Comparative Meanings.—
By Editor
In San Francisco a street-car strike is pending. The United Companies wish to move their cars, but are prevented by the strikers. In the first four days of the strike, according to the report of the employees, 127 car windows have been smashed, trolley ropes have been cut, and other injury done to property; nine men have been, without reported injury, forcibly removed from the cars they were attempting to operate, and nine others have been assaulted and injured. Now the companies may be all wrong; we confess that our sympathies are with the men in the strike, who ought to receive larger wages; but we do believe that a company has the right to operate its own property unmolested. But the thing we wish to note in this writing is the comparative meaning of words. In the light of the above conditions the mayor tells us, “The conditions are now peaceful, and peaceful and orderly they must remain.” It would be difficult to find the place or condition in which the mayor would concede that strife and disorder existed. This is the world’s idea of peace. This is the “peace” that many professed Christians have with God. Words used in this way become utterly meaningless. Peace is harmony, is union, is accordance with the same standard. It is hoped that the strike may be settled peacefully, and that no further violence be committed.