The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
LABOR AND LAW.

stration at Brussels to-day, and that nearly
that number will be in the grand parade, for
which great preparations have been made. To
preserve order there will be some twelve thou
sand troops along the line Of march. 1t is to be
hoped that there ell be no occasion for any in
reference on the part of the soldiery, and if
the real workingmen be not misled by dema-
gogues there will not be any. The gathering
Of such a body of workingmen need not cause
any uneasiness in itself. The union
of citizens In such numbers is the
source Of vast power, and is
but one of the features that make govern
ment possible. Organized society is but
compact between the masses Of the people in
terested in preserving the peace and in pro-
noting the general welfare of the people. 1t
is only when workingmen are led to listen to
the sophistry of professional agitators that
any trouble need be feared. There can no ex-
ception be taken to the parade Of million
workingmen if they see fit to make such
display Of numbers. In government con-
Quoted on right principles there need be no
fear of allowing the people to congregate in
any numbers they please. It is possible
that there are inequalities in the laws of
Belgium that work injustice to the masses
engaged in labor, and if this be so, it is but
natural that they should become restless
under it and seek by combination to alleviate
their condition and TO secure what they be-
lieve to be their rights In such event there
may be some reason for fearing the massing
of such numbers of working people in the
capital city, especially when wrought up by
the feeling that they are being imposed upon.
In country like that there may be no other
mode of obtaining redress, for they have not
the power as in this country, of saying what
they want and of insisting on having their
wishes respected.
In the United States there is no objection
whatever to the organization Of workingmen
into as strong union as they care to make.
the ballot-box is open alike to all men-rich
and poor, mechanic and capitalist. If the
workingmen of this country are strong enough
to form union to compel hearing by force,
they are strong enough to make themselves
heard through the ballot-box, and there can
be no occasion or excuse for acts of violence
Ii they suffer under unjust laws they
have only themselves to blame, for it is
in their hands to cause a change to be made in
any feature that is Objectionable There is no
room here for the Socialist and Anarchist, for
the government is in the hands Of the masses
folly for them to tear to pieces what is already
their own. The men who work with their
hands IN this Republic have it within their
power to do with it as they choose
All that is necessary is to unite on some plan
Of action and stick to it. Of course, it will be
necessary to get the majority to think and
act in concert, but this is absolutely necessary
for without it success could not be achieved
With it there would be no necessity Of violence
The ver-present danger to organizations COM
posed of workingmen is that they may be
moved to acts of violence that cannot be toll
Grated, for these are unjustifed and cannot be
allowed without endangering the very life of
government, which is the poor mans best
friend. In all lands government is
the condition of existence, without
which labor and capital would be impossible
and the strong would impose on the weak. In
a republic, with the voice of the mechanic as
powerful as that Of the millionaire, it remains
In the hands of the poor-the masses-to
make the government what they will, and to
write the laws, for they possess the numbers
to do itf There is one condition to be OBJ
served in all that is undertaken, and that is,
every movement must be founded on right
principles or it cannot succeed, though it
may appear to for time. Without this being
complied with, it is useless to talk of any
thing, for in the end the false will 90 down
and the right will triumph. No organization,
however powerful, can maintain itself with
out complying with this requirement.
OUR MAUD MULLERS.
About this time of year look ont for ar