New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-08
Tile EMERGENCY.

The gravity Of the situation at Chicago Is due
TO the fact that the Governor Of the state has
constituted himself the moral leader Of rcvolu-
tionlsts in resisting the authority Of the United
States Government. Tho mob has become
powerful and bold because It was not promptly
suppressed by city and State authorities. The
stoninC of an engineer who tried to do his work
with fidelity, the overturnlng and burning Of
cars, proved the Governor falsihcr in stating
that the city and State authorities are able and
willing TO maintain order, and that the only
difficulty is the lack of men to run trains. 1t
IS an ineffaceable disgrace 10 one Of the great
States that its Executive should be guilty Of
such mpudent untruth, but the sympathy with
riot and Anarchy which he manifess Is more
than dlsgraceful. 1t IS in the last degree dan
gcrous, because it gives encouragement 70 rcvo-
luton.
Three Governors elected by Democratic votes
are now denying the right of the United States
to enforce its laws and are therefore essentially
traitors IF municipal authority fails. the sworn
duty OF the State IS TO maintain and 10 enforce
law If the State fails. the sworn duty OF the
United States Is TO maintain and to enforce law.
The bare fact that lawlcssncSs exists which the
city does not stop is enough for the State. The
bare fact that lawlcSSncSs exists which the state
does not suppress is enough for the United
States Government. Above all and nj any cost,
we must have law. and any man deserves hang
Inc. whether he be the Governor Of the State
or a railway switchman. who attempts 10 pre-
vent the prompt and faithful enforcement of the
law against all who defy II.
There Is amazing ndcccncy and mendacity In
the assertion that trains do not run because
men cannot be found to run them. Governor
Atgcld Is perfectly aware that mobs stop trains,
because but for mobS they would move. Inc
strikers would have sense enough 10 abstain
from threats and stoninG. from destruction ana
hlockading OF tracks aul wrccklng Of property.
II the roads could not find men 10 operate their
trains. Every stone thrown. every switch mis-
placcd. every car overturned on the tracks.
proves the Governor OF Illinois a shameless
falslncr. Ex-Governor Palmer. Democratic
Governor who went beyond reason himself IN
dlsputing the right II United States forces 10
interfere FOR The maintenance 4 order in Illinois,
now manfuy says:
We're President q the United States. l would
send 20 Chicago every soldier In the Army whom
| could spare from the protection ~ other points.
There should DE no tcmporizug. II s. criminal -
temporze . II the law is wr1ne. change II. but
obeycd there mus, be force enough Present 70 com
pei obedience. A. the Governor did not act.
the President had 20 act. And De iii act Ana /
uphold him.
The only danger IS that he President may
hesitate too long - usc the vast power hc has
for The suppression = lawlcs, violence. d..
patches make the om.npuS suggestion THAI the
little force at Chicago may be- used only 10
guard Government property from Interference.
The splendid armies ~ York. Pennsylvania,
Massachusetts and other States are under The
orders 81 HE President - enforce Oh" laws
wherever The United states may Mood them.
Nothing but weakness and INDIGESTION can sur or
the flag Of the Nation TO ho dolcd with immunity
for twenty four hours Martial law backed los
n half million men II necessary. ought ~ %" In
stantly and infinitely preferred 10 rapidly grow
ing Anarchy.