New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-07
PERELLjON AGAINST Law.

Grand Master Powderly has no knowledge OF
the new orders given to resume the oou'""es'
cen strike. kilograms state chat he Is iy'ne
sick at home, and by orders of physicians ana
the care of his wife denied all papers, tcie-
grams. or other information about the STRIKE
When he is well enOdgh, he will find 1t neces-
sary either to resign or to suppress the ihsur-
rection against the principles which, as man
fuly stated by him, have commended his or
panization TO the respect and confidence OF law
abiding citizens. The Executive Committee,
forced to act without hin. have submitted to
the dictation of Martin Irons. They were
forced to do hat, or to face split in the order.
But split, or even complete dispandmeh''
would be better than the disgrace and defeat
which will befall the organization II IL Is per-
mtted to place itself in rebellion against the
laws of the country, as well as against Its own
avowed principles
TIE struggle has changed its form. 1t is no
longer a contest by legal and peaceful means.
At Fort Worth Knights of Labor have shot
down four officers of the law in the discharge OF
th,ir duty. Responsibility for this crime Is de-
med by the organization as such. But the or
ganzation as such ordered men to cease run
ming trains, and declared openly that no trains
should be allowed TO run. just before the hight
members of the order suddenly disappeared fI0m
about the depot and yard. Officials and active
men of he organ cation stopped the train outside
the city. and active men of the organization
DersonaIly handled the deadly rifles and coin
mltted the crimes Members of the organlza-
ton shield and hide the perpetrators. In their
success the organization triumphs, and profits
by il, and warns other officials ana conductors
that their lives will be in danger If they try to
run TRAINS Thus what the organization wanted
done and threatened to do, actually was done,
and by its own active members, anu II prohted
by the deed, and uses fear of repetition or the
deed to carry its point, and yet claims that 1t is
not at all responsible.
So at East st. Louis trains have been stopped
for many days by mob. The purpose OF the
mob is the declared purpose OF the knghts OF
Labor, to stop the running of trains. The con-
duct OF the strikers is constantly IN violation OF
law. Says a dispatch on Monday I" Men who
wanted to work were persuaded with coupling
pin or a club to change their minds" This Is a
crime against free workingmen, as the forcible
stoppage of trains is a crime against the State
and society. The leaders of the organization
triun,phs in its success, and profits by that sue
cess and threatens its repetition. Can it still
say that it is not responsible
The Knights of Labor as an organization has
entire power to stop these crimes instantly Not
q man doubts that. One order to Its members
would guard every train, as safely as such
orders guarded railway property at Sedalia
when the last strike took place. Then the or
ganizaton Obeyed and upheld the law, and thus
commended itself TO the confidence of good cltl-
zens. Now il refuses TO prevent crimes against
the law, but profits by them, and relies for sue
cess upon their perpetraton When law Is de-
fed, no matter in what cause, all other issues
must be put aside until the supremacy OF the
law has been vindicated. The authorities of
Missouri, Illinois and Texas. representing two
parties but one authority, thai of great self
governing people, are bonnd to suppress this
rebelio against the laws without delay or
com promise, and at any cost.