The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-14
POLITICAL ACTION.

POLITICAL ACTION.
One of the questions which for the
past year or so bas agitated the minds
of organized laborerS of this country,
! and which has been considerably dis
cussed in trades unions and labor or
CARNATIONS, is that of such societies
taking political action. There has al
wavs been a prejudice against labor or
carnations going into politics. and the
time and place have been when it was
considered reasonable for any member
of a society to advocate such step, but
that idea is rapidly giving way. and We
notice that in several Of the older cities
resolutions prohibiting the discussion Of
politics in unions have been rescinded
and the organizations have decided to
take an active part in political canvasses
notably the Typographical union Of
Cincinnati, within the past month.
We have always thought it would be
better for those interested IN the cause
of labor to act in matters political, but
have not up to this time favored it in
print. All men have a right to their
opinions, and We accord to everyone Op-
posed to our views on this subject the
badge Of honesty; yet we feel that they
are wrong, and we purpose at this time
to give a few ideas in favor of cur side
Of the question at issue.
In the first place let Us thoroughly un
derstand what is the literal and practi-
cal meaning of the term political action,
Webster gives the definition of the
word polite as pertaining to or promot-
ing policy, especially national policy;
well devised adapted toits end, whether
right or wrong-said Of measures - The
same authority says Of the word pOlti
cal, pertaining to public policy or poll
tics, etc. and Of politics, THAT part Of
ethics which has 10 do with the reguIa-
cion and government of 4 nation or state,
the preservation Of it's safety, peace and
prosperity"
The trouble has been that, when the
subject has been brought up in labor
organizations, a great many refused to
look beyond the narrow limits Of party
lines, and were Of the idea that if a
society took any action it would be to
DIedge support to the candidates and
measures of one Of the corrupt political
parties. Looking at the matter IN this
marrow manner it was, Of course, OBJ
lectionabIe to every honest member, If
the issue were only between the repub-
lican and democratic parties of to-day,
We should emphatically say. no political
action for us as a unionist. But the
question is n9t 50 confined. The only
parties to thScontest that should be con-
sidered by any conscientious Iaboring
man are the monopoHsts and moneyed
aristocrats on the one hand and the
toiling class on the other.
Our present systems in this country
are building up class of wealthy mon
archs on one side and hundred times
more numerical class of paupers on the
other side. We are rapidly tending to-
wards an aristocracy of moneyed and
landed kings and a complete pauperiz-
alton of the wageworkers. This unjust
condition of things has, been brought
about and is being built up and upheld
bv discriminating and corrupt IegiSla-
Hon. Now, if we desire to overthrow
the evil and obliterate its effects. peace
ably, we must use the same means it
must be done by repeating old laws and
enacting new ones. How is this to be
accomplished unless by the united
action of the people, to whose deuiment
the systems work? And if the organ
ized laborers do not move and act in the
matter, how is the work ever to be &C
complshed?
But you say it has been the history Of
trades unions that they were broken or