The New York herald., 1850-07-22

STRIKE OF THE MEcuANIcs-PRAcTIcAL Social
ISM AMONG THE TAILoRs-The mechanics and
tradesmen of this city have been engaged in the
work of adopting measures to procure higher rate
of remuneration for their labor from their employ
ers or bosses, and in forming societies for their
mutual benefit and protection. The undertaking is
laudable, and is entitled to conmendation and SUP
port. No man or set of men can be found to work
for less rate than they please, or for such a
as they think their services are worth, or what is,
in their estimation, sufficient for the respectable
support and maintenance Of themselves and fami-
lies. They have q perfect right to combine to-
gsher for that purpose, and to take such measures
as may seem to them the best to attain their OBJ
jects, provided they do not interfere with the rights
of others, or violate the law which is framed for
the security and protection of all members of the
community, the employer well as the employed,
the rich as well as the poor.
For some time the trades people got on very well
in making their arrangements to secure better
return for their labor. Their proceedings were
conducted with order and decorum, and were char
acterzed with great practical sense and discretion
In this movement they had the influence OF this
journal, which was rendered to them without So
icitation and in almost every instance our support
ledged. The sympathy Of the public was also with
them The result was, that in almost every in
stance the just and reasonable demands of the en-
ployed were conceded by the Employer, and har-
mony and good feeling were restored between
them.
As long as the mechanics were left to the mselve
in this matter, they got on very well; but, in an
evil hour the clique of foreign and native social
sts attached to the Tribune newspaper the organ
Of the Fourierites on this side of the Atlantic in
ruded themselves into their meetings, and by dint
Of eroniery, insinuated themselves to a certain
extent in their estimation. We cautioned the me-
chanics at the time against what they were allow
ing, and pointed out the consequences which would
follow the intermeddling Of the socialists, if they
continued to permit il. We told them all the
socialists wanted was to get them joined to their
standard so that they could, with their assistance
more openly and with increased force, array labor
against capital, and continue agitatng their doc
trinesin this metropolis.
In many instances-indeed, most all-our warn
ing was needed. The tailors, however, neglected
il, and what do we see We see them vio-
atng the law, by forcbly seizing work from jour
neymen Of their craft, who are compelled, perhaps
by necessity, to labor at lower prices than the others
have established as a fixed rate. The first step,
therefore, towards producing anarchy has been
akenihe law has beeA violated, the rights Of per-
sons invaded, and the perpetrators Committed to
prison to answer for their offence. This is the
natural consequence Of tie advice snd teac hing Of
the socialists; and il might, in the order Of things,
have been expected. Such proceedings cannot be
justified and although the journeymen tailor. will
be forced to bear the stigma attached to it, the
greater portion Of the censure ought to be visited
the clique Of socialists, whose advice and doc
irines directly produced il.
When will our mech mics and working people
learn sense enough to keep aloof from those theo-
rists who are striving to produce, in this happy
country, the sad and melancholy scenes which are
80 frequently witnessed in France When will
they learn that the socialists have not a sympathy
in common with them-that they are endeavering q to
use the mechanics and working people for their own
ends, and to promote their own purposes, withou,
caring hg for the welfare OF any but themselves
We trust that the Lesson which is taught by re-
cent proceedings will not be forgotten, and that
the mechanics and working people Of New York
will reflect that they can gain nothing by violating
the law; but, the contrary, that they will lose
the support of their real friends and the public who
desire 10 see them rewarded for their labor Il is
gratifying 70 know, however, that the mischievous
effects Of the focislist teachings are confined 10 a
small circle, and that the bulk Of the working
classes pursue the even tenor Of their way without
invading the rights Of others, while combined in
Sc curing their own.