The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-01-25
CONFEDERATED LABOR.

For tie last few years there has
been an effort made by the laborers of
this and other countries to combine
in defense of their rights, and against
the attacks of consolidated capital.
In the United States there has been
nothing of a communistic or socialistic
tendency in these combinations, and
the constitutions and bylaws of these
organizations have expressly stated
their aim to be not to change the
social fabric or form of government,
but simply, within the law, to attempt
desired reformation which would
make politics purer and the rights
of working men more generally re-
spected. This object will commend
itself to every patriotic citizen, for all
must acknowledge that politics has be
come most debasing In it's aims and the
means for the accomplishment of its
ends. The wageworkers of :hls coun-
try are generally men Of intelligence,
and cannot be considered in any differ
ent grade of society from those more
highly favored with wealth. From
many of the common walks of life this
free country has secured rulers and
statesmen, end the laborer or mechanic
of to-day may he the legislator or
trusted official Of tomorrow.
These labor movements have created
no alarm among citizens, for all con-
fdence is felt in their integrity and
patriotism. They have great interest
in the perpetuity of free institutions,
and the people sympathize with any
and all efforts at reformation. The
ballot-box is the final arbitrator of all
wrongs, and if there is a combined
effort in this direction this land of lib
erty may yet be purged of its sub
servience to corporate power. There
is only one apparent danger, and that
is, designing politicians may gain er-
trance to these organizations, and by
presenting q fair exterior, use them
for their own selfish purposes. But
this may not cause very great con-
sternation, for there is sufficient dis
cernment to discriminate between
honesty and p,etense; between in
tegrity and hypocrisy; between the
wolves who may enter the sheep fold
for mercenary purposes, and those who
have suffered wrongs and desire them
redressed. We have always enter
tanned the kindest feelings toward
these labor combinations, and believe
there is much more true patriotism
and honesty in them than in the COM
bination of capital. The accumu-
lation of riches has the natural effect
to make one sordid and selfish, and
every impulse of the being is in the
direction of increasing the wealth at
whatever expense; while, on the con-
trary, the laborer's object is for the
of his fellows-to raise
them to higher plane of manhood,
that they may und, rstand their duties
to themselves and families and to the
human race. For this reason we wish
our labor organization Gods speed
and wonld do anything possible to aid
them in their work of benevolence,
patriotism and mercy.
ASIDE from the mere organization
of labor, of late the different lodges
have combined to accomplish their
designs, and we understand next week
o convention will be, held in this city
of representatives from the different
oranges, Knights of Labor assemblies
and other compacts for the purpose
of organization for the coming cam-
paign in this county. Their delioera-
tions will no doubt be dictated by COM
mon sense, and we earnestly hope
they may be successful in forming a
coalition, as their interests are COM
mon and for the general veal of the
community. Every producer is in
terested in an open river to the sea,
and we earnestly look for the time
when intelligent labor will gain the
over selfish capital. If the
same movement would take place in
every county in Eastern Oregon. we
might have Substantial hopes that the
next legislature would do something
in regard to building portage road
At the Cascades, and above this city.
AS matter of course, we look to the
general government first for aid; but,
IN the interval, we shall not object to
lelp from our own state. For pure
politics, relief from corporate greed,
md for the development of resources
Il Eastern Oregon we believe in the
of laborers or every one
Interested in an open river and the
orfeiture of unearned land grants.
As the result of the Berlin confer l.
nee in reference to Samoan affairs, a $
reaty between the powers interested a
as been agreed upon, which is very Y
supplementary to the United States. t
IL L.