The advocate., 1891-05-13
THE LABOR QUESTION.

torial which in some respects will be
q surprise to it's readers. It seems
incredible that great journal that
has attained the circulation and the
position among the leading journals
Of the country that is conceded to the
Star, should have so little conception
Of the true condition of the laboring
classes in America as to express the
thoughts embodied in this article.
The Star says:
While there is sharp conflict between labor
and capital In number of separate LOCALITIES
throughout the country, 1t is source OF con-
graduation that the agitation Of these forces Is
by no means as general and as serious as it was
year ago. The danger Of widespread strike
has been averted, and industry and commerce
are not TO be paralyzed by concerted suspen-
sion Of labor. May day passed off without any
violent outbreaks, and comparatively few breach
esoi the law were reported. Business Is flowing
on quietly In It's wonted channel, and there Is
nothing In the situation on this side Of the At
lantic to cause apprehension or disquletude.
In the absence of q general riot
from one end of the country to the
other, the Star is unable to see any
cause for apprehension or disquietude
on this side of the Atlantic. Is there
no cause fer disquietude in the fact
that more than million of men in
our own free America are to-day un-
able to find work of any kind, and
that their families are suffering for
the common necessities of life in con-
sequence? Is there no cause for dis
quietude in the general condition of
all the laboring classes whose wages
are gradually but constantly reduced
from year to year until those who are
employed are compelled to practice
the. most rigid and self denying
economy in order to sustain the
mesgre expenses of the family? What
kind of a condition would be neces-
sary to excite the disquietude of the
StGrs The editorial continues:
This Is encouraging, not only in view OF the
immediate influence Of these conditions upon the
welfare Of the country, but as serving to indi-
cate the progress which labor has made In the
peaceful assertion Of It's rights In this country.
II shows that the chasm between the two great
forces, which are natural allies, is gradually mar
rowing, and that more intelligent and perfect
understanding of the relations which they sus.
tain to each other is bringing them closer to-
gether. Capitals manlfestlng freer disp0si-
ton to make such concessions to labor as the
latter Is Justly entitled to, and labor, by enforc
ing It's claims with temperance and moderation,
Is steadily advancing In the direction OF the end
which 1t desires to accomplish. A mutual spirit
Of cOnciliatlon on the part Of these two vital ele
ments has advanced the interests Of both, and
Injured to their common advantage The method
Of arbitration is rapidly gaining in favor, and 10
supercedlng the strike and the lockout as a
lever OF power. The sacrifices and hardShips Of
enforced idleness have brought home TO the Ia
boring classes the folly Of resort to extreme
measures except in cases Of great provocation
and oppression, and the mastery Of this lesson
has been Of the greatest value to those persons
who depend for subsistence upon the work Of
their hands.
How is the chasm between the two
great forces, capital and labor, clos
ing! Who is making the conces-
sions? capital is msnifesting a
fraar disnosition TO make sucb con-