Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-27
JUSTICE WITH MERCY.
A Plea for Sympathy with Men Ont
of Employment.

1
of Employment.
The refusal of the Commissioners TO al.
low public meeting on the streets In the
interest of Coxeys army was addressed 10
j. A. Dewitt, the man who proffered the
army the use of one Of his tally-ho coaches.
Mr.. Dewitt was evidently factious over the
notoriety he received and addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Commissioners:
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners.
Gentlemen: Owing to the fact that you
have made my name prominent in declining
] the request Of the committee of public COM
fort appointed to look after the entertain
ment Of the unemployed approaching the
city, hereby offer an explanation so far as
1! myself nave been connected with this at
tempt TO infringe upon the laws of the Dis
| trict. This is the way / was drawn in the
matter. and IL am guilty of an attempt to
| wrong the government under which live
hope you Will note what consider extraordi-
nary circumstances In the first place
| went more through curiosity to the trial OF
| the Primrose men. When / saw these men
drawn up in line as criminals and looked In
what seemed to me without doubt many
| honest faces became at once a very inter.
ested spectator. When Attorney Lipscomt
eloquently declared that they were no,
tramps. but that each person carried on his
person visible means Of support, namely
| the healthy and strong machinery of bone
and muscle God had given them, and clearly
| showed the danger of making poverty q
crime at the very capital of the nation.
was shocked at the thought of such q pro
ceeding, and when Judge Kimball very feel
ingly said that he never had and he never
| would send an honest man down as a va.
grant simply because he was out Of EN-.
ploymen; was filled with emotion and
feel as though every one in the crowded
court was overhowing with sympathy fol
those men.
| Visited the Headquarters.
I saw by the papers that these men were
at the Coxey headquarters; called to see
them, and while there took occasion to say
| to Citizen Redstone that favored the good
roads bill. and in this 1 am sincere, though
may be misguided. also took occasion
to say that had noticed the cordial treat.
| ment these unemployed men had met with
| through the cities and towns they had visit
| ed, and further remarked that / was of the
opinion that when they reached Washington
| they would find as many friends and as lib
! eral treatment as they had met anywhere
| en- route. Result, an invitation to hear
speaking at headquarters, which 1 accept
ed. and while there the colonel asked me
| to state in public what had said In private
did so. Result No. 2. appointed on the
committee Of public comfort. Result No. 3
Joined In an attempt for permit to arouse
sympathy for these people Now, gentle.
men, in this have nothing TO apologize for
i firmly believe thatti II VII be bad policy
& to let ,ss the IT repors 80 Gun that the w0rkins
the line Of march. but in Washington they
| were turned down; no loaves OF bread
no nsh, no coffee, no meat, and no cheers al
| they marched through the streets; no word
OF sympathy for the hardships endured
Justice with Mercy.
Now, gentlemen, let us come to business
You are men. and you know that not for
one minute will any such picture as 1 have
drawn be allowed to be hung up. These
people will not be permitted to suffer here
and you know as well as / that neither
you nor Congress will allow it. So why NOT
meet the issue promptly and pleasantly
What the country needs now Is a strong
hand and quick action to stop this march
ON Washington, but this strong hand must
be tempered with mercy, with liberality.
with humanity. The people are sincere in
the belief that Congress can and should
do something for the unemployed. This is
why they come. II nothing can be done.
let us, let them know that in the city OF
Washington are as many warm hearts as
can be found In any city in the country.
But You say IL we treat them well they will
all come. There is nothing in this asser-
ton. Treat them bad and they will surely
ccme with blood-stained hands. These men
with Coxey have made a reputation as
peaceable and orderly men that is worthy
OF commendation. Should the city be flood
ed with disorderly men. believe that these
men could be trusted to keep order All
1 agree that nothing is to be feared from
the Coxey men. Then why discourage peo-
pie that would have the country understand
that Washington has the same sympathy
Tor suffering humanity tnat other cities
have. 1 am with great respect. yours. truly.
| j. A DEWITT