The Labor enquirer., 1885-01-24

cooperation between these now antagonistic
forces.
At this very moment when we are con-
sidering this important measure, these con-
ditions which intensity this antagonism exist
more generally tnan ever before in cur
history. Notwithstanding our high protec-
tive tariff, passed avowedlY in the interest
of American labor and the owners of small
capital, our farmers, there never was more
distress. Strikes, which are the protests of
labor against what it considers its failure to
receive just share Of the joint products OF
labor and capital, were never so numerous.
Want, hunger, and pinching poverty have
invaded the households of nearly all who
depend on their labor for their daily support.
Where men are not wholly without work
their wages have beenreduced from 20 to so
per cent. The products Of the farm have
fallen to that point where they do not pay
the cost Of production. The farmers are
unable to pay their debts; they are unable to
make purchases. This reacts on the COM
mercial and manufacturing interests OF the
country. The pressure is so great that only
the greatest and the strongest establishments
can stand. "
We hear everywhere the cry/of overpro-
duction, which is but another name for
underconsumption, caused by the inability
of the great mass of consumers to purchase.
Overproduction can not commence till all
have an abundance.
The best way to remove discomfort Is to
remove the cause Where there is injustice
and wrong, there will be remonstrance and
active opposition. l quote without indors-
ing fully the words of great preacher,
spoken only few days ago. -.
"Letus remember that the same social
movement of the workingmen is running
abreast of the new Christianity, as in the
time of Wycliffe, and an old order is passing
away. Liberty has degenerated into license;
selfinterest has turned out selfishness;
natural law has left us no place for moral
law; the right of might has legftimatized a
new tyranny; laissez faire' has resulted in
chronic crises. If my buggy is constantly
breaking down, l know 1t time to get a new
one. So when our commercial system comes
to standstill every ten years It is time to
have new one, 'Bradstreet's' is authority
for the statement that 300, 900 are out Of work
in our most favored land. There is danger
of anarchy to-day, and any one who reads
the wild and fiendish utterances at Chicago
on Thanksgiving day may see the danger
Power and wealth may try repression. Now,
there is nothing quite so sure OF creating an
explosion as to pilethe weights on the safety
valve when there is a furious pressure of
steam on. That may come in the nineteenth
century as in the fourteenth. That will
come unless relief is found for the forces Of
discomfort. And you large-minded men Of
business, see to 1t that no irri alton springing
out Of the intolerent and disagreeable atti-
tude which labor may assume to-day in its
consciousness OF power shall prevent your
doing your duty. See to 1t that the standard
of the age which is held up before the adj
yancing army of humanity is none other than
The form of the Carpenters Son.n
He sees danger more imminent than / do,
yet 1 confess there is that in the present con-
dition of affairs which ought to make us
pause and reflect whether in our rapid strides
to an eager pursuit of great wealth, we are
not sacrificing to magnificence and splendor
in outward appearance the real interests Of
the great mass of the people, upon whose
labor, intelligence, and thrift all substantial
progress depends.
/ am sure, sir: that nothing can do more to
remove discomfort, and to break down any
incipient spirit of a1larchic socialism, than
the conviction, If it should prevail, that the
American congress is dong and is disposed
10 do all that may rightly and constltutionally
be done to make the operations OF the govern.
ment equal to all In Its benefits and in its
burdens. The adoption of this amendment
would aid in producing this conviction, and
it would aid also struggling weak in their
unequal contest with the strong, by establish
ing a just equality in public service.
No labor bills have yet been taken up, by
the congress. Petitions are still coming
in against the ratification of the Spanish
treaty.
On Saturday evening the benefit for the
Hooking valley miners took place at the
Grand Opera House. The house was well
filled and quite large sum realized. The
committees are still active in their efforts for
the miners. 81. b