The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-11-14

strong disposition manifested to make wal
against all labor combinations. The public
mind has been kept in constant state Of
anxiety and excitement during the past
year by newspaper stories Of a general stop
page Of rains atan appointed day and hour
Notwithstanding we tool the pains to con-
tradict the false statements, and brand them
as the work of blatant demagogues, there
were many who believed that general
strike would occur and our denial was only
a ruse to throw the public and railway COM
panies off their guard. The time came and
went, and no stoppage occurred, much to
the chagrn and disapp' intment Of those who
prey upon the creduilty Of others.
However much the workingmen feel the
stringency Of the times and the pinch Of
want, believe they have too much regard
for law ard order to resort to violence or in
timidation in hopes Of lettering their condi-
ton. Any man who counsels insubordina-
ton and violence is q demagogue anc an en-
envy to the peace Of society and the safety
of the country. Every violater of law,
whether capitalist or laborer, should be met
with speedy and condign punishment. Here,
In this country, any young man who has a
clear head, strong arm. and q brave heart,
may rise to the highest position in the gift
Of the people. know there are many will
ling hands idle, many strong arms unoccu-
pied. Business depression has brought many
to want, and many others can barely pro-
vide themselves and their families with what
they must have many rich ones have be-
come poor; many formerly well-to do are
now greatly straitened; so an honest cry Of
need swells and rolls over our country, thro'
all of its fair breadth. II we listen closely,
however, we shall find mingled with these
honest cries of need many dishonest ohe-
loud, clamcrous, threatening, unreasonable,
unjust, making war against society and dis.
turbing the peace of town aud city. 1t is q
common saying among this class, ssThe
world owes me living, and 1 am going to
have it," Society owes no man anything
whatever that he has not earned. It is the
law OF God that he Who will not work shall
not eat. In the sweat Of thy face shalt thou
eat bread till thou return unto the ground,
is the divine eGict, and no man can escape
it.
NO ANTAGONIST AGAINST CAPITAL.
l have no faith In the men who 20 about
the country representing themselves as the
champions Of labor and the friends of the op-
pressed workingmen, berating capitalists
and all those who do not accord with their
views. They are no friends of the honest
sons Of toll and my advice to all working
men is to shun them as you would an avow.
ed enemy. Let us never forget tina the in
terest of labor and capital are identical, how
ever much apart they may at times appear
to be ; and that everything which tends to
bring them into greater harmony tends also
to the good Of both. To the young brother
would say: This is subject to which you
ought to give your earnest consideration. as
on its proper understanding much of your
future comfort depends. The ever-recur-
ring strife between the two has been the
cause Of much misery in the past. Seek to
make name and place for yourselves and
SO retain for our profession that honor and
dignity which it is justly Quilted to. II we
would have anything in this world that is
genuine, we must labor for it. Labor is the
great health producer and the foundation OF
happiness, inasmuch as it keeps us active
and gives genuine zest to what we obtain.
Labor, also, conquers all things. Every
thing that we do has to have certain
amount of labor expended OH it to bring it to
a state Of perfection. However difficult II
may appear, however impossible it may seem
to be. remember, it you attack it withener-
gy and labor with all your might, you effort
will be crowned with success. Invincible
man, by the aid and application Of labor,
wins for himself a name that will always be
respected and remembered by his
fellows. And no excellence is obtained with
out labor. Few who are conversant with
the world have failed to discern that in the
race Of life men of moderate means and
attainments frequently outstrip competitors
endowed equally by the smiles of fortune
and the gifts Of genius. Differ ence Of talent
will not solve it. 1t is attentive and ener-
getic labor which is always sure to triumph
in the end.
FRANK ABBOTT'S DEFALCATION.
There has been large falling off in the
of our insurance the past year,
which is not surprising, considering the Diff
ficulties we have had to contend with.
Frank Abbott. the founder Of the associa-
ton, the secretary and treasurer for ten
years, man whom we have honored and
trusted, one to whom the membership have
paid liberal salary, aud had unbounde.'
confidence in, proved defaulter, thief,
and robber of the widows and fatherless
and when detected in his rascality.
he and Others of his ilk sought by falsehood.
intrigue and misrepresentation to destroy
the association, hoping thereby to escape
prosecution. 1t was his dishonesty, coupled
with that of some of the division secretar; es,
that caused SO many to forfeit their MEM
bership; feeling OF insecurity seized upon
the members, and they became panic strick-
en-, as it were, and for a time it seemed as il
our insurance association would be number
ed with the past. But thank God we have
reached the bottom Of the grade In safety,
and are now gradually ascending the up
grade with good prospects of not being stall
led for the want of the needful, which will
tend to inspire still more confidence, and, I
think, by good management and a little eff.
fort on the part of each member, we shall
soon gain our former status. AS an emf
nent bishop once remarked when addressing
the officiary of a church deeply involved in
debts: "Brethren, if you are able to meet
your current expenses, pay the interest and
reduce the principal little each year; how
ever small the amount may be, you can save
your church," So with us, if we continue
to add to our membership, we need have no
fears of the ultimate success of our insurance
association.
There is one fact we should bear in mind
and tfaG is, we are not the only society that
has suffered through the dishonesty Of it,
officers. One after another has gone within
the past three years that hitherto was con