Here and Elsewhere

This article from the July 25, 1877 issue of the Pittsburgh Daily Post is optimistic about the handling of the strike in Pittsburgh but disapproving of strikes at manufacturing establishments.

HERE AND ELSEWHERE.

The wisdom of the precautions adopted by the citizens to preserve the public peace was vindicated yesterday by the good order of the crowded streets. People were curious and eager to pick up scraps of information, but the sentiment was strong that any further attempts at mob law must be crushed out. The saloons were closed, and there was no drunkenness or disorder. Some important arrests have been made, it is believed, of persons who were leaders in the incendiarism. The citizens have shown themselves abundantly able to protect life and property and maintain peace and quietness.

The only drawback to the favorable look-out are the strikes in some of the manufacturing establishments. We have every sympathy with the workmen in their endeavors to better their condition, but it seems to us that this movement is extremely ill-advised at this time. The manufacturers are less able now than they were a week ago, in consequence of the interruption of communication and the cessation of business resulting from the railroad strike, to make any advance on the rates previously paid. If these strikes would have been foolish two weeks ago, they are ten times more foolish at this critical time, with business hurled back to the very depths of depression. The workmen on a strike, or contemplating such ill-advised movement, should seriously think of this.

From all parts of the country except New England and the South, we have accounts of the extension of the railroad strike as well as of other labor troubles. Railroad communication is generally interrupted; there is almost a complete cessation of freight traffic, while the passenger travel is much impeded. The events in Pittsburgh have had a good effect on other communities, by inducing the organization of citizens for the protection of life and property. Our experience has proved their safety. The Federal Government has a considerable force well in hand to throw wherever there may be the greatest need.

There seems to be no indications of any compromise or amicable arrangements on the trunk lines. The crisis will be reached when the attempt is made to operate the roads, by running freight trains over them, manned by new employees. They will probably be guarded by Federal or State troops, and if attempts are made to interfere with them by armed bodies of strikers or sympathizers the most serious consequences may result. There is no telling where it may end. A desperate feeling has been aroused, and there is a lively sense of wrong and injury on both sides. The determination appears to be to protect every man in his right to work for whom and for what compensation he pleases.