The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-02
LABORiDAY.

1t is pleasing reminder of the continual
advance of human growth and expansive
freedom to reflect on the celebration of
labor day. Time was when the laborer, the
mechanic, the artisan were looked upon
merely as the auxiliaries of power and am
bition; when the masses were known as
the common crowd,n the vulgar herd"
etc. Even in the ancient republics there
was really no freedom for the great bulk of
the people, who were to all intents and pur-
poses, the slaves of the wealthy. And it
has been slow ascent by means of which
the laboring poor have at last gained parti-
cipation in the affairs of state. We may
think that time dates from the American
revolution in our case, yet the war for in
dependence was really but one link in the
long chain of causes and events extending
back for hundreds of years, and culminat-
ing finally in a recognition of the simple
truth that all men are born free and equal.
In our country the whole people have
gained participation in all the great issues
of human government in the latest and
greatest example of one that is of, for. and
by the people. But there is another con-
dition essential to the lasting peace of the
nation at large that has not yet been
reached. That is, the complete participa-
ton Of those who labor in the profits of
labor. 1t is still The case, though in les
ser degree than formerly, that labor does
not receive what seems to be an equitable
portion of the profits of industry The
wealth of the capitalist still continues to
earn enormous fortunes, and the owner of
it protects himself by alliances, offensive
and defensive, with other owners of large
capital, and tries at times to hinder labor
from doing the same thing.
Yet there should be no conflict between
capital and labor, for the interests of the
and most permanent interest of the capital
| list to improve the condition of the laborer,
and of tie laborer to work diligently for
his employer. Ii the gains of the capitalist
are increased through the greater efficiency
of labor, he is sure to expend most of his
increase in supplying anew the wages OF
| labor Ii the lot of thelaborer is improved
strikes, lockouts, ETC.. will occur more
rarely, and losses from these sources will
/ De UOl6 away Will. LII Is d mistake uC
suppose that either Is necessarily enriched
at the expense of the other. If competition
in industry were perfect, and trade I'm.
restrained, the fortunes of the one class
would rise and sink with those of the
other.
One great truth should always be borne
in mind by the workingman, viz: that
every increase of his own efficiency and
skill. every improvement in the tools he
uses or the methods he adopts, every gair
in the use of machinery, and every Other
means by which human labor is economical
and made more productive, inures directl,
to his benefit and raises his wages.
The capitalist should also remember tina
contact with his employees, and acquaint
ance with them, and also some degree O
participation in their sort of labor is neces
sary to keep him from becoming sordid anC
bound up in himself. Indeed, manual labo
of some kind and in some degree, howeve
limited in amount, is necessary condition
of healthful manhood in any of the walk
of life.
There is a nobility in labor that makes
as necessary in state or church affairs as il
the daily life of material industry.