The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-07-14
Tho Passing of Debs aud Dopsism


After doing all the mischief he was
capable OF doing, finding that he had
exhausted his power in that line. Debs
is willing to call off a strike which was
fast running itself out 1t docs not mat
Ter what reasons he may assign for the
change OF front.
All tho world knows that he did not
let 20 until tho failure Of his movement
had becn established beyond question,
and the reasons for the failure arc as
well known. Tho first reason was tho
appearance OF the United States in tho
field; tho second was tho refusal OF tho
Knights OF Labor the country over to
respond to the hystericaI call OF sover'
eign and lay down their implements Of
toll.
Tho Interference OF the President was
n surprise to Debs and his followers.
They presumed on the weakness OF tho
putty mayor OF Chicago aud tho favor
Of the anarchist governor OF Illinois.
These men command large forces. but
every move Debs made showed that he
had little fear OF any serious trouble
from that source.
Nor did he expect to encounter so
soon, il at all, the armed forces OF the
United States. He made an ostentatious
show OF his contempt for tho United
State, court and its officers, and while
ho was doing this tho rioters were
assaulting deputy marghals OF tho
United states and destroying railroad
property engaged in carrying on inter-
state commerce.
Until the President appeared on tho
sceno with troops Debs was as absolute
in Chicago as any dictator could be-
Tho proclamation Of tho President,
emphasized with fixed bayonets and
commended by tho peonle, quelled the
riot. The mob did not let 20 At once,
but from tho moment it was understood
that the President was in earnest and
had with him tho people as well as the
law, the riots were practically ended.
1t is significant that tho presence
which dispersed the mob broke the tie
up. The men out Of the way, the rail-
roads resumed their traffic, 1tappcarcd
then that the backbone OF tho strike
was broken, Notwithstanding Debs'
solemn protestation that his men were
not in the mob aud had no sympathy
with It, in spite also OF his oft repeated
Insertion that no matter how many
troops might be there to guard them
tho railroads could not move their
trains because thoy could not got the
men to move them.
Tho trans did move, and their mov-
ing showed that tho bottom had h0On
knocked out OF that strike. Tho failure
OF Sovcreign's part OF tho conspiracy
was n sad and forcIblc reminder to him
and Debs that tho Knights OF Lsbor as
body arc not the fools the conspira-
tors had taken thom for
What has been gained for tho cause
Of labor BY tho Debs movement? Life
and property have boon destroyed, wild
ows and orphans mourn husbands and
and fathers, men havo been crippled
for life, thousands OF mon have been
throw out OF work who had no relation
whatever to tho original trouble; tho
Worlds Fair city, the state Of Illinois
mud tho United States have been dis.
aigrraced with mob THie. There 10 no
gain hero for labor, but OH tho con-
trary tremendous loss from every
point Of view.
And after it alI-Oll tho illeueas, all
tho violence, all tho dcstruction-Dob
would gladly bring things back to
the starting point, which VIVA tho dis
uurGCmcnt between tho Pullman CON.
puny and its employees. But this ho
c;nlnot do.
Tho Pullman disagreement remains
unsettled. Tho loss Of life and property
canno, bc made good. Thoro is no
compensation for tho idl0ness. Tho
disGracs cannot be wiped out. Dobs
pleads for tho restoration OF tho sym.