“The strike occurred on May 11, and from that time until the soldiers
went to Pullman, about July 4, 300 strikers were placed about the
company’s property, professedly to guard it from destruction or
interference. This guarding of property in strikes is, as a rule, a mere
pretense. Too often the real object of guards is to prevent newcomers
from taking the strikers’ places, by persuasion, often to be followed,
if ineffectual, by intimidation and violence. The Pullman Company claims
this was the real object of these guards. _These strikers at Pullman are
entitled to be believed to the contrary in this matter, because of their
conduct and forbearance after May 11. It is in evidence, and
uncontradicted, that no violence or destruction of property by strikers
or sympathizers took place at Pullman, and that until July 3_ (when the
Federal troops came upon the scene) _no extraordinary protection was had
from the police and military against even anticipated disorder_.” (P.
xxxviii.)
This paragraph from the report of Mr. Cleveland’s own Commission is
sufficient answer to Mr. Cleveland’s article. It is conclusive,
crushing, overwhelming.