The Labor enquirer., 1886-06-12
AN IDEA FOR STRIKERS.

AN IDEA FOR STRIKERS.
Resolve that You WilI Have Your De-
mands and that You Wlll Not
Walk Out.
For The Enquirer
The times are full of trouble. The bat
tie for freedom is begun, and the wage
slave of centuries has at last come to the
knowledge that, though he may die in
the fight, he will be slowly but surely
starved if he does not fight, and it is
better to make the venture. He cannot
evade it or put it off. He is in the mi DIST
of a conflict, not by his choice but by
the pressure of events, and the impulse
of humanity is bevond his power to re-
sist 1t is impossible for him to stand
still. Two roads are before him: one
| leads to continuance Of his slavish toll
for wages that only permit him to live
and suffer; the other is the path of in
dustrial equality, and Dv pursuing this
with spirit of determination he will
soon have passed the rough beginning
and come to the free enjoyment of the
means of life that his labor has pro-
duced.
In all the world there is no right but
the right of labor. 1t is the cause of
every benefit this side of nature. Capi.
tail, being only the result of labor that
was not paid for, can have no right
There could not to day be any individual
capital, or anv need of such thing, if
the toiler of the ages had not been de-
priyed by force of a large part of his
productions. The portivn thus taken
from him Is the aggrega ion now called
capital. 1t the result Of the wages
system, which represents the private
ownership of property. 1t has made
more slaves and crushed more of natural
affection than all other means combined
1t is the foundation of miseries, for upon
it is built the entire structure of law and
white washed robbery among men.
The blood which is being shed in this
labor conflict will have been in vain if
the workers do not unite against the
fore of capital They mnst find a way
to a complete union of effIrt. All NOV
ing together, and an injury to one being
esteemed the concern of ALL the strug-
gle will soon be over and freedom
gained.
MANY of those now striking may moi
entertain the idea of a complete revolu
ton, but would be content with the ad-
vance of wages or shortening of time.
However, the wage earners of all nation
ahties NAV disagree as to methods, they
are comp Mons in the fight; they stand
or fall together; there is but one enemy
and success IN the first trial will hasten
better understanding. The steps first
|
whole of society shall approve.
The suggestion of a comrade may lead
with promptness to such a combination.
Read the lesson of other great strikes,
and know that your cause depends upon
having the sympathy of the people.
Never strike to stop work, but strike to
make work 60 on, for the people must
have the product How shall this be
done
In the great southwestern strike, as in
other mighty revolts of labor, the public
sympathy was with you but when busi-
ness was paralvzed by the stoDpage, th g
public could not submit to delay, and
the result was disastrous. 1t has always
been so and always will be so, in every
great industry that is brought to idle
ness. Jay Gould and the people wanted
the cars to run, but the strikers stood as
barrier between. If the worklngmen
and the people had insisted upon the
running of the cars, with only Gould to
block the wheels, there would have been
a very slight interruption and a COM
plete victory for labor.
Reverse the plan. If your demand
be for eight hours or for increase Of pay,
let it be with the resolve that you will
have it and that you will not walk out.
You must not voluntarily quit work, nor
let the employer force you out. IfNhe
refuse your demand, take immediate
possession of the whole work, whether
it be shop, factory, or railroad
The workers for wages are always the
overwhelming majority. Make every
man in every department keep to his
work without interruption, from the
sweeper up to the cashier then 60 to the
proprietor and say: "We will have
what we ask for-both the hours and
the pay. We require you to manage
this business IS usual, and we, will keep
our places as usual. If you decline to
do this, then walk out; for we will not
stop our work at your dictation." Like
IShylock, the owner will say that it is his
'by the law, and he may call upon the
law to aid him. In such case the peo-
pie, by whom the law has its whole
power, will find you doing nothing to in
lure or interrupt their convenience, You
will be working for their interest, and
not against it. They will surely support
you. :.
The strikes of the future must be upon