The Wilmingtonian., 1886-05-08
VOL. VINO. 221
Boycott the BOycotters.

There is something sadly out of point when
a set of men in any community can intimi-
date and over-awe peaceful and Legitimate
business methods.
There has been introduced into this city
during the past few weeks. under the uame
of s'boycott," system which will practical
ly destroy every department of legitimate
industry if said system be allowed to take
root in the soil
'sBoycott" we claim is a harsh, forbid
ding ard rerulsive term--it is antagonistic
to the fundamental principles of our most
cherished institutions-it is wholly and sole
ly anti-American.
Boycotting may terrorize business inter
ests and dictate for a season its own terms,
but what must the harvest be under such an
irrational regime?
The desperado,who confronts you with the
regulation order Of "stand and deliver" is
entitled to more favor than he who clandes-
timely and by implication seeks to destroy
your business interests.
The Boycott is corrupting in its concep-
ton, demoralizng in its operation, is the
outgrowth of an unhealthy and unnatural
mind that results too often in an attempt at
mob rule. 1t is antagonistic to good gov
ernment, and is only potent to check the
growth of true, noble civilization. 1t was
born in ignorance, and is to-day condemned
by thinking and oonsiderate men, iIrespec-
tive of station or position in society, and
public opinion is fast waking up to the de
termina tion to stamp out such an un-Amer
lean practice from the country. This will b
done by the workingmen, for they are reali2
ing that it is a blot upon their escutcheor
But outside of all of this, the great cham
pions of boycotting-the rank and the fl'
who believe that boycotting is sharp wea
pon-are learning to thcir sorrow that it is
two-edged sword which, as time goes on, il
more likely to cut them than those the
claim as adversaries
Boycotting, intimidating, arson, aud bloc
shed, are the methods Of an infuriated mob;th
one begets the other tits the duty Of eve
lover Of peace and harmony, of every enem
Of riot and lawlessness, to take decide
stand and let the people know whore the
are.
The Morning Neos of Thursday says I'll
incursion of the boycotters among the me
chants of Wilmington, which was effecte
yesterday, raises some serious questions {
to the maintenance Of private rights in th
city. Has it come to this that so e lawles
unsc.upulous and incendiary mir&sed scou
drels can associate themselves together, ar
use the organization thus formed for the il
vasion of private business rights with imp
nifty? There is no question of any kind
tween the Knights of Labor and any of Il
business men whose names are on the ho
cotting cards which Mr.. Matthew Colwt
had in his pocket early yesterday mornin
Some OF these merchants have not even be-
asked to do anything by the Knights of 1
Dor. In such case what protection or s
curity docs Wilmington business man pt
sess None at all absolutely none. He
the helpless victim of any blackmaili
scoundrel whose enmity happens to be tul
cd toward him, and so far as his intenti
and purpose go, he is ruined man. AS
matter of fact he is not ruined, because
good sense of the people-even of many
the members of the. organizations VIII
power is thus abused-revolt at such gr'
injustice. The common sense of everybc
discerns that if this secret and irres ponsi
intermeddling with private affairs was to
come general and habitual, there would be
possibility cf maintaining organized soci
at all, and so by the Spontaneous insti
and movement the established order is
tected and made secure at every assai
point, We may say here that there is
higher or more peremptory duty resting II
the American citizen to-day than to ext
this relief and protection. You are safe
day and your neighbor is in danger, but
less you support your neighbor against
danger which threatens him he will
down and then your turn will come.
True or not True.
In Tuesdays issue of the Republican
pears the following statement S.