The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-15
CANNON, INJUNCTIONs AND WORK
NGMEN.

We Only give expression 10 the uIldllI-
nous and indignant opinion of the
working people of st. Paul and all
their friends and sympathizers in de-
nouncing, as an u~nwarranted reflection
upon them, an insult to their cause and
q fling of defiance in the face of hui
mainly, the cartoon which appeared in
the st. Pau Pioneer Press on Satur-
day morning. It is not always that the
cloven hoof can be concealed. The real
sentiments of men and newspapers will
occasionally break through the crust
est, and show themselves in their
naked hideousness to the world. The
cartoon is the safety valve through
which, several times before, and now
most conspicuously, it's contempt for
the people and their rights finds ex-
preston.
In the picture Saturday morning,
which we hope will be pasted up for
reference in the place of meeting of
every body of organized labor in the
Northwest, a roll of paper marked in
big letters Injunction is made to
do duty for a cannon. 1t is aimed at
the masses of laboring people, who are
unwilling to accept the hard conditions
forced upon them by their employers,
while, in insolent attitude, with one
leg thrown over the injunction cannon
that is ready to belch fire and blood
upon the masses, stand an individual
labeled Mine Owner" with a lighted
match in his hand and an expression
of fierce delight upon his countenance.
The superscription of this extraordinary
spirit that animates it, is: "At Last A
Way Has Been Found To Stop Incen-
diary Speeches"
We do not pretend to be informed,
and we know that neither the Pioneer
Press nor any other newspaper in this
part of the country is informed, as to
the real details of the great strike In
the coal regions. We doubt not thai
there has been some slight disorder
and some possible infringement Of in
dividual rights in the united action
of these thousands of w~orkingmen. But
we have to say, in fairness, hat no
such report has recently come to the
ears Of the public. The dispatches of
the Associated Press are not coIored
to show favor to the men. We may
rest assured that if they were breaking
tho law; if they were disorderly, or
If they were attempting to fncite the
strikers by "incendiary speeches." the
facts would be brought instantly to
public notice.
On the contrary, this strike has be-
mcnts by it's good order, and by the
constant effort of leaders to restrain
their men from any acts that will be
open to criticism. "Incendiary speech
cs." says the Pioneer Press, whereas
the news reports tell rs that the
speeches Of all the leaders, including
even men so little open to the charge
OF moderation as Mr.. Debs himself.
have urged the miners, impressively
end persistentiy, is they hoped to
succeed in their work. to abstain from
violence, to uphold the law, to protect
the property of their employers, to keen
absolutely on the safe side Of even
legal responsibility. and to avoid. per-
sonaily, the saloon and cut Oft the
drink habit, SO that they might not
be persuaded or impelled to acts that
would throw discredit upon their cause.
This is the sort of "~incendiary speech
IS presumably, against which our
contemporary would direct the repres-
Sive power of the law.
Its cartoon has even q broader sig
hificancc. While the workingman is the
actual sepoy TO be blown from the
mouth of this gun. what is the real tar
get ct which It Is aimed? What can
1t be save that freedom Of speech
Thich is guaranteed by The constitu-
ton rs one OF the first tights OF the
American citizen? Freedom of speech
Is precisely what the sweeping in;uno.
ton. issued by q court which seems 20
deserve the Characterization s's1zyilo
would destroy il it had its. way lest
es ne. speeches that have been nfadc
TO the men at Pitt burg viii not 5enr