Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-11

The STRIKING SEASON. We have had frequent
occasion speak upon the subject of strikes, for the
game has been played round in this section of couu-
try after very lively fashion during the spring.
- Strike your neighbour, a freslde game, In which
the trapping makes the round of the merry circle,
is scarcely animated the s. strike for wages.
The end, however, is not yet; for - strike that
works Injustice, destroys the equilibrium between
capital and the market value of labor, possibly
be successful, whatever ever may be the temporary
result. There are laws which govern and regulate
business affairs, memorable as those OF nature.
md though they may be distorted in their appllca-
zion according TO the relation of demand and supply
for the time being, they will eventually react, and
with sharp, retaatory tone. All artificial coercion
is destined suffer collapse, just certainly it
is put into operation and that, too, from the very
publican principle which is not unrequenly cited
justification Of it. Laws negatively enforced, in
conravention Of the superior laws of the State, and
the inaienabe rights of the citizens, just as OBJ
noxious to repubcansm and civilization as though
they were enforced at the point of the bayoRet-
hat difference, soever, there may be In the spirit
of the thing, there is none IN the consequences. In
either may be utterly desPolled of his
Possessions, and that by combination, Isoatlng
him from the social privileges common to his fellow
citizens.
A case has occurred IN point in own city. The
proprietors of the Baltimore Argus have been
posed to the arbitrary dominion of unlawful COIL
bnation, operating hitherto By negative of its
power. We say unlawful tor this combination
imposes restrictions upon certain class of citizens
which the laws do not, and from which others In the
pursuit IF legitim ate business are exempt. II IS
therefore uniaufuI; and being the source of laws
thin itself, unequal in their application, it is anil
republican. 1t is against such combinations that the
law has leveled its penal authority, and which the
courts have found it expedien and necessary to EN-
Ploy.
The Argus of last evening appeared its usual
hour of publication, but with diminished amount
of new matter in its columns, the cause of which is
thus stated in editorial paragraph:
"Hish-handed Outrage.-Upon entering our Office
We're informed this morning, In the most PeTemP-
tory terms, that the Typographical Society had de-
ternined that should not have our press-work
done by Mr.. Sherwood, because he had Withdrawn
from under their jurisdiction. Not being willing to
submit to this arbitrary and unjust interference with
our rights and interests, the hands in our Office i'm
medately left, and by threats and promises induced
our apprentices to leave also.
Thus are left without single hand, because
we refuse 10 submit TO arbitrary edict of body
in which we have no voice, and where our interests
are wholly disregarded. 1t would take US a week
or more TO remove press, and subject to great
loss and inconvenience and all this must be done to
crafty vindictiVe feeling against Mr.. Sherwood.
This we can't consent to. We throw ourself upon
the justice of the community and the indulgence of
patrons for few days, when we trust we shall
60 on with our paper as usual"
According to the above as statement of fact, the
terms in which it is introduced by means in
appropriate. 1t is I" high-handed outrage only
against the propretors of the Argus, but agans,
ciety, and the most common rights of citizenship. 1t
is, moreover high offence against the laws of the
land and exposes all who are guilty of it to crmi
nal prosecution. And such conduct illustrates in a
most offensive attitude the recklesness Of purpose
with which this combination are disposed TO WELD,
what they suppose to be, an irresponsible power.
We are fully sensible of the style of argument
with which ii has been attempted palliate If not
to justify such proceedings. The plea of " self
defence; but such p ea is insult to the laws
under which we live. And it will be fatal plea if
carried 10 its legitimate consequences-fa;al
both of the Pares-f to only, it will not be the
employer.
But the paragraph quoted above does not contain
the whole matter. a second article states that
Messrs. Bull and TultIe and Messrs. Sands and
Mills practical printers very kindly volunteered their
personal aid to get out the Argus but while thus
engaged, they were also served with notice that
all their hands had discontinued their work. thus
leaving them exposed 10 the same consequences
which threatened the Proprietors of the Argus The
character of such proceedings as these, viewed either
In legal moral point OF view, is repugnant to
every principle of the social economy. The same
spirit has to develop itself but step further and
IT the establishment of the Argus was on FIRE, it
would denouRce the man who lent his aid to exIin-
guish the flames.
II Will be observed that none Of these transactions
relate to the price Of labor The question of wages
Is not In the issue. Indeed, the price demanded by
the Society have been paid both by the Messrs.
sherwood and the ProprIetors of the Argus. And
the latter now advertise for printers, to whom the
full prices will be paid. The proceedings of the
upon their system Of arbitrary coercion, and re-
Of the citizen whom they effect. Such an issue as
this likely tn Sin h0 have hadi