The workingman's advocate., 1866-06-16
OUR NATIO NAL LABOR CON.
MENTIONS.

attached 70 tue proceedings OF LneSe DO0lee
from the fact that the relationship hereto
fore existing between capital and labor has
recently assumed a new and alarming phase
and also from the fact that their delibera-
tions are supposed 20 embody the wisdom
reflect the interests and express the senti.
merits Of every section Of our common
coCntry. The grand army Of labor now
happily knows no distinction between q
southern or a northern mechanic; the mere
sectional issues of the past have given way
before the issues Of more important anC
permanent character, the only test of fel-
lowship being fealty to the principles Of oul
trade organizations. Their influence or i'm
portance, however, depends in a great meas
ure upon the responsibilities assumed OF
the comprehensive decision with which their
actions are governed. A convention which
assumes no responsibilities, inaugerates nc
reforms, or allows a vascillating non COM
initial policy . control Its proceedings, fsh.
% accomplish the primary objects for which
it has. been convened. While we would
be among the first to protest against an un-
warranted assumption Of power, sense Of
Justice compels u to condemn in equally
emphatic language the spirit which per
yades, under the plea Of expediency, tht
deliberations Of majority Of our national
labor unions. 1t is perfectly true a diver
gft Nf xf-f. hot Ia Nf
adopted at Boston or New York might moi
be applicable at Mobile or New Orleans, OF
that the various subordinate unions do moi
delegate extraordinary powers to their
several representatives., but it is also true
there are many important measures in which
q ndtiona interest is centered, the adoption
Of which would confer national benefit
without infringing in any manner on tbs
jurisdiction of the subordinate unions. We
believe we express the opinion Of nine
tenths Of our mechanics what we say, some
thing more tangible, than an annual ex-
change Of courtesies is demanded, as the
sum total Of their proceedings. These in
their proper place are well enough, but they
must occupy secondary and not as they do
at present, a primary position.
We have been led into these remarks BY
glaneing o7er the proceedings Of the Ma
tionsl Typographical Union, recently in
session in this city, and observing that the
three most or We might say the only i'm
nfr faA n
we're summarily disposed of, under the most
friyilOus apology for an excuse. We refer
to the proposition for est fishing a Ma
tional sinking fund, the recommendation
submitted by the indianapolis union in re-
ference to the eight t-hour movement, and
the resolutions prese. 1 by Mr.. Bockrsth,
Of ST. Louis, relative TO the Western Pub
lishers' Association. The objections brought
70 bear against the adoption Of the first
mentioned measure, viz. that it would en-
courage strikes, is certainly poor compli-
ment either TO the intelligence or the in-
tsgrity Of the craft. In labor organizations,
as in all others laggards may be found, but
the rule.
Prudence, caution, and desire for an hon.
orable Cancellation, has invariably marked
the proceedings of the Chicago Typographi-
cal Union, before resort has been made to
arbitrary measures, and We believe such
would be the testimony Of every similar
organization in the country, were it
obtained. Neither does the experience Of
those unions which have realized the benefit
Of such fund warrant any such assertion.
On the contrary an entirely different con-
clusion is arrived at. Instead Of creating
strikes, these funds have prevented them,
at least such is the testimony Of VIM. H.
Sylvis, Esq, President Of the Moulders' In
ternationai Union, than whom, no living
man is better qualified to judge. What, we
should ike to know, recently enabled that
organization to SO efectually overcome
the most powerful combinations of capital
on the American continent? ? Was it not
because it was determined to beard the lion
in his den, and practically illustrate the ben
efts of CO. cooperative Industry Was it not
because employers knew success in Troy
implied success in every city in the
United States where similar enterprise
was inaugerated and that, through the
foresight and sagacity Of the officers of that
organisation they had the means to carry
their designs into successful operation.
The other objection urgeds that it would
be simply drain on the larger Unions, to
support the smaller ones, is, II possible, still
more ridiculous, lacking even the plausibility
which might be claimed for the former.
Our smaller Unions have caused less trouble,
even in proportion to their number, than the
larger ones, and the reason is obvious. New
York, Boston, Cincinnati, st. Louis and
Baltimore, furnish ample proof of this asser-
ton, II any were required. Our smallest
are virtually our strongest
ones, and practically illustrste the oft quoted
maxim, In ssunicn there 10 strength" +" simply
because every printer employed Is uniOn
IN the large cities, norsuch claim
can bs aubsssnhaged, and consequently o.
.a3 saHL I. .bN St ff
,aats F-se1 /.