National Republican., 1878-01-17
The Warning of the Hour.


Sometimes they overstep the strict bounds
of discretion and propriety by making de-
mlnds and assuming coerCive attitude to-
ward the business interests to which they
directly relate, and then all history shows
that they themselves become the greatest
sufferers. We are led into this line of re-
mark by the shape that matters have taken
at Lynn, Mass, where difference exists
between the manufacturers of shoes and
their employees, which has led TO scpara-
tion. The manufacturers have recently APP
piled dose of prescription to their late en-
ployccs, which only makes return to them
in kind. They have proclaimed their ulti-
after employ members of trades unions on
any terms in their business.
This condition of things seems to have
been forced upon the manufacturers by two
controlling causes: First, the shrinkage of
all values under the existing contraction of
currency and depression and stagnation of
business; second. the demands of labor for
a higher rate of reward than the circum-
stances will justify This has brought them
TO point where labor must shrink cor
rcspondingly, or the manufacturing and
business interests must succumb to the situ-
alton and cease to operate, when those en-
gagged as employees must of necessity pass
into idleness.
If the unions throughout the country in
sist upon an arbitrary scale Of prices far
above those warranted by the condition OF
trade and manufactures, the result is incvi-
table. The manufacturing interests cannot
survive. They must cease to operate and
universal suspension must follow, leaving
artizans and laborers everywhere without
employment and its rewards. To avoid
such condition of things is the part OF
wisdom, and those rs much interested as
any in the land are the mechanic class
, who though strong in numbers, must 1t
strong in the right to succeed.
And yet. no matter how numerically
strong this class may be, it is possible that I
, consciousness oil that strength may prove
the engine Of a general ruin, in which the,
+ must share the deplorlblc consequences.
. is, therefore, the part Of wisdom with then
+ to consult the situation Candidly and care
: fully, and under proper spirit of conces
II sion, to so accommodate themselves TO tn
+ necessities Of the case to secure employ
. lnent and its rewards, and thus save tn
y and themselves, and those dependent upO
a them for support, from a common catas
n trophe.
V Labor is dependent upon capital for EN-
If ploymcnt, and capital seeks or continue
Il investment only where it can realize ben
ifl eft. When these benefits cease to b
e realized it wthdraws from active engage
h ment, and when it retires the avenues 4
,r employment and the rewards OF labor ar
n closed. ldlencss and impccuniOsity inev
+ itably follow. and want and suffering en-
l. sue. In country of Iorty-tiye millions o
people there are at least fifteen million
who are dependent upon their daily toll 10
the bread they eat and the raiment the
H. wear. Force the manufacturing an
II mining and other business interests of tn
-" country into suspension and this vast mu
y titude would be menaced with want an
1t suffering.
III To secure the business interests of tn
u nation from stagnation and ultimate intel
'c ruption and suspension, labor must tax
y upon its shoulders a part of this burde
u by fair and Just concession in the way {
v reduction in its rewards. This appears
IL be an alternative that is forced upon a
NJ classes in the country by the unrelentin
ne | q ;,, ha
C. shrinkage in values. II business suspend
labor ceases to he in demand, and its r
10 wards arc absolutely stopped. The tin
~ has, therefore, come when labor must pau
DC and reflect in the spirit of common sen
III and candor upon the part it
III to bear in averting the mo
us serious consequences to the we
III fare Of the common country. 1t must II
'e forget lUr one moment the real condition
he affairs and that cool, calm, deliberate reasc
y is challenged TO the work of ayerting co
eu sequences that no stretch of the imaginatit
ire is now adequate 10 measure. The wOrke
Of America now hold not only their ow
ne but the dcstinies of the nation in the
od hands. Never has there been a peril
NE great to the laboring interests as no
be Nevel has there been danger so great to t
oil material interests of the nation as at Il
es, crisis. A general wreck is presaged by t
ru falling timbers of bankruptcy in every co
IN siderable commercial and business ma
throughout the country. The storm h
come, and is raging to an extent that cou
ers sells the business enterprises of the peOp
he to take in sail and clew up closely eve
cir possible inch of canvas without stoppil
h;s the craft so that it will fall into t
ith troughs of the sea and founder. To 81
iLI the ship all hands must come on deck a
,ts, bear u willing hand. The captain the pl
IN. ser, and the laborcr must share alike t
the labor and sacrifices of rescue or all will
,c. eng ulled in common ruin.
,rk This is no Ovcrdrawn picture. The c
on is upon us, and the way out Of it may op,
ar. but all classes of the American people III
nr seek 10 find it and aid in the work of
hat cape. Nothing should he regarded as ar
by truy now except our impending fl
II which can only he avertcd by a concert
rs action and Just anil sensible concession
.i, !