Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-27

GENERAL STRIKE OF LABORERs ON
NICoLsON PAVEMENT FOR HIGHER
WAGEs-We nUriced yesterday evening,
with profound regret, that the labOrers
employed by Messrs. Baldwin and others
in laying the NiColsOn pavement on
Main street had " struck :" as Il is called,
for higher wages. In a word, they re-
fused 10 work any longer unless the
time-nins hours per day-Was reduced
and nav increased. Such " strikes" are
common amongst mechanics and artizan
combinations ia the North, and have
been for years, but We have yet to hear
OF a single instance in which the labOrer
was benefited in the eud. While we
are the strong and persistent friend
Of all working classes, we, after long
years Of experience nave been unable to
see a solitary designed effort on the part
OF capital to make war upon labor. Such
an idea, we know, prevails; but such il
not really the fact. Both interests, of
course, seek all projections D Issible, vet
heir intimate and closely woven rela-
lions place natural a~utagOnism beyond
The possibility OF true existence. In fact
their ultimate objects are one and the
same, and no direct conflict should ever
be allowed TO exist. Experience has
proven, and always will prove, the
labOrer short sighted when be attempts
the establishment Of Al bitraTy rules for
the government Of those having the
saoney, capacity, foresight and energy to
I get ~ enterprises giving work, employ
( ment and occupation to such as would
ever remain idle snd impoverished other
wise. The capitalist is entitled to emf
uent credit for creating employment, and,
therefore, should be respected in his
views Of the true condition OF things
When war ceased "OthellO's Oceupa-
ton " wa gone; and so it is with en-
ployess everywhere. stop laying the
Nieols0n pavement u week and you
simply subtract $1,000 from the earnings
Of The 1abOrers engaged in its construction.
Families suffer, children csunOt 20 to
school, and untold evils multiply because
Of the want Of employment. This is all
the good strikes eve DO. We ike indie
peuaence in all things-we like self
reliance, Rnd You'd personally or other
wise encourage any man striving foF
right; but q misdirected conception of
such 8 eight would, and frequently does,
work untold INJURIES. "The lsborer Is
worthy OF his hire.n we admit, and a
Z proposition Baldwin & Co. have never
( denied yet the employer Is likewise
worthy. and should be equally consid-
cred. The latter have given employ
ment to thousands, and should, there
fore, be entitled IN the just credit
I they deserve. The Nicolson pavement
never could have been put down had not
! Baldwin and others thought Memphis
property holders were responsible for
Z their obligations. They believed this,
and therefore, gave employment to hun
drgds of laboring men. Their prices of
! payment for work was, Of course, a pri-
vste agreement, which should have been
complied with onthe part Of both parties.
We have not heard that the contractors
failed 70 punctualy settle every Monday
evening. The laborers make no
saou complaint, yet they demand
{ additional conditions. Baldwin d
Co, Of course, have the whole
! fnaneisl borden on their shoulders
! and aye nobly carrying il through, not
withdrawing the obstacles most hatu.
rally thrown ia their way. They are
comparatively strangers ksre, unRe
quainted with the peculiar responsibility
Of our people, yet they agree to furnish
The money required to lay pavement
ia front Of every mans property, trust
lng 10 his punetuality, responsibility and
4 hcnog for payment. such Is the present
! condition OF kings, and our property
holding citizens, tG-dRy, stand indebted
( 20 the Contractors for s0hnething oyer one
hundred and hfty thousand dollars.
/ Strikers seem not 70 appreciate the fact
that difficulties have 10 be met and sur
mounted BY capital as well as labor. Let
theua losk 70 this, and e better relation
3 OF things eau certainly be expected. fhe
laying Of the payement, We learn, VIII
be resumed to-day. So much Is owing
70 the energy, enterprise aud pluck OF
MessFs. Ealdgin 4 Co.