St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-15
THE BOYCOTT.
Ideas That Actuafe the knights of |
Labor to Engage III II.

Ideas That Actuate the knights OF
Labor TO Engage in 1t.
To the Editor of the Globe:
An idea that mas claimed a great deal Of
attention is the one here under consdera-
ton. As indicated by recent article in
morning paper some men are inclined to
the belief that it is brought into force for
the purpose of sustaining the old theories
of strikes. Such, however. is not the case.
If we consider it in connection with and
place it on a parallel with the crude ideas
of trades unionism we may to some ex
teut be justified in the belief entertained
by some opponents of the system.
The idea first originated in the Knights
of Labor in this country and from it has
the trades union prOfted. The Knights of
Labor have instituted this system on the
same principle that one business man says
to another: Il will paroniZe you on con-
dition that you acceed to such and such de-
mands." Realizing that they are both pro-
Queer and consumer, and can readily see
and appreciate the fact that they above all
other classes of men may, if
they will, decide who shall sell
and who shall not in a great measure,
am justified as retail merchant in refus-
ing to patroniZe a wholesale man because
certain things are not satisfactory to me?
SO are the men that produce justified III
demanding just consideration at the hands
of those whom they serve. and increase
their means by the fruit of their produc-
tons. creating in them simply a medium of
transfer-to the conSumer-who in many
cases proves to be the one through which it
was produced. A certain gentleman in St.
Paul recently gave utterance to the idea
that justice demanded the recognition of
the following principle, viz: That in the
event of his losing 81, 900 in the course of
compliance with the requests of the order.
they would refund it to him." He was
answered by the representatives of the
order as above stated that the patronage
was worthy the consideration of the patron
lied; and justly. too, for it is a recognized
principle in the business world that all men
must comply with the wishes of the patron
so long as he does not seek to
reduce. by an Legitimate process,
the profits as income of the patronized.
They never fail to remember those who deal
unjustly with them. which the experience
OF several firms in this country can verify.
We are all aware of the opposition brought
to bear on any principle originated by work
ingmen for protection, and the ready
manner in which sentiments are received
when emanating from a jobberS' union, a
bankers association. a lawyers frater-
nifty. or any other like institution.
We hail with joy the utterances of
king. while we laugh to scorn the same
class OF utterance from peasant. Was
the king the creature of God. more than the
peasant? Does self-preservation demand
his attention as man more than the peas
ant? Not whit; and the day has arrived
when in the common affairs of life both
must stand on the same level-when he
who receives the shekels shall stoop to re-
ceive. and not command that he who gives
shall come up and tender-when it shall be
exemplitied that labor is noble and holy.
and the Just consideration of those who
learn their bread by the sweat of their
brow shall be uppermost. Men have
learned that it is not enough to know that
they can serve. but they know that they can
serve themselves. and this is one of the
things that the boycott teaches and is
prompted by. 1t is actuated by the idea
that he who SustainS should be nourished
for the SuStenance. Let the autocrat
''Snarl and bite and play the dog" if he WILL
but justice shall be done. and while the
boycott lives it shall be master, not on the
basis of coercion. but on the legitimate on
business basis, on the basis that he who
sells must consider the tastes of the pur-
chaser 10 the fullest extent, which is only
in accordance with equity, right and justice
in every particular. G. A. LAFAYETTE.
A. l.. ROBINSON.