The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-09
The commOnweaI Army Makes an
Assault on the Capitol.
A BIG ROW IS THE RESULT.

the pretty daughter of General Jacob S.
Coxey. the originator OF this Qaixotic APP
peal TO the Congress Of America. She was
dressed in white, as a symbol of her message
of peace, and mounted on her beautiful
white horse, she made pretty picture, but
one deserving of better setting. In direct
command of the army rode Coxey himself
in an open phaeton drawn by two handsome
ponies. The lieutenant under Coxey was
the notorious Carl Brown. He rode a great
grey stallion, which fell into line directly
behind the white -robed army of peace. But
toned tightly about his robust form was a
greasy horse-hide coat that he had never
parted company with since his long march
TO the Capital began. Not to be left out
in the cold Mr.. Christopher Columbus
Jones, the grand marshal of the Philadel
phia contingent, joined the tail end of the
procession, and at the head Of this relay
rode another lady on another big horse.
This horse was bay, and the lady on its
back called herself Miss La Velleite, and she
personifed the Goddess of Liberty. Her
head was covered with turban made of a
small United States flag, and she appeared
to be proud of her distinction, turning 10
cast a smile at Mr.. Jones, who rode in state
in a handsome cab few feet behind her.
The army carried slaves for weapons and all
sorts of things for banners.
Wheu they attempted as an army TO
march in to the Capitol grounds they were
rudely pushed back by mounted and un-
mounted policemen, and when their leader
attempted to make the speech he came 700
miles to make, he was gently but contempt
uously elbowed down the steps to the out
side Of the grounds by the captain of the po-
lice. He was not arrested, and he was not
maltrested but he did not make the speech
thst he had come to make, and with bis fail
ure all the glory and enthusiasm and right
eousness and stability of the cause of the
Army of the Commonweal of Christ seemed
TO go out like air from a collapsed balloon.
The big-lunged Carl Browne. indeed, at
tempted to exercise his rights" as he ex-
pressed it, and in spite of the warnings OF
the police he urged his $1,000 horse to jump
the coping that confines the Capitol lawn,
and then carried his brayado still further by
resisting the attempt Of the officers to re-
press him. He was jostled and pushed, but
not dubbed, and still remaining fractions be
was arrested and thrown into Jail. At
O'Clock he secured bail and was set at liberty
Unlike Coxey, Brown sought arrest, and is
now posing as a martyr, just as he intended
to do. The officers did not seek to arrest
him, but were compelled to.
Christopher Columbus Jones, of Philaiel-
phia, not to be outdone by Browne, raised a
rumpus also. and he, too, was placed in dur
ance vile, but no; having command of th;
financial resources that seem always open tC
Browne, he remained in Jail until the mex
morning when be was liberated.
WHAT coxEY WOULD HAVE SAID.
The following is what Coxey intended tC
say;
&" The constitution of the United States
| guarantees to all citizens the right 10 assem-
bic peacefully and petition for redress o
| grievances, and furthermore declares that
the right of free speech shall not be abridg
ed We stand here to-day 10 test these guar
antees of our Constitution. We choose thil
place OF assemblage because it is the proper
ty of the people, and if it be that the righ
of the people 10 peacefully assemble upon
their own premises and with their petition.
has been abridged by the passage of laws il
| direct violation Of the Constitution, we ars
here to draw the eyes OF the entire naticn.
up these steps the lobbyists OF trusts ant
corporations have passed unchallenged O,
their way TO committee rooms, to which we
the representatives of the tOiling wealth pro
ducers, have been denied. We stand her,
to-day in behalf Of millions Of toileIs
whose prayers have been unrespOnded to
and whose opportunities for honest remu
neraiive productive labor has been taker
from them by unjust legislation, which pro
tscts idlers, speculators and gamblers.
A" We come TO remind Congress of the dec
larltions of a United States Senator that fol
a quarter of century the rich have been
growing richer, the poor poorer, and that by
the close of the present century the middl,
classes will have disappeared, as the strug
gle for existence becomes fierce and relent-
less
we stand here 10 remind Congress of it.
promise of returning prosperity should tn,
! Sherman act be repealed. We stand here
through difficulties and distress, a march
unstained by even the slightest act which
would bring the blush of shame TO any, thai
we are law w-abiding citizens, and as such our
actions speak louder than words.
We are here TO petition for legislation
which will furnish employment for every
man able and willing 10 work for legisla
ton which will bring universal prosperity
and emancipale our beloved country from
| financial bondage to the descendants oi
| King George. We have come to the only
source which is competent 10 al I the people
in their day Of dire distress. We are here
to tell our representatives. who hold theil
seats by grace of our ballots, that the strug
gle for existence has become far too fierce
! and relentless.
We come and throw up our defenseless
hands and say Help. OF we and our loved
ones must perish We are engaged in a biz
ter war with the enemies of all mankind-s
war with hunger, wTetchedneSs and despair
and We ask Congress TO heed our petitions
and issue for the nations good a sufficient
volume of the same kind of money which
/ carried the country through one awful war
and saved the life of the nation.
In the name Of Justice, through whose
| impartial administration only the present
civilization can be maintained and perpetual
I ted by the powers of the Constitution oi
our country, upon which the liberties of the
people must depend. and in the name of the
/ 'Commonweal Of Christ, whose representa-
/ tiyeS We are, we enter a most solemn and
earnest protest against this unnecessary and
cruel act of usurpation and tyranny, and
/ thus enforced the subiugati0n of the rights
and privileges Of American citizenship.
We have assembled here in violation OF
no just laws 10 enjoy the privileges Of every
American citizen. We are now under the
shadow of the Capitol OF this great nation.
and in the presence of our national legisla-
tors are refused that dearly-5ought privilege,
and by the force of arbitrary power prevent
ed from carrying out the desire of our hearts.
which is plainly granted lder the great
Magma Charta Of our liberties
." We have come here through toll and
weary marches, through storms and temp
ests, over mountains and amid the trials Of
poverty and distress TO lay our grievances at
the doors OF our national Legislators and ask
them in the name of Him whose banners
We bear, IN the name Of Him who pleads
Tor the poor and the oppressed. that they
should he'd the voice OF despair and dis
tress that IS now coming up from every sec
ton OF our country; that they should CON
slider the conditions of the starving uuem-
plOyed Of our land and enact such laws as
Will give them employment, bring happier
conditions 10 the people and the smile of
c0ntentment to oui citizens.
Coming as We do with peace and good
will 10 men. we shall submit to these laws.
unjust as they are. and obey this mandate
OF authority of might which oyerrides and
outragsS the law Of right We appeal to ey-
cry peace loving citizen, every liberty-Iov-
ing man or woman, every one in whose