The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-08-30

have the strongest motive to prevent whatever
was calculated to defeat these results Instead
of the discontented striker, he becomes the
vigilant guardian and loyal protector of the
interests and the property confded to his
charge. But does this concern the public
Most deeply. Industrial enterprise has con-
verted the noble cities which dot our
State from the Ohio to the Cuyahoga
| into marts of manufacture, dependent for
| their supplies of fuel upon the products of the
mine and the facilities of railway Transports
ton. Let combined and concerted revolt from
Scranton to Lawrenceburg interrupt these sup
plies at critical junctme, even for a brief pc
Rod, and imagination fails to fathom the suf-
fering attendant upon the resulting coal fam
inc. The internal commerce of the continent
is dependent on our grand system of railways;
! on the muscle OF railway labor the mighty pro-
dncts of the nations industry are borne to mar
ket. Let this refuse the burden even for a
little while and the country is paralyzed. A
more efficient CONSERVATION of social order than
armed police, more inexpensive and less
dangerous protector of public safety than mill
tary force, are contented employment and
bread. Let these be secured by the appliances
of peace, and the growing cloud of peril at
first scarce larger than a mans hand, rather
than be permitted to develop into the hurra-
cane OF destruction, may yet be dispelled and
the danger of military government and stand
ing army be averted. 1t does concern the pub
lie deeply, profoundly. 1t was because of this
concern that the Cleveland Convention took &C
ton on the subject and brought it prominent
ly forward for discussion. It was unwilling
that the public mind, aroused by recent events
to sense OF the magnitude aud the great i'm
portance OF the question, should relapse into
repose without recommending the creation of
a tribunal commissioned to search out the
causes of these events and suggest peaceful
methods of their removal. To this end it rec
commended the creation of National Bureau
of Industry, in order that labor, whose interests
are inseparably linked to the common welfare,
may be brought into closer aud more sympa-
thetic relation to government.
Hitherto the great interests of agriculture,
manufacture and commerce have had their
channels of access to Government and SYM
pathy. 1t ls now proposed that labor shall
have the like consideration. The functions of
the bureau will be a matter Of legislative de-
tail, to be nodded and enlarged as circumstances
shall demand. Charged, as it doubtless will
be, with the duty of collecting the statistics
and experiences of the labor problem in this
and other countries, and disseminating their
lessons to the building up of correct knowledge
and the formation of an enlightened public
sentiment in regard to the operations of our
industries, it can be made powerfully instrl-
mental through these In the repression of dis
content without turbulence on the one hand or
the employment Of force on the other.
1 am unwilling to believe that American labor
is incapable of being influenced by considera-
tions of reason and justice-that it can only be
controlled by the law of force. With capital,
or the investment of capital, it has no conflict
can have none. Satisfy it by reliable informa-
ton that it's condition results from causes and
circumstances incapable of being controlled,
and is the best that these circumstances can
reasonably afford, and it will acquiesce in the
situation. If, on the other hand, it's con-
sdition result from causes which may
it reasonably might and ought to
be made; if it arises, as is some
times the case in the operation, of our
great railway system, from prohigate misman-
agement, from the reduction of income by reck-
less competition from the absorption of earn
ings by extravagant official salaries, from il
liberal restrictions or oppressive commercial
exactions, or from any other unjust cause alike
injurious to the capital invested and the labor
it employs-let q just-minded and generous
people become satisfied of these facts, satisfied
that their highest interests are endangered,
and their material prosperity is jeopardized and
their institutions imperiled by the existance or
operation of such causes, and the influence of
an enlightened oyerpowering public opinion
will prevent turbulence by REFRESHING these
causes of discomfort will not wait its outbreak
to be beaten down by arms. To the formation
and enlightenment of such opinion, and in the
suggestion of peaceful methods for the correc-
ton of evils the bureau can be made an eff
cient instrumentaIty.
The method of compensation have ventured
to suggest may or may not be approved. twill
not il one better be brought forward. Be this
as it may, the mighty interests involved cannot
afford to be Indifferent. Labor cannot afford
it, capital cannot afford it and social order and
public liberty cannot afford it. I know the haz-
ard of venturing upon the untried. Conserva-
tlsm sits still Or moves in the old ruts. and is
content. Progress rises to the height of new
occasions. Republicanism is progress, ever
struggling to advance mankind to places of
higher development and security. To this end
not to endanger, but to secure; not to change,
but to protect; not to blend, but to harmonic
the rights of labor and the rights of capital on
the basis OF impartial justice to both-it now
grapples with the great issue growing out of
their collision, and seeks by peaceful methods
to provide against their recurrence. Labor and
capital neither of which can prosper unless
nourished and fed by the other-shall they be
enemies and not friends? Il is most unnatural.
AS to Republlcanlsm was given the honor of
lifting capital and labor to a common plane of
impartial freedom and universal manhood, so
may to it be given the honor of witnessing these
twin coursers harnessed to the car of progress;
their ensign not of communism, but OF concord;
bearing the emblem not of crossed swords. but
of clenched hands-together mount to the
higher plane of impartial justice and mutual
prosperity, where, while capital receives it's
remuneration, labor shall not be denied it's just
reward.
Upon the question of currency and resump-
ton, he said the Cleveland Convention had re-
affirmed the declaration of the national plat
form, that the Government having assumed to
remove any doubts of its purpose to discharge
all just obligations to public creditors, and
solemnly pledged it's faith to make provision at
the earliest practical period for the redemption
of United States notes in coin. commercial
prosperity, public morals, and national credit
demand that this promise be fulfilled by con-
tinuous and steady progress to specie payments,
and said that the Republican party, not only of
Ohio, but of the nation, stands committed and
it must be fulfilled. The war debtof the nation
is legacy only less sacred than the soldiers,
pension. The Government having originally
pledged reimbursement in coin, the public
credit and national faith cannot afford to dis
honor the obligation. The desire to equalize
he 1un o;, IF no