New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-03
UOVOP TO SENATOR DiTTS!

HONOR To SENIi Tux ~ ~
Senator Davis. Of Minnesota. has performed
n public service of hign quality which deserves
prompt and grateful acknowledgment. To re-
quest from Minnesota branch OF the American
Railway Union that he would support Senator
Kylcs resolution forbddng the intervention OF
National authority to hinder lawless men from
doing what they please with any train or part
of n train not essential 10 the transportation OF
the mails. Senator Davis sent an immediate re-
ply beginning as follows: IL have received your
telegram. ! will not support Senator kylcs
resolution" and ending with these impressive
words: You are rapidly approaching the overt
act OF lcvyng war against the United States.
and you will find the definition OF that act IN
the Constitution. | trust that wiser thoughts
will regain control. You might as well ask me
to vote 10 dissolve the Government between
the opening and closing sentences or DIS r'p!
Senator Davis cOmpactly states the case against
the hoycOttcrs and exposes the real character
of the Kyle resolution He says that the rcSo-
luton is directed against the real welfare OF
those whom 1t Is intended 10 serve, ana Is a
blow at the security, peace ana rights or MN
ions Of people who never harmed them. My
duty to the Constitution and the laws he re-
minds his correspondent, forbids me to sustain
n resolution 10 lcgalize lawessness. Inc same
duty rests upon yourself and your associates.
The first effect Of this firm declaration or
fundamental truth will probably be 10 eAaS-
perate those 10 whom It Is directly addressed;
but in the calmcr mood which will inevitably
come 10 them sooner or later while there ~ YET
fine TO stop their proceedings voluntarily or
after they have been crushed by thc gathering
forces Of civilization many of them VIII r"cog-
u,ze I'm the Senator from Minnesota far NOR"
faithful friend and adviser than the leaders
whom they are following To the verge OF anar-
chy But however slow their restoration 10
sanity NAV be. the mass Of the people VIII IN
stontly adopt as their own his statement OF the
nrlncIDlcS and obligations which this contest
involves He expresses their convictions M
fine when n fearless enunclation from the seat
Of Government of the essential meaning OF the
net, which iii the press and The public nina
WAS sorcly needed and In manner altogether
admirable If the Senator from Minnesota hau
done nothing else 10 promote the w"lfar' OF the
country. he would be worthy ~ lasting honor
and gratitude for this single service.
The folly and the wrong ~ Il general railroad
tc-up were apparent mt the outset, but many
Incidents have already occurred 70 acgrANai"
the outrage and increase popular Indignation.
The bovcott was only few hours old when ~"
operatives began io modest The trains which
they had refused 10 run. Not satisfied with
declining 10 work Themselves aud with persu1d
ing others not 10 I'll their places. they prac.
tcally took lawl'ss possession ~ hundred
points 81 railroads under their ban. iampcring
with switches. cutting trains I'm Two. dilrhiug
locomotives and Otherwise ohSiruc'lng traffic
not bv their idrn,,i. bu' 10y ih"r Internal ac'lY-
ifv Nor arc these the mosr odious things that
thov hoyr done 81 various times and places
,hcv have STONED 20 acts ~ malignant cruelty
which find a parallel only in The warfare 81
sovocrs Having kept traiulond- - passengers.
,,hns.. only offence wa, that they wcr" away
from home sidetnckcd all day In the hl'~t"ring
heat. they refused 10 let them draw water from
n public hydrant and threatened 10 blow mp "A
restaurant from which they hoped Ia obtain
SUNNY Of food In other Labor contests trains
hive been deliberately wrecked by strikers In
thc cXpeciatirn that slaughter of iunor'nis
would tcrrify the companies into submission.
and II j. entirely probable that a resort 10 such
tactics IS now contemplated by members 81 me
American Railway Union; but we do not Know
that more r,.voiting exhibition Of brutal mean
ness has ever been made IN the nam" or organ
jze1 labor than ths torture 81 helpless ana
blamcoss men. women and children last sun
day
Not only. therefore. the monSrous p'rv"ISion
OF IDEAS which originally led 10 The boycott, bui
the dctrStablc acts by which success j. sought
insure hearty appreciation Of Senator paviSS
rcsonic and luminous reply 10 The summons
from his own State Such declaration Of ei"r-
nal truth has an influence for good far beyond
ifs immediate visible effects. II clarifies IN"
thoughts and forliiics the will of millions who
want 70 be- on the right side. and s" makes
great and lasting contribution 10 Justice and
order