And suppose, finally, that the expected trouble had followed, would anyone in possession of his senses believe that these things had been done to protect life and property and preserve law and order?
That is substantially the case that President Cleveland is trying to make for himself and his administration out of their participation in the Chicago strike.
THE REAL LAWBREAKER THE RAILROADS.
The implication that runs through Mr. Cleveland’s entire article is that the railway corporations were paragons of peace and patriotism, law and order, while the railway employes were a criminal, desperate and bloodthirsty mob which had to be suppressed by the strong arm of the government.
No wonder the ex-President is so dear to the iron heart of the railroad trust and every other trust that uses the government and its officers and soldiers to further its own sordid ends.
Let us consider for a moment these simple questions:
Who are the more law-abiding, the predatory railroad corporations or the hard-worked railroad employes?
What railroad corporation in the United States lives up to the law of the land? Not one.
What body of railroad employes violates it? Not one.