The Myth of the 'Lawless' Frontier

It appears to an unprejudiced person that the Portland Oregonian, the Tacoma Ledger and other papers of the Northwest are paying entirely too much attention to Seattle affairs. The people of this city have always shown themselves capable of managing their own affairs, and they can do so at this crisis. The Oregonian is endeavoring to persuade our people from lawlessness and the Seattle papers try to induce them to do something desperate. To both it may be well to say that the probability of a lawless outbreak in Seattle is so very remote that it is scarcely worthy of consideration. The authorities have taken such precautions as are justifiable in any time of public excitement, and in doing so they have had the support of people of all classes. There has been no lawlessness of any nature here. No fires have been lit, no property has been destroyed, and no one has been molested. There has not been a day or a night when women could not walk the streets in perfect safety, and there is every reason to believe that the same peaceful state of affairs will continue to the end. Such talk of turbulence as there has been has not come from the working people of Seattle, but from transient and worthless intruders who have neither interests at stake nor homes to maintain. Such people are finding out that this is not a good field in which to sow their weeds and discontent, and are rapidly leaving.