The record-union., 1894-07-28
WHEN UNCLE SAM INTERVENES
AND WHEN BE DOES NOT.

AMI w LIN he 0OIc NO4s
There are not wanting citizens who
still contend that the sending of Federal
troops to quell the Debs instruction in
Illinois was an invasion of the right of
the State and therefore indefensible.
But this judgment is the result of
false premise. The Federal Government
did not send troops to enforce and UNFOLD
the laws of Illinois, or to interrupt any of
the lawful functions of the State What
the President did do, was to send troops
to enforce laws of the United States, and
this was his bounden duty.
The mob in Chicago was committing
two foul crimes, namely, violating the
laws of the State in destroying order,
and substituting riot for peace. at the
same time it was crossing the laws of the
United States at right angles, which
guarantee the peaceful passage of COM
merce from one State into and across
another, and also interrupting the pas
sage of the mails. of the carriage of which
the Federal Government has the mo-
nopoly.
1t makes no sort of difference that in
enforcing respect for and observance of
Federal laws, regard for and obedience to
State laws resulted. It was impossible to
draw line in the midst of riotous action
and SLY thus much is against State law,
and thus much is against Federal au-
thorfty.
When Federal soldier spits rioter on
the bayonet he cannot determine whether
the motive of the criminal relates in part
TO State law; it is sufficient for the soldier
to know that he is resisting one who is
also defying Federal authority.
OF course, as Governor Altgeld said, it
is the right of the State to preserve order,
but when he said it the State was not do
ing that duty. OF course Mayor Hopkins
was correct when he declared that it was
the right of Chicago TO suppress the riot
ing. But Chicago failed to do it; she was
not equal to the task apparently, at least
under the leadership she had.
So those who go about waving their
arms and preaching the sacredness of
States rights and the right of the State to
whip her own unruly children, must not
forget that if these rebellious urchins
mount Uncle Sans fence as a vantage
ground he will not stop to consider
whether the State is basting them on its
side. His duty is to punish them from
his own side and drive them from their
position.
Had these 'unruly children as one of
the municipal authorities of Chicago de-
nominated them. not have stopped the
United States mails or barred interstate
commerce passage, but have gone over to
the north and west sides of the windy
city and have there fred ths great lum-
Der yards and have beaten and killed
Chicago citizens or dwellers within her
gates, Uncle Sam would have slept in his
barracks and have paid no attention 10
the lawlessness until Governor Altgeld
had appealed to him for help, and have
announced the inability of Illinois. In
that event Uncle Sam would, as in duty
bound, have proceeded to put down that
which by the Governors appeal was ac-
knowledged insurrection.
1t is well for the people to inform them
selves upon these questions and to be-
come cIear-minded as to the lines within
which the Federal Government may act
OF its own motion, and the wider boun-
oaries within which it is bound to come
to the help of State to assist in mann
tanning its Independence, and in securing
to the people thereof republican form
of government