The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-07-30
THE RIGHTS OF LABOR.
Mass Meeting Of Worklnumen at cl6ve'
land
To Discuss Matters 0ermane TO the Strike
Speeches by Congrsssman Foran and
Others. Resolutions Adopted.


erp, nll6d tne space DetWten tnb ORATOR
ium and the aidewa alks OF the northeast
ern part of Monumental Park last even
Ing 10 listen to speeches delivered on the
present labor troubles by speakers In
vited by the Trades assembly OF this
city. under whose management the
meeting was called.
[ Mr.. +. j. Mcclure, who was chairman
OF the meeting, stated its object by say
Ing that II was intended az a discussion
Of the troubles In Newburg and the cost
TO the tax payers. II ask OF you,' said
he, ito preserve the strictest order. II
Ia not my purpose TO enter into dis
cuasion OF the subject, but | have been
chosen TO act as chairman and propose
10 500 that no outbreak shall occur and
nothing shall happen TO disgrace the
character OF the w0rkiDgmen OF Cleye'
land" Mr.. Mcclure then introduced the
HON. MARTIN A. FoRAN,
who spoke as follows:
appear before you In response TO an
invitation OF the Trades assembly Of
this city and inaamuch as claim that
every man In this country has right TO
dlecu q any question, accepted the In
yitati0n. l want 10 say TO you that
there has never been In the history OF
this country or the world, commercial
and social, a graver period than that
through which we are now passing. The
stagnation Ia not confined TO America
alone, but the same cry comes from all
European countries. Every citizen who
has the welfare OF society at heart should
calmly discuss all these questions In
the light OF reason and justice. There
may be reasons why we and Indus
trial pursuits In q tagging condition.
This subject ID receiving the attention
OF ministers Of fashionable churches.
One Of these well. paid divines promul-
gated the doctrine that when an en-
ploye saw 6t 10 sever his connection
with the employer, no matter whether
the most glaring injustice has been
done him. he had no further claim on
his employer. II that 10 In accordance
with the divine law that you shall do
unto others 40 you would they shall do
unto you, don't understand what re-
ligion 10. Let me take tho case OF the
Cleveland rolling mill company. Bev.
eral years ago the institution WAS cre-
ated on o limited capital. Workmen
were Invited TO 20 there and take part
In the creation OF wealth. They went
there from remote quarters OF the ooun-
try, from Eastern and Southern States,
from Kurope, because there was con.
tract existing between them and the
mill owners that they would be furnish.
cd employment. while We recognize
that mill owners have the right TO say
when they shall dispense with labor,
yet We do say, having brought them
here they were bound 10 treat them hon
orably. We are not believers In social.
Ism and communism. but We do believe
In society, and the question arises, what
constitutes society," No matter how far
back we 20 in the history Of the world,
wherever we aud men, We nnd there or
listing q s,ciety. Adam In the garden
OF Eden found himself face 10 face with
O being similar TO himself. Even then
rights had 10 be respected and duties
performed. Nations have risen aud
passed away, kingdoms have been de-
stroyed, people obllterated, but society
has always existed, even during the
dark aud bloody days Of the French rev.
olution Of '93. Society 10 not Of man
II comes from God and we ask that
SOCIAL LAWS GOVERNING SOCIETY
shall ever remain. Some Of our dlvinet
seem TO preach the doctrine that man ID
10 man a wolf. We respect your prop
erty, the right 10 own II, and we gC
further and say that the deeire 10 accu'
mulate property is what makes him q
man, But we further say 10 the man
who has amassed wealth that while he
has right to own II, II is not the 70.
suit OF his individual efforts alone. II
civilization, society and commerce did
not exist, hs would not have an oppor
tunity 10 accumulate wealth. II Ia said
that all men are created free and equal
! say that men are born free. but In
some respects not equal. Some men
have been especially favored by God Of
strong mothers, who haven't been perse
cuted by heartless capitalists. Strong
men can accumulate wealth better anf
can do more and better work, but having
acquired property n he uses II 10 crusi
men who are beneath him, then II 10 tim,
10 call q halt. Let us apply the doc
trines preached by some OF thsse minis
tere to themselves. All good preacher
have n deeire 10 make q pilgrimage som'
time or other 10 the holy city OF Jerusa
lem. Lot us suppose that ono OF thos,
preachers, who travelled In the desert OF
his way 10 Jerusalem In company will
mon who are his superior In strength
and endurance, and 10 finally left behint
famiehing In the deeert, while hi
stronger companions push on ahead
One discovers Q shady palm tree and Chi
other Arefreshing spring. After awhil,
along comes the preacher. He secs th'
inviting shade OF the palm tree an
ruehes toward II. The strong man VIII,
discovered the palm takes out SIX
shooter and says:
"stand back; ! discovered this tree; I
10 my property"
"But," says the preacher, that tre
will furnish shade for ffty men, and yo'
are only one"
"That's oil right is the reply, "but
you come here Ill put q hole through
| you"
The minister walks on and comes h
the fellow who discovered the spring
and asks him for drink OF water.
you can't have any" 10 tho reply.
"Whyp" asked the preacher.
because discovered II and II 10 m.
property"
"But don't you SEQ" argues the preach
or, there are gallons Of water wasted OF
the sand. Give me what you don
want"
They say to him, "If you attempt h
touch our we'll we'll shoot you down."
II may be legal, but II 10 not tho doc
trine Of Him who said, "Do unto other
as you would have them do unto you.
This merely proves that wo are drivel
back 10 our starting point.
RESPECT EVERY RIGHT.
but perform every duty. Respect tn
rights Of property; but property owner
and capitalists eee 10 II that you respoc
the rights OF those beneath you. II
easily accomplished: Every employe