St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-14
JUSTICE To PULLMAN EN-.
PLOYES.

1t is due to the late employees of the
Pullman Palace Car company to state
that the suggestion of a general strike
of all workmen in their behalf was not
of their motion. When they cease
work they acted independently of all
other labor organizations. They had a
grievance against the company, and
just one. The wrongs they were suf-
fering were grievouS, and their cOndi-
ton awakened the sympathy Of the
whole country. They were fully juSti.
fed IL leaving the service of corpora
ton whose evident purpose. was to re-
ducs them to a condition bordering
upon slavery, and their conduct through
out the controversy that has succeeded
has reflected the highest credit upon
their manhood aud good citizenship.
Early in the DISPUTE the Pullman
works were threatened by incendiarles,
and the employees who remained in the
service of the company were menaced
with violence. In this emergency the
striking workmeu OF the corporation
rendered the services of an efficient
guard for the protection of the works
and the workers. pledglng themselves
that no act of violence or Incendiari SIN
should be committed while they were
on guard. The offer was contem ptu-
ously rejected by the company. When
money ran short and provisions in the
homes of the unemployed became
scarce, they did not counsel violence or
reprisal. BY one means and another
they managed to raiss enough money
to keep want at bay. Those of them
who were forehanded cheerfully con-
tributed to their less fortunate breth-
rem, and series of entertainment is
given for their benefit in Chicago re.
turned generous sum. They did not
appear in the role of Deggars .or outlaws.
They gave full equivalent for all they
received, accepting contributions only
when freely rendered, but asking no
aims. In all matters affecting them in
dIyidually they were manly and self
respecting. and as consequence they
have throughout retained the respect
and sympathy of the community.
Men may question the wisdo m Of the
Pullman strikers. Perhaps they would
have been wiser to endure the ills they
had than fly to others they knew not Of
One thing is certain: If they could
have foreSeen the consequences of their
act they would not have done as they
did, for they are rarely intelligent
and considerable body of men. And,
after others. out of sympathy for the m,
had plunged the nation into civil war
and devastated the whole country, they
were emphatic in their appeals for a
suspension of the work of destruction.
They united in an appeal to Mr.. Debs to
call the strike off, and that other and
less violent means be adopted for re-
dress of the wrongs of which complaint
is made. LII their manifesto of Thurs
day they declared that the da mage al
ready caused to the country had been
too great, and that the time has come
Tor suspension of hostilities. They
demanded no conditions Of surrender,
but. like brave men. were willing to
trust the future to the good sense and
patriotism of the American people.
They suggested, howev er, that efforts
be made to secure the peaceable arbitra-
ton OF all difficulties in the future. AS
for their own future. they are willing to
commit it to the keeping of their fellow
citizens. And here their confidence
will not be misplaced. Their griev-
ances are not underestimate. and the
high moral stand they have maintained
from the beginning will commend them
to consideration. Not one of them will
be allowed to suffer.
Too high praise cannot be bestowed
upon the late employees of the Pullman
company. If matters had been left TO
them, there would have been no general
strike. there would have been no in
cendiarism, there would have been no
murder. and the country would have
been saved from the humiliations that
during the last few weeks have caused
the cheeks of every true American to
Jingle with shame. With the scenes of
disorder the late Pullman employees
have had no part. They have not coun-
seled resort to forcible means in order
to emphasize their demands. but have
been consistently and unalterably OPP
posed to such expedents. They know
the necessity for law; they appreciate
the blessings Of good order. aud have
been consistent defenders of those al
tributes.
All good citizens will unite in doing
honor to the late employees Of the Pull
man company; for they have been hon.
est and honorable through many tr wing
days.