Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-06-05

Elk Garden, III TACT, every competing region,
native and foreign, of the same mind and de-
termination we are? Are we entirely willing
to place defeat with all its penalties in the
scales against success with all its benefits
Are we thoroughly willing to brave what is
called the "black list?" In short, having
taken up the sword are we-aU of us-as
willing to perish by it as live by it?
In every other business the liabilities must
be taken with the assets. Whoever is unwill-
ing to do this is not ready to go into business.
So that, brethren and sinners, when We
next contemplate strike let us estimate the
probable cost, and estimate extravagantly.
What will it cost to live at least six months in
idleness? to get "blacklisted?" to go into exile
and perhaps work for less?
These we repeat, should be honored with
high estimates because they are possible, if
not probable results of the struggle. Any
calculation which leaves losses out of the
account is fatal
We might have included the cost to business
and property values; to stomachs of families,
badly rationed and dsfranchised, but the
palmistry of figures would fail u.s.
Then "be sure you are ready" because the
right alone has never saved cause. Every
triumph, like every event, awaits the "full-
ness of time''
1t will not do to look over the field care.
lessly; or into your pantry with Lick tele-
scope, or mistake something in the past for
anything III the future. 1t will not do to re-
hearse history better write horoscope
bristling with unfavorablc positions and
ominous transits. Wherever a doubt turks
around your welfare be very careful to allow
nobody else to get the benefit Oft.
These constitute the first steps to safe con-
victions, to which surety has regard. Mr..
Crocketts proverb would have been stronger
had he said ''be certain you are right" be-
cause certainty is based upon actual
knowle ige, while surety may reasonably
come from reliance upon others. OF facts
principles, qualities, we may be certain, but of
rules, methods, policies, guides, we may be
sure.
We Should therefore, be both certain and
sure-certain that our cause is right and that
we are ready to move, sure that our leaders
are of us, with us and for us.
AT all events, "be sure" The text tolerates
no skepticism in the same breath that it pro-
nounces by implication against belief as futile
and faith as unavailng.
Now, then, the surety which Mr.. Crockett
enjoined, or the certainty suggested by the
preacher is in the former case, prerequisite
to "go ahead" in the latter to strike. Had
he written the text in Greek we should have
translated it:
Be certain you are right and ready then
strike.
The truth of this rendition is apparent from
the fact that strike has never failed in any
instance where the men were both right and
ready.
1t is to be inferred, of course, that the au-
thor of our text regarded being "sure you are
right as condition indispensable before
'going ahead" In other words, with any
flaw whatever in your knowledge or doubt in
your Judgment of the justice, fitness, or pro
priety of the measure in view, you are not to
''go ahead
This injunction comes to men in every con-
diuon-to those having families with sledge-
hammer accents. 1t commands the cultiva-
ton OF backbone; the stamina of inveterate
and invincible self-assertion, and the courage
to say ''no' with an impregnable exclamation
point. In meeting and out of meeting it ex-
poets every serious, thoughtful man to make
himself seen, heard and felt for himself and
his convictions, as against the practice of
absence, or, if present, accepting the utterance
OF somebody who chooses to ''say his piece
first as the sentiment of the crowd.
1t comes to men of all classes contemplating
any departure from an established order of
things. If one changes residence, employ
ment, business, or gets married, the rule
comes into play aptly and forcibly, but in no
case, except perhaps the last does it reach us
with significance so powerful as when it APP
plies to determination of the right and
expediency of severing relations between en-
ployers and employees.
This brings us to observe also that in the
wide field of consideration which wage differ
ences open it becomes employees to look well
for case where all the right was Oh one side
If they find none further glance in the
same line of research is necessary-to weigh
with commensurate care the fright on the
other side, for we must give our employers
credit for acquaintance with our text.
Finally, brethren, the text is one of few
which repeals the old adage-"never count
your chickens before they are hatched"