The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-03-18
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STRIKERS.


messenger on the Rock Island train from
Chicago, near Morris, H., Friday night
is the legitimate outcome of the strikes
| all over the country. We do not say that
honest workmen would either do, or per-
NIT any such bloody work to be done, if
they could prevent it, but the existence of
the strikes gives opportunity for cut
throats and robbers to ply their vocation
| The latter class of men, who are profess
sional criminals, mingle with workmen,
passing themselves off as fellOwwOrkmen,
watch their opportunity, and when they
think they have sufficiently identified
themselves with these striking workmen
about any particular locality, so as to
lose their criminal recognition, as in the
case referred to, they deliver murderous
blows, with workmens tools, and lay their
bloody hands on everything they can find,
1t appears that this murder was, or is
strongly suspicioned to have been, com
mitted by four men, several of whom trav-
eled on a pass, issued last year, with the
last figure raised as the conductor ascer-
tanned, and were put off the train, but
there is reason to believe they immediate
ly went forward and boarded the train
again, walked into the express car aud left
murdered messenger and rifled safe. 1t is
apparent that these criminals we're bad
hearted workmen or regular criminals,
who availed of the condition of affairs,
and were travelling as workmen. 1t is
much more likely that the latter was the
case. OF course, there will be those who
will assert that they were railroad work
men, in order to fix odium on the strikers
all over the country, and excite popular
prejudice against them.
A strike is n sufficient calamity for the
honest men who engage in it, without
their having to bear the charge of resort
ing to murder and robbery, for murder,
arson and robbery most always accom-
panies its footsteps and follows in its
wake. Men ought never. to strike unless
they are unable to bear their condition
any longer under grinding task-master,
and until they have exhausted every other
source for remedy.
If, however, it is necessity, with its
attendant evils, the strikers should be
careful that no such acts of bloodshed
and robbery should be. perpe-
tratcd under the semblance of work
men engaged in strike.
1t is due to all strikers, who are honest
ly engaged in an effort to obtain their
rights, that they should be on their guard
against any such characters as the perpe-
traitors of the train murder near Joliet.
In any community where a strike exists
such men are apt to take advantage of it
for criminal purposes, and each commu-
nifty of strikers ought to feel the respon-
sibility they owe to the rest of the commu-
nIty. Men have right to quit work
when they please. They have right to
assemble together and consult and pre-
pare all legitimate measures for the re-
dress of their grievances, but, having
that right, they have no right to lay
hands on any mans property or person,
nor have they right to permit the condi-
ton of II strike to endanger the lives and
property of others. Nay, more, the fact
that a strike has attendant evils affecting
Others, lays upon the strikers the response
bility of guarding against, as much as is in
their power, these evils being visited on
others. This is positive duty, and where
strikes exist the American workman feels
dignity that will compel the exercise of
such responsibility. Let the honest
workmen see to it that these assemblies
and communities are not invaded by men
wearing the garb of workmen and con-
cealing under it the dagger of the assassin.