Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-20
THE BOYCOTT.
A few Words AprOpos to the Condition of
Things In Wheeling.

To the EftitOT OJ Gte ittgLSisr.
The world OF words moves on
ward. A new name has been added to
the vocabulary of the English language.
Its origin may be familiar, but it is no
less interesting.
Lord Erne's vast estates in County
Mayo, in Ireland, were surrounded by the
vernal beauty of 1880. To-day's Autumnal
beanty is marred by the scene enacted
there. The agent in charge OF the estates
incurred the ill-will OF the tenants and
laborers. In retalleation they completely
ostracised him-wOuld not trade with
him, or allow others to do so-destrOyed
his property, and refused to harvest his
crops. The Government was compelled
to interfere, and for time swords and
bayonets were kept where plow-shares and
prunning hooks were wont to be. That
agent was 4 Captain Boycott, who,
whether or not, he merited such treat
ment, certainly cannot he censured for
the honor he has acquired by the incorpo-
ration of his name in our dictionaries.
A new word! But rs now used and
understood it represents flaws in
our social and political fabric,
as old as strife, selfshness and sin itself.
Its new and alarming aspect and its far
reaching tendencies manifested in the last
six years Ofiturmoil between labor and
capital has brought political economists
to regard it as involving question of
pungent significance.
To say individuals have not the right
to patronize whom they please would be a
thrust at personal liberty, Religious
sects habitually boycott tradesmen not of
their own creed. One class of society
boycott another, or all Others, and rice
rerM. Thus it is from one end of organ
lied society to the other. Whether the
cause for such state of things he immor-
al or not, society looks upon it with
ont frown. Perhaps legal indictment
against the boycott could not be made Ill
this form. Yet this is form, though a
mild one, of this contagious disease Of
bOycOtting.
When it becomes an epidemic it throws
of its mask of popularity. Here is pre-
sented the hideOuS form Of the organized
bovcott." The difference from individual
bOycOttingiS insomuch that it is conducted
by leagues or associations, in which the
bOycotter not only refuses to deal with
certain firms or corporations on account OF
their opinion or for other reasons, but
does all in his power to prevent others
from trading with said parties. When he
attempts this he denies to third parties
the very right of choice on which he in
sists for himself If society cannot reach
and suppress this form of the boycott then
class government, i'll its most odlOus form,
will take the place OF the equal rights on
which our system OF society has been
based.
The iniquitOus practice. Us thus ex-
plained, is un-American. 1t is of foreign
birth, and extremely low birth
at that There is nothing i'll it to
command the respect, much less the EN-
brace of nation, which is accepted rs a
model among the free nations of the
world. 1t is weapon poison -arrOwed at
each end liable to iniure him who Uses 1t,
those upon whom it is used, aS well as
those who stand between. 1t becomes, at
times, an outrage, assuming the worst
proportions of mob law. 1t is black
cloud, appalling in its nature, for it is
charged with deadly elements. These elc-
ments have done much harm all over our
land in recent yeaIS. The fiery bolts fly
form cloud to earth rs do the vengeiul
lightnirgS May Whceling'S atmosphere
he too pure To court its lurid glare or To
tolerated its lOathSomc and lamentable
effects Besides it is - menace to our
personal and national liberty. TO
he effective, boycott must he
general. 1t is general in proportion to
strength of organization. In consequence
great associations are fostered. Thus,
power might arise within the State greater
than the State itself.
The danger is seen at once. For crlml-
nal deeds on the part of such bodies are
excused where they would he surely and
severely punished on the part of individu-
ais. We want no power in the govern
mcnt to which we are compelled to make
obedience greater than the government it
self.
Let the citizen and especially the young
citizen, hold as his dearest object his coun-
try's good. Patriotism is not tritiing
duty. The great and grand principles
that it involves cannot he taught too sim
ccrcly or iustillcd too deeply. Without
these the prize for which our fathers died,
and placed in our keeping, will be lost
and trampled into the clay and mirc at
our feet May Freedom ever be the
guardian angel of my country, keeping
the watch ofeternal vigilance, and may
her eyes retain the luStre OF perpetual
youth. that their light, dimmed by not n
single tear that oppression brings, may
shine rs our peoples dearest boon forever,
and may we never be blinded by a mis-
named Liberty" in any form.
There can be commendablc central
izaton of power 1t is found
i'll nations loyal armies. | see
one to-day-cavalIy, infantry, artillery
all in line of battle. The press with its
millions of publications Is the cavalry, the
pulpit, ever on duty, somewhat slower,
but always safer and surer may he recogni-
zed rs the infantry; the National Legisla-
ture and those of the various States may be
recognized rs different divisions Of the
artillery-all united under one flag shall
lead the American people i'll the trium-
phant march against the vicious hosts led
under the boycOtter's black banner OF
blood and death.
This is the dawn of new and brighter
era. Compare the prophecy with history,
and TO it apply philosophy
and it gives the bright promise of reign
of financial prosperity and social enjoy
ment. The positive element of society is
beginning to collect around common
center, which, in time, will become the
positive pole of the social magnet. This,
by robbing the storm cloud of its positive
quality, will change it into q harmless
negative. Then, rs the clouds melt in
genial showers, or dissolve and lazily float
away, leaving the atmosphere all the purer
for the lightnings of its fury, we may
look up through their ragged riffs and see
the welcome light of the glorious sun OF
peace.
A new name has been added to tie vO-
cabulary OF the English language. But
heaven grant that it may be short-lived,
and at last be marked obsolete in the an
nails of our civilized times If the means
now at work cannot do it, if means cannot
be raised up for the purpose, then may