The Labor enquirer., 1886-04-17

| oulhOo DlisutCl, C6C.
Now this is all very fine talk, but how
can man be free man when, if he
joins labor organization, he loses his
situation, or his daily bread depends on
the way in which he votes?
See item in New York Mail and Ex
press of February 6: Vessels are sent
to sea tnat are pumped while loading to
keep them from sinking at the wharf
Three crews were engaged before one
could be found reckless enough to re
main"
Here is case of liberty for you. Yes
liberty to 60 to sea and drown, so that
some rascals can get insurance on a lost
ship, or liberty to stay ashore and starve
Again, you say, "People who wan
everything free would inaugurate reign
of ruin, and well might the world dread
the ascendancy of that class they would
not till free land etc.
Ifyou refer to railroad kings, land
monopolists and money manipulators,
and all that vast horde of ofnon-producers,
who have robbed the people of their sub
stance AID have returned moth ing but
ignorance and misery, and who are ex-
pending unknown sums of money to
corrupt manhood and womanhood, Git is
no trouble to prove this, as some Of
these lustful brutes are eternally en-
gagged in breach of promise suits and
various other devllments), if you refer to
this class, we agree with YOU; but if you
aIlude to people who believe in the prin-
ciples taught by the International Asso-
citation, of whom there are quite num-
Der in this vicinity, we do not agree with
you.
We are industrious, temperate people,
and are proud to say that we do not be-
long to class that wants something for
nothing. We believe that each should
receive according to his deeds, and we
expect from each according to his abil-
ity. Our object is reorganization of So
cietv independent of priest, king, capi-
talist or loafer. Our principles are that
every man is entitled to the full product
of his own LABOR and to his just share of
all the natural advantages of the earth.
See Webster's definition of Socialism:
"A theory of society that advocates a
more precise, orderly and harmonious
arrangement of the social relations of
mankind than that which has hitherto
prevail ed"
You say, Away with such doctrines"
Gently, sir, gently, it is easier to give
this advice than to enforce 1t. Well,
some one would get knocked out at all
events We bow the head to no tyrant,
but death we teach men that 1t is better
to die free than to live slaves, and that
not to be slave is to dare and do. And
not to cringe to unjust power, but rather
to honor the hand that drives the dagger
to tYrants heart.
Countless heroes, as the pages of the
histories of the nations in ali ages will
testify, from the time of the heroic Spar
tan, Leonides, and the noble Roman,
Graccus, down to the present day, both
men and women have stained the earth
with their blood; have met death with
brave and fearless hearts. They have
suffered in prisons aud labored IN mines,
like Prince Krapotkine, have risked life.
rank, fortune, all, without hope of reward
or fear of consequence for these princi-
Piles. Can this spirit be suppressed
We answer no not while there is true
man left on top Of the earth.
You say, "Slnce Plato wrote the doc.
trines of the Communists" We will &C
little further back, if you please. Rol-
lins says, in his history of Greece. that a
state of confusion prevailed, caused by
tyranny and inequality of wealth, and
that one Lycurgus caused to be estab-
lished true republic on a CommunistiC
basis, and that it existed for over 500
years; that this republic produced class
of men that for self-denlal, endurance
and bravery have never beeen equaled
The deeds of this people still stand out
in bold relief on the pages of history
Their parallel does not exist in the
archives of the world Let US mitat'
their virtues.
Yours in the cause of true Liberty
Equality, Fraternity, and we hope fo
the Solidarity of all the people of the
Earth. WILLIAM P. DEARDoRFF.