The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-11-10

DOR we must see among other
things that labor is free. and that
means n number OF interesting
things. 1T means not only that we
must do what we have declared our
purpose TO do. see that the condi-
lions of labor are not rendered
more oneraus by the war. but also
that we shall sec 10 II that the in
s;rumcntahties by which the con-
iittona Of labor are improved arc
not blocked or checked That we
must do
Tho autoeratie action of our
government in these proceedings is
~ such nature that 1t stsgGers the
human mind. In "A free country 10
conceive jof a government applying
tor and obtaining a restraining or
der nroh.bitinr the officials Of
tabor organization from contribut-
irr their own money for the purpose
If procuring food for women ana
children that might be starving vs.
something that when known viii
shock the sensihilities OF man and
viii cause resentment.
surely the thousands of men who
are living in France. under the soil,
whose blood was offered for the
freedom ~ the world. never dreamed
that So shortly afterwards in their
avn country $50. 900 workers on
deavoring to better their working
conditions, would have the govern
nlent decide that they were not en-
titled to the assistance Of their TEL
,nSrmen and that their wives ana
children should starve. by order OF
the government
III G-f1 mi IL
pie that the inherent purpose OF the
Injunction processes, where there ~
M other adequate remedy at law,
was for the purpose OF protecting
property and property rights only
thereby exercising the equity power
or the courts TO prevent immediate
and irreparable injury.
at was never intended and there
is no warrant OF the law in all our
country TO use the injunction power
of equity courts to curtail personal
rights or regulate personal rela-
tons II was never intended to take
the place Of government by INV by
substituting personal and discre-
tionary government.
The Lever act provides its own
penalties for violations OF It's pro-
visions, The injunction issued in
this case has for its purpose not
trial by court and a jury, but an
order of the court predicatcd upon
the assumption that the law might
he violated and by which the de-
fcndants may be brought before the
court for contempt and without any
trial by jury.
We declare that the proceedings
in this case are unwarranted, as
they are unparalleled in the history
of our country and We declare that
is an injustice which not only
the workers but all liberty loving
Americans will repudiate. and de-
mand redress. The citizenship OF
our country cannot afford to permit
the establishment or maintenance
of a principle which strikes at the
very foundation of justice and free
dom TO restore the confidence in
the institutions OF our country and
the respect due the courts, this in
junction should be withdrawn and
the records cleansed from so out
rageous n proceeding.
by all the facts in the case the
miners' strike is justified. We en-
dorse It. We are convinced of the
Justice Of the miners cause. We
pledge to the miners the fun sup
port OF the American Federation of
Labor and appeal to the workers and
the citizenship of our couRtry to
give like endorsement and aid to the
men engaged in this momentous
struggle