New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-13
THE sHORMAKBRs, STRIKE.

The strike Of the Shoemakers Of Lynn for in
creased wages seems TO be extending itself through
out the principal shoemakng districts OF New
England, and to be gaining consistency and
strength. II has begun to excite sympathy in this
City and elsewhere first among shoemakers, but
other workers for wages are disposed to render it
st least some manifestation of good will. On the
other hand, the employing manufacturers seem
quite generally to have refused either to pay the
prices demanded or at least to sign any contract or
engagement binding them to a continuance in so
doing. The following statement, agreed to by
most of the employers in Hayerhil, Mass, probably
expresses the general determination:
Wher,a, ore convinced that STRIKES called, are
founded false ideas Of the relations Of work and and
tend OF all connected with them; and pheTeds
st.t.v iiwSd md iSTJoD IN il. demands therefore
Reored That have and VIII set faces FIRMLY against
e,g nstion not TO ign any paper under their dctation
doing this disclum all desire maintain unnatural de-
preston wages any tho exercise OF his
shts end privileges contrary anxious that labor
should be suitably paid aud ew gladly advance our pay For
ing that The present condition of shoe labor and manufacturing is
owing 70 En- oseIea 81 of ssa S viii "Sr
permanent relief"
We do not know that any interference by dis
interested parties with the progress of this strife
can effect any good, yet we are tempted to call at
teniion to few elemental truths-as follows:
I. Every free laborer is his own judge as to the
suiiciency or inadequacy of the price which any
one may see fit to offer him for his work, with the
fullest liberty to decline it if he should deem it bis
interest or his duty to do 80.
H. II is his further right to combine with any
number of bis feow.workmen to refuse to work at
price which he deems inadequate, and to agree
on scale of prices for their labor or its product
which seems to them reasonable and just.
III. But he has no right-and ten thousand like
him have nOne-to constrain others to unite in up
holding hat scale Of prices or to refuse to work for
less. II may or may not be mean-souled and dis
reputable to do what majority of the craft have
agreed not to do, and he who does it must submit
TO the odium thus incurred; but no one has right
to lay hand on him, or to do aught whereby his
freedom TO act upon bis own convictions is nfrnged.
~. The right of employers is commensurate with
that Of workmen, and equally sacred. A. is his
own Judge as to whether it does or does not become
him to make certain kind and quality of shoes for
three or feur shlllings per pair; but ID. has aper-
feet right TO Judge whether he can afford to pay the
price which A. may fit to demand, and To act on
his own conviction, regardless of AS. II A. and
b. cannot agree to the price aforesaid. the result
is no rade but there is no reason that either should
hate or defame the other. Aud if either, because o
this difference, is impeed to abridge the freedom
or damage the property Of the other, he commits
trespass for which he is justly amenablo to TIT
laws.