The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-09
Tho Labor Movcmont-Its DEVELOPMENT
ana Future Dircction-Tcndencv to
Violence Checked.

and Future Direction-Tendoncv to
Violence Checked.
Inc advice rendered by the press to the men
engaged in the eight-hour movement has not
been without effect. and the tendency to vio-
lence which had begun to manifest itself seems
to have completely died away. II is well that
it is 80, for no more fatal course could he
adopted by the workingmen than to act in de-
fiance OF the law. As we have pointed out to
them from the beginning, the success or non.
success Of the present movement must in great
part depend on the direction of public opinion.
and whatever is calculated to ALLEVIATE the svm-
pathy OF the classes not directly concerned in
the conflict between labor and capital ought
carefully to be avoided by the adj
vocates of the rights of labor. It is
easy to create prejudice in the public mind
against men engaged in any form of agitation,
and the spirit of conservatism is always ar
rayed against those who threaten to enforce
their views by violent measures. We are glad
for the sake Of the workingmen that the signs
of riot, which were very rife few days ago,
have almost entirely disappeared. The accep-
lance of the eight-hour principle by the gas
companies relieves the city from all danger of
being plunged into darkness, and we must
commend the excellent feeling displayed both
by the men and by the agents of the compa-
MES. We have no doubt that if the same wise
discretion were exhibited by the employers and
employed in other branches of industry
peaceful and early solution of the difficulty
would be found best for the interests of all
concerned.
Notwithstanding the firm attitude of some
of the employers the men show no sign of
giving in; on the contrary, logged spirit of
resistance is becoming manifest which prom
ises to carry resistance to the extreme
point. In view OF the extension of the move
ment to other important manufacturing CEN
tres the capitalists will find great difficulty
in procuring substitutes for the men they are
locking out. 1t is not at all clear that they
will not lose more in the end by resisting
d Toutrance than they would by timely accept
ance of the eight-hour arrangement. The
workingmen argue with much force that they
simply desire that the law of the land should
be put in force, and that 1t is the employers
who seek to evade the law. However, the
question must be finally decided by the perse-
verance and powers Of resistance of the par
ties rather than by any abstract right that
may be involved. If the workingmen hold to-
gether Loyalty it is difficult to see how por-
ton of the employers can refuse to accept the
proffered terms, while others in the same
trade are carrying on business and SO
absorbing the trade. The injury inflicted
on the trade of the city cannot fail to
be sensibly felt, but we think it is mistake
to imagine that all the loss will eventually fall
on the working classes They may suffer
most, but the loss will be pretty equally dis
tributed. 1t is, therefore, clearly the interest
of all parties to come to some arrangement
without more loss of time, as the uncertainty
at present existing is paralyzing business.
The threatened strike of the car drivers
would inhict serious inconvenience on the
general public if carried out, and we hope the
companies will be able to come to some arrange
ment with their men which will render q strike
unnecessary. Certainly there is no class of en-
ployes who have more claim to consideration.
The length of their hours Of duty, as at pres
ent enforced constitutes real grievance, and
is the principal cause Of many accidents; for
men worn out with long hours of labor
cannot efficiently discharge their duty On
Monday the car drivers will cast their fortunes
in with the army of labor, and unless the
companies make some compromise the New
York public will be compelled to take pedes-
trian exercise to an unusual extent In this
particular case the right is so clearly on the
side of the strikers that we cannot but express
hope that the companies will avert incon-
venience to the public by making some COM
promise with their employees
In order to show their power, and produce q
moral effect, the army of labor will have a
grand parade on Monday, with the object of
cheering the hearts Of the wavering and prov
ing to the public that the vast body of the
working classes are in favor of the adoption of
the eight-hour principle. So long as the law
is respected, and no violent attack
is made on the rights of those who
differ from them, there can be no objec-
ton to the workingmen parading and display
ing their strength. But we must urge upon
the leaders the necessity of impressing on the
minds of their followers that 'the man who |
commits q crime is their enemy" The impor-
lance of the uprising of labor is not sufficiently
understood. The movement pervades the |
civilized world, and the working masses have
evidently made up their minds never to cease
their efforts until they have placed themselves
in better position in relation to the capital
list than they at present occupy Year by year
this idea has gathered strength, and as the
intelligence of the workingmen enables them
to combine effectively there can be no doubt as
to the final issue, however much suffering may
have to be endured before the end is reached
The New Tax on Small Dealers In !
Leaf Tobacco.