The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-21
1.-the Irrepressible Conflict"

The New York Journal Of Commerce,
phllosopbizing on the eight-hour procession
OF the workingmen Of New York, the other
day, invites attention to the fact that
"They were, as class, intelligent looking,
we'll dressed, and exhibited no signs what-
ever OF poverty or prlvation. Great numbers
OF them, we dare say, have balances at savings
banks, and live in comfortable homes much
more happily than millions of others In this
country who never think OF parading streets
with banners bearing distressful notices"
But as the bystander watched these long
lines OF robust and clear-eyed workingmen
moving swiftly past, he was driven to won
der-What is their grievance? What is the
trouble with them? The editor says:
1.-THE flags, the gonfalons, the inscriptions,
did not answer the question satisfactorily.
There was perpetual recurrence of legends
about enforcing the elght-hour law, but the
wellintormed spectator knew that that was
not The real demand which this parade was
sent forth 10 make. The truth is that this pro-
test against what Is termed the non-enforce.
ment of the eight-hour law was merely the
pretext of Wednesdays demonstration. Hav-
Ing no substantial grievance before them, the
labor societies we're obliged 10 take up with
that. Their deeper purpose was TO make a
formidable display OF their numbers, to I'm
press the community. and, we regret to add,
to menace it, with an idea OF their systematic
organization and imposing strength. Their
real aim is TO form party ohich shalt fla
the hours of labor and the compensation for
il, not alone on public buildings, but in all The
trades and industries Of the State. They would
extend the power OF the unions, go as to con-
troll The details of every employers business,
dictate TO him whom lie shall hire, and what
he shall pay, aud use his capital as they, and
not he, saw fit.'
Intolerable as all this would be, however,
the Journal is certain there was deeper
motive beneath the surface
'For, in the turnout of Wednesday are en-
bodied the sentiments of the International So
ciely Of Europe, the perfect work OF whose
red hand was seen In the atrocities of the
Commune. We know that the processionsts
do not think so and do not mean so, but they
are on the road that leads up TO the terrible eX-
cesses of Paris. What starts out innocently
enough ends, under the guidance Of dema-
gogues, in consequences at which the world
shudders. And it was an ominous sight, as
showing how naturally peaceable men will
ha1bor dangerous ideas 10 their heads, 10 Oh
serve in the parade huge cannon, faDked by
red flags and moving under the shadow of a
crimson banner, inscribed Eight hours;
peaceably il we can, forcibly if we must"
Nevertheless, the Journal gees on to say,
catechize the men in the procession individ-
ually, aud you will find that most OF them
repudiate communism
'But they do not the less hold to the right
of trade unions to impose their own crotchets
on employers, and on all non.union laborers;
and. from that doctrine to full-blown COM
munism, the distance is not so great that they
might not stride over 1t, under the pressure OF
organization and able, unscruruloas leader.