The San Francisco call., 1896-10-18
action of the Federal Government and the
Federal courts during the railroad strike
in 1894 He said:

Federal courts during the railroad strike
in 1894. He said:
l am aware that by persistent yilifcation
and deliberate mfsrepresen tation the partisan
press has made the impress sion upon the minds
OF many good citizens that l. as Governor OF
Illinois, during the railroad disturbances OF
two years ago did not do my duty and did not
make the proper effort 10 protect life and
property In Chicago, but sympathized with
lawlessness and disorder; that Federal inter.
ference was necessary to save the city. II
there were even a semblance of truth in this
then no conde emnation could be too severe,
for Government that will not promptly and
thoroughly protect lite and property and pre-
serve order is an abomination and should be
wiped off the earth.
He then narrated the incidents IN the
strike at Chicago. and read the correspond
ence between himself and the State De-
pertinent, adding:
An examination OF the facts shows that Mr..
Olney and Mr.. Cleveland had decided TO re-
verse the policy and practice of the Govern
ment, and take an entirely new departure by
setting precedent OF having the President
TO Interfere at pleasure, and having the United
States courts and the United States Govern
ment take the corporations directly under
their wings in the first instance in all cases,
and in order to have the American people sub
nit to the violation of the constitution and
laws OF the land as well as OF every principle
OF self-government. the trouble at Chicago
was. by systematic effort ana deliberate mis-
representation, so magnified as to make 1t
seem that we were bordering On anarchy and
that consequently Federal interference was
necessary.
The impre ssion was sought to be made upon
the country that we were bordering on civil
war and the destruction of society and that
neither the local auth horities nor the State
authorities were willing to maintain law and
order, while the real fact was that the Federal
Government took steps to interfere IN Chicago
before there was any rioting or any serious
trouble of any kind and that the State auth ori-
ties who stood ready to act promptly were IN
tentlonally ignored.
No Campaign ever made in this country in
volved so many far-reaching questions as this
one does. Questions, every one OF which goes
10 the foundation OF free government and
affects the perpetuity OF our institutions:
Flrst-The question whether the people have
surrendered the right of self-goyernmenti into
the hands of the Supreme Court'of the United
States and whether the courts are thus placed
above criticism and their acts exempt from
that scrutiny which every patriotic and intel
Hgent man should give to the acts OF the other
branches of the Government
SecoDd-Whether both the constitution and
the traditions of the Government shall hence
forth be ignored, and the President shall be
conceded the power OF sending Federal troops
at his pleasure into any neighporhood III the
United States, or 1000 neighborhoods at one
time; troops who Will not be subject TO the
civil authorities nor to the local authorities;
who are under instructions from Washington )
whether this can be done not only without
the request OF he local authorities, but in de-
fiance OF them?
Third-Whether the people of this country,
and especially the laboring masses who do
not have much of a voice in the selec ton OF
judges, shall recognize and thus perpetuate
the system of governing by Injunction. which
does away with constitutional government,
which does away with government by
law, does away with trial by jury,
docs away with trial according to the
forms OF law and substitutes the capr ice,
whim prejudice or passion OF Judge Tor all
these, making him at once legislator, Judge
and to certain extent executioner; and
whether the British monetary policy shall be
made perpetual, that the toiling and pro-
ducing masses OF this country will be red uced
in their purchasing power; Will be reduced
in the end TO a lower plane OF CIVILIZATION; !;
the men who till the fields of Europe or the
valley OF the Nile.
In conclusion Mr.. Altgeld said:
NV fellow-citizens, if you are not in favor of
converting this Republic into an oligarcny, II
YOU believe that this country should at least
be in part goveTned by the men who toll and
not solely and alone governed by the men
who deyour the fruit that others toll for, then
rise in your manhood, stand out in the sun
fathers over a hundred years ago, that we are
not only q free but we are an independent
people.
under which the mints shall again be opened
to both of the metals so that there will be an
end TO this destructive fall in prices; so that
prudent men will again feel that it is safe to en-
bark in new enterprises. If you believe IN the
ofthe fathers and In perpetuating
them then 60 to the polls on the Sd OF Noyem-
Der and make new declaration OF 1ndepend-
ence and there will follow another century,
which, in grandeur and glory and In achieve
ments and the blessings to be showered upon
mankind, will surpass the century that is