The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

aLETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Meaning Of the Montgomery Demonstration.
10 The Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
Has 1t indeed come TO pass in these latter days
that one must close not only eyes and ears. but
even the mouth, lest seeing and hearing one
might be tempted to speak as partisan and not
M patriot, or else 'spatriot enslaved by his
passionsp according to the rebel General Cor
don's best rendering. It really seems that the
time is fully here when we must lay aside our
preiudices, ~ cease talking about holy war,
unless forsooth We speak after the manner OF
the South For many years we, on the side of the
Union, have supposed ourselves loyal and hon.
est-aye, patriotic; bat in the light of the recent
demonstrations at Montgomery, we surely have
been mistaken. To-day we stand like one be-
wildered as we contemplate the grandeur of
chat scene. The lurid fires, innumerable
bonfires Roman candles, rockets, bombs and
the booming cannon, and through this magnif
cent combination of surroundings Mr.. Davis, ex
President of the G. S. A, passed in q carriage
drawn by four white horses and a band marched
In front PLAYING Dixie The Union flag fioated
over himi We are also told that the tremendous
crowd roared In cheers and the neyer-forgotten
rebel yell. and the people appeared to be crazy.
In front marched a company in confederate
gray, and surrounding the carriage company
IN Union blue, carrying the national colors. and
bearing on breast-plate and belt buckle the let
tiers T. S. We are glad the reporter said: LET
others comment upon this wonderful incongru-
tty as they can" 1t certainly was strange
picture, both wonderful and fearful to behold,
and the only solution of this queer mixing of
eolors and sounds is, that the people not only
appeared, but actually were crazy. But the con-
Aict deepens as our hero stands once more
on historic grounds, and thus he speaks Il am
standing now very nearly on the same spot
where stood when took the oath of Office In
1861. Your demonstration now exceeds that
which welcomed me then. This shows that
Southern liberty is not dead" Long and con-
tinued applause Dead, of course not. Only
sleeping and since the famous victory of 1884 all
drowsiness even has taken it's flight! Now,
isn't this dainty dish to set before loyal peo-
plel Not only is this carefully prepared, highly
seasoned food placed before US, but we are ex-
pected to partake Of it with relish. Ii we re-
fuse we are denounced as '.jaundiced visioned'
politicians, prejudiced partisans and other bad
things, too numerous to mention. Now, be it
known to one and all that the directors to this
high handed treason not all politicians seek
ing preferment. Please grant the rest OF u.s.
the private citizen even n;.,. the least t
heard on the subject. Saturday Journal strikes
Che KEY note in speaking o. how honorable men
and women all over the North feel concerning
this latest and by far the greatest insult of the
present decade-an insult that lifts its head
higher than it is possible to any confederate
monument.
1t is almost useless to try to explain ones po-
sition to those who are SO blind they will not see:
However, we repeat what has often been said
BEFORE that no one objects to the South honor
ing her dead. It is meet and proper so to do.
Let the monuments still 60 up. And right here
we will suggest-feeling sure that every loyal
heart will approve-that upon Alabamas soil
would be most fitting place to erect
9 monument to the memory of our late
vice-president. Thomas A Hendricks,
who, though Northern man, had
the unmistakable Southern spirit We are
sick and tired Of this gush and sentimentalism
In place of principle. Let jefferson Davis and
his four white horses march on--the confeder
ate in gray may, likewise, Join In the procession,
4ld keep step to the tune of Dixie. But it is
sadly out Of place to mix in the stars and stripes
and boys in blue. 1t seems like stealing the
livery of heaven to serve the-you know the
rest! But the heart sickens and the pen falters
rs we grasp the true inwardness of all that has
been said and done in the past few days. to
honor the man so odious to every true patriot in
this great Nation It shows this one fact, how
ever that the feeling in the South regards
the lost cause. is the same-yesterday, to-day
and forever! Like the laws of the Modes and
Persians, is changeth not. In view of all this
we watt every man, woman and child, to read
the full particulars of the Montgomery demon
question, "Whither are we driftingE
The Journals editorial, Message from the
South" in Mondays issue would be a valuable
document to distribute in tract form, for the
"Southern idea" is made so plain that all who
read may understand. 1t would be appreciated
by those who are neither politicians nor parti-
sans only loyal citizens. In conclusion, we ex-
claim: "Oh, for the courage to think, TO act, to
tell the harsh truths to overthrow splendid false
hoods, to disown sweet lies and to Danish tender
<har hon Oh in ha1 aactfh o
true movement of the sovereign SOUL" NJ
WoRTHINaToN, Ind, May 4, 1886.
The Rights of the General Public In the La
Dor Strikes.
20 the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
The laborer has rights that must be respected,
and so has capital that furnishes the laborer en-
ployment; and last but not least, the general
public have rights that cannot be ignored The
latter cannot, and will not, endure the injuries
being inflicted upon them by injudicious strikes.
It is q well-known fact that in the high-handed
course. the acts of despotism and outlawry per-
petrated by the turbulent element of the labor
ing classes in and out of the worthy, but ill-ad-
visei and controlled organization, the Knights
Of Labor. many frst-class firms throughout the
country have lost their entire years earnings by
being deprived of intercourse, an inability to
reach the outer world with their products at the
opportune time. This outrage they will not
soon forget. The general public. who are the
greatest sufferers, have always sympath;zed
with the laboring classes in their legitimate eff
forts to better their condition but if the course
now being pursued by them is continued, it
must ALLEVIATE their sympathies, drive the gen.
erai public from them, making enemies of those
whom the oppressed class must, and DO look to for
h0fh and mia
gency.
A strike Is an extreme measure and often
suicidal in its effects, and, as Mr. PowderIy
wisely says, SHOULD be avoided if possible and
should be adopted reluctantly, and only as last
resort" How far the unavoidable strike may
Be carried is another questionable question up