The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-17
ORGANIZED LABOR AND THE
MILITIA.

A dispatch from Wabash. Ind. published
in the Journal of yesterday. stated that
resident Of that city who had been trying
for several weeks to organize a militia
company had announced his abandonment
of the project. He had thirty names en-
rolled, but could not get more. He said
that at every turn he encountered the
Wabash. which virtually forbade their
members from joining the militia. He
stated that lin the union meetings the
strongest arguments were advanced against
aiding in the formation of the companies
on the ground that the militia in time of
strikes would be employed to crush the
workingmen in the interest of the corpora
tions." 1t Is not pleasant to learn that the
labor unions in a representative Indiana
city have taken the position above stated.
The public has learned through the press
of the existence of such feeling among
some labor unions of the East, where a
member was expelled for serving in the
New York state militia, but ii was hoped
this was due to strong foreign element
In the unions. 1t Is a dsagreeable surprise
to discover that the same sentiment exists
in the labor unions of an Indiana city
whose membership presumably is chiefly
American. From public. patriotic, ma
tional or state point of view the reasons
against such a position are so strong that
1t is surprising that any considerable num-
t.a,- 81 fs,-.
should take it,
The militia. or. as it is sometimes called.
our citizen soidiery. is peculiarly an Amer
lean institution. From the foundation of
the government to the present time it has
been regarded by statesmen of all parties
and by all good citizens as one of the best
features of our political system. 1t has
been approved and commended by every
President from Washington to Roosevelt.
Members of Congress of all parties have
has been the mainstay of the government
in every war we have had. The loyalty
and efficiency of the militia in every time
of need has furnished the strongest argu-
ment against maintaining a large stand
ing army and has. in fact, made it unneces-
sary to do so. Within a very short time
Congress has passed new militia law and
made large appropriation for it's sup
port, and all the States are helping to
establish and maintain the system. From
a public. patriotic. national or state point
of view much can be said In favor of main
tanning militia. and not word against it,
The reason assigned in the dispatch
referred to for opposing it has in
1t no element of patriotism or of civic
duty or good citizenship. No really patriot
ground for opposition to an institution that
has occupied an honored place in Ameri-
can life from the revolutionary war to
the present time.
Aside from public reasons why labor
unions should not oppose the militia there
are reasons of another kind 1t should be
the policy of the unions to court public
favor. popularity and support by all hon.
orable means: opposing the militia has pre-.
cisely an opposite. tendency. 1t should bt
criticism and allay all suspicion as to the
rectitude OF their motives; opposing the
militia invites criticism and excites suspi
cion. 1t should be the policy of the union:
to convince the public that they have NJ
intention of defying the law or doing any
thing that would compel the civil authori
ties to use the militia to maintain order OF
preserve the peace; opposition to the militia
| is equivalent to a confession in advanc,
| that the unions may. at some future time
assume an attitude that will justify calling
| out the militia to preserve order. protec
property or enforce the law. 1t is not as
serted that any union intends or expects t
assume such an attitude, but opposing tn,
militia is equivalent to saying that If the.
do they do not want to be interfered with
The simple truth is that when labor unions
oppose the militia they oppose an immens'
majority of the American people and tn
laws of the United States and of ever!
| State in the Union. If they allow them
selves to become generally committed t.
that position they will make stupendou
blunder.