The Labor enquirer., 1886-03-27
THE BIG STRIKE.

Never since 1877 has the country been
go full of labor strikes, and il seems only
to need the application of Che militia
match to the overcharged magazine to
throw us into more lively contest tn an
we had at that time. There is better
organization and determination among
the workingmen now than there were in
TT, and, unless the controversy is settled
soon we may look for serious trouble.
There can be but one opinion with
fair men as to the justification of the
strike on the Gould system. The man
ayers of those roads struck sgainst the
organizations of their employees and de-
clared war 80 the men are not the at
tacking party, but the defensive. AS to
whether it was wise for the men to de-
clare general suspen 75on Oh work at
this time, the future will pro7e-and 1t
is not yerY distant future.
I violate no trust when say that the
writer of this article was an interested
patty in conference with the employees
of the Gould system las summer, at
time when they came very near striking
upon the SCI me grounds, though probably
not so aggravated, as those upon which
they now sand. I was opposed to
strike at that time because l did not
think the men were ready to enter the
struggle which felt surs would ensue.
So far, since the strike has been on, they
have shown preparation and ietermln-
alton which 1 did not think tte7 could
last summer, and if they keep on as thev
have started, until the end is reached,
then will say they were right. But if
the men weaken,when the sticking point
is reached, then I will think they we're
hastY.
| do not want to be understood as
speaking in spirit of reproyal. NY
whole heart ls with my brothers in this
struggle, and my voice, and arm, if nee
essary, will ever be raised in their be-
half; but what want to say is, as l said
last summer: We should consider the
chances of success before precipitating
an open and general fight with the enc
mics of labor, and strike upon the most
extensive line of railroad in the coun-
try, and against combination backed
by venal government, il my opinion,
is very near the signal. II these men
were justified in striking thev sre justi-
fed in using any means TO win, acting
always on the defensive The other
side are the aggressive party in the start
and will continue so until conquered.
Now, if our men were not prepared to
carry the war into Africa, and conquer
in the end, then fear thu effects of de-
feat.
But, as Socialist, have no fault to
find with the present situation. If the
Gould strikers lose, 1t will open their
eyes to their uesituatlon and show how
futile are the attempts to better their
condition BY patching the old system,
and will make them look deeper for the
solution of the labor question. If they
win it will be by the united support of
every friend of the people, and will re-
suit in the overthrow of the privileged
dominant class, which will clear the way
to better order of things
THE ENQUIRER is with the strikers,
whether successful or not, and IL has the
fearlessness totell those of them who re d
this paper that if they surrender to state
militia and United States courts, that
they are towards, and had not sense
enough to know where they were going
when they started.
Workingmen of the United States
remember 1877, and stand ready to sup
port your brothers to the the bitter end