Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-09-23
THE LAW
SHOULD
GOV RN
(By John r. Das Passos. }

II capital and labor disagree, their
disputes must be settled by law, and
mot by force, threats, or intimida.
4ion.
This, in the sense OF testing the
efficacy OF our legal institutions
perhaps is the greatest question
which has arisen, or which can arise
in Che history of our federation. In
its treatment by a legislator, or 4
judge, in the light of what has al.
ready occurred in this country It re.
'uuires more courage, resolution, nay
'sternness, than any other question
which fall under their province. II
men can settle their Individual
grievances by force, there is no need
Tor society. mean to speak with
perfect fairness to both sides, but
with equal impartlallty. We must
start out with the concession that
saIl men cannot be wealthy. There
must. and ever will exist, at least
two well defined classes: the one
'bhNihb w lNNdlu nudl ~ Hd5s NIt
other struggling to better It's condi-
f<ion. We find no such features In
this country In the contest for
wealth. social and political position,
AS were developed In Rome, In the
Tong struggle between the plebelans
and the patrlcians. Modern hlstor-
dans have enabled us TO follow that
struggle clearly; and Il bears no
analogy to any contention which can
arise here between capital and la
'bor. The laborlng man starts out
in this country as the political equal
of the capitalist. His aim seems to
be To throw into the battle Illegal
3orce.
He abandons argument and
throws arms into the scale OF dis
pute. on the other hand. the capt.
val Is ready TO use his money to de-
feat the political and other machlna-
tions OF the laborer Both sides are
ready TO resort TO all methods TO
win. but the advantage generally, IN
point OF sympathy. Is with the la
borer. A contest, then, which should
be settled by law, which should he
lltlgated on It's merits. or by the
v-ules OF Justice. thus ls sought to he
adjusted by unnatural and Illegal
means. and the real controversy Is
aost sight OF. The law Is thwartei
or dehed and the laborers, consoli-
dated In unions. by means OF strikes
and force seek TO over-awe and 20
coorce capital The right OF the
public and the law are treated as
mere ciphcrs. Now this contest be-
comes at once a struggle between or
der and anarchy, and Il ought not,
un law abiding country 10 be toll
verated for moment, Every arm
should be upllfted against such n |
movement The mon who seek by |
Horco. outside OF the law. to terror
aSe compliance with their demands |
are the worst enemies of society |
ON the other hand. the capitalist
who seeks 90 gain his ends by cor
Snption or the unlawful use OF mou-
9y Is striking murderous blow at
vsoeiety aud government at the other
sand of its organization.
This situation reveals most |
shocking state OF weakness In our
sSovernment II the striker be n
scitizen. which he generally Is, he
snost nagrantly violates his compact
with society To obey the law; for
what can he more anomalous than
"A citizen seeking by arms TO redress
mis- own grieyanoesg II one does Il,
why should not another2 II is pure
anarchy. Then. II a government can
not instantly suppress an insurrec-
zion, AS one would stamp out Are
which threatens wholesale destruc-
tion Of property; II all OF It's citizens
do not see where such occurrences |
will lead, then | say such govern
ment needs repairs; II Is out OF or