Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-19
THE B.S.D OF THE STRIKE.

There will be general feeling of relief
at the collapse OF the labor movement in
New York. 1t became evident some time
since, that hundreds Of those who had en-
gagged in 1t were forced TO the action, not
by the oppression of their employers but
by the tyranny of the Trades Unions and
were waiting favorable opportunity TO go
back to their work. The movement, or
ganized on a gigantic scale, and invigorat-
ed, when seemingly on the point of decline,
by tho sudden accession of the thousands
of metal workers, developed to the fullest
the strength OF the secret and powerful
labor organizations. The failure of the
strikes is the ruin of the Trades Unions.
Henceforth it will be generally understood
that arbitrary dictation, under threats and
terrorism, will avail nothing whatever in
solving questions between labor and capt.
tai. Employers have shaken themselves
free from such bondage. The working
men themselves are likely to look with lit
tie favor upon organizations which were
strong only in persuading them into diff
ficulty, and powerless TO help them out.
While there will be but one feeling as to
the demagogucs and schemers who have
led the movement, and pushed it forward
for the advancement of their own interests,
the misguided workingmen, who have
gained nothing and lost so much, deserve
almost unmingled compassion and sympa-
thy. Considering the immense number OF
men involved in the movement, and the
desperate recklessness likely to be evok ed
by weeks of idleness, the small amount OF
crime occasioned by the strikes is some
thing simply wonderful. Doubtless much
is due to the much abused police who have
been on duty day and night, and at the
least suspicion of violence have shown
themselves prompt and courageous. Much
more, however, is due to the good sense
and calm judgment of the men themselves
who have RETAINED from hostile demon.
STATIONS as the worst thing possible fol
their cause.
The cost of the strikes cannot be easily
computed. Its total, as affecting the work
ingmen, is millions of dollars. The three
thousand men in Singers employ, who
after a two months strike, went back tC
work on Monday, have lost over five hun.
dred thousand dollars in wages that should
have been theirs. This is the loss of but
single body of workingmen, in one trade
and affords only a hint as to the tota
loss. And now, as these thous
ands of workingmen return to thei
work, what do they find? Homes destitut,
of comforts, families in want, and sum
mer half gone. Too often, moreover, they
will find the avenues of occupation CLOSED
to them. The arrangement of bushes.
which they have been themselves instru
mental in bringing about is so great that i
will, it is thought, cause reduction of a
least one-fourth in the manufactures of the
city for the next three montl $. The inev
liable result will be that hundreds of mer
will have to lie idle. The strikes are in
deed over, so far as the action of the mer
is concerned. But nothing can avert theil
disastrous result; and Time has still tC
work its terrible revenges. The failure o
the "strike' of 1872 teaches wholesom,
lesson, but at bitter cost.-DoSton Journal