The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-15
LESSONS FROM LATTlMER.
From the Phlladelphir Times.

The verdict of the Luzcrne jury In the
case of Sheriff Martin and his deputies,
acquitting them for having fired upon the
mob of strikers at Lattimer, teaches sew
eral things which were greatly needed TO
be emphasized by the judgment OF our
courts. 1t makes no new law, but simply
teaches the law as 1t is. and as 1t must be
obeyed. 1t teaches that the humblest
citizen or resident of this state has the
absolute right to accept employment
when, where and under such circum-
stances as shall be satisfactory to him
self and his employer This Is an inalien-
able right 1t is q right that is not ques-
toned in the rich and opulent, but 1t has
been systematically disputed among the
poor and dependent. and especially among
the ignorant alien labor elements of our
industrial ccnters.
1t teaches that while il is entirely law
full for men to refuse to work when the
terms are unsatisfactory. and may use
any peaceable and reasonable persuasion
to induce others to poin them, they have
no right to attempt to intimidate or CO.
cree in any violent manner, others to join
them unwillngly and surrender the en-
ployment they would be glad to continue.
Workingmen dissatisfied with their wages
may unite, organize and use all peaceable
and lawful methods to induce others TO
act with them, but the absolute right of
to join in the strike is pointedly declared
to be the law that must be obeyed. 1t
teaches that If men shall unite in strike
and violently attempt to intimidate 9TH
ers, go In bodies armed with clubs ami
pistols to drive men from their homes or
employment and assault those who do
not yield to their demands, 1t is the duty
of the sheriff wher summoned to main
tain the peace, TO disperse them peaceably
If possible, or to employ any means ab-
solutely necessary to halt riotous proceed
ings even to the extent of firing upon tho
mob. Such Is the law, and 1t is the law
as old as the commonwealth itself.
1t teaches to the alien labor element of
the state that has heretofore been igno-
rant of our laws, and that has believed
that liberty simply means license, that
they are under a government of law; that
they must respect the rights of person
and of property; that for all wrongs the
law furnishes a peaceable remedy, and
that those who attempt to assert their
real or imaginary rights by violence that
cndangsrs the safety of person or prop
erty, must be suppressed even to the eX-
tent of taking life if it shall become nee
essary. This feature of our law will
henceforth be well understood by the ig-
norant alien labor elements of the state
which have heretofore never studied the
laws under which they live, and have
often assumed that they were law unto
themselves, with the right to assert the
power of might and endanger both life
and property by violence. They have not
understood this law in the past, but the
verdict that is the closing sequel of the
Lattimer tragedy, teaches it in such an
mistakable terms that even the most ig-
norant of our alien residents in labor re-
gions will henceforth understand the om-
impotence of the laws under which they
live