New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-28
THE LABOR QUESTION.
THE KNIGHTS OF ST. CRISPIN.

To the EditOr Of The Tribune.
SIR 1t has never been my practice to notice
any personal attacks myself for the simple reason
that, in any cause, the individual Of little import
ancc some who acts as correspondent foryour
paper n this section has fit TO publish statements
respecting the Crspn order in this state that from my
personal knowledge know to be untrue, have
felt impeed ask the privilege OF stating the real facts
of the case through the columns of THE TRIBUNE, In
which they appeared in the most offensive form
have been connected with the CnSpin order almost
from its organization in 1867 and one half OF thc
charges made against it in the public press were uuc'
would join any one in dcnounclng II a. an ou'I"N'
common decency, as well as n hghIl'nuou
conspiracy against justice. and far ocanns
in business transactions. But happily Tor Us the e
30 fippanily made far from the truth III an roIo
headed "Thrcatenings," IN recent huhu,i VI 'Vui
papcr Won criticised letter which wrote 10 INC Do''o
Herald after returned from North Auais III "lo" 'u
moro than minated that I desired violence though
re,S.d IN deprecate it, answer TO that have only
10 say that have been all my life an extreme radical III
politics and adopted at the close OF the war; IN winch
bore nv part in ID humble way THE TRIBUNE ldea Oh
Universal Suffrage and Universal Amnesty and SIN
bcleye tina: had Congress been wise enoughto adopt IL
peace and prosperity would have been restored 10 ali
actions OF the country long But Congress saw fit
20 tempOrze and hesitate, and We all Know the result
Now then, state this not TO curry favor with any one
but simply TO set myself right at the beginning Under
stand me- never thought to be or desired to see any
violence done the Chinese in this country On tine
contrary have set my face firmly against anything
looking like threats or violence in dealing with this new
issue
The other agencies" to which alluded in my letter
to The Herad referred solely to cooperation when mas
been with me pet theory from the start Then again
did see In my trip to North Adams evidences OF spirit
that made shudder in view of the possbltcsoi INC
future Mind you the Crispins were free from all blame
20 far as threats concerned though they were the
immediate sufferers by the importation of Coolies ana
nj
order I'm this would to-day defend tile Coolies from
violence were any one so foolish to offer it, So much,
then, in justice to the Crispins of Massachusetts
Now / wish, in a few words to say that the charges
made against the Order by your correspondents IN North
Adams and Marlboro, are in the main incorrect Inc
North Adams Crspns yet struck for an increase
of wages nor did the Lodge in Marlboro dream OF such
thing striking the shop Of Mr. Howe; though Mr. Howe
in some way get the impression that they would. Inc
Lodge there responsible for the action OF the hands
i'm Mr. Howcs employ That their matter, as per-
sonay know having been called on personally 10 lhVes
tigate the affair in official capacity. The Crsph
Order never SustaiDs men in striking against those IN
sho who do not see t to join it. 1t aims TO persuade
men to Join it by legitimate and honorable means ana
those only. And Mr. Gates was prosecuted as alleged
the order was in no responsible for it, may sum
ND the purpose OF the Crspn Order in very few words
The CrSpn has three points in its creed lst 10
organize all labOrers in its branch of industry ID
10 secure less hours Of TOLL and. as consequence
higher culture for its members aid finally, as aresut CO.
operation.
Va have found by experience that the working classes
cannot be reached with practical measures until they are
Organized no matter how crude may be the form at the
beginning Camps of instruction must first be formed IN
which the necessary knowledge may be gained in order
o. naugurate and carry out the Cooperative plan OF IN
durthe only practicable o means Tor PTHpey rgar
Trade Unions only means to an end; and that emu Is
md lie presented and abused All that We can bear
ia patience. Not four days ago merGhant III inns G
said to the street, that Trade UnOnlsln was pa
enough but Cooperation worse, because It could not
Gs ~ Ga T seS Uvsterof trade And may add
trhfuy that all our efforts TO trade for ourselves nave
thus far met the most violent opposition from Ine WY
class who decry the Crspniorganzatoh as l!rauiVai
an Know inen what am saying when -sert that the
purpose CTipns is 10 work up and INTO SOOpeTa-
JUnat the earliest practicable moment and II they con,
time TO they will for one year more they VIII
have in this ate ten more cooperative shoe factories
OILERS are in progress, and shall push the thing
through admit without question that many OF our
mon have gone far but when consider how little re-
gard is manifested Tor the working classes by either
pulpit press except to consign ms 10 the regions OF
ihe damned feel quite well satisfied with the posi-
So far as have any influence with wOrkingmen,I sh1
endeaVor their elfrespec 10 mculcate lu-
e;lity Temperance and sefcutuIe; and II the %2rEng
instincts, firm in their determination to emanelpale
tat Men hey can rd 10 treat las it deserves to
treated with silent contempt the unfrendiy eOImnehs
Chinaman other immigrants come, he shal De
welcome and saie SO lar as am e9nGeTeT 9uS in
rent letter, saws he does, this nation had
better perish than encourage or allow it, By
peaceful means only would fight tins Issue sue,
few or many may be for against me. My only amnl-
lion is 70 labor the best OF ny humble ability TO 90
something die to improve the condition OF the class
10 which belong For myself care nothing, but Tor
my children and their future l concerned and you
perfectly free to crClSe harshly you please the
opinions may express. Certainly THE TRIBUNE cannot
in its desires to benefit the masses thah
am though II may be wiser III NODES
BOSfOH July %, le7O W. CUMMINGS.
ARE TRADE UNIONIsTs ALTOGETHER WRONG
To me Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Where there is so much smoke there
must little fame, and hence head this communica-
ton WI d the question: Are trade unionists altogether
il the T:ougF
Is there any improperly in wOrkngnen complaining
OF their condition. when, owing TO high prices and
rents evidently deplorablel Is there any harm in
their making OF the right Of combination in order 90
offset the superior Of their employers! Are not
srikcj juStifqhlc, of resisting reduction Of
wages. long tuey are pcaceably conducted Are
not tho demands WOIEiugncn for the regulation OF
contract labor the reduction OF the hours OF labor
aud the Improvement OF the Apprenticeship system reas
united present IN the City OF New-NOrk TO accom-
COmplish certain ends, j. u not fau 10 expect
that their motives should be fairly represented
and not that they should DO condemned
on account Of mistakes committed by few 81 thoirnum
ber2 Granting all that DC said aanst the use OF in
tndatiun during strikes and the other evils which have
charged against trade uniOnss 10y the pre- So have
iIhuitcssiual in COMPARISON 10 the temp
tatiOns which occurred 10 commit such eXcesses
and will they wholly disappear before the spread OF
education and general inteigcncci CIV.
Aeto- York, JAY Is, 1870
TDOTrpI ES 0E THE SUOFNrAEFpS