The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-31
CHARLES II. LITCHMAN.
The General Secretary of the Knights Of La
bor Opposes Democracy aud Free Trade.
WAsurNcroy Au0 30 -Sanator Ouav ch air.

The General Secretary Of the Knights OF La
bor Opposes Democracy and Free Trade.
WASHINGTON. Aug Ex-senator Quay, chair
man Of the Republican national committee,
furnishes the following letter for publication:
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 81. 1883.
'Hs3 NJ. =. Qnsy. Chairman Of the Nstiopa, Repuh-
sssan Ccn,nsi:tee, Everett House, New York:
"Dear Sir-My connection with the labor
movement for the past fourtesn years has made
it necessary for me to be . close student OF the
causes OF labor depression and Of the needs OF
those who toll. While as body labor orRaniz-
alton may refrain from active participation In
politics, so much Of what organized labor de-
nands must be obtained through legislation that
the individual member of the labor organization
must act politically as In his judgment will best
aid the aims and objects expressed in tho princi-
ple OF the organization be represents and whose
success he desires. IN the gigantic struggle now
begun, eide Issues count as nothing, except to aid
or hinder on OF the principal combatants in the
political arena. However sincere may be the
advocates Of the measures TO secure which these
whatever strength In votes may be shown at tho
polls, the fact remains that the candidate OF
either the Republican or Democratic party will
be the next President Of the United States.
Therefore, to him who has the good of his coun-
try and the welfare OF her people at heart. the
necessity exists TO choose to which of these two
old party organizations stall be given aid, either
directly or indirectly. by voice or VOTE While
IL may be that neither party offers all that labor
organizations desire, / believe that the Repub-
lican party. in adopting and advocating the
American system of encouragement and protec-
ton to the labor and wages Of our own land. 10
nearer the declarations and desires of organized
labor than Its free-trade opponent, the Demo
cratic party. The conflict il between the Amer
lean system, as represented by the Republican
party, which would foster and encourage the labor
of our owp people, and retain for them the market
aud wages OF our own co6.try, and the British
system, as represented by the Democratic party,
which would break down the barriers OF protec-
tion and throw open our home market to the
productions Of foreign factories and foreign La
Dor, thus making idle our own toiers and reduc-
ing to lower level the standard OF American
wages. When the Knights of Labor and kim
dred organizations shall have obtained in for
eiRn lands the same commanding position and
influence enjoyed in the United States, the in
equality in wages will disappear not by level
ing our wages down, but by levelinR their wages
up. It is far better to level mp than TO level
down, as the larger the income the larger the
power to consume.
Until this equalization can be accomplished,
and until the wages of labor abroad shall equal
those at home, there must he q proper restric-
tion OF immigration. so that our land may not
be the dumpin aground of the pauper and de-
Graded labor Of the balance Of the world This
restriction, supplemented by q continuation OF
thorough, systematic organization OF the labor
already here, in conjunction with the American
idea of protection TO American labor, cannot
fail to secure for our people the best results OF
their toll, and by our example lift the labor of
the whole world to higher and better plane OF
existence. Whichever party wins, something
must be done TO gulate more strictly the i'm
portation of foreign labor under contract and
the immigration Of paupers and dependents. II
nothing should be done, then Democratic sue
cess would mean not only free trade Ia goods
made by pauper labor, but the importation both
OF the labor and the Goods. While under free
trade goods may be cheaper TO the consumer in
certain lines, the labor made idle in those lines
must turn to other means Of employment, and
thus, by competition, compel lower rate OF
wages to those already employed therein. Tho
power OF q working man to consu,oe depends
upon what he receives for his labor. Unemployed,
theft, ceases. prefer that America should be q
land OF workers rather than land OF thieves
and paupers.
What 10 true Of the individuals equally true
Of the Nation. The primary elements OF na-
tional wealth and national prosperity are pro-
duction, distribution aud consumption. What
ever affects the power Of labor TO consume sf-
fects tho entire interests OF the Nation. What
ever lowers the wages Of labor affects its power
to consume. An average reduction OF 9 per
cent. on the cost Of goods imported will not
compensate American labor for the loss OF 100
per cent. in wages in lines affected and OF from
10 to 90 per centum iu wages In lines OF employ
ment by the substitution of tho free-trade FOR
statesmanship to build up and retain our home
MARKET by a system that protects the American
than to command q market In foreign lands,
secured by the wholesale degradation ana pau
perization Of our own people.
Every dollars worth of labor value imported
is by so much Q reduction Of home laborers'
wages. This axiom is not Offset by the declara-
tion that there are more goods 10 the imported
dollars worth. The position CT the protection
ist is rather strengthened by such specious
tation Of the matter. because the oues-
ton is then instantly forced upon every intelli-
gent man. how can American labor earn dollars
transferred 70 foreign landsi The theory OF
protection advocated by the Republican party Is
the same a. the underlying principle upon which
ali labor organizations are founded. A friend "a