The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-15

Until the bond of union between Spain and her
colony is severed, we have no hope that the
slave trade will be crushed. 1t will remain for
the statesmen of England to consider how far
expediency will warrant an annual expenditure
of some four or five millions in fruitless at
tempts to accomplish purpose which can only
be effectually attained by the absorption OF the
island into the American Union.
The Strikes and Progress or the Labor Move
ment.
1t is impossible to contemplate the recent
labor movement without feelings Of satisfaction
Whether we regard its cause or its tendency
the incidents which marked its progress, or the
results which it has already attained, we cannot
but be struck with the moderation which it has
disclosed on the one hand, and the justice it has
revealed on the other. In this respect it is
without parallel in recent history. We, at
all events. are not acquainted with any similar
movement which owed its origin to no national
misfortune, and which wrought out its purpose
without cndapgerng the public peace or even
inficting serious injury on any important class
Of the community.
Strikes have been commonly viewed as ca
lamities Riots and social disorders have 80
invariably accompanied their progress. that
they have come to be considered as insepa-
rable. Hence the instructive terror which
the name inspires. In the minds Of many who
may read these lines the term ''strike" has ever
evoked gloomy associations Of financial depres-
sion, unstable credit. national adversely, and
universal suffering. They have read of the ex-
cesses into which want of work and want of
money have hurried the laboring classes. They
have heard of times when bread was dear-not
from an unusual demand but from an insufIi-
cient supply-and when brute force was fatally
but vainly exerted to counterfeit evils over
which man had no control. Thus they involun-
tarily couple the idea of strike with scenes of
cruelty and terror in the rich mans mansion.
and CHASTITY pictures Of beggary and violence in
the poor mans garnet.
The labor movement of 1853 will leave no
such desolating traces behind it. 1t arose. as
we all know. from an unusual and possibly an
inflated season of commercial prosperity. No
portentous calamity heTalded its approach. 1t
was ushered into existence by rise in the value
|
whatever fluctuations we may expect hereafter
is not in itself misfortune. In point of prin-
ciple, it was unquest;onably just that the pro-
portionate value Of labor. capital and real es-
tate, which had been disturbed by that cause
should be adjusted. In point Of practice no
reasonable man could anticipate any evil con-
sequences from allowing the operatives to par
SO. Al
of the community. in the increase of national
wealth.
Nor has the cause Of the !" strikers" been sui
lied by acts which could lead us to question it's
Justice We have heard of no cases of violence
no instances Of oppression no attempts to bully.
One or two minor examples of somewhat dicta-
torial language on the part of the Unions have,
as was natural aroused a corresponding obsti-
macy on the part of the employers; but we do
not anticipate any very momentous results from
the skirmish. In the bulk of the cases which
have fallen under our notice, the demands of
the workmen have been reasonable they have
been urged temperately. and the employers
have cheerfully granted the concessions re-
quired. 1t has seldom been Cur privilege to
chronicle 20 happy an adjustment Of so fornda-
BILE difficulty.
Before leaving the subject, it may be well to
remind some Of our readers that the utility and
justice Of joint action on the part of mechanics
and operatives are now universally recog-
nized. The old laws which prohibited com
bnations Of workmen for the purpose OF rails
ing wages have long since been repealed and
consigned to contemptuous oblivion No en-
lightened man, at the present day, will pretend
to argue that operatives in any particular craft
have not right to meet and act in concert for
their common welfare. Combinations of EN-
ployers have always existed. Their meetings
have not been public, and their joint action has
only been felt in its effects; in many cases
indeed, their undcrs landing has been tacit: but
for all practical purposes, manufacturers in
every branch Of industry have always cxer-
ciscd the right Of combining to keep down
wages. To deny similar privilege TO the work.
men would be in direct violation OF the first
principles Of liberty.
Established on a firm basis of right and equi
y, il VIII Ccpcad Oh The combinations them
selves to show by their conduct thai their ex-