Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-06-15

ing of an army of men from the states of
Washington, Idaho and Montana, across
the entire width of the continent, to the
seat of government at Washington, can
be the source of nothing but annoyance
and trouble. 1t can have no healthy re-
suit. It aims at the intimidation of those
who have been elected to represent the
people. And, in the very beginning Of
the march, it has seen lawlessness, in the
taking possession of trains, by force. If
the people of Washington, as the Coxey-
ties state, are dissatisfied with their rep
resentatives in congress, they have a
powerful and effective resource-the
ballot. If they control the major por-
ton OF the voters in the state-in other
words, if the people at large believe as
they do-one simple election will remedy
the evil. If they have not the majority
Of the people with them, they cannot,
certainly, expect to convert them by such
means as are employed by them at pres
enu. In either event, the marching of
whatever number OF them to Washing
ton, can have no effect but that of Great
ing disturbances, dissatisfaction, and a
spirit Of opposition to law and order.
The TRIBUNE asks that the matter be
considered fairly, squarely and honestly
by every person. It is not a matter of
party politics. It is one which concerns
the safety of the whole people. The
TRIBUNE has at no time designated the
members Of the Northwest industrial
army as buns and hoboes. It is willing
10 accept the statement made last night,
that they are all laboring men. :. But it
cannot appreciate the wisdom of their
actions. T. was said last night that the
members of the army were not looking
for work-they had enough to do in pro-
viding labor for others. Is theirs a salu-
tory example to set for those for whom
they claim to be attempting to provide
work? For every laboring man who has
ceased his work to join the army, just so
much as his earnings would be is with
drawn from the purchasing power of the
laboring class. just SO large a burden
as his support equals is added to the toll
OF his fellows. Just so much of industry
is stagnated, and just so much are con
ditions made worse. The number who
are IN Bismarck at present can have no
cause to complain of their treatment.
Through the spirit of kindness, fraternity
and liberty of the same government, in
the direction of whose overthrow the
Coxey agitation is nothing less than a
move, they have been unmolested, aided,
and permitted to speak at public meet
ings to those who wished to listen. No
interference was made with their privil-
eyes, rights or liberties as free-born
American citizens. This morning, the
whole number boarded a train, and it re-
quired the presence of peace officers to
induce them to r%elinquish the possession
OF one or two cars. Was this reciprocal
respect for the rights of others? Did it
serve to increase the regard of the army
for law and order, or did it create a NUT
tering against what they supposed the
injustice of the proceeding? And, had
their number been increased tenfold, is it
to be supposed that they would have
submitted, without Il greater degree of
trouble? A grave question is involved,
and if the several armies are to have the
sanction of officials, it is difficult to see
where the matter will end. Nothing is
so easily encouraged-no spark is so soon
famed into fame-as a spirit Of dis
satisfaction and rebellion.