The record-union., 1897-09-02

sarily take on something of the nature
of threats, do in fact constitute a kind
of siege. 1t is in outward form peace
full. But in essence, and in the delib-
crate intention of those who direct 1t,
the movement is to a large extent CO.
ercive. It's continuous character is an
admission that the workers have de-
cided in the exercise of their individual
freedom and against the strikers. The
proposal to camp about and march be-
fore them day after day, and refuse to
respect their free decision as final, and
persist in argument and appeal and dis
play by force until they yield, is an in
very nature warfare against the free
dom of the workers and the employers.
Such an interference, 1T must be
granted, the law should be able in some
way to prevent without restricting any
legitimate enjoyment of individual
rights. The case does not indeed in the
least resemble one Of individual free
dem against undue restriction by law
The strikers do not come as individuals,
but as an organized army. They do not
appeal in manly fashion, and when their
argument has been heard retire with
fair respect for the judgment of those
who decide against them. The law here
acts entirely in defense of the individ-
ual freedom of the workers and those
for whom they wish to work, against
organized and coercive interference of
a powerful body.'-The Tribune (Rep),
New York.
"UNWISE AND DANGEROUS STEP." ."
'It IS a sign of weakness and refiec-
0f l1Aix
when the employers have to resort to
such use of the power of injunction
as they seek to make their shelter in
this case. 1t means, practically, that
they believe that the men will con-
quer by pacific means if left to fight
their battle out in their own way,
and that the company seeks to call to
its aio the powerful arm of the law.
We believe that the public will hold
this i'll as much adherence as it does,
in other cases, the open violation of the
law by instances of violence and out
rage on the part of the men them
selves. The tables have been turned
completely. and public sympathy is
now upon the side of the men, and will
remain there while the attempt to beat
them is made by methods that are
repugn3nt to every American citizen
and lover of liberty. This latest poll
cy of the employing company is a strict
realization of the offensive phrase gov
ernmAnt by injunction and it cannot
be domesticated to this country or be
brought into harmony with free insti-
tutions and the rights of the citizen un-
der the Constitution. The Globe (Nat
Dem), St. Paul.
INJUDICIOUS AS A MATTER OF
POLICY.
$50 far as this effect is concerned
impartial opinion must agree that the
thing really prohibited ought to be pro-
hibited. The miners of the New York
and Cleveland Gas Coal Company have
the same right to continue at their
work that they have to cease work.
Any means which induce them to cease
work which involve intimidation or
menace are unlawful and should be
stopped. If the camps and marches
are for the purpose of threats, menace,
and show of force, or other intimida-
tion, TO quote another clause of the
order (by Judges Stowe and Collin),
they are certainly a violation of indi-
vidual liberty. If they are kept strict
ly free from such character they do
not seem to come within the prohibi-
tfon of the order. But the question
how the legal protection against such
transgression is to be extended has
risen nearly, If not quite. to the rank
Of a political issue.
From a great deal that is said about