The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-10

The Eight-Hour movement-The Great
Labor Demonstration To-Day.
A singular and imposing spectacle viii be
presented in the streets of New York to-day.
Many thousands of the sons of labor-men Of
all trades and callings-will throng the thor
oughfares in orderly and, it is to be hoped,
in peaceable procession, with banners and de-
vices, bent upon making moral demonstra-
ton in support of the apparently just and
reasonable demand that capital shall hence
forth concede to labor the principle Of ''fair
days work for fair days wages" Nearly
every description Of business will be repre-
scented in the line of march, with their banners
and devices blacksmiths and piano makers,
builders and coffin makers, confectioners and
stonecutters, gilders and horseshoers, coach
trimmers and bricklayers every branch of in
dustry moving shoulder to shoulder, to signal
ize their determination to stand by each other
in the common cause. It will, no doubt, be
wonderful and an interesting sight, and it
cannot fail to have an important effect upon
the question now being 80 widely and 80
warmly agitated all over the country.
There is, of course, difference of opinion
among our citizens as to the propriety Of such
demonstrations as that which is to be made to-
day. Many, who imagine their interests are
to be injuriously affected by it, will condemn
it under any circumstances, while some are
disposed to disapprove on principle Of any ex-
hibition of force In q movement that should
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justice. But it must be always remembered
that labor is powerless without combination,
while capital holds its strength in its own hand
alone The agitation for the eight-hour system
has been now going on for some years, and 1t
has not made much Roadway yet hence the
laboring man feels that if anything is to be
accomplished in the effort to make him some
thing more than mere toiling machine if he
is to have any time to devote to improvement,
recreation and domestic happiness if he is
ever to enjoy the privilege Of doing something
in life besides to "work, work, work."
from the rising up in the morning till
the laying down at night, it must be through
united and determined effort among those Of
his class Three years ago the State Legisla-
ture passed q law declaring eight hours days
work for mechanics, laborers and workingmen
employed by the State or on public works;
but even this was only partially carried out.
The first application of the law in our city
government was made by ex-President
Sweeny, of the Central Park Commission, who
obtained the passage of resolution by the
Board fixing the hours Of employees in that
department in accordance with the law, at the
full rate Of pay previously prevailing. Other
departments followed, and now the eight
hour system generally prevails in the city.
But outside of this, few mechanics and laborers
have succeeded in obtaining this boon Of
hours, so necessary to the health
and life as well as to the happiness of the
We therefore regard the demon
stration Of to-day as not only justihable but
as matter Of necessity to those who are
in the eight-hour movement.
We must, however, urge upon those who
take part in the procession the Importance Of
peaceful, modest, sober and temperate con-
duct from the beginning to the end of the
eventful day. Not q single disturbance Of the
peace, not solitary offensive or Objectionable
act ought to be permitted. The eyes Of the
working classes all over the Union are directed
to New York, and the opponents Of the move
ment will be ready to avail themselves of any
misconduct on the part Of the processionists
to do injury to the cause. Every man who
turns out to-day should resolve not to taste
liquor until the business in which he takes
part shall be over. He is working now for his
own good-to accomplish o reform that will
be great boon and blessing to himself and
his family, and he should be careful not to de-
feat the object by any imprudent act. The
police regulations are perfect, and there is
ample power at command to protect the peace
and order of the city; but no resort to the
police force ought to be necessary on such an
occasion, and we are confident that the day
will pass over without an untoward occur
fence, and that tNe great demonstration will
have powerful effect towards securing the
demand Of the workingmen of the
country.
The Race for the French Derby