San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-06
THE AMERICAN IDEA.


Every living thing or organization has its
idea; even more, its governing and controlling
idea, which shapes all its purposes and directs
IL energies However, intangible this power
may appear, however much inferior in sub
stantial character to its organic body or form,
1t is nevertheless the substantial part, the I'M
dying, invisible part which yields not ever,
though crippled in its material structure
through which II speaks TO the world.
In this sense there Is such thing as the
American idea. There is the American idea of
wealth, the American idea of the drama, o.
education, of living and of labor. Task atten-
ton to the idea of the latter.
when our American manufacturers, anxious
to secure foreign market for some Of their
goods looked around to see where reduction
in cost of production could be made, they
were met by this American idea of the labor
ing man. The idea stood before them, and,
intangible as IL may be called, barred
more effectually than all else any attempt To
reduce the cost of production by reduction
in wages.
This American idea of the laboring man?
What is itI 1t is of a man who has home,
wholesome though inexpensive food, comfort.
able clothing, children at the public school and
neat, tidy rooms in which are "A few Instructive
books and well-kept furniture.
In all probability the man, besides all these
things, has moderate bank account. At any
rate he has comforts, which to the mind of u
European lhborer are only associated with
wealth, and he is surrounded with an ar of
responsibility that, to the mind of the laborer
on foreign shores, is only associated with
station in life that be views as above labor.
The Anne lean idea and the foreign idea Of
the laboring man are inharmonious. No
power under heaven can reduce them to equal
terms for the purpose Of calculation. In all
the requirements of commerce or manufac-
ture which take into account the labOring man
his fe's condition must be translated into life's
foreign vernacular as surely as we must
translate his daily speech. The American la.
borer will not come down from his high posi-
ton to suit the requirements of any selfish
aim in trade or finance. This American idea
xyil no IN a a.
ured by the standard which veIywhere OBJ
tains in foreign lands.
And it is this American idea which will
finally be the means of producing harmony be-
tween the lahOring man and his employer.
The defiant attitude of this American idea in
defense of labor is no more apparent than is
the support given TO its position by the greater
portion of American society. The merchant,
the manufacturer, and every true American
his workingmen and ready to support II. The
very idea is attractive, conciliating rather
than repellant, and gratities ones love of the
beautiful and harmonious in art aud life.
This rs all true, i should say, when the
employer is true man, with American in
stinc:s energy and faith; and when the laboreT
is true to the inspirations and incentives
which this American idea furnishes. In no
sense will this harmony be found when the
merely narrow-minded, gasping and ava
ricious In his business-to this the American
idea presents an article of defiant opposition.
In no sense further, will this harmony be
found when the laborer abuses his privileges,
and puts the saloon in place of the library.
stiffness in the place of thrift, the street in
the place of the school, and dirt, disorder and
momentary qualification, In the place of tidy
rooms, neat furniture and wholesome food, 70
| all such the American idea of the laboring
man presents an attitude of outraged dignity
ard sorrow. LABoRER.