The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-22
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
TaURSRlY, :. APRIL s2, 1855.
OREDIrSCE TO LAW.

Capital and labor a-e twin forces,
which in harmony can rule the coun-
n, in discord can destroy it. The
harmonious union OF these two forces
has been too long delayed. Labor
agitato1s are teaching that q man who
by irugality becomes a capitalist IS
scoundrel and robber, whose life is az
the mercy Of the mob and whose
prog rty il outside the protection Of
the law, while unwise capital is teach
ing that organized labor is organized
communism, nothing but combina-
ton OF anarchists, led by the vaga-
bonds and criminals from the slums Of
great cities, who seek TO destroy
homes, business, churches, be-
nevolent and educational institu-
tons. 1t is hoped the in
vestigation now going on before
the Congressional Committee at
Washington will produce better UNI
derstan ding between capital and labor
There 10 no danger to the country 60
long no h forces adopt as their mot
to--obedience 10 ldw. Ga Thursday last
Mr.. Powder emblazoned this sign
upon the workingmen's banner when
be assured the committee that II it
were found that knights Of Labor in
the West had violated the laws Of
labor, the organic atom would be as
ready to help punish them as II is 10
aid them in redressing wrongs. With
the organization the laws Of the land
stood high above any organizations or
corporations. This expression is,
no doubt intended rs a rebuk9 to the
violence at Fort Worth and other
places. Mr.. PowdeTly believes in
obedience TO law. He knows that the
strikers wronged and weakened them
selves by overt acts Of lawlessness.
From the moment that acts OF violence
begun may be dated change in the
popular attitude toward the strikers
No organization ever can be formed
which will convince people that one
man has right TO interfere by force in
the concerns OF another. Every time
the strikers made show OF physical
resistance, every time that they
boarded trains, disabled engines, un.
coupled care, disarranged switches, OF
otherwise interiered with the right Of
the company to operate lbs road If II
could, they deprived themselves Of
thousands OF allies. The Knights OF
Labor-all labor associations - have
the undoubted right to strike and re-
fuse 10 return TO work, except upon its
terms. They are the owners OF their
own labor, and the law very properly
makes them the judge Of the price il
should command. Like all others in
all callings, they must often &C.
cept what they believe to
be inadequate compensation for
the service rendered but in accepting
or Iejecting terms they may act iu-
dividually or collectively, and they
are responsible TO none but themselves
and their families for their decision.
But in thus deciding for themselves
they become law.breRkers when they
deny others their lawful rights.
While 1t is alike the undoubted right
OF any to accept the terms which
others have rejected; and those who
shall do 30 are responsible only ia
themselves and their families. None
can hinder them except by violation
Of the law that gives each aud every
man the control OF his own labor and
manhood, and when lawless violence
is employed to hinder any one from
accepting employment, every copsid-
Grafton of right and justice must con-
denim 1t, and the law must punish it
Organised industry has been unjustly
denied the protection OF law that i,
freely given TO capital, and the reiusa
is excused by the violence and lawless
lessness that is sometimes employed
by labor to abridge the rights Of fellow
laborers. 1t has never served any gooC
purpose in advancing the interests o
industry, for lswlessness can neve
command either increased respect o
compensation for labor. Thistle won
bear igs and lOwlessness won't brin
prosperity. Don't forget the rights O
others.