New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-16

THE ETHICS OF THE STRIKE"

THE ETHICS OF THE "STRlkE"
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE APp1-
CATION OF GOOSE SAUCE TO THE GANDER.
TO me Editor OF The tribune
SIR: Is participation in preconcerted' or
xapzed srike an indefeasibe right which cannot De
nrohibted by layi II strikes are morally right they
are right for all; there is distinction between
The individuals right TO participate In an organized
strike. and the right OF the Individual simply 10 ea'e
his employment for any cause he may deem proper,
then 1t follow that strikes are In order WITH ali
trades aud professions who at any time feel that
their VIII be promoted by such an unchartabe
regard for he sUerng public. strikes are ngnt ana
cone 10 be INDUCED in by combinations OF men OF
especially heavy capitalists, they VIII DE Oh
magnitude and power that may create most uncom-
frable situation for those who have only their nsads
and hands, and who will discover that capitalists can
us said doctrine most eectuay oppress it's authors,
Already capitalists combining TO resist strikes
The moro ]aborers combine and eoDspre, tne more
capitalists will do the thing Both capitalists anu
aborers The first are men with money ,ne
second without money. Which would naturally
stand the fight the ongerf Capital cannot afford re-
main unfortihed for 1t has something TO ose and as
strikes become more frequent capitalists WILL IN the
same ratio resort 10 the lockout" In this they VIII
be encouraged and protected by combination OF ther
own kind. In short, they will be ordered by their
grand master to make strikes, which they VIII
be able to endure much longer than their workmen'
who were foolish enough 10 lnltlHte tno cOuttSb
II strikes right in principle they are fight 10 any
extent ana should be encouraged. IL must De obvious
that merchants bankers and all persons In the ngner
occupations could make them profitable ii tney hso as
little regard public welfare as is shown by their
poorer brethren, many OF whom now professional
stnker IL right TO form unions for the purpose Oh
Cetng by force that which cannot be procured in an
eaual race with fellow creatures the golden rule must
have become obsolete and the moral of honorable COM
petition displaced by the brutal law that might makes
right"
Suppose all of our farmers were 10 combine and al
the bidding of some vicious leader TO whom they had
made pledge stronger than their humanity, love OF
freedom and patriotism should refuse TO sell the pro.
ducts of their labor except arbitrary prices fixed oy
Their own organization Suppose all our food merchan1s
were TO combine and strike fixing arbitrary prices on
the neeessares of life and refuse to open their places OF
business until their demands had been acceded to- ex
er,ine their unity of sentiment and combined strength
TO defy competition. Suppose all the railroad employees
of the oouniry-particuarly the engineers-shoud De
ordered TO strike at time, thus stopping railroad
traffic for indefinite period, say one or two months
how would large cities fare. the lives OF whose vast
populations are largely dependent on daily receipts OF
the of lie Suppose ali the doctors were 10
combino strike taking measures 10 DEFY competition
decline to attend any person ever SO H. until some
had been acceded to. 1 believe, however, there has
been some legislative action w9icn psraSy or hg
participate in organized strike Is an lnauenape one
q III
statute could constitutionay prevent such union OF
action. Suppose capitalists were TO form Money
Ienders Association and should hoard all the currency
they could control and refuse 10 make loans except az
an extorioDae OF interest Fortunately, the laws
with regard TO usury have done much 10 prevent suen
strikes but II the right to strike is Inherent IL is not
apparent how such laws can be constitutional.
IL may be said that strike against corporation
differs the foregoing example, nasinucn az II ls
not strike against the public But ii must not be for
gotten that corporations part OF the public very
Intimately with the social systen that they
have TO be protected by the State and that strike
which mpairs capacity OF corporation to perform
Its duty 10 the public is strike directly against tue
pubc Including always tie cl0al strikers themselves
who with their families, the greatest sufferers
When trade and aOor unions cease striking ana
utilize their organized powers 10 teach their members
how make and control legislators WITHOUT money,
they will then that intelligence and the moral power
of public sentiment. ball6 sound foundatloD can
cope successfully with monopOes brlDery ana
corruption II you practical and useful legislation,
protecting the rights Of all equally, you must make
legislators OF men from whom you meht reasonably
xpect acts OF philanthropy and magnanlmity.
In my opinion preco ceried, organized strlke is
conspiracy against the personal liberty guaranteed by
the fundamental principles ON which our government
md social systems are erected WALLER SAkH-
Ke.r- TorI. Son