The Labor enquirer., 1884-04-12
CORRESPONDENCE.
why /. II

Why II rt
Editor Labor Enquirer.
LANSING, Michigan, April 6. 6.-Will the
ballot remove the burdens under which
the masses all over the world groan to-
day Even though a large majority of
the voters cast their ballots for the re-
forms which are loudly called for, would
practical relief come to them?
Ever since I knew anything about the
labor movement / have heard the work.
ing people cry ont for an eight-hour
work-day, and under the pressure of
that demand the national government
passed an eight-hour law. But have we
q practical eight-hour work-day? No.
Why not? Because the capitalists de-
mand that the law shall not be enforced,
and some of the dude politicians do not
approve the law.
All this business about "the law" is a
humbug. That is the law which the
people do! All the statute law in the
world is more than useless, it is vicious.
Statute law Is the curse of the human
race -! Dr.. ~ . g. E.
Do you deny this? 49,. 80 =
Then WHY'S it that Siberia is the home
of Misery and Human Suffering?
Why is it that in Russia, because a young
girl expresses sympathy for hrutally
treated prisoners, the cruel knout
whistles through the air and falls upon
her beautiful bare back with the savage
ness of all that is hellish and horrible?
Why is it that the populace of Paris
march the streets to show their wretch
edness, and are dubbed by government
authority?
Why is it that landlordism stalks
through Ireland like giant of evil,
crushing out human life at every step :?
Why is it that there are "the London
poor" and the people starve in the Isle of
Skye, while royal prince dies of luxuri-
GUS extravaganza?
Why is it that the German Bismarck
strikes down with relentless hand the
workingmen's societies that are strug-
Cling for more liberty and better condi-
tions?
Why is it that an outraged people rush
through the streets of Cincinnati crying,
"To the jail !'' to mete out rude justice I?
But why continue these interrogations,
the answers to which, even though con-
tinued through this whole paper. would
be the same?
1t is because statute laws fail to do
Justice
1t is because statute law, like the upas
tree, is poisonous, and breeds death and
destruction everywhere!
The Internationals are right when they
declare that the duty of the hour is to
teach the masses that their only saliva
ton lies IN they themselves knowing
their rights.
And the more they study their own
rights the less faith will they have in the
power of legislatures to do good, and the
clearer will be the truth that legislatures
are but stumbling blocks in the pathway
of Human Progress and higher and a
nobler civilization.
And yet l would not dissuade work
ingmen from trying to get control Of leg
islatures, because by doing so they may
be able to undo the evils that have been
done, or some of them at leGst, in a
peaceable way. But to 60 on making
new statutes is futile. One wrong can
not be undone by building up anoth er
wrong by the side of it. Legislate the
old statutes out of existence if we can,
and spread the knowledg of true civiliza,
ton, are the right road to Liberty and
Justice.
At any rate, the old statutes must be
wiped out, and the ruling classes ought
to see to this in time, else some of these
dark days the statute books will 90 up in
a fame and spread the light" around
the world! JOSEPH A. LABAD1E.