The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-07-19
Employers and Working Men.

Difficulties between employers and
working men would be less frequent,
says the american Manufacturer, were
their intercourse more cOnciliatory, and
were each to realize that seeming in
equalities are but surface appearances /;
and that the best interests of the one
can OILY be secured in the protection
and welfare of the other. Governed
by such dispositions and opinions, ir-
recOncilable differences could scarcely
arise, because each would take fair
view of the rights aud obligations of
the other, and willingly make the con-
cessiOns required by justice and kind
ness. A reasonable amount of inform
alton, derived from observation and
reading, is prerequisite qualification,
and Is always found wanting, on one
side or the other, where jars and con-
tentions disturb the harmony essential
to these relations. Admitting this quail
ification to be possessed by employers,
further duty devolves upon them, OF
insisting that their wOrkmen shall pos
sess it also. Men utterly illiterate, who
can neither read nor write, cannot pos
sess the self respect and ambition need
ed to form skilled mechanics, neither
can they be sufficiently enlightened to
comprehend their rights and duties, to
know when they are well treated, or
to understand the fluctuations in busi-
ness which justify the rise and fall of
wages. it is therefore a duty of en-
plOyers to employ none but persons
sober, moral, diligent, and accustomed
to reflect-men with whom they can
sit down and reasOn-who can under
stand just conclusions, and feel the
overruling propriety Of abiding by
them. Where large establishments are
organized on these principles, the busi-
ness moves on with contentment on
both sides-each respects the rights of
the Other-misunderstandings are qui-
etly settled without strikes, and peace
and mutual goodwill reign as in well
regulated families. Where The instru-
mentalties of labor are organized,
with intelligence and integrity of en-
ployers, and with wOrkmen suitably
cultivated for respectable American
citizenship, the most desirable conse-
quences may be reasonably hoped for
/. Superior safety of capital in enlight-
ened hands. 2. Economy of time and
labor when concientiously employed.
3. Economy In the use of stock and ma
terials manipulated by instructed men
of good principles. 4. For the same
reason, the best results may be looked
for as to quality and quantity Of pro-
ducts. .. Interests of customers and
consumers are better subserved with
fabrics made upon honor, 8. Ignorance
is the generator Of crime and vice, pro-
ducing the worst consequences where
it prevails. 7. The safety of society
can only be conservaled by enlightened
citizens, and are jeopardlzed by the
malignancy growing out of general ig-
norance. 8. 1t is impossible to over
estimate the social value of making
workmen good and useful citizens. 8.
so to elevate a large class, gives stabili-
ty to schools and institutions for moral
and Intellectual culture. 10. Working
men constitute a large majority Of our
people, and whatever lifts them up in
the social scale is important TO the
whole community. II. In numerous
eastern cities and towns, the benign
efforts of cultivatlng the industrial
class are visible in good order and the
general moral tone of society. II. It.
is, manifestly, primary duty of en-
ployers, to themselves and TO society,
to give preference to workmen of In
telligence and morality; where such
qualities are uniformly preferred, those
who possess them not will strive to at
tain them, and they will form an essen
tial qualification in preparing youths
for employment.
There are many things man can run
away from an impending suit, his
creditors, his family, his duties. But
no man ever yet succeeded In running
away from himself