Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-28

uO GN1AS VI AlnUCA y nAOnAcAAs
That the organization of men into
soclties for self protection is beneficial
there can be no doubt, but when the
terms of such organization require absO-
lutte surrender of individuality and indie
pendence to certain bosses, it is degrading
and an unmixed evil. This is the case
with trades unions. The members there
of agree to place themselves absolutely
and Internationally at the mercy of their
leaders. All independence is surrendered,
and no matter how unwise it may be, or
how much suffering it will certainly pro-
duce, whenever a strike is advised by
their leaders. all hands must quit work,
and too often they learn by bitter expert
ence when too late the fullness of their
folly.
This has been clearly shown by the
recent strikes in the North and West.
The iron workers of the West, after
having spent months in idleness at the
command of the leaders of the union to
which they belong, and having lost
thousands of dollars in wages, have been
forced at length to yield to the dictates
of their employers The freight han
dlers of New York also have not only
done the same, but have been required
besides to eat an inordinate amount of
humble pie, as may be readily seen in
the following preamble and resolutions
recently adopted by them:
WHEREAS, We, the ate freight
handlers of the Erie Railroad, were in
duced to persist in the strike and join
the union by accusations and false repre-
sentations; and,
WHEREAS, We now see our mistake
in listening to such representations rather
than giving heed to our true interests (;
therefore, be it
''ResOl0ed, That we hereby acknowledge
our mistake in leaving our work and
Joining the strike; that we hereby re-
nounce now and forever the union
which we Joined, carried away by the
false representations and by want of
proper reflection; that we are ready to
return to our work if the railroad au.
thorities be pleased to overlook our mis-
behavior and be kind enough to give US
another chance to support ourselves and
our families. promising to be true and
faithful employees, as we always were
until in an evil hour we were carried
away by the impulse of the moment into
that strike which is now absolutely at an
ED.
The humiliation of the men who voted
for the above resolution is complete, and
not at all in accordance with the spirit
of American independence, which is the
great boast of our workingmen. If
trades-unionism leads to this, then the
best thing which can be done is to for
swear such unions for all time. When
the American workingman thinks him
self imposed on, or when he feels that
his labor is worth more than he receives,
let him, in a dignified, manly manner,
prefer his complaints. In nine cases out
of ten this course will have the desired re-
suit. while even if it fails, it at least
preserves the individuality and manhood
of the workman. But trades-unionism,
it seems, has exactly contrary effect. 1t
makes a man first the creature of a
boss, and then, after all, frequently
forces him into a humiliating attitude
before an employer. 1t is better far,
then, to leave trades-unionism alone, and
determine that every man shall be at
liberty to make the best bargain he can
with those who desire his services.
When our sturdy American workmen-
the bone and sinew of the land-once
yield up their independence and self
respect, then all which distinG uishes
them as men and freemen is abandoned,
and the result must perforce be more OF
less of degradation,