The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-09-12
orsani,sd labor than It's tree-traao opponent, the

organized labor tnni us uee-tfahe oppohents tho
The soniiirt ia between the American system.
"a represented by the Republican parry, which
would 10 ter and oncoura 10 III labor II our own
people and retain for them the market and
wages of our own country, and the British sys-
ten, as represented by the Democratic party,
which would break down the barriers OF protec-
ton and throw opeu our home narka: 20 th3
productions OF foreign factories and foreign
labor, thus making idle our own toilers and re-
ducing TO "a lover level the standard OF American
wages. When the Knights OF Labor and kindred
organ sato "a shall have Obtained in foreign
lands the sane commanding posi- aud indu-
enco as is now enjoyed in the United States tho
inequality In wages will disappeal, not 10y level
ing our wages down but by leyeng their wag
up. IL il far better u level up than 10 iWel
down M the lager tho incoms tue larglr the
power to consume Until this equali,H In can
b accomplished and until the wigs o libor
abroad nal eIunl Ito nj h )ine there must be
n proper restriction of immigration so that our
land may not be the camping-gcound OF tha pau
per and degraded labot or the BALANCE or tho
world. This restriction. suppem intel by a CO IL
tnuation of thorough, systematic org milat on
of The labor al oady here, I'm conjunction with the
American idea OF protection TO Amerc IN labor
cannot fail 10 secure for our people the best re-
suits of their toll, aud by our example lit the
labor OF the whole world 20 higher and better
pane II existence.
done to regulate more strictly this importation
of forei IN labor under contract aud the inmisfa,
ton of paupers und dependents. IL nothing
should lie done, III sn Demo- ratio success would
mean rot only free trado in goods made by pau
p labor but the importation OF both tho ihpor
IN the goods While under free ira te goods
mnv he cheaper u tho consumer in certain lines,
the labor made lille in these lines must turn 10
other means OF employment, ana TN 10y com
PETITION compel n lower rate OF wages To those
air 'ady employed therein.
The power of n workingman 10 consume de
! ponds upon what he receives for his labor, VI
| employed. his plwer TO consume except on
| charity or heft, ceases. / prefer that Ainericn
| should be n md of workers rather thsn land
| of thieves md pnupers,
% no fn1fz III
| of the nation. The primary elements OF nation
| al wealth and national prosperity "a p'oduc-
| ton, distr,bu and consumption Nnate 'er
| affects the power of labor 10 consume atfects
/ the entire interests of the mutton. Whatever
| lowers the wages Of labor affects its power TO
| consume. An average re iuction OF pr
centum on tho cost of goods importer VIII not
| compensate American labor for the loss OF ID
| per centum in wages in the lines ahected anu
of from 10 20 30 per centum IN wages IN IN ines
| of employment by the substitution OF the fte7
| trade for the protective system 10 81 II 10 De
far wiser craftsmanship 10 build UP anu retain
| our home market by system THAI protects
| American labor than 10 command u market in
| foreign lands secured by the wholesale deSra la
| ton and pauperization OF our own people
| Every dollars worth OF labor value imported
| is by so much reduction OF h mo IN )orers
| wages. This axiom is not otse. by tn d clar 4
| tiOn that thtr are more goods in the mp prte
| dollars worth. The position OF the protecti mist
is rather strong hensd by such n spec Gus pres
| enta ion of the matter, becalso thu question l.
then instantly forced uron every in el isent man
industry in which he is expeyien ed IS trans
ferrei TO foreign lands? Tho theory OF pro;ec
ton advocated by the Republican patty Il the
| same as the I'm lerlyns principle up N wlict
| all labor organizations nre founded. \ friend Z.
! organ zed labor that believes in oigani a1on n
n means TO enhance and maintain wa O. cannCl
! consistently oppose party that applies 10 al
| labor the same princp OF pro e,tion from un
| fair competition that the individual trade o.
gani ,atiJn gives 10 the single trade Irads
| Organizations 50 I'D in advancing wages in then
| respective trades and the protective system
| demanded by the Republican lartv will secure
for all the toiler5 in the land similar fostering
| care.
That this Is 81 Early unders OBJ by most OF The
| thinking leaders of organized labor is p'ovod by
| the declaration recently made in favor OF the
! American system and home market by the
| presiding officers of the organizations repre-
| senting the iron AMI glass industries OF tie
United States. There is no better organization
| of any one trade than the Amalgamated Associ-
alton of Iron and Steel Workers. There i M
! trade more thoroughly organized or bet or disc!-
plined than hat OF the window-glaSs workers
| nor ono in which higher wages are paid. h
| warning of the officers rep esenting those trades
against free trade is significant and SHOULD DE
needed.
A careful consideration OF al these facts con-
vinces me that the present is n grave crisis in
the political affairs OF our country and that
have no right TO remain silent My position ;
| General Secretary OF the Knights OF Labor mas
gwen me an intimate knowledge OF the various
phases Of this labor question, and from the
knowledge thus gained do not hesitate TO say
| that the triumph OF tho democratic party. do1n
! II Ited by intolerance in the south and British
free trade sentiment in the North would De the
most serious blow 70 organized labor II could
possibly receive. | cannot remain inactive in
| such n conflict. Therefore, 20 you and your as
| sociates on the National Republican Committee,
| us the representatives of the Republican party.
| L offer my services in any position or capacity
| where they may b desired CT be thought most
! useful to aid in securing the success OF Harrison
! and Morton, the represe Ia ives in this cam
paign of the American idea of protection 10
| American labor | have the honor To remain
| yours 20 command. CHARLES II. IIrCHAAN.