July 22, 1868
Mr. Editor – Being a participant in the general feeling which “conserves” the peace of this portion at least of Will County, we but echo the inquiry hourly heard upon our streets, why is it that there is an attempted suspension of civil rights and the constitutionally guaranteed “inalienable” and God given boon of personal liberty in our midst?
Why from the lookouts of our twin sister the town of Braidwood is the eye compelled to rest upon the frowning tokens of incipient despotism, as displayed by the arbitrary nod of the “armed and equipped sentry and patrolman? Why this bristling of bayonets, rifled steel and “pocket arsenals?” Why is it that two or three hundred peaceable and law-abiding men are subject to such strict surveillance that they cannot turn a corner without espionage, or purchase an item of food for themselves, their wives and little ones without interdiction?
Even their “uprisings and down sittings” are subjects of scrutiny. Others seek to bid them when to speak, and where, and how. This all this, in the State of Illinois, in dear delightful America, “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” the asylum of the oppressed of all kindreds and tongues – what a boon! Why, what a glorious prerogative. Who is responsible and who to blame? Certainly not the officers and members of the quasi “military bureau” established there.
The “Messrs. Pinkerton force” have their corporate organization. It is their business. They work for those who hire. The “monopoly” that calls them legitimate duty to guard the innocent toiler for bread is the party blamable, the party responsible. It is but another instance of the crushing grasp of iron-hearted, iron-handed capital at the throat of labor, of “absentee” landlord and oppressed tenant, as copied from the barbaric past – a relic of feudalism – nothing more, nothing less.
But what excuse? A proclaimed revolt, says the monopoly; a threatened assault. Why has it not occurred? For five long weeks this armed band has been present, and not an arrest; not a sign of outbreak. These laborers without work, with plenty of time for the concoctions of mischief – if they sought it, with the agony of their starving families staring them in the face, and the annoying presence of the monopolists’ guard haunting – have during all this time bound themselves by solemn oath to suffer rather than do a wrong. Abiding their counsel, they have endured without a violation of law or breach of the peace. What better test of the civility of a man’s nature? It is the highest.
It is also the best refutation of the slanderous alarm and calumnious heraldry of the monopoly that not one complaint has been entered, and not one charge sustained against these men who have been so foully wronged. Could they, they would have resorted to law, but in every instance during the past the courts have ruled against them; and hence this resort to arbitrary over. These men, the miners though delving in the lower strata, have rights in the upper world which even the monopoly is bound to respect. Whether delving below, or seeking the sunshine of their hearths above, they are men – to be treated as men, and to be respected as such. As a class, they are intelligent, orderly and trust worthy. They make promises to be redeemed, not broken, and ask the reciprocity of the courtesy in others.
The Company can take its “pound of flesh” its ton of coal – aye, all that’s “nominated in the bond,” but not “one drop of blood.” When this cruel war is over, the capital exhausts itself in strife, the monopolists, by an intelligent retrospective then can see that a “soft answer” would have healed the breach long before their first gun was fired. As one of the counsel for the oppressed, and as a lover of “equal and exact justice towards all,” in the bonds of friendship and humanity, I submit this. Respectfully, etc. J. W. Merrill
Braidwood Beginnings 