The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-02
Their Great Enemy.

1t is not straining the figure too much
to say that the explosion Of the dynamite
bomb at Chicago last week, Tuesday,
shook the whole fabric OF organized labor
in the United States, so that years may be
required to repair the damage done.
The test of a great emergency had
already shown that the structure was so
loosely put together and composed of ma
terials so Heterogeneous, that it was likely
to fall to pieces of its own weight ii it was
not at once strengthened throughout, and
in some of its parts fundamentally re
constructed. In other words, it was dis
covered that there was no such solid and
compact organization as Mr.. Powderfy
for instance, had been endeavoring tc
bring about.
The knights of Labor and the labor
unions had not vet been brought into com
plete harmony, much less utilization, ano
within each separate body there were more
or less radical differences as TO policy. Mr.
Powderiy of the Knights, and Mr.. Arthur
of the Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engi
neers, could not form an alliance. In the
same manner Mr. Irons was pursuing one
course and Mr.. Powderly another. On
party in a union was conservative and tn,
other radical, and the victory of eithel
consequently sowed the seeds of permanen
discord in the association. The older anC
richer unions, which knew what wal
meant, might be slow to provoke hostil
tiles, but those that were young were cage
for the excitement of strikes and boycotts
One section of pianomakers would hole
out for eight hours, while another saw
that the demand could not be persisted il
without ruin to both employer and EN-
ployed.
SBear in mind, too, that these difference
concerned, not an abstract question, bu
were about matter in which the breaC
and butter of the members were involved
and that strikes mean, not only that work
ers throw themselves out Of employment
but those who remain at work and are fra
ternallv banded with them must supper
them in their voluntary idleness. There
fore, nothing is so dangerous to labor or
CARNATIONS as ill-advised striking; an'
vet the first impulse OF men after the,
have got up a labor union, is pretty sure t
/ be to start strike, in order to show thei
power. Theu, their own treasury beini
empty, they expect the affiliated unions +
put up the money to carry them through
OF course, when it is possible for thes
sporadic strikes to occur at the will of ras
novitiates, and when boycotts that alienat
public sentiment from the unions may
started to crafty whims Of revenge, ther
is no proper organization of labor, an
none which can be permanent and effectiv,
Sensible and conservative workmen, VIII
give the backbone to the unions, will ne
long put themselves and their earnings 8
the mercy Of harum-searum fellows VII
i fight simply for the love of fighting, for
the end they, and not the feather head
have 70 bear the brunt of the battle.
But the explosion of the Chicago bonn
told organized labor that it was face to fac
with an enemy which must be conquere
before any repairs Of its organization coul
be made, and that its most vital conte
now must be, not with capital, but with
disorganizing force near its own rank
For il mas come to this, either the Knigh
of Labor must put down the importe
Socialists and Anarchists, or they mu
give up their order to these enemies of 8
ciety, and see it used for the overturn
the whole social system and thus mae
hateful to all decent and law-abiding pei
pie.
These enemies have got into the lab
unions, and are sedulously engaged in di
seminating their doctrines among Il
workingmen. They are always ready
foment strikes and encourage every disc
der, for their aim is, above all things,
keep labor discontinued and excited. Tn
want to see the workingmen Toor and nj
cradle, in order that they may become d.
I perate enough to tear down the soci
! structure in their hungry rage. They
! not want them to save money, so that th
! shall have stake in the existing ord
i and have something to lose when the b
: berous destruction begins. They wou
u have them drink, so that they shall beech
mad, and they would keep them from /
religion so that they may defy the preeeI
/ OF religion in the day of general disru
I ton, Of murder and incendiarism-
The first great business Of the Knigl
y Of Labor and the labor unions, therefore,
J to put down these madmen and savag
and drive them from their company.
they are unable to do this, or il they
d to make the effort, they themselves viii
down faster than they came ap.-N.
Sun