is not probable that they can |
make any considerable or lasting head |
way among our own people.
The people of America realize that the |
institutions under which we live are of
our own making that the majority rule
and make the laws that, under the God |
whom we worship. our happiness de-
ponds upon the security of these institu- |
tions that the ultimate purpose of our |
government is the happiness and invio- |
liability of our families; and that our |
dearest aim in life is to secure the well
being of our children.
1t is to the highest extent improbable |