The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-26
SEATxaK. THURsDAf. arm -
1Hw pAssxK OF The SITUATION.

The conflict between tbs persons who
seized one N the trains Of the Northern
Pacific railroad and the United States au-
tAorsties Ia exactly what might have been
predicted. In theory large body OF un-
armed men from VARIOUS parts OF the
country can march on Washington with
peaceful purpose. even If their mission b
impsactieabge. and do no mischief; bat In
practice II is totally impossible.
Anybody who knows human nature
knows that in an ordinary public meeting
of fair intelligence men will do and say
things in the aggregate that 10 their cooler
moments they individually cannot defend
or approve. Oat OF this fact that the
touch Of the elbow makes men acting in
masses often act With unwisdom has given
rise TO the expression "a town meeting
run mad" II 10 the perception of this
fact that makes all civilized governments
delegate the powers OF life and death. of
liberty and property to legislatures, TO
courts and juries. rather than to . show Of
hands in town meeting; 1t 10 the percep-
ton Of this fact tina. makes stern military
discipline necessary even in patriot
armies of high intelligence and upright
enthusiasm. Thoughtful men know that
men In masses, representing various de-
Erees Of intelligence, moral sense, power of
self-fessraint, difference Of temperament
and mixtures Of motives are prone TO act
with unwisdom through the touch OF the
elbow.
The armies" moving on Warrington
City are beginning to show that the pace
tells. The army" OF Gen. Kelley 10 be-
ginning to grow insubordinase and rest
less under his authority. although IN COM
position IL IL the best OF them all. For one
man like Kelley. who seems to have some
Of the .ifts OF creditable leadership, there
are hundreds Of . more passionate temper
ament, who either do not know the law or
are Indifferent TO tho sequences of
breaking IL, and it was naturally to BE- ex-
pected that on the suggestion Of some in
temperate spiri, railroad trains would
ultimately 10 seized. If they refused to fur.
nish free transportation. This has hap
pened on the line OF the Northern Pacific
in Montana. and by this fatal blunaer the
men who stole this train arc at once
brought into collision with tho Federal
authority, - the Nor,hern Pacific is nov
IN the hands OF receivers appointed by the
United states court.
The consequence is the court has ordered
the United States marshal to recapture the
train. and In event of resistance 10 call
upon the Federal troops for assistance.
The Federal troops wiii be sure 10 retass
the train: the movement will become dis
credited with tne public, = fact tha; Gen.
Kelley perceived at once when he heard Of
she IawIess capture of thu Northern Pacific
train and the orders of the court TO re-
take 10.
naais'y sure TO take place. for it is itnpossi-
Tie that such a large crowd % men eogld
long continue moving acres. the country
without losing discipline and eommit,in :
tn thr mass lawless acts which individu.
ally very large number Of them would
no, defend. eu. would aisApproye. Be,
when men move together in masses, IN.
less they happen 10 have leader II e.csr-
tsonsl sense and discretion. they are
Amos, sure to commit acts Of folly and
iawlessness. and IL is quite probable tina,
Gen. Kelly Is right when lie sees the be.
ginning Of the end Of this movement, in
the seizure OF the Northern Pacific train
and The collision Of the "Inaus,riais"
With the Federal courts ana it's military
posse.
IL required no prophe. nor the soa of a
prophet a. predict ;has these large suAsse.
al men of various degrees Of intelligence
snd moral sense could not possibly al
reach Washington City without coming
inio collision with either the Federal o,
s1a'e avs, and the result wil be ,hatt hr
movement viii - greatly aiscredllea De.
fore It's vanguard reaches Washington
City.
Ii easy 20 understand how these acts
81 iswi~Ssnsss arise. Anybody Who ia,
eve read the ssary ~ Gen. Iscksaas cam.
paign against the Creeks q. the head q.
tas Tennessee militia a Il understand how
easily Eaea IN large hodle, become lswlss.
snd masinoGS Jackson sAss man Of CT.
sEaordihsfy nerve. courage, frnne.s
saFesdasss aad kaowletSs Of human
nature he was personally known 20 and
popular sith h.s men and yet h,, men .a
sepss,edly ma.tnied against his authority
that any less UaR thsa jackson sasla
have been ieis w.sb0et az army in to
midst of . wilderness
A lev rash, reckless spirits. wttA a sic
Of rhetoric and violent eco aeaer. ca,
easily persuade men ia tAe zaAss n Al
What they would individually hesssAs. n
undertake. and On sais account "a ls.afe
90 say that eontllels with the .ssal auihoT-
issss. beth state and Federal. sss naturally
10 &c expected gntn fiaslly these armies -
u 'u 3se 81 dlsintesFatssa consequent rpou
!as& Of exceptional use leadership and
ia3exlhls Discipline.
sla this account 1t Is matter for s.ncese
rsssss that aha movement Aas ever been