Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-23

tram - auN N4rA az - - e-~ "S-'N 49,
saw. Such q thing could not occur in
time Of peace in any civilized country
but the United States-and it is one Of
the highest tributes that could be paid
to the stability Of our popular govern
ment and the good sense Of our govern
ment officials and the American people
that 40 protest has been made against
the asinine movement. On the other
hand, by printing columns Of mat
ter about it the newspapers have
given a prominence to It without
which COxEY would never have
been able TO muster cor
porars guard to follow him
on his crazy mission. In other wordsit
is looked upon as grand joke which
the whole country is hugely enjoying,
and the curious spectators who will 90
TO MaSsilon TO witness the start Of the
army" will probably number twice as
many as the army itself.
II is, however, a show Of physical
force and It's insane leader is evidently
in dead earnest. or course, it can &C
complish nothing, except TO furnish
laughing stock for the country and
work for newspaper correspondents as
il marches on its way-if it ever does.
But there is something for serious con-
temptation in this movement. As the
Philadelphia Record points out, one Of
the arguments advanced in favor Of es-
tablishing the federal capital At Wash
ington was TO remove Congress
as far as possible from the
influence Of mobs. Had not
Maryland and Virginia made a cession
Of territory for the Government there
is no doubt that some other place far
remote from all centres OF population
would have been selected. For nothing
is more clear than the determination OF
Congress than the capital should not be
permanently fixed in New York or
Philadelphia. But modern conditions
have bafIled the prescience Of the early
statesmen, and the capital at Washing
ton has become almost as easy Of access
to mobs as is any other city Of the
country.
General CoxEY's intention is to
reach Washington with his hordes on
the 1st Of May, the international Labor
day, unless his progress shall be arrest
ed in an insane asylum or a jail. The
fanatical character Of the host and Of
its leader is written on their banners,
which bear the inscription: Peace on
earth, and to men good will, but death
to interest on bonds" There has been
no parallel 70 this movement since
the demonstration that caused the Lord
George Gordon riots in London, unless
It be found in the invasion Of the French
Constituent Assembly and the Conven-
ton by the Infatuated mobs Of Paris.
Crazy as is the demonstration, both In
its inception and in its object, the pub
lie authorities cannot afford to daily
with the lawless and desperate elements
mingled in this army OF craRks.
In the meantime while Genera"
CoxEY's crusaders are assembling, an
other army is preparing to march upon
the capital Of the nation. 1t has been
announced In the Protectionist organs
that 10, 600 members of the Protective
Tariff League will appear in Washing
ton on the 9th Of April to protest against
the Wilson Tariff bill. Some estimates
have been made that this army will be
swollen 10 10000. The public is as
sured that the League demonstration is
entirely peaceful, " the sole object being
TO persuade" the Senators mot 10 de-
stroy the industries Of the country" in
the customary cant of Protection. A
like assurance is made by General
CoxEY and his 6natieal lieutenants.
Lord GEORGE GORDON and his mob pro-
tested, too, that their sole object was TO
deliver a peaceful MEMORIAL to Parlia-
ment
The workingmen Of this country have
already spoken at the ballot-box on the
tariff, after 2 full discussion Of the Ques-
ton, and their representatives are de-
liberating in Congress. This movement
it is not for the purpose Of argument or
persuasion, but 10 overcome timid Sena-
tors by a demonstration Of physical
force, which, under the provocation OF
interruptions demagogues, may lead 10
violence. Rejecting and sober-minded
citizens Of all parties must be convinced
of the dangerous character of such cru
sades, and they should give them no
countenauce or hospitality. Between
General CoNEY's army Of fat money
fanatics and this Tariff League crusade
there is no essential difference in pur-
pose or spirit; and there is no reason
why they should not unite their forces
under the same chieitian when march
ing upon Congress.
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