The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-23
That Carnival of the Cranks.

The theory upon which our govern
ment is founded aeeords ample chance
for the proper expression of public
opinion with reference TO national
legislation, passed, pending or pur-
posed, without occurs to mob upris-
ings, populistio ssdition or crack
Drained crusades on the part of an
irresponsible rabble. 1t is competent
for any citizen or number Of e~itiz5us
to avail themselves of the right Of
petition, to send delegates to Washing
ton, to confer by mail or personally
with their representatives in congress;
and, finally, to resort to that sovereign
remedy, the ballot. In timas o! peace,
no condition can be imagined which
would, after these methods Of recourse
had been exhausted, necsssitate add
tionRl action. The processes Of orderly
argument aud amicable request are
adequate to cover any and all emsr-
genciss not belonging TO war, riot,
sedition or rebellion.
In point Of ~uuftness, ths present
congress has won uncommon notoristy.
1t has violated sacred pledges, tramplsd
upon popular rights and persisted Ia an
economic agitation which, il could
plainly see, was precipitating business
st~ringency, industrial ~staguatlou and
general suffering. Under the lash Of
rebel origadisrs IL has rushed through
q programme OF sectional revenge, aud
has deliberately chosen a policy whose
practical effect upon the great mass Of
our citizens has been destructive TO
industry. SubVer5iy5 to prosperity aud
ruin0ui to all those hopes which de-
yelop upon q basis Of widespread
tranquility. But it is not to be over
looked that the people themselves dsliO.
erately cnoss such legislative servants,
replacing, when they did so, servants
who had accorded to the nation, 30 far
as legislation could influence it. a
measure Of popular prosperity beyond
precedent in the annals OF the repuU.
lie. In sucl q situation, it becomes
disaffsctel voters TO restrain their in
dignatiou until it can take practical
and legal expression at the polls; and
not, through tramp gathering, or dis
orderly asssmblages, to seek to visit
upon the Democratic majority in cor.
gress a vengeance which belongs pri.
marily TO the people who selected that
majority and who ought to have known
at the time that they were playing
with FIRE.
Ia the crisis which c~onfronts the res
idents OF Washington, whose streets
are about to be invaded by the rowing
Migrants, enthusiasts and outcasts that,
together with a mOdicum Of sincere
pilgrims unbalanced by the gravity Of
the present business epidemic. form
what is known as Coxey's army, there
is but one sentiment among the people,
and that is the sentiment Of pity.
There must be hrmness on the part Of
the district officials else will this inva-
sion have most disastrous results. But
greater, even, than this responsibility
10 that which rests upon the admins
tration itself, which, by It's course in
trucking to the ill-balsnsod minds
that form the froth and foam OF our
electorate, has invited this invasion &.
and cannot, sither with consistency
turn it away, or. with sslf-respect, re-
ceive it. The episode from its very in
ception has been the most potent Of all
possible arguments against the further
supremacy of a party which owes its
power to agitators OF the Coxsy stamp.
and yet 1t is an argument that 10 in it,
self a humiliation and. in some senses,
a national disgrace.