St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-27
THE STRIKE OR LOCKOUT.

~ Wdo Will ICRIcG blldt We
were compelled to announce the strike
of the street railway employees yester-
day morning in this city and Minneapo-
lis. We refrained from any editorial
comments on the situation, because we
had so limited basis of knowledge
upon which to found an opinion, our
representative having met with a rude
reDulSe from the manager Of the COM
pany when he called at its Office in this
city to obtain the information that was
lacking in the several documents pub
llshed yesterday morning. We are still
somewhat in the dark on some points
OF the controversy, for enlightenment
upon which we will await official COM
munication from the company, as we
will not subject ourselves to a second
vulgar rebuff, even in the interest of
furnishing correct news to the public.
The democratic instincts OF the
GLOBE naturally incline it towards the.
side of the employee in this class of con-
troversies, because that in general is the
weaker side. and 1t is reasonable, on
first Impression, to infer that, if there is
any oppression involved. it would be on
the part Of the corporation employing
large bodies of men and seeking gain
from their labor. But the GLOBE never
has and never will allow its sympatbies
TO mlSlead 1t so far as to make it the adj
vocate of injustice, whether exercised
by rich or poor, strong or weak; but
will always be found advising fair deal
ings, liberality and liberation by all.
- i've and lnr Iiun - ic hn MIL
pie upon which the world of struggling
humanity can peaceably get along.
Competition i'll industry, energy, intelli-
gence and honesty is always commend
able, and reasonable degree of
ambition to outstrip your neighbor
III the worlds race, which is based upon
these admirable qualities, is equally
worthy OF praise, even if success so
attained is at the expense of some less
fortunate competitor who falls by the
Wayside; we must all recognize that the
ftteSt will survive. But it is very
different thing for men to band them
selves together to impose conditions of
their own making upon their fellow
men, and resolve that all must conform
to their standard, or be deprived of the
right to earn their bread; such combina-
tons are revolving to that high sense of
justice which is basic principle of
democracy, and should not be tolerated,
and can never prove successful in free
country; while inevitably calling down
upon themselves the condemnation of
all dlsinterested and sensible men, they
are, by adopting such tactics, weaken
ing the support of men whose initial
Sympathies are with them.
Why should an American, and
democrat, favor movement, simply
because it is inaugurated by an aggre-
CATION of men seeking their own adj
vancement. if this advancement is to be
gained by the destruction of an equal
number of men who propose to advance
their interests by different means? The
idea conflicts with that sense of ustice
that underlies all democracy, and must
be repudiated.
We fear that the employees of the
street railways have made great mis-
take in basing their grievances on the
fact that the company proposes to en-
ploy men without regard 10 whether
they belong to this society or that
union. If the company employs men
with whom the men of the union do not
care to associate, the union men have
the privilege of withdrawing; but we
cannot see, and do not see what right
the employe has to dictate to the en-
ployer who he shall employ. any more
than the corporation should dictate to
its men who they should associate with
or marry. This country has long ago,
by aid of the democracy, abandoned the
paternal system, and now stands upon
the ground that the Independent unit is
the only safeguard for the successful
whole.
These railway men are generally
young, vigorous fellows, the very bone
and sinew of our country, our reliance
in war and our hope in peace; but they
are as inexperienced in the philosophy
OF economics as they are young in years,
They have succumbed to the wiles of men
who possess that dangerous thing, ga
little knowledge" and who want to live
by their wits instead of by the sweat of
their brows. We hope they will listen
to the advice of their elders, and in fut-
ure conform themselves to those prin-
ciples of justice that are the only
channels to success, and read and reread
these words:
MANS iDhumanity to man makes
countless thousands mourn"