The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-01-08
Revival of Crispinism.

The Lynn Mass. Record, of Jan. /, in
referring to the revival of Crispinism in
that city, and in fact throughout the
country, says
The organization will use its best efforts
to avoid strikes, to maintain kindly rela-
tions between employer and employee,
and labor assiduously to promote the pros
perity Of the city, while aiming steadily to
secure fair play for the manufacturers and
fair play for the mechanics. The men en-
gagged in the movement are intelligent
enough to fully realize that in g community
like ours the interests Of capital and labor
are identical, and that whenever a conflict
is inaugurated, not only the participants,
hut likewise the entire community, is sure
to suffer to greater or less extent from
the consequences involved in such con-
t1ict. As business is at present conducted
III this city, an organization Of this kind is
as necessary for the rejection of the fair
minded, well-disposed manufacturer as it
is for the workman who IS member Of it.
We have faith to believe that large ma
lorlty of our manufacturers would deem
1t a pleasure to pay their help literally
for their services, satisfied as they are
that nothing 50 fully Insures local prosper
ity as well rncompGnsed industry; and as
they wish to see the city prosper, and the
people contented and happy, they are viii
ling on their part to deal justly with their
help. But we md from experience that
the question of wages is one that causes
no small share of anxiety ami uneasiness
to the honorable manufacturer, and main
ly for the following reasons; Right In
our midst We have few manufacture
who seem To be utterly devoid Of heart,
soul or conscience, regular Shylocks,
whose steady purpose 1t is to reduce
tn, r help to a condition of slavish
servitude. They are the first to cut
down the wages of the operatives aud the
last to listen to an appeal for justice. As
the organization is fully perfected, this class
Of manufacturers will undoubtedly receive
what they 50 well INERT, very close attention.
Ii is easy to be seen that though few in
numbers, this class of manufacturers have
oxerted very pernlcious influence on
their more honorable neighbOrs, compell-
ing the latter to reduce the wages of their
help ofttimes against their own Inclination.
1t is a well-known fact that nine times out
Of ten the vigilant shoe-buyer no sooner
learns of a cut-down than he demands
proportionate reduction iii the price If
the goods, so that what is filched from the
poor operatives is Of no advantage TO the
Shylocks who employ them. 1t may be
asked, what do your Lynn CrIspIns propose
to do concerning outside competition
The Crispln Order is fast spreading again
throughout the country, and bids fair,
Judging from present Indications, to re-
build all ITS old lodges; and as soon as this
is accomplished, it is expected that gen
eral effort will be made throughout the
United States and Canada, to lift this
branch Of industry TO its former prosperous
condition, thereby placing not only the
operatives, but likewise the manufacturers,
on fairer, safer and more satisfactory
basis than either the one or the other have
occupied for some time. No doubt some
will consider that an enterprise Of such
gigantic proportions will prove very dill
ticult undertaking The old adage has it
that Many hands make light work. A
few years ago the Order Ut knights Of
st. Crispin numbered over eighty
thousand members, and there is good
reason to expect TO see 1t, ere many months
pass by. regain its former strength. Eighty
or even hfty thousand men, acting IN uni
son, vlgilant and determined, are capable
of accomplishing wonderful results when
engaged in movement of this kind.
Learning many valuable lessons by their
past experience, when again tn oroughiy
united they will present IN themselves a
mighty power, which We firmly believe will
be wisely employed ia promoting the best
interests of EMPLOYER and empioye. dis
pensing with strikes or other COLLISIONS be-
tween capital and labor by referring all
differences 10 arbitration, and devotIng its
DIST efforts towards maintaining the prlnci-
PIES of liberty, equality and Justice. This We
believe is the real mission Of the restored
order Of st. Crispin, and 50 long as its
members are actuated by purely honorable
motives, and battle only III defense of the
rights guaranteed them by the Constitution
OF this country life, liberty aud the pur-
suit Of happlness-they deserve honest
consideration and generous recognition
from All men