New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-02

frcoupnt strikes and periods of idlcncss, ana
constant uncertainty as to the issue, or tnclr
futnre employment. But the less capable ana
faithful workmen are always the more noisy
and violent. Unscrupulous leaders told them
that il was their right to force the world to
nav them for idleness. If they could not have
work at their own terms. Frequent strikes leu
men to demand still higher wages when at
work, and still more offensive and unjust rcgu-
lations were devised. Presently the Unions
were used to brighten or coerce the petter
workmen into submission. Thus they set up
n tyranny more odious, and incomparably
more hurtrul to the country and demoralizihg
to labor than any oppression OF which they
had originally complained.
The reaction was inevitable. The better
class Of workmcn began to separate themselves
from Unions, the dictati0n OF which mas
become to them intOlerabe. The stronger
employers began to give the preference, When
ever they could, to free worimen VINO were
able TO speak for themselves, and to stand on
tbrir own merits. Sooner or Later TINS
ATTEMPTED tyranny of the majority over their
associates over all nOn-mcmbers, and over all
EMPLOYERS, must have broken down, but the
collapse has been greatly accelerated by the hard
times. Economy of production, which the fall
of prices and the dulness of business rem
dered absolutely necessary for employers, in
hundreds of instances the unions nave resisted,
with serious loss TO good worllmen-to the
country. But every struggle has Taught good
men that they cannot afford and have no rlght
to link their fate with that OF the least
competent and worthy, and so has enamel
pated many from slavery to organization.
1t has taught them that organization Is
GOOD only when it helps them to defend their
rights, but becomes insufferabe tyranny
when il restraints their freedom of action.
With the increase in the number OF Tree
workmen employers have found 1t more
easy to get good work without placing an cs-
Establishment at the mercy of any Union. Inc
time is near at hand when the free workman
who speaks for himself, who takes no orders
from any association, aud suffers no set OF
men TO say whether his children shall nave
bread or his wife n home, will be everywhere
preGerred will command better wages ana
will have more steady employment than
the man who consents that Union shall
dictate both to him and his employer.
For all really competent wOrkmen, and
for the country, it will be good thing
when the Trades Unions cease to exist. No
man can say to what extent they have de-
priyed labor of its efficiency, and thus impaired
the general prosperity. They prevent the IN
restrained movement of labor from one occu-
patton to another, by which, under natural laws,
an excess of labor in any employment Is quickly
corrected Especially, in times like the c, they
resist and retard the adjustment OF wages ami
prices to a level which permits the revival
of prosperity for all. In many occupations,
the reduction Of wages or profits cannot
be delayed Those who resist 1t IN
any one occupation would force the commu-
uity To pay them an unjust tax. But they only
render inevitable a greater and more prolonged
proslrltion for their own branch OF industry,
while retarding the return of general prosper
ity. They play the part of public enemies,
and Natures memorable laws punish them, just
~ they are now furnishing similar combna-
tons of capital. 1t is impossible not to WISH
that labor may soon be completely emancl-
pated from the tyranny which the less deserv-
ing have selishly used, and which Is 50 I'M
lust to the better class of workmen, and so in
furious to the country.