The Labor enquirer., 1886-04-17
Strike to Hurt.

EOl IIlC I-uquAlCl'
Never mind silver, never mind gold,
never mind the barking of the capitalist
whelps termed governors, never mind
the gabble of congressman; all these
things are men of straw, scareCroWs, in
tended to attract tie attention of the
wage worker from the real vital issue at
stake. This vital issue is our class di-
vision into wage payers and wage work
ers, for all tyrannies, robberies. million
aires and paupers owe Their existence to
these class distinctions. We see their
effect everywhere. Ameri can manhood
is disappearing. The man who braved
southern bullets trembles before the up
sta1t who gives him work, for work is
life to himself and family.
The whole force of the labor press
should be directed to the discussion Of
the question why some of us are rich
and others poor, some working our
selves to death while others riot in idle
ness. ANY man lies who says this
arises from a special dispensation Of
Providence" Providence has nothing
to do with it. These class divisions are
part of the ancient era Of kingcraft, not
political but social, not durable by a
mere republic, but requiring fundamen-
tai social changes that give all men
equal chances for securing the advan-
tages of society, and relieve all from de-
pendence on individuals or corporations
for work and bread.
There are great strikes almost every
week. What are they for? Not for So
cial and industrial readjustments, but for
more wages, less hours, or other trans
Cient benefits. They hurt nobody more
than the strikers themselves, They
frighten nobody. There is no liberty IN
them They give no new ideas, and
show no progress. It's the old story o1
the serf, the acquiescent serf, pleading tc
a master for better conditions of life.
1t is this "mastership" which has be-
come the curse of the age. 1t puts g
stamp upon every man as supe>lor or In
ferior, and gives each social position OF
wealth or poverty. These classes must
not mix or intermarry, under pains and
penalties. 1t is the upper" classes
only that are titlor presidents, governors
or congressman, The proper place fol
the "rabbe" is in the mine or factory.
How can we expect to maintain re
public under such conditions? Anti-re
puslcanism is rampant everywhere: l
cares nothing for votes, for it controls
them through its parties. 1t cares moth
ing for strikes, for it can shoot the strik
ers, But it will care fOl an orga nizet
crusade of labor against its sole contr0
of productive agencies, with demanC
for cooperative partnership.
So long as labor is satisfied with it
servile position, capital will scouree it a
a serf. 1t is time to strike for emanci
patton, through equal industrial rights
and the abolition of our class dlstlnc
tlons into wage workers and wage pay
ers. The exclusive possession and us'
of productive agencies by capital, tor 1t
own special profit, must give place tx
partnerships. This excluslVeness is the
weak point of capital. 1t created moth
ing that it makes profit from. 1t owe
all to labor, and it reaps all that labo
sows.
Strike to hurt. When you strike 70
the rights of labor to the use of all 1t ha
YOU hurt somebody. You hurt lega
thief, probably an ignorant thief but b.
plumbers you nevertheless. Insist Of
partnership, and the control of your owl
destinies. The mines, factories ar
yours if creation gives title; claim tn
use of them on equal terms with capita.
This is the crisis issue. Let not capita
shiTk it D. r. BRAY
PoETIAo, Michigan.