Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-03
SECRET LABOR ASSOCIATIONS.


----- -
SECRET LABOk ASSoViAIioNs'
The fact OF the existence and power oil Sc
cret labor associations in this country, has
been forcibly brought out by the great Tele-
graphers' Strike. One can not tell the force
Of current until some obstacle thwarls II IN
Its way. The swift-running stream may be
a silent one, and with surface smooth as
meadow brook; bu. the moment it meets
with an obstacle 1t dashes and foams around
It, raises itself in angry waves, and makes
the shores echo with Its beatings. so II Is
with the deceptive currents oil social lie.
They nay seem to be running smoothly ana
noiselcsslY enough until they are reused oy
opposition, and then their true character anu
power comes out.
Probably, there are few intelligent men
who, up to the present time, have not Deeh
fully aware OF the existence OF secret iaoor
associations in this country; but III Is DOUBT.
full whether more than very Few nave nau
any adequate conception oil their gigantic
power. The current OF LABOR mas ho"eu
peacefully and smoothly along-powerfui on
ly In its results for rood-unlli sudien-
ly it has met with an obstacle.
Capital stands In its way, unyieldinR,
strong. The collision is tremendous IL
seems us though one or Inc other must y'eiu
at once. But capital IS hrm. IL only pre-
sents to the onslaughts OF united LABOR a sui
more stubborn and lofty front. 90 INC con-
test becomes public one IL Is not only SO
much danger, so much suffering ana so
much deprivation on the part OF The contest
ants, but 1t alarms and disables The whole
commerce OF public aud social lie. Inc tre-
mendous power, the stubborn and threaten
ing character OF labor unions, becomes NJ
once apparent. No one longer doubts mat
there are hidden forces beneath this appar-
emily doclle and subservient class OF our pop
ulation. The name OF the brotherhood takes
on a strange dignity and terribleness, like
that of the secret leagues OF the Italian re-
publics. The quiet servitor becomes sud
denly the imperious. master, by virtue OF
numbers and executive power, holding the
reins Of the prevailing forces in his own
hands.
Such is undoubtedly the power OF the
American Labor Association. 1t Is not al
ways victorious, but 1t ID growing IN strength
in organization, in repute. There Is no
question that the time will come when the
united demand OF labor will be
equivalent to the immediate conces-
sion of capital. But before that
time it is TO be hoped that the Labor Asso-
citation itself will undergo some large modifi-
cation. If it does not, 1t Will represent The
anarchical, destructive element OF modern
society. 1t will come to stand Tor The ultra
reformers, the revolutionists, the SOCIALISTS,
the great disatiected and dangerous class in
civilization. With Its present methods and
spirit, it must not be allowed to prevail III the
American laborer gets 1t into his head that all
he has to do is to kick and the world will
turn around and roll the other way. he must
=. -, ..a-. m. ,.a,,,,a ,,,;,,, ,,,oso
NC sloppcu Snort. ihe 'ouo'o WIN 'ne'o
labor unions is, that they are too intoler-
ant. too secret. too vndictive and too self
reliant They n,snt Themselves on an ;ssue
'A'' P,"a' =" ''
Hi'iai vi no'' anu hoiu IL W 'ne DioouJ Gnu
noiu !. WI 'heii iau'iiies e'ai'e anu 'ie "ei-
."'e Vi .no ."uA''' "'A '"e "No.0 "o'" ou.
ierS' ,hes nre Secre' anu suuuen III .he''
uoniuu .m .noy wiz na'o Nv a'D'''a.o'''
,moS WIN n,"Ae No appeai " puDi', Syiipa'n,.