The sun., 1916-09-12
HOW IS THE COWARDLY SURRENDER
TO BE UNDONE?


It seems to me We should not waste too
much time and energy In criticism OF
Mr.. Wilson. We should consider what
steps should be taken to prevent a re-
currence of the humiliatjng and danger
ous action perpetrated at Washington
during the past ten days. The people
should bear in mind that their Con-
gress as we'll az their President particle
pated in the abject surrender. The ques-
ton presented to the nation Is. What
Is to be done about it?' He would be q
vain and presumptuous man who held
himself competent to solve onhand SO
intricate n far reaching a problem.
but II would appear that In seeking a
remedy a reversion to and a thorough
comprehension Of the elementary prin-
necessary in order to proceed upon cor
rect lines.
without going into an elaborate dis
QUESTION upon the purposes Of govern
ment. we all know 1t is Instituted pri-
marily TO secure the collective and indi-
vidual safety and happiness Of the citi-
Gems and to guarantee unto them politi-
cal liberty and Justice. hat liberty and
justice which assures to every man the
right to act as he pleases and to re-
ceive what is his due. SO long as he
does not impinse upon the corresponding
right Of his fellow countryman or coun-
trymen. That is the difference between
political or civil liberty and natural
liberty. Political liberty compels a man
to act with due regard for the rights
OF others. Natural liberty permits a
mar to act regardless of the rights Of
others. Under natural liberty might
makes right and chaos reigns. while all
the ogres the human races have
achieved has been under and by reason
Of the mild and just restraints Of politi-
cal liberty.
In all governments II Is a fundamental
and essential precept that the interest Of
the individual. or Of "a class OF individ-
uals. is subordinated TO the welfare Of
the public. Whenever the good of the
citizen conflicts with that OF the public
the individual must yield. Salus populi
suprema est lex. II is all right for
both capital and labor to organize. but
such organizations must treat the coun-
try fairly II they expect the country to
treat them fairly. Neither men nor
managers Of a public service corporation
should be allowed to interfere with the
commerce of The country through the
instrumentality OF lockouts or strikes.
The courts would not permit the mana
gers of a railroad to suspend ia opera
lions. a receiver would be appointed to
run the road. A necessary c~orollary to
ihis ynla * that p.,,b.r ghnnl1 ,,,,.
men be permitted, by concerted action,
to block the movements Of rains. Now
If this is true, in what aspec; should we
regard a strike by the employers OF a
public service corporation?
A strike of the employees of a rail-
road on a scale large enough To prevent
or hinder the operation of trains is, in
its essence. a criminal conspiracy. II
may not be so by statute. but 1t works
such an injury m inficts SO much
damage Upon the business and
OF IA country that II has all the ing,ed-
tents OF "A crime. and should be so de-
nouNccd by the national n State
legislatures. When the men OF a public
service corporation refuse to arbitrate
before striking. or when managers re-
fuse arbitration and declare a lockout.
they take the law into their own hands.
We hear it said that the Government
cannot compel "A man to work against
his will. There are two to
this proposition
/. The individuals right to stop work.
ing is not affected and was not involved
in the rccen, dispute, Except in the
instance OF an individuals services being
Indispensable. If such Il case can be
imagined. no man should or would be