The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-08-24

pathizers with the strikers and to a
small number of irresponsibles in the
ranks of the unions; but that view of
the case is undoubtedly giving way to
this-that the animating spirit of many
of the unions is anarchistic. IT the
latter view is unjust, why do not the
unions boldly and Enthusiastically side
with the officers of the law? Why do
they not aid in investigating the crimes
committed, instead of thwarting in
vestigation as far as possible2 Why
are not guilty members publicly ex-
PEELED, with disgrace written on their
foreheads? 1t was a frequent remark
at the time of the Homestead riot that
it was the presence of the Plnkertons
that caused the crimes committed. 1t
was asserted that the members of the
amalgamated association were eager
for order and had no thought of attack
ing property. But there have been no
Pinkertons at Buffalo; the legally con-
stituted authorities have protected life
and property, and the militia certainly
did not act as an exasperating inhu-
ence, for it did not appear on the scene
until the incendiarism had occurred.
The conclusion is that strong and in
iuential portion of the switchmen were
bent on doing injury to the property of
the railroad company because the COM
pany would not raise their wages, and
that violence would have occurred at
Homestead had no Pinkerton men APP
peared.
Unpleasant as this conclusion is,
we do not believe the fabric of society
in the United States, with its govern
ment by the people, is to be completely
rent by these anarchistic elements.
Those who own more or less property
are too numerous to permit the theory
and the practice of anarchy to have
clear field. 1t is not difficult for an in
dustrious workingman to reason that if
the property of railroad company can
NC Durutu VI COuuoCdtcu at lue VIII VI
a mob his own small fortune, invested
in home or farm, will be less secure
from loss. The farming element of
the country-that great body of con-
sentative men-will always be opposed
to lawlessness in any form. The men
of intelligence and moral force through
out the country will fight anarchy by
every means, and in this age of intel
lectual and moral forces the influence
of this class is all-powerful. Moreover,
the leaders of the unions, so far as they
are honest men, must in time see the
utter folly of warming the viper of
anarchy by their firesides. AS peo-
Pile, we are still law abiding, and
gospel of reverence for the law, if it is
preached as it should he in the coming
years, will strengthen the bonds with
which legal procedure has bound us to
peace and order.
1t is hardly to be expected that an
archism will have an end while labor
unions retain their dominance over the
life and labor of their members. While
men continue to intrust their judgment
and individuality completely either to
walking delegates or a majority of the
members of their union, these troubles
will continue. 1t is quite probable,
however, that the influence of the
unions will grow steadily less, as spirit
of fair play becomes more marked
among both employer and employed.
The latter will assert his individual
manhood and will regard a contract
made with an employer as promise
which he is in honor bound not to
break, without warning, at the dicta-
ton of others; the former will take a
more sympathetic interest in those
whom he employs and he will remem-
Der that noblesSe oblige. The interest
of both parties is bound up in pro-
found regard for the inviolability of
contracts and the protection of property.