The chronicle=news., 1914-06-23

Mr.. Patterson's taxes or lower theirs
they should tie red bandanas about
their necks, parade the streets Of
Denver in open daylight with high
power rifles, burn his dwellings and
other property, and upon the arrival
Of the police these men, claiming that
the police were dominated by his in
fluence, should turn their guns upon
them? What would Mr.. Patterson
say? Would he not through the
press and from the rostrum tell the
people of Colorado that such acts
could not be justified upon any
grounds? Would he not insist that
no conflict of opinion. Industrial or
official dispute. should be allowed to
justify small rebellion? Would he
not maintain that the will and judg-
ment of the chosen representative is
ordinarily far safer and much more
accurate than the wish and desire of
either of the heated and contending
parties, and that the annulment Of
official will by armed force in one
case of serious dispute is danger
our precedent and inducement for the
use of arms in every case?
The strength and efficiency OF our
government does not rest in the ply
steal numbers or force OF officials,
but rather in the disposition of the
average citizen to respect. recognize
and obey official authority, and in
his determination to require his fell
low to do likewise. The few hundred
police of Denver could not preserve
peace for one-half hour were 1t not
that the large majority Of the 2OO.-
900 people there are not only will
ing and ready to obey, but are de-
termined that all others do the same.
This ability and disposition of a
whole people to recognize the will
or authority of a single executive Is
deep rooted. 1t represents the
growth of centuries. 1t is priceless.
With 1t democratic government is
possible. Without it the experiences
of the countries Of southern Europe,
Mexico and South American republics
must be of continuous recurrence.
Our people have learned from many
generations Of experience that they
who would live by the sword must
have the courage to die by the sword.
The wives. daughters and mothers Of
this state know full well that II
every disputant at any time Of heat
shall be allowed to grab the rifle,
their sons and brothers. husbands
and fathers, will have from hour to
hour to be ready to answer the sum-
mons of the state. .-s-l
Every patriotic member Of the Leg
islature responded to Governor Ann
mons call for help. Legislators may
often be influenced by unworthy mo-
tives, but under the stress OF great
crisis something deep and true inevi-
tab1y comes to the surface in every
The fact that secret organizations
have made public announcements
and that so many patriotic people,
irrespective of parties, have definitely
allied themselves with one movement
or another in the different counties
of the state shows the basic metal of
which our substantial men and wom-
en- are made.
Politicians who were never before
very firmly grounded are beginning
to see the glimmerings Of new
light. They are for the enforce
ment of the laws against insurrec-
tion with the proviso, however, that
every official be fair and impartial
in all other things and every law be
enforced. The good people Of the
state will certainly have no quarrel
with them in their claim for equal
enforcement of law. Nor will they
permit a claim of inability. to ,en-
force all laws serve as an excuse for
inaction against insurrection.
The people don't want any cx-
cuses or any provisos. With Off
5 cials as fair or unfair as they now
are or may be in the future. with
laws as perfect or imperfect as those
written in the books today or may
be written there tomorrow, when a
group Of men turn their rifles on
the sheriff or officer of the National
guard, where will the prospective
candidate be? The issue is clear cut.
1t cannot be confused.
Disputes between men Will proba-
bly, never end as long as there are
two left on the face Of the earth.
There have been many strikes be-
fore in Colorado. The man who tells
you he is going to end all strikes in
II l.. foo