Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-08-13
G wyl11ll Editor.
striketand Boycotting.

knights of Tabor, according to their
official ofgan, the American Labor
| Budget publsh'd at Manchester, NJ
The New York Independent not long
ago published a startling editorial, in
which it ayerred that wealthy Christ
ians expended their pounds for per-
so1al indulgences and extravagances,
and saved their pennies" for God and
|the organ grinders. We are not dis
posed to dispute the assertion The In
dependent probably knows what it is
talking about, and the Budget has no |
desire to take issue with it on this
matter. If it would make a substitution
in itsterms and declare that the monop-
olistic corporation managers spend
their pounds for personal indulgences
and whsteful extravigances, and give
pennies and the cold shoulder to their
help and the organ-grinders; it would
find the Budget hearty ally in back
ing up the declaration. We could not
help thinking, when reading the plant
of the Independent against the niggard
illness Of protested christians of wealth,
how we'll its statements would apply to
the olopcllsts who pursue grind
ling niggardly policy towards their
help, and the thought instantly arose
that probably some of these men whom
the Ind dependent SO raps over the
knuckleS are monopolistic employers
of labor, A man who will rob his
workmah b of any Of their rights or
belongings Will rob his God Of the
homage and dues which belong to
Him. He is not the man to be trusted
in any position where his own inter
ests are involved. He is tot a good
man to have any dealings with in any
matter where there Is opportunity for
him I'd secure an advantage. He Is
mot the man to tie to. He is like the
horse leach's daughters, that were al
\ ways crying, 'tmore,," and never once
said, enough" With such lnen at the
fore in our manufacturing and indus
trial establishments, is it any won
der that labor strikes, abound, that
dlstrust and dissatisfaction exist, that
hard times for laboring men prevail,
and that the true and proper relations,
as co-partners. between capital and la
Dor are not maintained? Rather, the
wonder is that the existing condition
Of things does not lead to revolution
anb bloodshed. Tie thousands, tens
of thousands and hundreds of thous-
ands Of honest and Industrious labor
ing men in the various industries
throughout the country, to-day, are
men Of intelligence. They have won
; derfullJ improved their intellectual
condition in the last generat,an
though the: powerful influence Of the
press and platform, Though their oppor.
tunities have been curtailed as much
as possible by the heartless monopollsts
who have sought to become, not only
the masters Of their skill and muscle
but also of their sentiments and
opinions. They are thinking men
reasoning mer and reasonable men
When their condition, their work and
their scanty wages become unbarable
they are then. compelled to resort tt
their only means Of defense the strike
and the boycott means sent TO- then
from high heaven which shpdders Al
; the cruel impositions Of the heartles'
monopolists and feeling taskmasters
Even the meanest reptile ever created
Twill turn end endeayer to defend itsel
when trodden into the ground. VIII.
should not, then, one Of Gods highe
creatures, made il his own image, pos
sessed Of, human faculties, feeling!
and ,sensibilities, and endowed witt
i the higher orders Of. intelhgece, en-
deavor to defend itself when grount
! down by the ,ayarice, cowardice ant
lcruelty of grasping corporations?
4 The Budget would do nothing to en-
4 courage strikes or boycotting, believing
4 firmly that kindly feelings and heart.
\ cooperation should exist between EN-
4 ployer and employe. But there ar
Il times and, conditions when both thes
4 potent methods become entirely justi
4 fable; yea; when it would be crimina;
4 if the patient; Woodworking, oppresse
4 laborer did not carry both to their ex
1 treme limits and did not manfull
/ contend, with all his strength, for tn
comfort, hsppinoss and very maintain
| ance Of his fireside. Let him TAX
Icourage and thank God that he has tn
meails in !. his power. TO bring tn
| woul d-be lord and master Of the labor
er to areahzation OF their dependenc
Iupon the strong arm Of labor fer ever
liota 0 profit that they may be abe {
secure. What would the mills, splr
ldles, laths, machinery and motiv
| power be worth without the hands G
labor to direct and operate them
Moth in g, absolutely nothing.
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