The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-28
ORGANIZATION.
Suul6rS.

inc and impIoring them to organize.
Sometimes when we look the situation
souarelv in the face it seems useless to
make any further attempts in this di-
rection. There is not mechanic or
4aborer on the face of the earth that
doesn't know that it is for his benefit to
| identify himself with some labor organ
| izatiOn, and the reasoning ones know it
is their duty. In the United States there
are thousands of good men who are de-
voting their energies to this great work
of lifting their felIowmen from the rut
into which lack of union has thrown
and is holding them. A hundred differ
ent publications are weekly perused by
the wageWorkers Of these great states,
and vet there are millions who will not
| heed the warnings or follow the friendly
advice offered. Is this because the men
or the labor press are doubted? We un-
he8itatingly say, No. Then why will the
men who aCquiesce in what the workers
and thinkers say concerning the Condi-
ton of things, the tendency and the
means of extricatiOn hesitate and delay
in this all-impOrtant matter? 1t is be-
cause an apathy and lassitude has crept
over them. 1t is because they have so
long been held down that they are swiftly
drifting into voluntary slavery. 1t is
because when they view and ponder
upon the enormity of the injustice that
is heaped upon them, and think of the
apparent power Of their masters, they
absurdIy and cowardIy think they are
impotent to accomplish the great work
of liberation.
There are men in this city to-day who
work from daylight until dark more ar
duousIy than any black slave ever did,
and receive barely enough to keep them
selves and families from starving, simply
because they stand alone as opposed to
the combined power Of money, and when
the subject of organization is broached
to them, say, "What can | do? ! am
only one man, and dare not open my
mouth, for fear my bread supply shall
be cut off, Those men see, in a general
way, the benefits of being organized,
but simply because each one stands
alone and fears to speak to his fellow
workman, who belongs to the same class,
he tread8 on day after day the weary
way that ends in an unmarked grave
for one Of Gods nObIemen, and a desti-
tute family for whom No provision could
be made by it's mainStay against his in
eVitabIe taking off.
The good work of the earnest men in
the organized ranks is having it's effects,
to be sure, and the unorganized are be-
ing gathered into the fold at a rate that
satisfies the easy going man; but he who
sees the tendency Of the times, who
plainly discern8 the small cloud that
will ere long cuIminate in terrible
storm is impatient. The progress is too
Slow The bonds that are being welded
are strong and will endure much resist
ance, and unless a united strength be
brought to bear upon them they will not
be broken without the shedding Of blood.
There is way in which the good
work can be fastened and the cause as
8ured success. tls by every man and
woman who are now members of the
organized portion to each become
special organizing committee. Let all
those who are now within the fold, and
see and enjoy the benefits of organiza-
ton, 90 forth like true missionaries of
God and Justice and gather their unfor-
tunate brothers anG sisters in. We do
not mean to interfere with the business
of the regulor organizing committees,
but to increase their membership.
Let us drive out of our hearts be-
httIing jealousies, cleanse our minds of
petty ,spites and grudges, and stand as
man, shoulder to shoulder, remembering
only our obligations and our duty to God
and humanity. Let us go forth and SOW
the seed in good ground, and soon for
every man who has been trampIed under
the foot Of monopoly and tyranny, there
will be enrolled hundred in the army
of the crusade against injustice and
crime
THERE is matter to which we have