Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-01
LABOR DAYS OUTLOOK.

The salient feature of the labor demons
tration which is to be made to-day in Europe
is the uneasiness which is manifested among
the ruling class at the very idea that labor
has reached point where it will undertake
to appear in organized bodies. The Aus
trian Government has been massing its
troops at Vienna with the manifest expecta-
tion that a labor demonstration means riot,
if not revolution. The French Government
with less bravado but no less disquiet, has
been preparing for meeting outbreak with
suppression; while the universal tone Of
dread and dislike OF any movement of labor
except to continue its ill-paid drudgery
shines out through the columns of the Lon
don Saturday Reuiep, which praises every
sign of military suppression and rejoices
over every indication that in Germany the
workmen will not demonstrate, or that in
Spain they will put off their demonstration
until Sunday.
or course everything of this sort is a
confession of weakness and injustice.
Governments that are firm in the support of
the masses need not fear that any organized
movement of labor will become revolution
ary. II the European system secured TO
labor its rights, the labor demonstration
would have no tendency toward riot. 1t is
the spirit of prejudging every effort of labor
to improve its condition as revolutionary
and seditious, that creates socialism. The
practical notice to the laboring masses that
any movement on their part is threat to
the stability OF government, is almost
sufficient justification for the conclusion on
their part that their only effective measures
are in the direction of riot and revolution.
There is pleasant contrast to this atti-
tude of mutual suspicion and threat in the
way in which the same subject is viewed in
this country. With wide diversi ) of
opinion as to the policy or practicability of
the eight-hour movement, the right of labor
organizations to agitate in its favor by all
peaceable means is clearly recognized. Not
only that, but the most complete confidence
is felt in the great masses of labor that they
will support and maintain the Government
of law in whatever they do. The organized
workmen of the United States know that
they form no despicable part of the citizen
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they are equally interested and responsible
for the maintenance of the government and
form a strong bulwark against any threat of
revolution which may come from scattering
and isolated elements. While it is not GER
tain that our social condition is beyond
criticism, the recognition of and confidence
in labor as an organized force permits this
nation to view any labor movements on this
side without a tremor; while to Europe the
possibilities of Labor Day are huge night
mare.
1t is a safe axiom that there is no
tendency of the laboring masses toward
revolution, without some ultimate cause of
injustice and privilege. 1t is the system of
Europe which turns laboring men into
Socialists and makes Labor Day threat to
order. 1t is the system of the United States
which makes our workingmen the supporters
of constitutional government. The con-
trast should inspire this country with the
determination to correct whatever tenden-
cies exists here to initiate the privileges or
class advantages that is stimulating social
ism on the continent