The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-11
MIR. DEBS is ARRESTED.
Indicted for Conspiracy BY a
Federal Grand Jury.
INSTRUCTIONS BY THE JUDGE.
The Question Involved Is Not the
Justice of the Strike.
United States Law Must Not BE Violated
INSTRUCTIONS BY THE JUDGE.
United States Law Must Not Be Violated
TO Efecr Any Purpose Trades Unions
Perfectly Lawful, but Sometimes
Used TO . Bad End.

sworn. theY were instructed as to their
duties by Judge Grosscup. as follows:
''GeHtiemen Of The Grand J,trg- You have
been summoned here 10 inquire whether
any of the laws of the United States within
this judicial district have been violated
You have come into en- atmosphere and
amid occurrences that may we'll cause
reasonable men TO question whether the
government and laws of the United States
are yet slpreme. Thanks TO resolute
manhood and 10 that enlightened inteili-
gence which perceiyes the necessity of
yindication OF law before any other ad-
justments are possible, the government of
the United States IS still supreme.
You doubtless feel, as do, that oppor-
tunities of life under the present condi-
tions are not entirely equal. and that
changes are needed TO forestail some of the
dangerous tendencies of current industrial
life. But neither the torch of the incen-
diary. the weapon of the insurrectionist
nor the inhamed tongue of HIM who in
cites to fire and the sword is the instru-
ment TO bring about reforms. To the mind
OF the American. TO the calm, dispassion-
ate, sympathetic judgment of race that
is not afraid 10 face deep charges and re-
sponsibilities, there has as yet been no ap-
peal. Men who appear as the champions
of great changes must submit to dis
cussion that reaches not simply the parties
interested, but the under circles OF society
and must be patient as well as preseverIng
until the public intelligence has been
reached and the public judgment made mp.
An appeal to force before that hour is a
crime. not only against the government of
existing laws, but against the cause itself,
for what man OF any intelligence supposes
that any settlement will abide which is
induced under the light OF the torch or the
shadow of an oyerpowering threat7
with the questions behind present oc-
cnrrences, therefore, We have, as ministers
of the law and citizens OF the republic
nothing to do. The law must be vindi-
Gated. Government by law is imperiled,
and that issue is paramount The gov
ernment of the United States has first to
protect itself and its authority as a gov
ernment, and secondly to protect its au-
thority over those agencies to which, un-
der the constitution and laws, it extends
governmental laws. For the former pur-
pose-namely, 10 protect Itself and its
authority as 3 government, it has enacted
that. Every person who entices sets on
foot, assists or engages IN any rebellion or
insurrection against the authority of the
United States or the laws thereof. or gives
aid or comfort thereto and two or more
persons in any state or territory who con-
spire to overthrow, put down or destroy
by force the government of the United
States, or to levy war against. or to oppose
by force the authority thereof, or by force
20 prevent, hinder or delay the execution
of any law of the United States or by
force TO seize. take. or possess any property
of the United States, contrary to author
ity. shall be visited with certain penalties
herein named.
"Insurrection is a rising against the
civil or political authority; the open and
active opposition of number of persons
TO the execution OF law in city or state
Now, the laws of the United States forbid.
under penalty. any persons from obstruct-
ing or retarding the passage of the mails,
and make it the duty Of the officers to ar
rest such offenders and bring them before
the court. IT, therefore, il shall appear TO
you that any person or persons have will
fully obstructed or retarded the mails. and
that the attempted arrest for such offense
has been opposed by such number of
persons as to constitute general uprising
in that particular locality and as TO
threaten, tor the time being, the civil and
political authority. then the fact OF an in
surrection, within the meaning of the law,
has been established. and he who by
speech, writing, promises or other induce
ments assists in setting il on foot or carry
ing it along, or giving il aid or comfort,
is guilty of violation of law.
1t is not necessary thai there
should be bloodshed: il is not
portentous as 10 insure probable success,
to constitute an insurrectIon. 1t Is neces-
sary, however, that the rising should be in
opposition to the provision of the laws of
the United States, and should be so for
midable, for the time being. as to defy the
authority of the United States. When
men gather to resist the political or civil
power of the United States, or 10 prevent
the execution of the laws, in such force
that the civil authorities are inadequate TO
put them down. and 3 considerable milf
tary force is needed 20 accomplish that re-
suit. they become insurgents, and every
person who willingly incites. aids or abets.
no matter what his motives may be, 10
likewise an insurgens This penalty is
severe. and. as have said, Is designed TO
protect the government and Its authority
against direct attack
There are other provisions of law de-
signed TO protect these particular agencies
which come within governmental CONTROL.
To these / will now call your attention.
The mails are in the special keeping of the
government and the laws OF the United
States To secure unhindered Transports
ton il is an offense 10 knowingly and
wilfuliy ohstruct the passage Of the mail
or anv carriage, horse or carrier carrying
the same IL is also provided that If
two or more persons conspiFe together 10
commit any offense against the United
States, and one or more Of such parties do
any act TO effect the object of the conspir-
scy, all parties thereto shall be subject 10
4 penalty. Any person wIifully or know
ingly doing any act which contributes or
is calculated to contribute 10 the obstruet-
ing or hindering of the mail service, or
" no willingly or unwillingiy takes part in
such act. 40 matter how trivial, II inten-
tional. is greatly IN violation OF
the nrst Of the provisions, and any
person who conspires with one or more
other persons. one Of whom subsequently,
commits the otlense. Is likewise guilty of
al offense against the n1ted states.
What constitutes conspiracy 10 hin
der or obstruet The msils viii be touched
upon in connection gIth the subject 20
which 7 nov call yoar attention. The
places The regulation OF coEa-
merce betaeen The several states and be-
tween the states and foreign nations
within the keeping Of the United states
Anything a h}ch IS designed
TO be TRANSPORTED for commercial purposes
from one state 10 another aud is actually
IN transit. or any passenger gho IS actually
engaged in any such interstate CONNER
cial transaction. and any car or carriage
actually tran sporting Or engaged IN trans
porting such passenger or agencies are
subject matter OF tnteFstase commerce, ana
any conspiracy In restraint cf snch trade
or CON nseroe is an e1enss against the
United States.
TO restrain Is 20 prohibit. limit. contns
or ahrs9ga a thing Ihe restraint mar ue
temporary or permanent. IL may he IN
Sf.rs.1s to- a