The record-union., 1896-06-11

The power to make a government I'M
der our system resides in the people
| They define the grants they make for
| this purpose in written constitutions.
To enforce and protect these censtitu-
tions they establish courts, and to make
necessary laws under the constitutions
they convene representative in legis-
lative assemblies. The courts under the
laws and the constitutions make de-
crees for the protection Of the weak
against the strong, the guarding of the
rights Of weak and strong alike, and
the enforcement of the regulations nee
essary for the maintenance of govern
ment for all the people. The Executive
is created to carry out these orders,
enforce these laws and to see that the
administrative details Of government
are sustained. The courts direct the To-
cal peace officers, the Sheriffs and ball
ifs to carry out their DEGREES and the
law commands these officers, without
specific direction, to conserve the peace
and prevent riotous activity. When
they are unable to make the processes
Of the courts effective, or to command
submission to the laws committed to
them to enforce, they appeal to the Ex-
ecutive for aid and that branch Of the
government is by the constitutions and
the laws directed to call out the people,
even to the last man, If need be, to
enforce obedience to and respect for the
law. But that this may be more effect
lively, orderly and promptly done, the
PEOPLE have erected an instrumental
ity known as the organized militia,
and that the Executive must first en-
ploy, but if it prove insufficient he may
| then call upon the body of the militia,
the unorganiZed portion, to come to
arms in support of the laws.
Up on the Columbia River a lot of
fishermen have gone upon their annual
strike. 1t is the regular thing with
them and the employees in the river can
neries. With the issues of the strike.
its right and its wrong sides, we have
nothing to do. It is enough to know
that there Is riotous and organized de-
flance Of the law, which is to say de-
fiance of the people OF oregon in their
sovereign capacity; they are resisted
and defied, and a body of men have as
sumed to set up a new power over them,
| to which they demand the law shall
| bow. Under its exercise they have de-
stroyed property and taken human hfe
and stand defiant, with threat TO con-
tinue to do these things unless their
demands are complied with. There
upon the Executive calls the organ
lied militia to appear and enforce the
laws. maintain the peace and protect
What happens? The strikers irnmedi-
ately exclaim against interference, as
they choose to term it, of the soldiers
with their business" of burning and
killing and dominating. 1t is declared
that "the soldiers are called out against
the poor man." and In the interest of
the capitalist whose property is en-
dangered. The strikers protest and de-
clare that the act of the Executive is
tyrannous and ought to be resisted.
Thereupon there goes up from various
quarters the old cry about the use Of
soldiers against the striker, his right
to do as he pleases, and to set aside the
laws as his own sweet will moves him.
That there should be intelligent
American citizens to take sides against
the people in such cases, and to hold
that calling out the militia to support
the laws, is tyrannous and outrageous,
Is simply lamentable. 1t indicates that
there is a narrow. perverted and dan
gerous view entertained of self-gov-
ernment, which forebodes evil for the
country 1t indicates that there is a
considerable class of people who are
disposed to deprive one group of citi-
zehs and one class of property of the
protection of the laws, and to give to
az other portion Of the community H
cense to violate. suspend and over
ride the laws and defy the sovereign
people at win. The citizen soldier Is not