The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-21

try of duty which runs in the blood of
most Anglo-SaXOnS.
At any rate Mitchell has nearly broken
health by his long vigil. He does not
eat enough to keep a lusty baby going.
His sleep is far less than that of
newspaper writer. Physically he is now
entirely fatigued after the long storm.
But in brain and nerves he seems abso-
lutely mistaken. This long struggle he
has had to carry op almost alone. His
three district presidents are clever,
faithful men, but the direction of
great strike is after all a one-man job.
1t is like military campaign; there are
plenty of men. but there is only one
man. This man makes the success or
the failure. His secrets he has to keep
to keep to himself. His fears he has no
one to share with. Alone, as one of the
big army, Watchful, working, planning,
thinking day and night, he has gone
through the long struggle with not an
error. If he has Numbered anywhere l
have not heard anyone point it out 1t
| is a rare, one might say an unknown
thing, in the history of great strikes to
see the responsible leader going through
from start to finish without single
mistake that anyone can remember,
and peoples memories as to such things
are very keen.
Pitted against him the great corpora
tions hundreds of millions of money, the
best talent money can lay, traiuei men
of business and shrewd lawyers, and yet
i
side He has held his own men II ine
without a break. He has helped to fed
them and their families. He had 10 go
against treaCis nv bribery, cowardicc. r.
volt. So we'll has he done and so perfectly
has he played his part that he is ;ne dol
of the coal region people He mas won
them by his solid worth-not by posing r
Dragging. Above all things he has to
keep public opinion with him. for the sup
port of the public is the labor leader
/ fl, hoe inr inc nj no
to the closing days the public has been
with him. and never more so than now
True he has been fortunate in his OPP
ponents Baer was his best advocate. And
at the White House conference the whole
crowd of coal presidents did their level
best to make Mitchell a national hero.
But have you ever heard Mitchell saying
| tho wrong thing or showing bad manners,
or exhibiting any spirit likely TO. ALLEVIATE
| the support of the American people2 Tried
| in every way, in battle and in council, in
| brains and department he has mcyed
| steadily along without one false STEP He
| has done his work without self-seeking
without having his head turned in the
slightest degree by the height which he
| has attained. He is John to all his
friends and followers. He is careless about
/ his dress and loves to sit in his office in
| his shirt sleeves His head is not swolleE
and never was
man with less vanity I have rarely
seen. He does not appear to be aware
that he is one of the central figures n
the national stage at this time. Wher
come one mentioned him for governor Of
illinois he took it as joke When people
come to him and tell him what great
victory he has won, he returns his thanks
He is not thinking of himself. but of hi:
next move Today. before his convention
has been held, he is planning now 10 gel
his case most forcibly eefore the arbitra
ton tribunal Offers come pouring in t.
write books and ma gazine artieses and t.