The Labor enquirer., 1886-09-11
The Usual Political PalaVer
of daudy, Glittering
Generalities.
"Zen0" Tackles the General and
Does Him Up on Gene
raj Principles.
The Bravery of the Great Men Of
To-Day, Who Would "Let Our
Children Settle It.''
For the Enquirer.

which is remarkable because 1t contains
more truth than the average polit cal
speech. 1t shows how a man may drift
toward the truth and get stranded half
way. 1t wcs delivered at Cedar Point,
Ohio, August IA, bv General Leggett.
He begins:
Land. labor and brains constitute the
sources of all wealth. Originally of
course all comes from the land-from
the earth. From the vegetation of it's
surface, from its quarries and mines, its
oils and gases, and from its lakes and
seas. God has filled the earth with ele-
ments which need only the highest cul-
ture of the human brain and the train
ing to skill of the human hand in order
to convert the same into wealth."
But be says nothing about the present
monopoly of all this natural wealth;
how the coal mine owners met and fixed
the amount of coal that shall be mined,
and thus raise the price. In failing to
point this ont Gener Leggett says, in
effect that God gave the coal to the
monopoist. Whv does he not claim at
once that all men have right to natu-
raj wealth, and that all ownership be-
yoDd what is needed for personal use is
robbery? But he is content W III telling
how useless petroleum was once con-
sdered because it spoiled the drinking
water; also that every brick farm house
contains enough aluminium in the bricks
to buy the farm if it could be got out;
also that our children will laugh at our
clumsy methods as we laugh at our
fathers limited knowledge, on account
of the progress of science. He forgot to
tell that science has been thus far a
damage to the workingman; that inven-
tions under the wage system, benefited
him only by throwing him out to
starve; that more men are out of work
now than before the late wonderful
growth of mechanical devices. He has
not heard how Maxwell Brothers
attempted to introduce making ma
chimes at Chicago and all their men
struck in consequence, demanding that
the machines be abandoned. He pro-
ceeds:
"Educaton will be power to the next
generation, such as it has never before
been since the creation of man. 1t haG
been a power in the present generation
such as it never was before. The gene
raj diffusion of education among the
masses, is a peculiarity of our age.
Never before was it brought to the door
of every child, and made as free to it as
the water it drinks or the air that 1t
breathe5"
This shows the general at least thirty
years behind in his observations Here ,
in Chicago thousands and tens of thou
sands OF children are working in factor
les and stores, to help support their par
ents, or are seen in railroad yards pick
ing up half f-burned coal and splinters of
wood. Their sole object is to eat and
keep warm. How can they learn any
thing? They have not enough surplus
wealth to buy books. When che stale
| furnishes other means of educati IN be-
sides teachers and school houses, then
we will be pleased to hear comparisons
about air and water.
"Our foremen and superintendent
are prepared for such positions in our
schools and not in our shops. Brains
are ahead n this generation. thev will
be much iurther ahead in the next. If
you would not have your boY left in the
race of life you must give him bralIs
properly cultured, directed and inspi red.
The boy VITO grows up without such
brains will be the mere TOOL Of those who
nave them
The lesson Of this is: get learning or
he mere tool" All may get lear ming
as free as air and water, therefore, all
NAV be toremen and superlntendents.
THE prime aim and end of our form
of government, the spirit our Laws and
all our Institutions, is to mai e men ludl-
viduallv responsible for their Judgments
and acts, to develop indivlduallsn, 70
make man Of every man, a man CAP
able of self government, and self man
agement; but these societies destroy the
individual-they relieve him from per-
sonal responsibility even in the most
common matters-they dictate to him
when he may work and when he shall
lie off from WORK, and what his wages
shall be-"
Why, a moment ago the general
thought all but foremeu are "mere
tolls" on account of the division of labor.
Now it is these societies" Grades
unions) that destroy individuality. AS
a strong trade union is able to dictate
higher wages than ''scab" can get, the
members are not alarmed about individ-
uality lost IN lieu of wages gained. The
prime aim" of our government is de.
feated by machinery and the wage sys-
tenn.
IContin6ed on fourth page.