Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-17
Without Public Sympathy

ORDERS which have been issued to tho
~ States. TO prepare camps for the general
mobilization, at war strength, of the National
Guard, show how close to hostilitics the nation
now is. The difference between our present
situation and war itself is legal. rather than
actual. At any moment. literally, the clash
may come. How can the leaders Of the rail
road brothcrhoods speak in the same breath
Of patriotism and of the strike which they
have called?
Even from the viewpoint of their own
selfish interests and the interests OF the men
they direct. they are taking an Improbable
course The popular mind is filled with angry
resentment and rightfully so. There is no
popular support for their cause. If the strike
reaches the proportions which have been out
lined if yelled threats which have been made
actually arc executed, there will be more suf-
fcring throughout the United States than any
war in which We likely soon TO engage
would cause. Probably there will be quite
as many deaths. although the victims will
be the aged and the ill and the little children.
rather than the strength and manhood Of the
nation.
The trainmcn have had at least one expert
cnce with Il strike which lacked public
sympathy. When Eugene " Dcbs led his
cohorts in Chicago and the Middle West and
President Cleveland used regular troops to
protect the movements Of the mails the coun-
try was against the strikers. They not only
lost that fight but they saw their unions lose
power. respect and influence and sink into
impotency. 1t was twenty years before they
recovered from the blow
No strike ever succeeded which lacked the
approval of the public conscience and this
strike which impends can never win that
approval. The 100000 trainmen are placing
their welfare above and in opposition to the
interests OF 100 100000 people, They are
scornful of all suggestion they reject all
offers of mediation; they will not consent to
they will have their immediate pound of flesh,
to the last ounce and though the heavens fall
That is the attitude Of the leaders, but we
shall be surprised if it receives anything like
the unanimous support Of the men in the
ranks. Many of these men will not follow
where 1t is sought to lead them. From the
paths Of folly, disoyalty and inhumanity
they instinctively rebel.
There can be no degrees Of patriotism in
such a crisis this nation now faces He
who is not for his country is against it, and
he who would weaken its energies, lessen its
preparedness and distract it's thoughts from
the great world questions which now should
engross them is unworthy of the high honor
and rich privilege of American citizenship.
1t was sound judgment which inspired the
president to place negotiations for averting
the strike in the hands of the Council for
National Defense. for the strike which has
been called is an attack the defenscs OF
the country quite real as any the Kaiser
mad planned. 1t is our hope that the reDre-
Sentatives OF the council will be able to bring
the chiefs OF the brotherhoods to their senses
and thus save them from the preparation of
an error which, once committed they would
never cease to regret