The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-12
AND NOW IT'S CAssANDRA SPENCER.

Mr. Herbert Spencer is quoted as having
recently written TO a friend IN this coun-
try as follows
"In the United States, as here and
elsewhere. the movement toward diSsOlu-
ton Of existing social forms and reor-
ganizatiOn on Il sOcialistic basis, ] be-
lieve to be irresistible. We have bad
times before us, and you have still more
dreadful times before you-civil war, i'm
mense bloodshed, and eventually military
dcsDOtism Of the seVercst type"
Here is another most distinguished
English writer predicting the same sort
OF general smash-up with us that Lord
Macauley painted in that lugubrious let
ter of his to Mr.. Randall, which we re-
Gently printed, and yet we look upon
the fell vaticination Of each Just as
Macauley himself looked upon similar
prophecies by a learned French woman
in 1851 regarding England. Of which he
recorded In his diary on May !, 1851.
There Is just as much chance Of n
revolution in England as Of the falling
of the moon"
And SO say we Of tho prophecies of
Spencer and Macaulcy regariing our
selves. The great body Of our people
free institutions. Steam, electricity, and
the press keep them Thoroughly Informed
regarding what Is happening here and
what takes place everywhere else in the
world. They know that they have to sub
nit TO none of the enforced military ser
vice Of Continental Europe. They know
that their lives and property are not reid
subject 20 the ipse dixit Of the Car OF
Russia, the Emperor of China, or the
Mikado OF japan. They know that they
are freemen. accountable to none but
laws made by themselves. and knowing
this they value it as a priceless heritage
that nothing on earth can make them
surrender. We dare affirm with confidence
than IT, during the blacklist hour OF the
late strike, the mob had closed in on
one Of Geeeral Miles regiments of United
States regulars, and had overwhelmed
and murdered 1t, and the President had
issued his proclamation. stating that fact
and calling for volunteers to suppress the
defiance OF the country's laws, he would
have had FIVE millions Of volunteers with
in twenty-four houY. The whole country
would have risen hs one man to compel
every insurrectionNt TO bow his head to
his country's laws. we are particularly
struck with one fact that came out with
IN the past few days. one Of the Illinois
militia companies. doing duty in the town
OF Pullman, was composed exclusively Of
union workmen. Since Pullman has com
menced reorganizing his force he has
employed many non-union men. To avoid
a ga t,lt h. III
rangements were made 20 give these new
men their meals in large ball where
the militia company was fed. When this
became known the militia company
marched out Of the hall in a body. re-
by recognizing non-union men. This COM
pany was as trusted and reliable for sup
pressing the disorders as any at Chicago.
Now, here was a company OF Amer
lean citizens. who would naturally have
been supposed 20 be In sympathy with
the strikers. yet who were as reliable for
compelling strikers and all others TO obey
The laws OF the land as any company OF
regulars In the service OF the United
states. IL Is a striking and powerful IL
iustraion OF the power which our free
institutions have upon the minds and
The hearts OF our people. We run no risk
al mat point The point that we are 90
guard Is the insidious movement OF Popu
lists and Socialists against our founaa-
ton principle that all men Shall stans