The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-29


ureeley, says there are NO fears Of insurrection
In the free States of the North. Only
ies the Union be dissolved, and we shall
see whether there will not be an
other Shay's rebellion in New England.
and anoSher insurrection in Pennsylvania And
is there not at this moment incipient iusurreo-
ton in Massachusetts, 1t is only the strong
arm Of the federal government and the Union Of
the States thai now prevent outbreaks and re-
volutions in New England. Let the bond of
Union be snapped, and then we shall see the
same proletarian fanatical mass that are ready
to wage war against the South, subvert the
rights of property all over the North, and re-,
The Massachusetts Labor strike-A1d for
the Su6crers.
Although in the abstract the principle o
strikes is to be deprecated, there are
times when their expediency is incontro-
vertible When capital is favored by
Legislation, utterly regardless of the intere sts
ofthe isborer, no other means Of redress is left
the latter against the grinding expressions to
which he ia subjected by these combined inlu-
ences. The policy of Massachusetts, has for
years festered the association of capital and the
power exercised by moneyed corporations has
constituted despotism to which legislation, as
well as every other interest-social as well as
politicians had to bow the knee The ope.
rationof the tariff has unfortunately contributed
to aggravate the evils resulting from this state
of things Its effect has been to favor great in
dustrial monepolies, and to press hardly on the
iaborer. The political dictation exercised at
home has not suficed to satisfy the ambitious
aspirations of the Massachusetts, manufacturers.
They must needs seek to lord it over the South,
by insoiently endeavoring to force their theo-
ries Of labor upon it; but they have
been met in manner which is as
aggressive as unexpected, and which will COM
plicate greatly their present troubles.
By their conduct towards their Southern
customers they have alienated large portion
of their trade, and by their harshness and in
justice towards their work people they are now
driving them into rebellion of the most de-
termined and formidable character, and which
may terminate in the utter humiliation of the
industry in which they have invested so
largely.
Itseems to be generally conceded that the pre-
sent outbreak of the Massachusetts, shoemakers
is one of those cases which find justification
in the natural right Of selfpreservation By
one combination or another amongst the manu-
facturers the prices of labor had been brought
down to starvation point, and the only alterna-
tive left the workmen was to strike or perish.
Considering the hopelessness of their enforcing
attention to their representations by any of the
usual means, is it to be wondered at that they
chose the former? 1t is no slight testimony to
the desperately urgent necessity of their course
that it is approved of by the local clergy of all
denominations, not even excepting the Roman
Catholic, who are usually so averse to sanction
ing resistance against authority.
1t Is evident that unless the statesmen and
philosophers of New England, such as the
Everetts the Cushings and the Winthrops,
who must have long observed and deplored
the tendency Of the commercial policy of Mas
sachusetts, take steps to arrest the influences
which have brought about this conflict the
example Of the Lynn shoemakers will extend
to all the working population throughout that
section Of the country, and bring ruin upon its
Industrial interests. The encroachments of
capital on the natural rights of the laborer
have become 80 heartless and exacting that
public policy, as we'll as humanity, demands
that limits should be opposed to them. Let,
therefore, those men whose genius and elo-
quence have so often been exercised to ele-
vate the intellectual condition Of the working
classes at once come forward and grapple with
the evilswhich have driven them into this despe-
rate struggle for existence.
In the meanwhile, it should not be forgotten
that whist the contest lasts it must of necessi-
ty lead to vast amount of distress and suffer
ing amongst the operatives engaged in it.
There does not appear to have been any ade-
quate preparation made for movement of SO
extensive character, By the collection of funds
for the support Of the persons thrown out of
employment Indeed, it was scarcely possible
that out of the insufficient wages paid them
the workmen could have appropriated any
thing to such purpose. The people of New
York cannot look on with Indifference at the
miseries Of these unfortunate people. If they
believe the strike to be just one-as all dis
passionate persons must do-they viii put their
hands in their pockets and contribute literally
towards rescuing them from sufferipgs which
have been brought about by nc fault of their
OWE A public meeting of our citizens would
be the prcmptest and most effective means by
which the sympathy felt here for them can find
expression. We call upon our leading philar-
thropists at once to take steps to carry out this
suggestion. There will be an immediate and
urgent necessity for all the aid that can be pro-
cured for these fresh victims Of the rapacity
Of the manufacturing corporations Of Massa-
chusetts-