New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-21
THE UNREST OF THE WORLD.

Social unrest is one of the most remarkable
nbenomena of the modern world. Civilization,
while il multiplies industrial employment and
educates the workers, seems to promote dis
content. Never was the world so buslly oc-
cupied as it is o-day never was the condition
of the average working family so comlortaple
as il is now in the United States yet through
ont Europe the laboiing classes are pulsatlne
with restlessness, and here there are organized
reyolts against corporations and employers dur
ing period of exceptional prosperity, Wheh
employment is constant and the cost of living
the lowest ever known, and when all the con-
dtions tend to promote the comfort and hap
piness of working people. The world does not
stand still (; it is steadily advancing on tho lines
of popular education, the greatest good OF the
greatest number and government by and Tor
the people instead Of by and for privileged
classes but with all the evidence OF modern
progress there are the unceasing beat, Hurry ana
movement of social unrest A united Germany,
miphtie,t among the European States, Is honey
combed with disaffection, not against the En-
pire, but against the existing order OF society
France can never be anything but republic,
but universal suffrage and democratic equality
have left the people both Disseminated ana
Disconnected. Both in England and in America
$! at stcians have no difficulty in demonstrating
the Improvement in tie condition OF the work
ing millions, who have been invested with SUI
preme political power but labor Is constantly
marshallng its armies, sometimes TOR dress
parade. but oftcner for organized resistance
and d. ably warfare. 1t is an age of unrest
But is not unrest better than torpor? There
are working races that are not disturbed by dis-
G intent nor harass, d by restlcssness. In Pefu
there is population of that sort, the remnant
of that conqucring race whose empire once
stretched from the equator to Central Chill.
II is utterly stagnant now, but 1t is contented.
In Mexico there are the remains of the Indian
tribes whom the Spanish conqucrors found, in
trigucd with and overthrow. They live very
much as TIER ancestors did three hundred years
ago They arc the bone and snew OF the work
ing population. The industrial progress OF
Mexico is dependent upon their labor. There
is not a more worthless working population on
the continent. 1t is utterly inert. torpid and
devoid of ambition. But it is contested with
its lot finds what comfort it can in its poverty,
it's meagre diet and It's cheap puque, ana pays
little heed TO the progress OF rival working races
in the wide world. OF social unrest there Is so
little in Mexico ard Peru that no account is
taken Of the aboriginal stock by the governing
classes Contcntmcnt rcigns, but 1t is the
inertia of ignorance and helpleSsness
Social unrest is n sign that the masses In
civilized countries are thinking for themselves
and working ont their redemption from igno-
rance and torror Education has aroused am
bition. and inspired them with Consciousness of
power. II there be discomfort there is also
organized action and the column is in motion.
III rccted as many Of the labor uprisings are.
and fraught with disturbance TO the business
world as arc the revolts of working people
against their employers. they are not signs
which should ill the philosophical observers
mind with panic and alarm. Civilization IS
moving and the great army Of labor is not
hating. Universal suffrage and free education
are mighty agencies which are turning the
world upside down, but in the long run they
make for progress. Social unrest is not All UNI
mixed evil. 1t has it, good side. 1t is an in
dicaton not of disease, but of life, activity and
mental development on the part OF working
communities 1t is a moro hopeful sign of the
times than that stolid content with the hard
conditions of life which denotes social paralysis
and death. II it be an age of unrest, it is also
An age of progress. There could not be one
without the other.