The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-28
DemaSogues and their Labor
P1ank.,,

It is no time to discuss methods Of ad-
justing the intricate relations Of labor and
capital while more than one city lies nj the
mercy OF tumuituous lawlessness. The
very existence OF mob, which is essen
italy the birth OF wild excitement, proves
it's incapacity for any deliberation. Espe-
cialIy IS it. unapproachable by reason now,
when the orderly laborers. il any such there
were. have been swept along into arson and
murder by an uprising OF the most unthink-
ing, not to say vicious, classes ~
Il is, however, an appropriate occasion
for certain political managers and PLATFORM
makers to consider whether some OF the
methods which they have been accustomed
to use for the purpose OF capturing the
HIabor vote" have not helped to sow the
evil seed which has terminated ard ma
tured into this harvest OF crime and
folly. There IS such q thing "a the
labor problem, and in ITS multform
phases it is one. OF fhe serious ques-
tons which modern civilization must face.
1t demands the most careful thought OF
the most cear-sighted and cool-bcaded
men. 1t is 4 question which will not bear
emotional treatment. because such treat
ment cannot hut kindIe' the passions OF
the least rejecting into class hatreds and
lust for the revenge OF some real or iancied
/
all parties have had their names posted on
every wall rs workingmrn'S candidates."
aS il there were some organized conspiracy
| to Cypress the workngmcn and these candi-
dates were especially commissioned to cham
| piOn the cause OF labor against the agrees
Sions OF capital. Political platforms have
not been considered complete rs works of art
without slabor plank" (which. while 1t de-
clarcd nothing beyond the baldest truisms.
has encouraged Il feeling OF unrest and dissat-
isfaction with the condition and relation OF
employer and employed. The same subtle
poison has been injected into political ha-
rangues, and although the orator rarely de-
sends to inccndiary appeals, the whole
tenor OF political platforms and letters and
addresses, which touched upon this topic,
have been deXtcrou>ly made to keep alive
and emphasize some distinction between
"tne laborer and society, and convey the
notion that "the laborer" had some rights
which the other voters did not possess and
which were in danger OF Invasion.
The politicians have been playing with
| fire. They have been dupiag and mystiiy-
ing the ignorant and pandcring to the evil
appptites OF the vicious. They my not
have created the spirit which is now Naming
ont in violence, but by all manner OF tricks
and imposture and qlIackerE they have
nourished its growth After these riots are
qnciied the strikers may awake TO realize
| the fact that their interests are not distinct
from hut coIncdent with those OF the en-
pIoyers, and that all must endure together
| the burGensome consequences OF this de-
structive madness. although. rs in every
case, the weakest will be the kcencst suffer-
crs. 1t is misfortune that 80 little punish
mcnt will fall upon those designing leaders
who have been shufilns and Suamming and
playing tricks with such explosive material.
! NpIr YORK. Tribune.