The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-04-25
THE COMMONwEAL.

than it has heretofore been receiving
The march of Gen. KeIley's army across
the country. If march it may be called,
has certainly been astounding. Either
through fear of damage to their prop
erty in the event of a refusal or be-
cause they regarded the quickest and
easiest the best way of solving the
problem. the railroads, which are no.
torious for their lack of consideration
for the common people. transported this
army as far as Omaha. From that point
the railroads refused to give their as
sistanee. This forced march, or ride,
across the western country was remark
able for the perfect discipline and good
order preserved on the part of the
army and for the substantial sympathy
and encourag cement shown its members
by the people along the route. But at
Omaha this popular sympathy assumed
It's most striking phase. With apparently
nothing in common with this army Of
the unemployed, as it is proud to style
itself. the laboring people of Omaha and
Council Bluffs turned out en- masse to
show their acknowledging for the travel
ers. And the laboring people We're not
the only sympathizers. The army
seemed to have the moral en-
couragement of even the best
people of the Iowa and Nebraska cities
The latter urged upon the railroads and
upon the citizens along the line Of march
the humanity, the very necessity OF do
ing something for the pilgrims.
But it was at Omaha that the first
real dangerous symptoms began to de-
velop in connection with this really Won
derful movement. awhile the idea of
Gen. Coxey is in itself pernicious, in that,
if closely adhered to, it would soon make
the people of this country mere wards
Of the government, helpless ip themselves
to improve their own condition, there
has been nothing in connection with the
crusade anywhere looking toward seri-
Gus Iawlessness or disorder. And it is
not meant to be charged that there was
any attempt at an outbreak on the part
of Gen. Kelleys army at Omaha. On
the contrary, the conduct OF both leader
and followers was exemplary. 1t proved
them TO be earnest, even though mis-
guided men bent on accomplishing their
ends peacefully and without violence.
But in the spontaneous uprising of the
poorer classes OF Omaha and Council
Bluffs to join in the movement was re-
yealed its real danger. Men and wom-
en- and children seemed fairly frantic
in their efforts to show their desire to
Men left their work in the shops. women
left their work in their homes to gather
on the streets and applaud the Coxey-
ties. They seemed fairly frenzied with
their enthusiasm and there was much
in the demonstration to remind the read
er of history Of the early days of the
French revolution or of the later COM
mune Of Paris.
It is safe TO say that Gen. Kelley was
merely indirectly responsible for these.
His conduct since he assumed command
of his horde of ragamuffins has been
most exemplary, proving him to possess
in high degree the qualities Of leader
ship and in perhaps a greater degree
those of good citizenship. His refusal
to permit the use of the stolen Union
Pacific rolling stock was conclusive evil
dence of his sincerity and of his honesty.
Gen. Coxey in the East has given many
evidences of a similar capacity for
leadership and an equal sincerity of hon
est purpose. But the question very nat
urally arises, how long will it be. if this
movement continues, before the army
gets past control of its leaders? The
boisterous and anarchistic elements of
eastern society are all forming contin-
gents of agitators to join the army at
Washington or before it's arrival. Chi
cago will send delegation of its most
vicious classes. Yesterday nearly a
quarter of million of miners, most Of
them on the routes being followed by
some Of the various divisions of the Com
monweal army. went into voluntary idle
ness. They are angry with their
employers. depressed by a, long period Of
privation and susceptible at any time
to be aroused to deeds of violence by
unprincipled agitators. If the Omaha
movement, which seemed so spontaneous.
should prove infectious and the unem-
ployed along the lines of march to Wash
ington should join with the army. it is
not at all impossible that the vicious
elements, naturally drawn to such a
gathering. will sooner or later get con-
troll of the whole, and then the most
serious condition Of affairs imaginable
will arise. The Omaha incident gives
some indication of a tendency to make
this thing Unanimous" and IL 1t he
comes so it will be almost impossible for
Gen. Coxey and his. honest leaders TO
long control the multitude. When Wash
ington is reached. IL II is reached, by
100000 or 100000 rnep, the real trouble
is likely to begin. Those men cannot
long be quartered in the capital; nor can