The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-02-07
GOVERNMENT By THE
PEOPLE.

Il
for a pretext to carp against repub
lican government in America, hav,
not failed to seize upon the recen
labor outbreaks as a theme for dis
course.
But these very outbreaks have
brought to the notice of the worlG
a feature of American life and gov
eminent of which every American
has reason to feel proud.
Labor troubles and lawlessness
are not peculiar to any country.
They are common the world over.
But in no country are they less
menacing to society or less danger
Gus to government than here. And
yet in no country is a larger free
dom or more rights given to work
ingmen, and in no other has the
cause of labor made greater pro-
gress.
To-day armed representatives of
the law are confronting bodies of
laborers in three States two of
them the greatest in the Union.
But no one sees in the situation
any menace to the government, any
peril to society or any trouble that
may not be easily overcome. No
one doubts the capacity of the pub
lie authorities to enforce the law,
maintain public order and protect
private rights.
The lawlessness committed or
menaced which gave occasion for
the call of troops is, of course, to
be deplored. But the muster of
the militia for the maintenance of
law and order is magnificent
illustration of government by the
people. Under despotic rule the
suppression of disorder beyond po-
lice control is the function of the
army. Here it is the duty, as it is
the privilege, of the citizen, who on
an hours notice drops his daily
pursuits and leaves workshop,
counting room and home animated
with the sentiment that the high
est duty of citizenship is to main
tain order no matter where or by |
whom threatened. Only while on |
duty is the guardsman a soldier. |
Once relieved he is again a citizen |
absorbed in the busy pursuits of
peaceful life.
The sentiment that animates the
militia called to arms is the senti-
ment that animates the entire peo-
pie. 1t is the dominant sentiment |
of the nation-namely, that while
the greatest liberty must be &C
corded every individual, there
must be no violation of private
rights, no invasion of public order,
no infraction of law. On deter
mined labor controversy, on great
strike conducted on legitimate
lines, public sentiment looks with
interest, with sympathy for the
side believed to be in the right, but
without interference. It is only
when either side goes beyond the
pale of the law that halt is called
md the edict proclaimed that no
awlessness, violence or disorder,
actual or threatened, will be toler-
lted or countenanced.
No matter which side may resort
o it that side will be called to ac-
count. While popular sentiment
condemned the men at Homestead
or the lawlessness they exhibited
t also condemned the action of
Iessrs. Carnegie and Frick in con-
-erting the mill while still re-
ounding with the hum of indus
ry into a fort equipped with death
Iealing devices, and also in i'm {
'orting a force of armed mercena- {
les instead of calling upon the
'ublic authorities for protection. !
While it condemns the lawlessness :
f the miners in Tennessee it also I
ondemns the State for establish f
ng a convict system which has no |
egitimate place in a community I
there all labor is free and all la r
orers are freemen. $
1.-THE disorders of this summer |
ave their deplorable side they al t
o have their congratulatory as /
ect, They have brought into {
right light the dominant force of \
ublic sentiment, which holds the r
maintenance of law and order !
bove all other considerations in a +
overnment of the people, by the 4
eople and for the people-a gov /
under which order is 1
Maintained and peace preserved,
OF by soldiers but by citizens
eW York Herald. Il