Omaha daily bee., 1886-10-31
A Brotherhood to be Emulatcd.

Ine annual convention OF tne DTOLncT-
hood of Locomotive Engineers in New
York last week was IN all respects q
model assemblage of worklngmen. 1t
was notable for the character and intelli-
gence of its members, for its freedom
from wrangling, disorder and acrimoni-
Gus disputation, and for the conservatism
and wisdom of its expressions and action.
1t was body the presence of which in
any community would be regarded with
favor, because by its judicious policy it
has earned and commands the public re-
spect and confidence. Every word spoken
by the distinguished gentlemen who par
ticipated in welcoming the convention to
New York, in compliment and commend
alton of the organization, was sincerely
meant and was entirely just.
1t is agreeable and useful to refer to
this admirable organization, because it
presents an example of the highest form
of labor union, and one which it is prac-
ticable for all intelligent and self-respect-
ing workingmen to emulate. Its eN-
istcnce and the excellent work it
has accomplished IN elevating the char
acter and capacity of its members fur
nish convincing evidence admitted by
all candid men, that labor organizations,
when founded and conducted on wise
and Just principles, instead of menaclng
may be made to conserve the public wei
fare. From the beginning the work of
the Brotherhood has been to upbAild the
fraternity of locomotive engineers, and
those who remember what the character
of the average engineer was twenty-five
years ago know how well and thoroughly
that work has been accomplished. Said
Mr.. Dcpew, the president of the New
York Central, in addressing the late con-
vention: THE man of the old time was
rather rough chap and swore hard. He
kept whisky bottle, too, to steady his
nerves, but there is none of that now.
The men of to-day need no whisky to
give them nerve" The engineer of
to-day is sober, self-respecting citizen,
with full sense of the great response
blity that rests upon him. He has pride
IN his duty and conscience in performing
it. He believes IN the eternal applica
ton of the principles which are the mot
toes of the Brotherhood, "Sobriety and
TRUTH" Justice and Morality" ''De.
fense and Defiance" Reason, not Vic.
lence." He feels honored IN being
u member of fraternity which
Is power not for war
fare, or aggression, or destruc
ton, but for maintaining and promoting
IN all proper ways the inst rights of its
members, while at the same time holding
each to the full performance of his obli-
cation as an employe, and he is ever So
licitous to maintain his relations with
the organization unimpaired. This gen
eral and self-discipline required by the
brotherhood, this fusion of feeling
of pride and honor among the men, have
made the organization what it now is,
the model labor union of the world, res
pected and commended by everybody.
1t is practicable for workingmen in
nearly every department of labor to emu
late the example of this excellent organi-
zatlon, and if ever they shall do so from
that time will cease all opposition to la
Dor unions, which now makes its most
forclble argument not against organiza'
tion, which in this land is an inalienabie
right, but against the spirit and aims
which too often are permitted to control
such combinations.