The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-13
SOME BENEFITS OF THE STRIKE.

SOhEs BENEsFIIS Of THE SIHIAE.
The injury inflicted on the country by the
senseless strike now nearing it's close has
been various in character and enormous in
extent. The money loss. including loss of
wages, destruction of property, Interrupt
ton of business, decay of perishable freight
and crops, and in other ways. direct and in
direct. is beyond computation. In addition
to these material losses the cause of lib
erty and republican government has suf-
fered in the estimation of foreigners to a
degree that will require many years to
efface. Americans know that the trouble
has been superficial and that the stability
of the government has not been threat
ened in the slightest degree. but foreigners
will continue to believe differently. and to
find in the strike a new argument against
popular government.
But if the strike has inflicted great dam
age on the country it has also brought
great benefits. The fact that the latter are
altogether of a moral nature and not COM
putable in dollars does not lessen their re-
atty or Importance. First among these is
the new demonstration that has been fur
nished of the strength of the government
and the loyalty of the people. A govern
ment that suppressed the great rebellion
of 1861 and prosecuted for four years one
Of the greatest wars in history did not
stand much in need of any further demon
stration of its strength. and yet it does not
come amiss. 1t is we'll to have had it dem
onstrated that the government is able to
cope with any and all kinds of internal
trouble and that it will suppress a labor
strike that undertakes TO defy the laws as
surely as it will an armed rebellion. On
the part of the government this has been a
war-not a great war. but nevertheless
a WARRIOR the protection of pri-
vate rights and personal liberty
the right of American citizens to
trade ana travel without hindrance,
and of every man to control his own labor.
1t is a good thing to have 1t demonstrated
that the government will defend these
rights. when they are attacked. with all its
might and power, and it is also a good
thing to have it demonstrated that they
Dor strike.
The manifestation of loyalty to the gov
eminent and of readiness to support the
authorities, State and national. in the en-
forcement of law has been very strong. 1t
has only been exceeded in our history by
the great demonstration in 1861. and, in one
respect, Ii was more remarkable than that.
since this time the demonstration of 10y
atty and offers of support to the govern
ment came from the South as well as from
the North. The Southern States did not
feel the strike much. and there was no
lawlessness or excitement in that part Of
the country. but the tone of the Southern
press and the expressions of representative
Southern men leave no doubt that If it
had become necessary for the President TO
call out volunteers TO restore order the
South would have furnished its full quota.
There has not been a more loyal or patri-
otto speech made in the Senate for many a
day than that OF Senator and ex-confeder-
ate General Gordon. OF Georgia, against
the PETER resolution. Senator Daniel, Of
Virginia, also made a fine speech in the
same line. The Southern press has been
unanimous in favor of a vigorous enforce
ment Of law and supporting the govern
ment 10 any needed extent.
Some important legal points have been
settled. If there ever was any doubt as to
the right Of the federal government TO