The Labor enquirer., 1886-07-03

component atoms and particles move
with it. This is. the unity of energetic
activity which must enable US to be al
one mighty, sturdy arm, swinging the
hammer of righteous, progressive re-
form and dealing stunning blows tt
monopoly and wage slavery.
Shall we be sitting and complaining. as
the ancient Hebrews sat, fearful and
playing their harps by the rivers o.
Babylon? No! but let a wholesome
invigorating impulse sweep through u.s.
individually and collectively, actuating
us to prepare for the coming contest
We must send our own men to the halls
of legislation. Monopoly has fattened
on honest toll. as garden spider on
flies. 1t is again spinning its meshes Of
deception and is ready with the "bar
rel" Its warning cry" is taken up by
the daily press, and sorry to say it, by
timid labor sheets, against Socialism and
Anarchism, as if both meant one and the
same thing. Just as the southerners
were all the time intimidating the igno-
rant slaves, telling them of those dread
full" abolitionIsts, 80 the capitalistic
sheets are trying to scare the toilers by
telling them of that @'blood red flag oi
Socialism )" of the terrible possibilities
should the state interfere with the pres
ent competitive stem of wage slavery
Just as children outgrow their silly
fears of the boogaboo, orEof the black
bear the nurse or the mother told them
of, so lab will outgrow, if it has not al
ready, its confidence in the would-scare-
ifit-could capitalistic daily press. Of
course the daily press, hand in hand
with" the politicians, is already doing
Its level best to make votes for the can
didates for both old machine parties.
The soldiers and sailors exemption and
pension bills, tariff and free trade, tenn
perance, civil service and the fish cries.
are resorted to as possible means to get
labor's watchful eye off the true issue.
If the toilers have their attention rivet-
ed upon the greatest issue now pend
ing, it is certainly not because the capl
talistic sheets are anxious that they
should pay heed.
Labor has at last discarded the advice
of men designedly or ignorantly opposed
to political action, and with profit. Just
as it is we'll to throw some. if not all,
medicine to the dogs, so it is well to dis
card the counsels of abiect cowerdice and
conservative sefshness. Motives, it is
true, cannot be seen. but frequently they
are very easy to detect. Even with the
workingm n a fat and permanent job
will act as AL effectual gag.
Circumstances alter cases. Hunger
gave an impetus TO sthe great French
Revolution. Enforced idleneSs or fat
job maJ account for the changeabllltv
and contemplate 6ckleness Of some
men whenever these two opposite con-
ditions happen to give way to each
other.
Enterprise consists, not in waiti for
opportunities, but i'll making them. An
enterprising man is in himself living
opportunity to OF ers He Is a centre
of action for others to rally around. En-
terpri8e, Just at this time, consists in
formulating laws to abolish wage slav-
cry and to compel manufacturing and
mlLing corporations 10 recognize and
treat the toileSs as co-operators. Rights
must be earned. They don't come fy-
ing into our mouths like roasted pigeons.
Liberty is not gift, but prize to be
merlted. Enterprise has goal with us.
1t is industrial democracy. Men must
meet, not as factory lords and wage
slaves, but as legal and industrial peers.
Poll ical and industrial united self as
sertion alone will stop the traitorout at
tempts to saddle conspiracy laws" upon
Us for Justly refusing our patrona ge
whenever we have good cause and sutti-
cient provocatiOn for 80 doing. willing
slaves deserve nothing but oppression.
Freemen won't be slaves UNO.