The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-08-20
ANARCHY IN SOUTH AND WEST,

ANARCHY IN SOUTH AND WEST,
Whenever there is a violation of law
during a labor strike some very good
people In community will invariably
raise their hands in holy horror and
say, Down with trade unions! They
encourage lawlessness. They are en-
emies Of society. Down with Them
We haven't heard very much Of a
protest from this course because Of the
total disrespect for the law shown by
the public officials and people Of at
fuence In Colorado. Neither have we
heard one murrnur against the Russian
system of deportation adopted there,
nor of the practice Of the military and
governor Of the state In denying citi-
zens their constitutional liberty.
Down in democratic Georgia on
Tuesday two men were burned to the
stake by an enraged mob in the pres
ence of the state militia and the deputy
sheriffs. after having been tried in a
court Of justice, convicted by a jury
of their peers and condemned to die
by the judge.
When the mob secured possession Of
the prisoners 1t was found that the
weapons Of the militia were empty, and
hence no successful attempt could be
made to resist the pressure of the mob,
Is it not a stronge fact that the militia
is always used to protect property
rather than to protect life? It is true
both in Georgia and In Colorado.
The mob was supposed to have been
enraged, and yet it was calm enough
to be induced to move back to enable
a photographer and man with a
moving picture machine to secure some
pictures of the horrible deed.
There Is no excuse for anarchy In one
form In Republican Colorado or In an
other form in Democratic Georeia.
Those responsible for it in both states
VIII walk the streets free men. and the
strong arm of the law will be held back
by the machinery that should move it.
Turn the tables, Let such deeds be
-soaatnittttee By an angry mob 81 strik-
ers' and gibbets would be. busy fer
years hanging those responsible for
the crimes.
We stand for condition of affairs
that will insure every citizen In th,.
country rich or poor, black or white
the full enjoyment of every constttu-
t1onal privilege. If man commits a
crime, no ma tier where. he should he
tried by the proper court, and If con-
victed he should be punished as nre-
scrtbed by law.
we stand for that old axiom: The
law should be no respecter of persons ),
Lynching in the south. deportation IN
Colorado or rtoting in strike are all
IN violation Of the law, Those euilty
OF any Of these offenses should h.
punished after a. fair trial. and In M
other manner.
This Is our position. It is the most.
ton OF all labor organizations. +
should be the position Of all men who
believe in government. He who cham.
p1ons any OF these forms of wrone ia
as bad an anarchist as the degenerate
who Wtllfully plots assassination. There
Is no difference in either, except in de-
gree.
WHITTIER are we drifting? Is It not
time for the truly law respecting and
liberty loving people Of this country to
rally their forces and save the conn
try from the growing tendency Of the
times. which is leading to aisrespect
for the laws Of our nation the pollu-
tion Of public offices and eventually
anarchy in its most hideous form?