New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-26
TIE MINERS STRIKE.

In several States OF the Union numerous
bands of men who were lately working in mines
are now endeavoring. with various degrees or
success 10 prevent other men from taking their
places They have for the most part abandoned
the arts of persuasion and rcSOrted 10 threats
and force to accomplish their purpose. Their
anger and resentment are daily increasing, ana
daily finding more frequent expression In acts
of violence Perhaps q score of lives altoge'her
have been taken at various points In the course
of aggression and resistance, and there Is no
present certainty that the number of victims
NAV not be multiplied indefinitely before order
has been restored.
OF course the strikers have n grievance. They
complain that their wages were cruelty cut
down, and that working ar the reduced scale
would mean not merely acquicscence In oppr"S
sion but want and misery. To prevent such
consequences they have made common cause
against their former employers. and agreed 10
win or lose together. They have perfect right
70 take this view Of their situation and Of the
conduct which has produced IT, Their deter
mination 10 help one another 10y relieving the
destifution Of individuals and cxertinS their IN
Thence as n unit is lawful and, except possibly
ON the score OF immediate eXpcdency. com
mendable At that point they are within their
Obvious rights and deserving Of sympathy. For
thc,r work is hard; their circumstances in life
are cheerless and their employers are generally
believed to have deliberately adopted course
of action which has established conditions OF
ncclliar hardship not only at the mines, but
throughout the country aud which has justly
provoked the censurc Of rght-mindc1 citizens
familiar with the operation Of the coal com
binaton.
But the miners have made n fatal mistake
some of them through Ignorance. some In utter
rccklessness and all under the influence or evu
leaders They have proceeded on the theory
that others have no rights which they are bound
to respect. and that society can be made to tot
crate that assumption. In particular. they nave
resolved that others shall not be permitted 10
do the work which they refuse 10 do except on
their own terms; and TO carry out that resolve
they have been willing and are now becoming
eager TO shed blood 1t is true that the conduct
OF not few public authorities has encouraged
them to believe that the law would be officially
| violated and society betrayed In their behalf
| The demagogucs who occupy executive chairs
| in several States have done what they could 70
spread this miserable dclusion, and even now
| are promoting the DEMONSTRATION OF anarchy IN
| the United States. But they will not have their
way. The foundations Of social order In this
| country are too firmly settled 10 be overthrown
| by these creatures OF an hour, or by the mis-
crcants who have derived comfort and conf
dcnce from their example.
| A vast majority Of the American people have
n firm hold on the fundamental principles OF
civilization and IN invlnciblc purpose to main
tain them The right OF every man to take hon
est work wherever he can get It and at what
| ever price he chooses TO accept Is involable,
| and In that right he must and eventually VIII
be protected by all the resources which are
| organized in the support Of law and order. II
the right and the obligation are not universally
recognized at present. and If in consequence
conflicts arise, a terrible lesson may have to be
| administered But It will be a righteous and
| a convincing lesson.