New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-09
ANARCHY AT TIE MINES.

ANARCHY At THE MINES.
There seems to be some reason for believing
that the reign Of violence in the mining re-
gions has eliminated and that from this time
the supremacy Of law will be gradually re-
established But if this proves to be the case
the restoration Of order will be due to a con
viction on the part Of the rioters that the forces
Of civilization were tardly gathering to oppose
and suppress them rather than TO a realization
of the enormitics Of which they have been guilty
and voluntary abandonment Of their pur
poses During this week in eight States crimes
have been committed in the name and pretended
interest Of organized labor. They varied in
Kind and magnitude but they We're all alike IN
the spirit which they cvinccd They included
several atrocious murders. but where mere
pillage was the only achievement Of the mob
It's temper was Enthusiastically murlcrous. And.
furthermore. passion seems nowhere 10 have
been so hot as to Danish calculation. That IS In
one sense the gravcst and most omlnouS aspect
of the case From condition Of frenzy re-
turn 10 saneneSS and rcmOrSe may be hopefully
anticipated The highest penalty OF the law is
reserved for those who violate it with dclbcra-
ton Justice IS always tempered with mercy
for individuals who are suddenly betrayed by
n tremendous impulse But il Is impossible 10
enter general plea OF momcntary madness In
mitigation OF the bloody work OF the last few
weeks. In most instances II has been not only
coolly planned and carried out but justified as
n necessity and even claimed as a virtue
Though it is startling TO find that 50 many
American citizens are capable Of committing
such crimes and Of defending them, reelection
suggests some definite causes for the horrible
pcrvcrslon Of ideas which has made them pos
sible The last National campaign was waged
by Democrats and their victory was won under
n banner which was inscribed with a INDUSTRIOUS
falsehood; and the leaders OF that party were
not ashamed to give their creed an even more
detestable meaning than It's phrascooey com
PEELED il TO carry. Mr.. Cleveland begged the
voters, and especially the wageearncrs' 10 be-
leye In the face Of facts which Overwhelmingly
refuted his prptences. that they were aiiiicted
and oppressed, trampled beneath an iron heel,
and sinking into bondage and beggary. lie
told them that the supporters Of n protective
tariff were promoting gigantic robbery OF the
many for the benefit OF the few, that It's bene-
Gciaries were receivers OF stolen goods. and
selfish, remorseless plundercrs Of their fellow
men. Thou shalt not steal" was his audaciOus
answer TO the arguments OF those who upheld
an economic policy which had produced mar
vellous National prosperity. Repeating in equal
" suggestive If more guarded language an
earlier invitation to reprisals by Oppressed
poverty and toll which, cxasperatcd by njus-
tice and discomfort, attacks with wild disorder
the citadel Of rule" he pointed to Homestead,
where "scenes are enacted In the very abiding
place Of high protection that mock the hopes
Of toll and attest the tender mercy the work
ingman receives from those made selfish and
sordid by unjust governmental favoriiism. 1t
may be unfair to assume that Mr.. Cleveland
Is capable Of approaching the full meaning OF
the words which he combines laboriously.
He certainly did not fOresee in July, 1892 when
he talked about governmental favortisn" 10
the owners Of the Homestead mills that he
would find it advisable to reduce enormously
under peculiar circumstances the fine officially
assessed upon them for supplying the Govern
ment with defective armOr plates. But he knew
that he wanted votes, and he had instinct
that an appeal to communstic passions would
procure them.
Other leaders Of his party initiated his OK
ample Anything to VIM was their battle
cry There was not group Of fanatics in the
country with which they hestated to affiliate.
No fallacy was grotesque or creed so dam
gerous as to exclude its opponents from the en-
braces OF Democracy. If their offers Of COM
promise were rejected, they checrfully made an
unconditional surrender. If their alleged prin-
ciples could not be conveniently secreted they
abandoned them Wherever evil prOpensties
promised to control votes they utilized them.
They inhamed the prejudiced. manipulated the
crcdulous, fortified the ignorant in their folly
and so gathered together a composite mob
which was expected to be- and in fact was, n
good enough party until after election 1t Is
not strange that thousands Of laborlng men,
first misled and then betrayed by such con-
spirators, should now put into action the here
sizes which they were encouraged to adopt and
promulgate in 1892. But understanding OF
the temptations TO which they have been sub
jected and compassion for the victims Of such
leadership cannot lead to liberation of their
crimes. An unappeasable hatred Of the meth
DDS which they are employing 10 accomplish
their objects is obligatory on every honest cti-
zen of the United States, and II necessary that
hatred will have 10 be expressed In an enlist
ment Of all the forces which lawful authority
can summon to its service. II the Anarchists
Of the mining regions will not yield either to
reason or to fear they must be crushed. Their