National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-22


lineage back to the days of chivalry and OF
kniehthood. The Church Of Rome is proud
because she carries the mind back TO the
time when the smoke Of the sacrifice arose
from the Pantheon, and the camelopards
and tigers bounded in the Flavian amphi.
theater. But what is the antiquity OF all
these compared to the ancient history Of
the guilds or trade unions Of the world ?
They are, in truth, but yesterday when com
pared to the hOary record OF these organlIa-
tions, whose life extends back to the early
days of Egyptian greatness and far beyond
that olden time until II fades in the shadows
Of fable.
Before the Christian era we hear, II Is
true, but meagre details concerning the
various trades and peculiar features Of the
organizations which may have controlled
them; still we know that in Egypt, at the
time Of the Ptolcmles, the people were
divided into priests, warriors, agrlculturlsts,
and workmen, and that in most OF the en-
ployments the son was compelled by law to
follow the trade or business of his father,
We learn also that Theseus, the AthenIan,
decided that skilled workmen should form
a separate class of citizens, aud upon those
trades relating to war were conferred
special rights and privileges. Merchants
celebrated the festival Of Hermes and the
metal workers the Chdikei0a, or copper
festivals. Etmiologos pronounces the latter
as the most esteemed aud the Oldest Of all
the trades.
In Roman history we find much concern
ing this interesting subject; even her mythi.
cal history is marked by traces Of the guilds.
Numa Pompillus, who first secured real
governmental organization, divided the
labor element into co!legla. The principal
Of these, cOlicgium DOatidc,UR, received Its
name from the fact that all members OF 1t
were capable Of constructing bridges,
which was an important knowledge Ia
those days, as bridges were very necessary
In warfare. The members OF the cJiLcJiIuu
pontifc,m were called pontifces (brilge
builders), and owing TO their importance
they exercised vast influence, and finally
many Of them assumed the position OF
priests, hence the word "pontilr." So all
along the pathway Of the past down to
| these days of industrial wonders we lad
the guilds and trade unions constantly de-
veloping until they have reached a position
Of power and influence Of uuquestloned
Significance,
All such organizations have our sympa-
thy. for they owe their orlrin to the efforts
NJ tbo mosses IN nrotent their intercsts
against certain dongers They have ALWAYS
had n strong democratic character, and
their aim has ever heen to secure TO them.
selves and to their posterity the priyllere,
Of citizenship. eoualitv before the law. and
certain speeial rights which TO their re-
snectIye trades are ipaliepable.
From time immemorial gold. property
and rank-as they have been possessed bythC
aristocratic minority-haye had far more
mower and Influence than the work of IN,
great majority, who held the secrets of th,
workshops, brought TO light the treas
ures Of the mines, and sped the might,
wheels Of industry, but there is no doub
that this condition of things is rapidly pass
ing away.
In the days Of so.called Athenian ant
Roman liberty there was but very littl
freedom; in fact, except among the prlvi
leSS9 few which, the. accident Of birth ha