Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1889-10-12
THE LABOR QUESTION.
A Lecture Delivered Before the Boston
american Section Of the s. l.. p.
BY CAPT. +. S. HUNTINGTON.

1T is little difficult TO put on paper
or speak from the platform any words
upon this great question which have
not been spoken many times before. 1t
is, however, an aid to all of us who are
interested in this noble struggle for a
better social state to dwell repeatedly
upon topics which are well worn, but
which nevertheless deserve a constant
repetition.
wish to present this evening differ
EN- aspects of the most serious prob
lem of this age, upon the correct solu-
ton of which depends the future com
fort and happiness of millions of our
fellow men.
Let us first glance at the dark side of
modern civilization, and, as we take
this sombre view, it will seem as if no
light could ever come. 1t will seem,
indeed, that it were better for the ma
jority of human beings that fire and
flood should be sent to destroy all traces
Of man and his poor efforts, in order
that new race may begin once more
another civilization, under promptings
opposite to those of selfish greed and
grasping cruelty.
According to the great German phi
losopher, Schoppenhauer, this is the
worst possible world, and man, by uni
versal consent, should cease to live.
This renowned pessimist, in giving this
gloomy Judgment, was not led to the
opinion by any tender compassion for
the wretchedness of the poor, nor by
any sympathy with the wage earners in
their unfair allotments. He wrote for
the class which revels in luxurious idle
ness, with all the refined comforts of
life in its grasp. If life is not worth liv-
ing for this class, what, then, is it's
value to the millions who toll day after
day, year after year. with no opportun-
tiles for rising above the level of the
lowest animal existence, with none but
degrading pleasures within their reach
| refer here onl y to the very poor.
We who have faith in the doctrines of
| better scheme for mans development,
and who believe that such a radical
change can be brought about in modern
methods as shall insure an equal chance
to all, may mourn the unhappy lot of
the great majority to-day: but at the
same time we shall hold firmly to our
sincere convictions regarding the posi-
| bilites of a better social formation, and
we shall work with patience and cour
| age to fulfill them.
The time for serious attempt at the
reconstruction of society on the lines of
State socialism seems very slow in ar
riving but, comrades, signs of promise
are multiplying, and the desired period
may come sooner than the world now
believes possible.
| In this country we have had quite
long term of comparative prosperity;
but this condition, owing to the DISC
beyed laws of economic distribution,
and to disregard or ignorance of
other laws, will soon change, and what
is called hard times" will take place.
When this depression in all business en-
terprise occurs, when labor suffers and
strikes arise, with large bodies of men
thrown out of employment, the people
of this country will realize more fully
than they do at present the gross wrongs
of the present organization of society,
and will perhaps be in readiness to try a
change.
The late strike of the London dock
ers, though peacefully settled Tor appar.
emily so), has taught a great lesson to
the people of England; especially has it
served as a needed warning to the
grasping holders of capital that they
must not rob the creators of their i'm
mense wealth too closely of all share.
1t was fortunate for the rich classes in
London. perhaps in all England, that this
body Of one hundred thousand laborers,
the majority of whom had been driven
desperate by continued wrongs, was I'M
der such control of its leaders. John
Burns, the Socialist, was the man for
the emergency; his wise counses pre-
vailed. This able and energetic expon-
ent of the principles of the Social Demo-
cratic League saw clearly that riots,
bloodshed and pillage were not the in
struments needed for the advancement
of the noble cause of equal rights and
equal opportunities for all
The impressions left on the minds of
the people of England by this great up.
rising of oppressed workingmen will
not soon be etfaced. 1t has awakened
thought IN class which has never felt
more than superclious disgust for what
1t has called the lower stratum of soci-
ETY.. We can see by the tone of the
English press during the progress of
these disturbances and since, that the
leaders of thought and culture in that
country are becoming aware of the fact
that all her vast wealth and prosperity
exists on what may be termed vol
cano which only slumbers, and which
may break out at any moment Many
converts to the doctrines of State Social
ism have been gained in England within
the past few years; and with the forces
which are at work on that side of the
Atlantic, we may feel sure that this in
terest will not wane. The great danger
lies IN premature outbreaks, which will
only retard the cause.
10 rptnrn To our nn-rn N atinn Wa