The Labor enquirer., 1883-04-21

problem of righting grieVous wrongs
andeinsuring protection against farther
aggression. l have great faith in the
men of Drawn, brain and heart of
America. These, in times of national
assault and danger, have stood up in vim
dicatiOn of their county, their govern
ment and its interests; these have faced
every danger that could appall the heart;
these have fought and endured nobly in
every instance where duty and right
have been the watchwOrds, and are
they now to prove Cowardly, ignorant
and incompetent in Waging bitter war
fare against injustice and oppressiOn-a
warfare of thought, agitation and ballot2
Get the masses united, as they are fast
becoming, and no power can resist their
Onsets for crushing out fragrant wrongs
and the enforcement of right.
Mr.. Labadie cites the United States as
an example Of what united strength will
do, and suggests this as a lesson to teach
US union principles. In this | fully agree
with the gentleman, since it furnishes
an apt Illustration of my views, that
while the separate organizations Of
WOrkingmen maintain their distinct
identities they remain loyal and united
upon the fundamental doctrines of the
rights Of men and the defense Of those
rights. Each state has its peculiar laws
and regulations, elects It's officials to
represent it as a commonwealth and
otherwise illustrates its identity, but
when matters arise of national impOr-
tance every state takes its proper rela-
tive position as the component factors
of a great republic. It is Just as neCes-
sary that labor societies should discuss
and dispose Of many minor issues in dis
tinctlye apacitieS-just. as necessary to
harmony, power and progress-as that
the several states Of the United States
have state laws, state legislatures and
state institutions. These rather facilitate
national affairs than impede them.
The international Typographical union
was once afflicted with what was known
as the Brotherhood Of the Union It
is sincerely to be hoped this infamous
organization is extinct beyond any pos
sibility Of resurrection, though the in
jury it wrought 1pO'n uniOnism will not
soon be repaired nor soon forgotten.
For this reason the I. T. I, does not ap-
prove of too much fraternal manifesta-
ton. The Brotherhood brought
to the verge of destruction, so
far as Typographical matters are con-
cerned and it is but the wisdom coming
from a severe and bitter experience that
inrtes the majority Of the International
BODY to the belief that their trade mat
ters are best understood and most sue
cessfulIy conducted in an assembly COM
posed Of representatives from their own
ranks
l believe that every workingman in
this country should identify himself with
some form of labor organization. If he
is not classified as a Jradesman, let him
Join any WOrkingmen' society within
his reach. If there is no branch of
unionjsm representing his trade in the
place where he happens to reside, he
may in some manner affiliate with an.
other organization that will bring his
name and actions in cooperation with
the interests Of the great cause and thus
subserve, though in small degree, his
personal good and the general welfare Of
the masses.
The abuses and injustice imposed upon
labor Of to-day are Of an acute and
highly refined character, though none
the less severe, in many respects, than
the most tvranuicaI dominion of old
time despotS. Rings and mOnOp6Iie8 to-
day .unt their subjects by the millions
in this land Of b0a3ted freedom and in
dependence the government WinkS at
the rhicanery Of plundering schemers,
who make every influence within their
reach lend to suUserye their cruel and
selfish purposes. How are those wrongs
to BE- assaiIed and wiped out? How are
honest and intelligent men to be pro-
tecred from fraud and imposition? How
are wages to be increased in proportion
to the lust demands Of the times and
the prices brought for the products Of
labor in the markets Of the world? Are
these things to be brought about in the
name Of asingIe organization, or through
the power of the combined industrial
classes Of the country - Let there be
harmony in thought and purpose and
must follow.
I believe in the adoption Of political
modes Of warfare, Il enforcing a thor
0rOugh system and securing the CO-Ope-
ration Of every union labor organization.
Build ND the KNIGHTS IF Labor as an
of strength and support; build
up the International Typographical
union as a factor Of power; perpetuate
the Trades Assembly, with state and
national bodies, where the important sis-
sues Of the labor question may receive
and final consideration. This
seems the only hope Of success, when
we come to look at the subject in its true
light. If politics are brought into use as
a lever for promoting the cause Of labor
and this is done in the fact that labor
ING men will vote for such men as are
pledged to defend and advance the inter-
ests Of Iabor-Iet the workingmen them
selves employ political tactics in con-
ducting their own Ofairs.