The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-08-17
A RIGHT NOT DENIED.

In the current North american Re
uaea0, ''The Lesson of the Recent
Strikes" is discussed by Gen. Nelson
A. Miles, u. S. Commissioner of Rail
roads, Wade Hampton, Harry P. Rob
inson, editor of the Raalaoay Age and
Samuel GomperS, President of the
American Federation of Labor.
Throughout the discussion there is
much sympathy expressed for the
workingmen and their cause. Gen.
Miles touches upon the power Of the
general government in the case Of dis
turbances, and shows wherein every
honest citizen of the republic is inter
ested in the preservation of law and
order. He gives brief description of
the scenes which occurred in Chicago
during the strike, and refers to the
presidents authority to use forces Of
the army and navy for the purpose of
preserving the public peace. This
authority is clear and indisputable,
though it may be assailed by those
who would prefer to gain their per-
sonal end even though they had to in
cite to all sorts OF violence to so at
tain them. Therefore the general
looks upon the discussion which has
been drawn out by the presidents ac-
tion as somewhat proftless, and thinks
it would ''be far better fer the labor
ingmen as well as all thoughtful Cit
liens, to turn their attention to i'm
proving the condition Of our people in
other and more peaceful methods.
He believes there has been too much
concentration in the cities, and thinks
more of our people should get out in
to the country, into the pure air
where they may cultivate the ground.
AS the importation of cheap labor
from China has been stopped, he thinks
more strict measures should be re-
sorted to, and more attention given to
the importation of cheap and degraded
Labor on the Atlantic coast. as it is
the infiammable nature of this class
which causes trouble at such times.
Mr. GOmpers, in his article, as a
matter of course, defends the strike.
Although very conservative in his posi-
tion, he maintains that the strike in
which thousands of men, who had no
complaint against their employers,
were ordered to quit work, was, justifi-
able. He looks upon the order Of the
court and the presence of troops, as a
menace to the strikers, though how
this could be, if they were peaceably
disposed and had no intentions OF
meddling with the rights and property
of others, he does not explain, One OF
the main points which Mr.. GOmpers
makes is in closing, when he says
s'We insist upon the right toorganize
the right to think, to act, to protect
ourselves, our homes, and our liberties
and work out our emancipation" 81
far as this is done in a peaceful man
ner, no one will question their right
This right has been recognized by tn
courts of this country in their decis
ions and orders relating to difference
between certain railroads and labor
The right which he insists upon wa
not questioned during the late dis
turbance. We hardly believe tina
Mr.. Gompers would claim as an in
corporated portion of that right, TIL
right to resort to violence, to interior
with the property rights OF others, a
an end to securing their own rights
This is the very point upon which a.
of the late trouble turned. Whe
labor leaders come out emphatic i
their opposition to all forms of vie
lence, and insist upon the preserv;
tion of law and order at all hazards
then all citizens could better take az
, vantage of Gen. Miles suggestion an
turn their united attention to Sin
proving the condition of our people i
{ other and more peaceful methods"