The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-19
GOOD OUT OF EVIL.

GOOD OUT OF EVIL.
Perhaps the most important of the les
sons which may be found in the closing
lie opinion in this country when there is
a cause to call it forth. It was the fact
that the American people demanded that
the strike come to an end which Influenced
both sides to the disastrous controversy
to consider a compromise. When Gov
ernor Odell said to one of the operators.
II represent, the opinions and desires of
100000 of people," he presented a fact
that seemed not to have been considered
before. While public sentiment was most
hostile to the mine operators for several
weeks, it would have been equally hostile
to the miners had hey refused arbitra-
ton. No law which could be devised could
have brought the strike to an end under
so favorable circumstances as 1t has been
ended; the laws delay would have pre-
vented so prompt an adjustment as has
been made since the people earnestly de-
manded it, and no adjustment by statute
could nave resulted in a compromise. We
hear much of "the initiative and referen-
dunn in legislation. but no expression
Of a public conviction through the ballot
box can be so effective as the will of the
people expressed outside the forms of law
when united and in earnest. Great re-
forms may be assisted by law, but law is
feeble when not backed by powerful popu-
lar opinion. With all the law which could
be enacted the President could not have
been SO potential as he became when he
was backed by public sentiment.
Another lesson which the ending of the
strike by reasonable methods should en-
force is avoidance of pernicious remedies
offered by demagogues and sensationalists.
Meetings were held in which men Of whom
better things should have been expected
urged the ignoring of the Constitution
and violation OF the laws by officers sworn
to obey both. The Detroit meeting, with
its fiery speeches and its demands. that
the President proceed to open the mines,
is recalled to-day as an evidence of how
unworthy Of public confidence me- can
make themselves. For the President to
ave interfered as he was urged would
have given an example of the most dam
gerous form of Imperialism. If such men
were patriotic in their purpose they should
be regarded as unsafe and even danger
GUS; IL their purpose were to attract at
~tention to their bold speech in the hope
Of political preferment, regardless Of con-
sequences, by what designation shall they
Lo txc1u,c tf ~ oouol 1o~~so. 4 l. -
lie welfare?
Another lesson which the ending Of the
strike presents is that there must be no
more protracted strikes affecting the well
fare of millions of people and putting Law
and order in jeopardy. If not in the form
fluence Of enlightened n humane public
opinion, a system of Cancellation and ar
bitration must be put in force. The third
party in all strikes in an industry which
furnishes what may be called a public
necessity of millions-the consumers, the
most numerous and the greatest sufferers
from a suspension Of the supply-must
have a voice in preventing protracted strug-
giles for the mastery between the two
forces Of production.
The outcome of the strike should put ar
end to the common accusation that the
mass of wage-earners receive no consider
alton at the hands OF those in oficia
authority when there are conflicts be.
tween corporate capital and employees
President Roosevelt made himself a me
diator upon the basis that the strike mus
be settled by a compromise which SHOULD
insure to the miners such consideration
as a board of arbitration shall declare I,
be just The American people demande,
for the miners a hearing before a tribuna
of just men, not because they have votes
but because they belong to the human
family. Mitchell. Gompers and Sargent
representatives of labor, received as mucl
consideration as did ths representatives o
capital, because their conduct made i
possible.