The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-17

to set out to breast the waves of cruel
and boisterous sea, knowing there was
no mariner as helmsman, no strong arm
and answering eye at the wheel? With
as much propriety and reason were this
exploit attempted as to expect to guide
the interests of this labor movement to
successful results, devoid of recognized
leaders and able champions.
Suppress all trivial enmities to the glo-
rious aggregate of unison and strength
You cannot all be generals and officers,
but you may all be men and that sig
nifies much. Defend the edicts and
respect the opinions of those in COM
mand and superior in position
Know that they, like yourselves, are
tolling with hands and brain to lift up
the principles and status Of labor to a
higher and more extensive plane of
action and achievement. Support them
by your cheering encouragement, as the
voice Of one man. Be cautious and
charitable in your criticisms, lenient in
your decisions and Just in your estimates
and in seeking to expect too much from
your leaders, be careful you do not be-
come negligent of your duties, following
and support to those whom, without
your united endeavors, will utterly fail
to bring satisfactory results about.
Rather than evincing sentiments of jeal-
GUS contempt, be proud Of the noble and
oatspoken men who represent your
chiefest concerns, your dearest interests
and welfare.
What matters it whether you are all
united under an organization bearing
the same name or divided only as to the
distinctive features of the numberless
union trade associations, the fundamental
principles of each and all bearing the
same stamp and import, and having as
objective features, protection of inherent
rights, privileges and proper considera-
ton from those for whom you expend
your tolls, demanding in return suitable
recognition and reward? whether you
are known to the world as knights of
Labor" (you are all Knights of Labor, so
far as the signifcation Of the title is con-
cerned), Typographical unions, or Stone
mason's unions, and so on through the
varied titles applied to the different or
ganized forms of tradesmen? The fact
of all appearing under one banner is no
indication of strength. 1t is the firm
determination displayed to act in har
mony, and not the outward appearance
of such, that constitutes your mightlest
power. You might all be Knights of
Labor, and with internal disafectiOns
and wranglings, any endeavor for good
results would be disgraceful failures.
There is nothing in the naked applica-
ton of name that will afford needful
resource in time of trouble and assault
never anticipate it. What is most essen
TALLY required, at the present time, is
for every man to have impressed upon
his mind and heart just what the rights
and dues of every other man imply, and
to leave nothing undone in strenuous
effort to assist his co-laborers in obtain
ing those rights and dues, in the fullest
measure. There are broad views OF
right and wrong by which we may COM
pute the merits and grievances of all
men, and in this common cause of labor
there is noexcuse for claiming ignorance
of any of the rights of others, for the
recognition you yourself expect is very
accurate estimate of what every honora-
BILE tradesman is entitled to; and where
is there man insensible to his own de-
servings?
Let not the trifing technically of the
diversified societies of trades ALLEVIATE
your sympathies, purposes and ettorts'
Dissension, upon such a silly basis, is
degrading, disgracing and dangerous
How can it be expected thatsyou will be
harmonious upon greater principles,
when there is disagreement in lesser par
ticulars? The underlying strata of all
unions should be, and is, Identical, and
while there are distinctive features in
each, best discussed and disposed of in
separate assemblies, upon the sublime
and eternal principles and doctrines OF
the sovereignty of labor, you should
stand invulnerable and undivided.
If there ever comes morn of glorious
and golden dawn to this long and bitter
struggle for supremacy over hostile
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