The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-05-26

danger point and it is only mitigated in his
case by the fact that, unlike the organization
of employers, he could not execute his threat
as they can theirs. Such condition of
society is tribal, pirstical and totally de-
structive, both of society and commerce. and
the danger is not so evident now, bad as the
examples have been, as they will be in
future, unless the law shall take this power
full weapon out of the hands of all organized
bodies, whether of labor or capital.
This condition is potential war. 1t is war
without bullets; but one need not be a
prophet to see that the application of the
principle involved can go but one step
further without an inevitable social catastro-
phe. Suppose that one-half million of
men, and by the indirect influence of this
half million another half million additional
were thrown suddenly out of their livings by
an act precipitated possibly by dozen men.
Whether this was caused by labor or CAPT
tai organization, its results would be the
most bloody snd destructive of revolutions,
that would not come from any preparation
but from the momentum of such vast num-
Der OF men suddenly arrested in its normal
motion.
To say, in the face of such glaring facts as
these that Congress, the power we haYe
created exactly for the purpose of prevent
ing such an accumulation of power under
an individual will, should do nothing, is the
last argument of imbecility, and if the
country has reached this condition of imbe-
cility, it is as certain to collapse as fate. The
American people can not entrast so much
power anywhere outside of the Government
which is the organized coordinate of the
whole people-any more than it can admit
that Mr.. Irons and the President of the cot
ton spinners shall be allowed to organize an
army for each others destruction.
This involves question of the policy of ad-
hitting to people the right to organize for
any purpose, and therefore involving that all
the legitimate work now accomplished by
organized individuals and corporations shall
be done by the Government itself, or else
shall not be done at all. OF course this is
totally out of the question, because it would
INVOLVE an autocracy that even if created
'ould not become in any degree equal to
hework. The only other view left is to adj
nit the right to organize, but to define the
overs that organized bodies shall exercise
ylaws that would preserve the equities be-
Neen them and society. 1t follows that Just
and equity of powers should be conferred
the law in order to make it effective and
far as experience can guide, the bills be-
e Congress do this as far as possible.
The evil of giant monopolies is as great
as before the strikes, and now the lat
are subsiding, organized monopoly is
nenting its power with the fears of anar-
that some untoward occurrences pro-
ced during the strikes aroused. 1t is the
spectre so long used by Napoleon in
! ance to influence the bourgeois to imperial
n. But it is as certain that they must be
strained as the country exists, and there is
- way for solution that does not involve
taceful. gradual remedies by the Govern
b, ent, or else leave the factions to settle it in
Ieir own way, by force.