The Americans Part 71

(_To Captain Haskell_)

Remember that.

WORKMEN.

No! We! We seized the mill!

HARRY EGERTON.

I led them.

BUCK BENTLEY.

It was we unlocked the gates.

WORKMEN.

But we marched in, so we're responsible.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

We won't dispute about who did it, partners.

There's glory enough for all.

(_Cheers_)

I'm in it too.

(_He laughs_)

HARRY EGERTON.

But for conditions that produced this strike G.o.d knows and I know it was not these men.

I only wish that that was farther off.

GENERAL CHADBOURNE.

If wrong's been done there's legal remedies.

HARRY EGERTON.

Conditions, General, that outreach the law.

SAM WILLIAMS.

For it's that 'open market'----

VOICE.

(_From the crowd_)

Who makes the law?

SAM WILLIAMS.

Their legal right to buy the cheapest men And drive them just as hard and just as long As they can stand it.

BUCK BENTLEY.

And no troops are sent.

CRIES.

(_Some militiamen joining in_)

That's right!

WORKMEN.

No troops for us! No troops for us!

(_This cry is caught up by the crowd and is carried on back through the mill. Chadbourne looks at the militiamen and unb.u.t.tons his overcoat and feels about in his pockets_)

HARRY EGERTON.

Pardon me, General, if I speak right out, But I've seen wages lowered to buy lands, And I've seen bread taken from these men here To gamble with. There are some things, General Chadbourne, That can't go on. We've but one life to live And we just can't stand by and see some things And live. It's not worth while, it's not worth while.

BUCK BENTLEY.

And while you're here I want to say a word, For possibly we won't see you any more, And they'll be asking of us up the State.

I never thought of it----

GENERAL CHADBOURNE.

(_Handing Haskell a notebook_)

Take down their names.

BUCK BENTLEY.

Till Mr. Egerton made his talk that day; But it's a fact and it stares you in the face: When Companies are wronged, or think they are, They touch the wires and the troops are sent, But when the men are wronged, or think they are, It's 'legal remedies.'

SAM WILLIAMS.

That's well put, Comrade.

HARVEY ANDERSON.