West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-09-15

n more sacred obligation OF natur,
/ imposed upon every man which !,
that the wages of his labor shall moi
/ be less than sufficient to sustain
himself and family reasonably and
comfortably. And the employer
who forgets or willfully Disregard
TINS plalnest dictate Of justice and
takes advantage Of the labJrcr' S
needs or fears to bind him by agree.
mcnts VIII ch force HIM 10 accent
wages inadequate for the support
OF himself and family, violates all
law, human and divine. And the
employee who through fear OF a
harder lot is forced into such agree.
ments, is the victim of injustice
which appeals to the ayenging
retrlbu,ion Of Heaven. No man or
body Of men has the right to make
anothcr's needs the occasion Of his
gin. Is i; surprising that the
wIiliul disregard Of this simplest
principle Of justice should at times
drive the ldboring man to despara
ton z DO YOU wonder that in four
States Of this Union within the
past two months, troops have been
required to quell the riotous shirt
of laboring men I? 1t is not sur
prlsing. my friends, if we think or
the poor lHborcr standing quietly
by while by TIE work of his hands
colossal fortunes tower to the sky,
ANA poverty-strlckcn home re-
minds lin of the ruthless disre.
gard Of the plainest dictate Of
justice.
Insist with all the carncstnoss Of
your nature upon the nviolability
OF private property. Insist with
equal earncstncss upon sharing to
the extent of II frugal and comfort
able subsistence the products or
profits Of your labor. 1t is YOUR
right which no just man can ignore.
AT the same time do not forget that
your employers nave rights equally
sacred. In the same spirit of ius
llce with which you would have
them deal with you, respect every
agreement fairly and honestly made
with them. Dlspel from your ranks
whatever may remain Of the dis
position to settle differences thronrh
the medium of forco am violence
Remember that the wrong of the
employer is no apology for The in
justice of the employed. Hold in
violate the persons and property of
your employers. | would also re.
mind you, gentlemen, that strikes.
50 often resortcd to are not To
be recommended. 1t is extremely
doubtful whether the laborina man
IS ever actually benefited bv them.
Apart from enforced idleness and
consequent poverty, the spirit of
violence which 10y all means should
be crushed out Of existence cannot
but creep into your ranks. Added
to this, judging from the history of
strikes, is the almost certain failure
OF the laboring man to gain in such
il contest, for he fights an Unequal
battle.
Where then, gentlemen, must b.
found the influences which harmon
izo capital and labor? They are
found within the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers and all other
organizations founded upon such
nnmistakable and immutabic rrin
clples. | would place in the hand
Of every artizin, whether skilled or
mechanic, the weapon which for
twenty eight years has carried YOU
Srumphnntly over every obstacle
jAat has greeted you. ! would ask
him to be truthful would insist
upon HIM being just; would
eIothc him with morality and deck
MIN with sobriety and thus fo1tl.
lied, | would defy tho employer to
IrampIe upon his rights or iguor,
one principle Of justice. Gentle.
men, there are many other things
might shy to you, but / viii not
impose further upon your patience.
There is 10 better word could saw
I'D parting than to With YOU God
speed in the noble work Won bay.
undertaken. You have ennoblcd
your calling; You have dierifiod
yourselves you have proved your-
selves loyh citizens you have
shared The plaujiis Of an observing
and exactiug people you have been
% power for good among your fell
low mon ard goc;.t.. 80