The Dolores star., 1904-09-30
For President
ALTON 8. PARKER
Of New York.
For Vice President
HENRY q. DAVIS
Of West Virginia.
mlLIrARlsM in COLORADO
As II Appears to Republicans Of
Other StateS:

/ VhslCI otukCSs
Many il civilian, appalled, and be-
wildered by the methods OF the mill
tary authorities of Colorado, hhs been
waiting for the Army and Navy
journal to supplement his untutored
lay intelligence with Its official techni-
bal knowledge. But apparently the
military authorities of Colorado have
transcribed the comprehension even
of military experts. ut is difficult
says the last issue of the Journal, ITO
find any satisfactory exp; nation of the
extraordinary COURSE pursued by the
executive authorities OF Colorado with
reference to the labor disturbances in
that state, except ON the assumption
of q profound ignorance on their part
or the scope and purpdse of military
authofity.'' ~
In two respects ESPECIALLY does the
Peabody Idea Of law and order call for
the close scrutiny Of oil American citi-
yens who believe that law and order
can be secured without encroachments
upon civil liberty.
In the first place, the national guard
Of Colorado, defending the mines of
the state against the Western Fedora
tion OF Miners, has been drawing its
pay from money advanced to the state
authorities by members OF the Mine
Owners Association. IA strange
Spectacle this" says s., II. Adams in
Golfers, "of d state hiring out It's
militia to tile feud Of private interests"
"This arrangement" says the Army
and Navy, Journal, virtually places
the troops for the time being in the re-
lation OF hired men to the mine opera
tors and morally suspehds their func-
tion of state military guardians Of the
public peace. 1t is d rank perversion
of the whole theory and purpose of the
national guard and more likely to in
cite disorder than to prevent it."
The second alarming circumstance
connected with the Peabody idea is
that the national guard, being in the
pay of the mine owners, has addressed
itself to protecting the interests Of its
employers rather than to conserving
the welfare of the public. It's actions
have been those of band Of private
gladiatots. It might have been ex-
pected to itisist upon general disarm-
nment., 1t might have been expected
to deprive both parties of their weapons
and then to remain on the scene until
all difficulties had been peaceably ad-
justed. 1t might have been expected
to discover and punish the individual
perpetrators of special crimes. These
expectations would not have been un-
reasonable. When the United States |
regulars were sent to the capital of
oklahoma they restored law and order
in just this way.
The national guard of Colorado is
different. Instead Of insisting upon a |
general disarmament, it has acted |
simply as a reinforcement to the armed
bands of the Mine Owners Association
and the Citizens Alliance. instead of
standing between the two lawless,
belligerent parties as the coercive
representative Of the impartial majesty
of the state, it has aligned itself SO |
ilefiRitely with the mine owners that
General Bell was not ashamed to say:
tone deportation after another will be
made until there is not one left who Is
persona non grath with the mine own
hrs and the alliance" Instead of rum
ming down the guilty, It has herded
innocent and guilty together in bull
pens; It has made arrests for lese
msieste--that is, for abusing the
national guard; It has plundered stores
And offices; it has suppressed and de:
stroyed printing establishments; it has
deported pfopartied citizens OH frivolous
charges of vagabondagei and 1t has
closed peacefullx operated mines, the
employees Of which belonged to. the
ttnion. lii other words 1t has aband-