The Labor enquirer., 1885-12-05
VOLUME VINO. 40.
The Search for Truth.
For she Enquirer

pehTs goes Dy tue maine OF DeuNcT LAbOh
ENQUIRER. This name SIGNIFIES that its
object is to inquirei-namely, into the
facts concerning the labor problem. The
name is modest and very appropriate
a conceited know-all would have pre-
ferred some other name. The modesty
expressed in the title may serve as an
example. The writer of this article is
simply an inquirer after the truth and,
however emphatic and positive his ut,
terances may appear. no Availability can
possibly be claimed for his statements
without provoking rldiclle and con-
temptjustly merited.
The recent past bss lessons for us to
learn. Through it we may be more GER
tain concerning the present average
moral and mental capacity of the people
whom we would address. Passion and
prejudice are vet prominent forces in
human action. Passion and prejudice
are frequently said to be blind. To learn
of the truth, such blindness is certainly
not an advantage, to say the least.
There exists general belief in indi-
viduaI moral responsibility. No indi
vidual can reasonably be held RESPONSE
BILE for what he cannot prevent from be-
ing perpetrated by others not under his
influence, We are Individually account
able to our own better self. the ''still
small voice" within. This voice speaks,
even if not listened 10. Ittold the writer
of this article that murder is crime,
that brutality is utterly Objectionable as
a means to better orr condition. 1t told
him that peaceable agitation and peace
able resistance, organization and the
elective franchise, are the best and most
commendable means of promoting our
welfare, the indan natory outbursts of
Anarchists Notwithstanding Indigna-
tion is kind of intoxicatjon. We want
mental and moral sdbriety. Moderation,
refraining from aggressive violence, alb
staining from personalities and abuse
generally, temperance in language and
conduct, are indications of true man
hood, of true dignity and ability. Row
dies, fre-eaters, bravadoes, desperadoes
and volcanoes in human shape, are often
the veriest towards in times of real dan
ger. Loud-mouthed and Dragging men
are not heroes necessarily. Discretion
is the better part OF valor."
The knights OF Labor hayea signal tri-
umph in the recent elections in Connec-
ticut, though not final, but simply as
prelude. FBosh! give me dynamite" !"
howls the Anarchist. The writer of this
article pays no {. hntion to such advice.
TIE aIsetsohs tp Massachusetts have un-
mistakahly shown that the men of labor
( can elect their mel, and this 'can" is
no empty tin cans-" "To hell with votes"
growls the Anarchist. Well, he need
not vote, We can afford to DO without
him. The workers hsve slapped the
face Of the grand old party" in the En-
pire state and are furnishing the Tri-
bune. What do I care" snarls the An
archist again. All right, snarl away.
fyou love dynamite so badly, why, just
take guild and chew away. Poor ply
sician who won't take his own medi-
cine.
Searching for truth. Do we find it in
numbering the Chinese? We want an
insurrection, Revolution-of ideas, not
of arms. We want change of the in
dustrlal system, not dastardly outrages
Labor ls rising in the cart, like the
morning sun. Boston and New York
are presently beginning to move. "Em
ploy the unemployed" Not. down with
heads or houses, but down with the
hours of labor and down with monopo
listic privileges /" "Not bullets, bu
ballotsP' Such are the rallying cries
where the writer of this article lives anc
moves.
The future will tell who is right, the
Socialist or the Anarchist The Anar
chist is honestly mistaken, carried away
by inherited impetuosity. A mad bul
is not to blame for his blind ardor, Mel
have been taught that &here is glory il
shattered limbs and mutilated human
corpses and puddles of blood The des
pots of the old world love to have thel
subjects aFraYed in vast armies, really
for slaughter. Not to'admire wholesale
butchery, is to be coward. To prefe
voting, arbitration, co operation and ed
ucation, is tame" "sickening." Well
the eastern states have moved Onward
TIE complexion of things is changing
The extremists may feel disappointed
and wag their heads. Who cares?
OF course we cannot move onward
peaceably without the growing of SOM
dissatisfied hot heads. Searching fo
the truth, the past informs anyone wh'
is willing to learn o. to be reminded
that peaceable progress is possibilt'
and a fact. JUsTIcE.
For our part we hold that 80 long a
the sun shines and wSter runs, while tn
earth yields harvest and the seas ar
not dried I'D, there should be upon tn