Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-05-04
BY NJ. III.
WHERE WILL 1T END?

WHERE WILL 1T END?
WHEN Gen. j. Sink.or-Swim Coxey
formulated his plan for the marching of
an army of the commonweal to the ma
tional capital, he very probably did not
pause to think that he was in immediate
danger of starting something, which it
might take a greater portion of the au-
thorities of these United States to stop.
Or, if he did think of it, he probably
cared little whether he did or not. Men
of his kind seldom think very earnestly,
beyond their own concern, and Gen.
Coxey saw no danger to himself, and
perhaps a considerable notoriety. The
movement Of Coxey ties has been gener-
ally condemned by the conservative ele-
ment of the nations people-not because
there was any desire to curtail or abro-
gate any of the liberties of men, but BE-
cause of what might grow out Of it.
There was danger of the commonweal's
crankery being carried to excess, through
the too great enthusiasm of some of the
leaders in various parts of the country,
with a result that some conflict between
the "armies' and the authorities might
follow. Conservative people saw this,
and deprecated the movement. Others,
who were not inclined to look ahead,
criticised this condemnation of the
Coxey movement, said the men we're
privileged to march to Washington if
they chose, that this was a country
where freedom of movement was both
preached and practiced, and that on
these grounds, criticisms of the Coxey
movement we're harsh and unjust, and
that those who made them were s'pluto-
Gratis" and sautocrats'' and not in touch
with the people.
AS was expected and predicted by
those who looked upon the army of the
commonweal with disfavor, the trouble
has begun. A mob, out in Butte, desig-
mating themselves a branch army of the
commonweal, begin upon the exercise of
the God given freedom of movement, so
t%ouchlngly ascribed to mankind by the
Coxey s~ympathisers, by stealing a freight
train bodily, from a railroad company.
They further demonstrate their freedom
and liberty and privileges by running
this stolen train over a line of railroad,
occupied rightly by numerous other
trains, at a reckless rate of speed, utterly
careless of the fate of trains which might
be encountered by them. They render
their great and glorious freedom as
sured, by assuring an operator who warns
them of the danger of meeting other
trains, that "if the track isn't clear for
them, they will clear it" and they finally
clinch the fact of their "treedom and
liberty by disarming United States
officials, who are engaged in the per-
Torrance of their duty.
It is probably a fact, that had not
their capture by United States troops
been adroitly planned, and executed,
there would have been bloodshed, and it
it presumed that this would have been
characterized, also, as merely the exer-
else of that glorious freedom which is d.
lated upon by those who approve the
Coxey movement.
The trouble out in Montana yesterday
was but a legitimate result OF the Coxey
movement. When gatherings of men,
the size of those now marching through
various parts of the country ARE agitated,
lawlessness cannot but result in
some cases, for men are prone to reason
that where so many are concerned in
such an act as the stealing of a train,
the very fact of their number makes it
right. For this reason, the Coxey move
ment deserves Encouragement. It may
be that the motives of the %originators
were conscientious and worthy ones,
but that is not the question. It is a
question of practically and expediency,
and not of theoretical freedom or priv
ilege. The stealing of trains is not free
dom of movement and action; the resist
ing of authority is not liberty. 1t is time
a halt was called on the Coxeyites, or
there NAV be further and mora disae.