Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-12
NO WELCOME FOR THE TROOPS.
The Soldiers Arrived 1t Homestead Unex-
pectedy.


The Soldiers Arrived 1t Homestead Unex-
pectedly.
Special Dispstch From . STAT Correspondent
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 12.-The reception
which the strikers gave the military cannot be
accepted as expression Of their real feeling
toward the troops who are occupying Home
stead. The descent upon the town this morn
ing was a surprise to everybody. It was known
that the troops should reach here this morning.
The people had been made to understand that
the regiments would land a. the Pennsylvania
depot and then take formal possession of the
town and perhaps occupy the works. Z.
Instead the plan given in The EVENING STAR
dispatches yesterday was followed exactly.
The regiments landed at the east end of the
village and occupied the works and Shanty Hill,
which commands the whole valley inclosing
Homestead. Less than 100 strikers saw the
troops leave the trains that brought them in
The engines had approached without whistling
and two regiments had possession Of 9Th avenue
and the hill before it was generally known that
q militiAman was In the valley. It was . good
thing 20 far as it went toward giving the mill
tary possession Of the town without mourning
the danger Of an unnecessary conflict with the
strikers and the useless bloodshed that would
have followed. But the act has prevented an
expression Of the real feeling which prevails in
the hearts of all but few Of the strikers.
These strikers are ike children, swayed in
one direction today and tomorrow fighting the
men who agreed with them yesterday. They
felt better toward the state troops from the
moment it was announced that the governor
had ordered the National Guard to come here
until yesterday afternoon, when some one was
foolish or shrewd enough to tell the mass meet
ing that Gov. Pattison had sent the troops to
protect the strikers from the Carnegie COM
pany and Pinkertons and that the settlement of
their grievances would be left as much in their
own hands as ever. Then they were urged to
welcome the troops and make demonstrations
on their arrival indicative of the Joy and glad
ness with which the protectors were welcome
1t was another deception practiced upon the
strikers, and Of as cruel and thoughtless ma
ture as the cry Of the Pinkertons approaching
which alarmed the town at midnight on Sat-
urday.
The leaders reasoned that if they could per-
suade the workmen to welcome the militia it
would strengthen the sympathy for the strikers,
which Is finding expression in SO many parts Of
strikers attacking the militia. II vas a brilliant
inspiration that planned q great popular re-
ception to the troops, but it was inexcusable,
even criminal foolishness to assure the multi
tude that the soldiers were coming here in a
perfunctory sort of a way and that the military
power Of the state would be exercised in be-
half of the strikers against the Carnegie
Company. This idea has been hammered into
the minds of Homestead folks with such forcible
plausibility that almost everybody either does
or affects to believe it.
By and by the revulsion will come and the
truth be plainly visible it ought to be now, and
as it would be were not mental blindness such
a universal complaint around this region
The troops come here to take possession Of
the Carnegie property and to turn it over to
the company. Then the company will bring
in its non-union workmen and may be its
Pinkerton watchmen, all Of whom will be pro-
tected by the soldiers. Such action on the part
of the troops is unlocked for by the multitude.
1 talked with at least hundred strikers today
and they were. without exception, satisfied
that the militia would do nothing more than
protect the property.
What Will these thousands of excited men do
when the truth is revealed to them? viii they
not lose confidence in their officers, and are
they not likely to break the fragile thread Of
discipline? There can be but one ending to
any conflict with ia troops, and the strikers
know it, but in their desperation-for not few
realize that they are practically defeated-they
may do some awful deed, the details Of which
will horrify the world. Already are the sus-
picions Of some of the more acute becoming
aroused, and instead Of the display of cordial
feeling which was promised yesterday by the
respectable minority there are sullen crowds
and ugly comments.
Diplomatic relations between the troops and
the strikers died before they were born. When
the reception program was broken up by the
unexpected arrival Of the troops, the ANAL
gamated Association officials were decidedly
annoyed, 80 an effort was made to organize
great parade Of strikers in honor Of the occupa-
ton Of Homestead by the army.
committee consisting of Hugh O'Donner,
]. h. Williams, John Clifford, Fred Stephenson,
Thomas ]. Crawford and D. C. Coon waited
upon Major General Snowden and informed
him as to their plans. Gen Snowden was polite
but positive. No one could doubt his
manner or miscontrue his language.
There should be no demonstra-
ton. He had come here with the
militia because the civil authorities OF Homo
stead were unable to uphold the law He did
not desire and would not have any relations
with either the citizens or the Amalgamated
Association.
The strikers are deeply ohagrined and can not
conceal it. Events are moving precisely as
indicated in some Of my earlier dispatches.
LAW RE-EsrABLIsHEp.
With barred arm and sword in hand outraged
law today re-estabbshed itself in Homestead.
Liberty no longer lies unconscious in the
streets bleeding from q thousand wounds in
ficted in her own name. Justice has ascended to
the seat Of power from whence 1t had been
driven by sanguinary passion and the Constitu-
ton Of the United States. somewhat battered
and frayed, but still good enough for daily use,
is more than a mere aggregation of words.
"Old Glory" with his golden stars glistening
in the sunlight and his silken stripes signal