Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-11

There appears 10 be a disposition mani
Tested by some 20 couple strikes with
farmers AMI mechanics Cooperative
Uuious, as though there was a similarity
between them aud they were actuated and
governed by ike principles and motives.
This Wi. Do well enough for the oppo>ers
or cooperation to talk 20 such as are
simple enough 10 believe IL, but 1t l.
nevertheless unjust and gross insult to
the larger portion Of the community,
whether they are friends Of cooperation
or not.
There is no similarity between the two,
either iu the character Of the operators.
OF design, motive and intention Of the
operation Those who institute aud or
game strike, are comparatively a very
smal. number Of individuals. who are sub
servieut to, and dependent on one man, a
company Of men, or a corporation, 20
whom they are looking up for the means
Of acquiring their daily bread They
refuse 10 labor, that the injured interest
Of their supcri0rs and masters may prompt
them 10 give them better terms, and
enhance their means of support. Industry
ceases I'm the vicinity and wealth decreases.
i cooperation q jus; comparison with
this state ot,hin-s? Are the millions Of
farmers ID cur nation, who constitute q
majority cs the population o. our country
really q body O. sltsesvisnt dependents.
looking up 70 masters and superiors for
crumbs Of support dependent on them for
the means OF livelihood. and Organizing
20 force their masters 20 more liberal
terms DO they propose TO paralize the
industry OF the nation and starve their
superiors 10 bring them TO time Do
they not rather propose 10 throw into the
scale Of nationa. prosperity the advance
ment and Improvement Of the mind and
industry made more successful by knowl-
edge derived from social intercourse, ex-
perience and exchange Of views In.
stead Of Withholding their hands from
labor. DO they not propose to give a new
impetus 10 industry, by emulating the IN
dustrious. and encouraging and assisting
each other Where can We find the simih
tude between this ani'a strike
We can find II in no other light bnt 10
look upon farmers as q horde Of dependent
underings. who must beg, earn or force
fayors from their masters or starve. Do
those who make the comparison view
them in this light
\ better article touching this matter,
can scarcely be found than appeared in
the DENoCRAr Of Feb %. l make the
following extract. which Is 50 well said
that 1t viii bear repeating
The difference between strikes and CO.
operation j. simple but radical. \ strike
IS a combination 10 obstruct industry
When it succeeds the house remains un-
sheathed and unrooted, the bricks lie in
the moulds unfinished and unbaked, the
fires 20 out Of the furnace, the steam goes
ont Of the boilers, the wheels Of mill and
factory stand still, stagnation everywhere
but in the grog-shop. Cooperation Is
combination 10 promote industry. Ii adds
as an incentive 10 every mans fidelity
prospective share Of the profits. If it
succeeds the hammer-blows fall faster on
the shingles, the sparks fy merrier from
the forge the fires burn hotter in the fur
mace, the wheels run their race more
rapidly in the shops Business Is dull
only in the grog-shops." y
Paris, April 20, 1875.