The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-12-08

declaring that the quiet. slender
man on trial was innocent. The
belief was carefully cultivated in
labor's organizations that plct
existed to destroy unionism. The
strongest evidence against the &C
cused was discounted or swept aside
by Union adherents with the con-
viction that it had been "planted".
Every straw in the proceeding was
scrutinized to learn if it pointed to-
ward the wind of suspicion. Every
act that could plausibly be construed
as part Of a great capitalistic intrigue
against labor's cause was seized upon
and made the most of. Organized
labor in general could not believe
that anybody high in it's councils
would plan and execute the whole
sale destruction of human lives.
To 80 per cent, at least, it was in
conceivable. No evidence, however
strong, other than admission of
guilt by the accused himself, would
convince them of McNamara's in
fanny.
These conditions, SO favorable to
the man on trial, may turn thoughts
toward a possible hidden motive for
surrender, but they also have re-
vealed the need of compromise even
if by that compromise the life of a
cur and coward be spared. What
weight would a jury's verdict of
guilty have had on such fixed opin-
ions? Is there anyone, even of
feeble imagination, who cannot see
the hosts of labor marching in pro-
test against the sacrifice of human
life to the blood lust of the money
power?" Is not the vision clear OF
memorial days in coming years and
of marble shafts erected at labor's
cost for labor's martyr? Truly,
force of circumstances, shrewdness
of prosecutors, slip of defenders, in
terposition of High Providence, OF
whatever it was that bought this
change of front, gave the world a
wiser solution.
4 With this solution should, and
We hope will come a driving from
labor's ranks of interruptions radi-
Gals and arch traitors. Out of it
should grow a better understanding
between capital and labor. Indeed,
between the two classes there is no
war. What seems to be conflict
without quarter is but the fomenta-
tions of radical groups in each.
Capital as whole is not seeking to
prevent the organizing of workmen.
1t is not conspiring to send union
leaders to the gibbet. Nor is or
gained labor as whole engaged in
or in sympathy with campaign Of
heartless murder and wanton des-
truction of property to force recog-
milton.
In this one case labor has voiced
its protest, contributed its gold and
shed its tears in behalf of traitors.
The shock will awaken the true
leaders. 1t will stir the ranks to
closer scrutiny of the deeds of their
fellows. If we are spared widen
ing of the breach between employer
and employee, if there has been fore
stalled the spread of undeserved
suspicion of our courts, if broader
understanding and spirit of give
and take shall grow out of what
seemed a hopeless case, the fact
that the moose is slipped from a
ready neck is of minor moment. In
view of these things, of what great
consequence will it be if Mcnamara
has bartered the undying confidence
of his fellows for the preservation
of his worthless life? Why should
one repine if he be permitted to
choose the role of living bastard in
preference to that of dead martyr?
If that is the best that can be done,
it's still a good trade. And yet the
miscreant ought to hang.-Oregon-
ian.
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