New-York tribune., 1902-10-16
THE RIGHrs OF FREE LABoR.

With the promise of n settlement between
the coal operators and the striking labor union
lists the independent laborers in the mines not
mnaturally take alarm. The address Of the
employees of the ,Olieries nj Forest City brings
sharply 10 attention the rights and the wrongs
OF class OF men whose need of protection will
nor cease with the restoration Of order and re-
sumption Of mining. For many weeks they
have had insufficient protection in the enjoy
ment OF their fundamental and UNREASONABLE
legal rights. 1t was disgrace TO Pennsylvania
that IFS Governor for SO long neglected TO safe
guard these men in working on any terms
which pleased them, whether or not those terms
pleased somebody else; and any settlement of
the coal strike will he most IDenacing 10 this
country which fails To retain them in their
places, protect them from persecution and make
free labor possible hereafter in the coal mines
This is a matter which far transcends in i'm
portance the individual interests of the body of
free workers Immediately concerned What
happens 10 a few thousand persons in Eastern
Pennsylvania is Of little moment compared
with the interest of the whole nation in hav-
ing the coal strike settled. As many men would
instantly rush 10 sacrifice themselves in battle
for their country's welfare. But the principle
AT stake in protecting those Pennsylvania
miners is one which goes 10 the foundation Of
our national life Unless free men NAV still
engage in their lawful occupations at their own
pleasure, whether they belong to the Roman
Catholic or the Methodist Church 10 a labor
union or a Masonic lodge. then the personal
guarantees of the constitution are a dead letter
and our doctrines of human liberty under y re-
publican government are Outgrown Instead we
have an irresponsible tyranny erected body
unincorporated. unamenabe TO law. unable 10
control its own members from furthering its
ends by riot and assassination, which pre-
sumes 10 say who may earn living and who
may not when he may work and when he may
not For weeks the paramount duty of all men
has been to sustain law and order in the coal
regions. When the strikers return to work
breaches of the peace may cease but the para
mount duty win still be to maintain the essen
tial principle OF American freedom, which is
individual liberty regulated by law.
1t is not likely that the arbitration proposed
by the operators, and almost certain in its es-
sential features TO be accepted by the strikers.
viii result in any formal abandonment Of these
individual workers. Certainly the exclusive
employment Of union men will not he forced
upon the operators. Mr. Mitchell has dis
claimed the desire 10 exclude non-union men
from the mines, notwithstanding official records
Of the unions avowing that purpose II may
fairly be expected that the companies will con
tnue TO employ the workers who have been
faithful 10 them in this struggle. Indeed If
they do not they need never hope for assistance
from laborers in withstanding the demands of
other laborers. no matter how unreasonable
But after the strike is settled those workers
VIII have TO face a long period OF persecution
which will not he the less cruel because of a
nature which does not call for the stationng Of
military guards The men who have continued
working in the mines will be remembered and
the strikers viii lose no opportunity 10 punish
them. That is something which the companies
and the public are bound to look out for II is |
not as we say, question merely of doing jus
tice 10 them. important as that is, hut of main
tanning the principle Of free labor. If that prn-
ciple is not upheld now the fight for it here /
after viii he harder and more doubtful