The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-27
Non-Attendance.

1lOmaS T. OGoWiCyJ VI
Typographical Union No. 8, having pre-
viousIy submitted an amendment to the.
bylaws. at the last regular meeting, Sun
day, January Z, presented in writing the
following argument, the amendment
being adopted: f.. .:..
Gentlemen-The tim4 has come when
the urgency-nay, more, the dire neces-
sity of the hour-absolutely demands
immediate and concerted action on the
part of this body in taking some steps,
summary and comprehensive, resorting,
if need be, to stringent and eTacting
code Of procedure, to increase the at
tendance upon these regular meetings Of
this union. I, as member/of this Ion
orable fraternity, having its interests at
-heart-identifed as it iswith our welfare
and prosperity, individually and collect
iyeIy-for one, feel the real Importance
and gravity of the question at issue to be
of more solemn, serious and moment
GUS nature-such as none Of US can well
afford to neglect without calmest and
most logical consideration.
| see before me men grown gray in the
ranks of unionism-men who have de-
voted their lives to the defense of it's
principles and the vindication. Of its
rights-men who have sacrificed nobly,
fearlesslY, heroically, to witness the glo-
cause, and to such as they, words of
eulogytand loudest praise were hollow
mockery-their lives are enduring monu-
ments to their vigilance, honor and un-
swerving fidelity. Others there be-
touths-within the sound of my voice,
likewise pursuing the same illustrious
and faithful path. To such, I say, "Be
constant and u4tiring; great is your re-
ward and honor in the present and
when the seats you now fill are, in the
future, occupied by your successors, no
pen will depict, no eloquence will be
adequate to express, the grandeur of
your lifework, nor the endearing mem
ory you have left as an inheritance to
those who follow in your footsteps. Is
this not reward enough to actuate to in
creasing effort?"
Gentlemen, fellow craftsmen, the ranks
of this union need reunion. We are
surely becoming dfsorganized, ener-
waited, undiscipined not that we are
lacking in the names enrolled under our
banner, neither is it that in public
parade upon some festive occasion we
fail to make an admirable and formida-
BILE showing, in comparison with other
similar organizations nor, still further,
that We are wanting in Ostensible ap-
pearance Of strength. All these attri-
butes we possess in satisfactory measure;
but can any of us, ask, refer to a single
instance in history, sacred or profane,
where the numbers enlisted in any
cause, or the imposing array Of such
adherents upon "dress parade" consti-
tuted, singly or combinedIy, the proper
features by which to accurately estimate
the strength or capacity of opposing or
defending forces? No. l defy such
discovery.
1t is not by numerical greatness that
we hope to defend our cherished princi-
pies or perpetuate or enjoy the useful
ness and protection of this institution
we hold so dear. Far from it. By union
of endeavor, by harmony of purpose, by
the wisdom Of justice and truth, dis
played in our councils-by these virtues,
and these alone, have we good reason to
anticipate the furtherance Of our best
interests and the victory of the princi-
pies that have called us together to-day,
in this capacity.