The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-26
Gke Gttettigettcer.
wnEELINa, W, VA, MARoH 49, 1886,


LabnT,
If a deadly enemy Of tho western rail
road strikers could have slipped into their
counsels and moulded their course OF ac'
ton, he would have adviged them to do
about what they had done. He would
have urged upon them to strike without
first exhausting all other measures for a
redress Of grievances, Having struck, he
would have exhorted them to allow mo-
body else to go to work, using lorce ii
necessary todriye Of any whowere willing
togo into the service Of the offending COM
NAMES. HeWould have been sure to urge
them to obstruct the movement OF trsins
doing whatever damage to the property OF
the comp lnles might benscessary to effect
that result,
The enemy OF the men would have In
sisted on this plan Of aclion as the suEest
and swiftest way take public sympathy
from them, TO create a reyulsion Of public
opinion to their delriment, to bring them
into conflict with the authority OF the
sts4e--in short to wound labor the most
seriously in the shortest posaibIe time
No matter how great the grievance, the
course OF the strikers has not been Wise
from the point Of view Of their own parti'
eular interest. From the point Of view Of
the public peace and welfare, in which
taey have their interest in common with
all other citizens, their plan Of action coll
not be justified. Serious thing as 1t is
for q great body Of men to stop suddenly,
bringing to halt great industry on
which the public welfare 80 greatly de-
pspds, that is nevertheless their undoubt'
ed right. They can find no moral iustih'
cation for using force to prevent other
men from working, for destroying tie pro-
perty Of the companies and superceding
the rule Of law with the rule Of the mob.
The man who desires to work In spite
OF the resolve Of other men that nobody
shall work, may be unmindtul Of his own
welfare. But he must beallowed to judge
for himself. Ill he will not yield to argu.
ment, it Is nobody's privilege to convince
him with violence. When the attempts
made the law must step in and protect
tho individual in his hight to pursue un'
moIestested any lawful employment.
liza rival organization, i'll more power.
iul than the Knights oil Labor, were to
spring into life and seek by force to drive
Kniphta OF Labor from their work, or
even one Knight Of Labor from his work,
there would be no question Of the wrong,
and organized society would be bound to
afford protection.
The Knights Of Labor have in COM
paratively short time formed an organiza.
ton without precedent in tho worlds his.
tory, It's scope Is comprehensive aud its
numbers great. It's power is tremendous
It's success in behalf Of la or will depend
upon tile wisdom and moderation with
which It uses It's giants power.
1t was MOTIF be expected that It could
be made perfect in day. 1t has indeed,
in more than one Instance, displayed
great prudence and wisdom, and made
itself a public benefactor, 1t has done
very much to commend itself to the con.
lldenCe OF the country.
The friends Of labor-who arc by no
means confined to those who make a trade
of being the workingmAn's iriend-desire
10 SEQ the Knights Of Labor retain their
strength and add to 1t, TINT labor may be
benefited and the public welfare pro-
NOTED. There is so much need OF such an
organization that 1t ia much to be regretted
whenever II seriously plumbers.