Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-03
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Trades Unions.
Tnter-Ocean.

There are enrolled In the trades I'M
ions Of Great Britain 100000 mem
bers. Many of the unions are very
strong, and yet, in carrying their points,
they have resorted to unlawful and cru
ell measures. The members, in the
name Of independence, obey blindly the
directions of their leaders. An excel
lent state of discipline is maintained,
and as an individual man has little in
dependence Of action and little infu-
ence. TO escape the tyranny of employ
ers men band themselves together, and
invite the iron rule Of men who become
actual dictators. The leaders seem
many times more DESTROYS OF triumph
ing over employers than they are ready
to study the interests OF the working
men acting under their direction. They
are as proud of show of power as are
the heads of corporations themselves,
and as over-zealous in guarding against
fancied Entertainments.
Close combinations among the trades
unions caused combinations in England
among manufacturers and employers of
every description. The record of strikes
there is not so much conflict between
capital and labor as between the leaders
of two great factions, each striving for
the mastery. Each party has been gov
erned by feeling of bitterness, and the
contests inaugurated to secure legiti
mate concessions have been often car
ried on simply as relentless war be-
tween two strong organizations. The
strikers did not hesitate to visit sever
est punishment on workingmen who diff
fered with them, and who were dispos-
ed to act independently Of them. While
strikers were bitter toward employers,
they were venomOus toward mdepen-
dent workingmen. In combining to Sc
cure advantages for themselves, they de-
MED the right of independent action to
every man in the kingdom outside their
organization. Their discipline and their
strength enabled them to persecqte 9th
er workingmen with impunity, and to
employ measures in coercing employers
that would have been condemned in any
individual. As organizations they be-
came supremely selfish and aristocratic,
and often the strong arm of the govern
ment was put forward to protect the
objects of their hostility.
In this country Of well-dehned indi-
vidual liberty, trades unions have con-
fined their operations to a more legiti
mate field, and have not aimed, as a
general rule, to reach the English stand
ard of organization. The natural indie
pendence of American character would
not tolerate the petty tyranny and Of
fensive meddlesomeness OF the English
system, and the ease with which a work
ingman rises to the plane OF the en-
nloyer acts against a tendency in that
direction.
The recent strikes have developed
a certain dangerous disposition, howev
er, an obtuseness as to the right and
wrong of corrective measures, than
must be guarded against. Workingmen
have had unrestricted liberty of combi
nation in this country: Legislation has
been favorable to them rather that
against them The public has rarely
been aroused against such combinations
because they have kept within the le-
climate field of action. There is no
call for leaving this field, but the strik
ers during the past week have. left it.
A sharp line is to be drawn between
the action of a trades union for the ben
eft of it's members, and it's action
against others whose rights are as clear
ly defined as are those OF its members.
Their combination is to forward their
own interests, not to drag others down.
The moment that any body of men
step over the line and deny to others
what they claim for themselves, or de-
fly the law, that moment they invite
criticism and provoke hostility. The
closest discipline and the most deter
mined resolution will avail nothing
against outraged justice and an indlg-
nant public. Any organization that
shows viciousness when the rights OF
the citizen and of the public are to be
considered, is sowing the seeds OF disin-
tegration. However much Il trades
unionist man may be, he is still a cit
izen, and must have clear, realizing
sense of the duties of a citizen.
We can very easily see how trades
unions may ina peaceable and orderly
way promote the interests OF members;
and we know Of no reason why they
should not exist any more than why
similar combinations on the part OF
manufacturers and members of various
vocations should be forbidden. Rail
ways agree upon schedule of rates,
lawyers and physicians upon fees, and
farmers combine under the grange to
advance their own interests. Workmen
may certainly do as much if they wish,
the only rule being that they must not
attempt to override the laws or deprive
any individual of the plain right to man
age his own property as he pleases.
Whenever this is done the trades
unionist forsakes his legitimate sphere
and becomes conspirator against liber
ty and good order The doctrine, that
he has right to compass his ends by
violence cannot be tolerated in this
country for one moment, and there is no
better time to settle this point positive
ly and permanently than now.