The Labor enquirer., 1883-12-08
INACTIVITY.

The singular part of the whole thing
is, that SO many of the working people,
the slaves of monopolists, show such
little feeling. There should certainly be
very few in this day of enlightenment
who do not know that they are robbed
of their rights, are exploited by the,
systematic rascality of the "higher
classes" So. 81
Why then are there any who are thus
robbed and defrauded of their natural
rights that are inactive? Why will they
not up and arm themselves for the strug-
gle--if struggle it must be? -
If a man saw a burglar stealing his
fuel OF feed, would he stand idly by, and
raise neither his hand nor his voice? If
the farmer saw the fox in his hen house
destroying his fowls, would he look on
disinterestedly; or would he seize his gun
and slay the thiefP s
There is but, one way in which to
answer these questions. In such cases
there is no lack of activity. No time
would even be lost in wordy protests or
parleying. There would be quick and
forcible action. .
Then why can these same men stand
inactively by and see themselves plum
dered, not only for the time being of
what they have on hand, but continually
robbed of what they have produced, the
stealings increased with each visit of the
thief, and the visits becoming more and
more frequent?
There are thousands of men in this
state who fully understand that they are
robbed of fve-eighths st the very least
of what they produce, by the perni-
cious systems which keep them toiling
and drudging that few kings Of cor
porations and monopolists may live in
idleness, and yet they fold their hands
and bow their heads in meek submission
to the hellish injustice. They will not
realize that the power is within them to
compel Justice; to obtain and secure their
rights. If they do realize it, they are too
cowardly to assert it. No, they grunt
and sweat under their heavy load, when
they might straishten up and throw their
burdens to the ground. A moral paraly-
sis seems to be laid upon them, and they
see, but cannot speak or move.
There are others who say "the thing is
all wrong" and they admit it is because
of the apathy of the people; yet they dc
not stir themselves. They say there
must be new deal, but they do not
know what it is to be; and they do not
try to learn. knowledge, which is power
is within their grasp, yet they will moi
reach out and take hold on it.
Men will place their lives in peril tc
drag from out the reach of a moving car
riage one who is in temporary danger
but they will not move an inch to drag
from beneath the wheels of the golden
. Chf VI NldLuuOu dnu 0lOCu buC IdCO duS
posterity. Sad inconsistency; thy name
is Misery; thy beginning, Wretchedness
thy ending, Death.
Awake fellow-workmen! Throw of
thy stupor. Let US no longer submit
passively or whine. Let us arise il
our majesty and proclaim in one grand
congress of shouts our rights, and oul
determination to have them, even though
He'll itself be turned loose for spell.
Let there be no more inactivity; but
rapid and thorough movement. Quicl
upon the proclamation of our wrongs lei
the declaration of our rights follow, ane
{ then to the accomplishment-by any
means. f.
If life is worth living, it is worth liv
ing decently and well. If death is oul
portion, let it come quick and sure.
LAST Sunday morning DR.. De La Matyl
delivered q sound address on the subject
q Il