St. Paul daily globe., 1894-07-16
"A GIGANTIC UsUHPaTIoN

Are American workmen slaves? Have
they voluntarily surrendered their right
to think and to act. their right to earn
for their families the comforts of
home-their manhood, in fact-into the
keeping of others?
TO this complexion has the labor dis
pute come at last. 1t has lost its original
purpose, and instead of being an effort
to Vindicate the rights of men who had
been grievOusly oppressed by soulless
corporation, has become struggle for
domination between the labor leaders
and the lawfully constituted authorities
of the United States and of the several
states. 1t started as protest against
the injustice of an individual; it has de-
yeloped into an assault upon law anC
order-lnto anarchy and riot. unblush-
ingly advocated and defended Dy men
whose Instincts are wholly bad, whose
aims are pernicious, whose methods are
demagogic. 1t has become struggle
for the dominance of a self-created
oligarchy over the government of the
republic-a rebellion as clearly defined
as was that of the Confederate states.
although not marked by sectional lines.
As such it will have to be met; as such
1t will be overcome, and the 1ingieaders
will find that the temper of the Ameri-
can people is not as equable as it was
in 1865, and that the offense of treason
will not be as readily condoned.
Not only are the strikers in rebellion
against the government of the United
States, but they are in rebellion against
their. own best interests. If they should
succeed in their purpose-a result that
is now beyond the range of probability
their condition would be infinitely
worse than it is at present. Now they
are slaves to an organization; then they
would be mental to cabal of self
seeking. ambitious, but ignorant men
men ignorant of that OF which freedom
consists. and capable only OF appreciate
ing the argument of torce-despots of
the worst kind. who brook no contra
diction and respect neither law nor
equity-a domination that would be
selfish. unreasOning and irresponsible,
There is much force in the old prov.
erb: "Put beggar on horseback and
uC VIII luO w OCobUs lut DTESGnL
labor magnates are beggars in political
economy and social science. These
subjects are far beyond their comDre-
hension. They can see no farther than
the ends of their noses, as it were.
Present conditions do not suit them.
They aim at change-a change that
shall better the condition Of their class.
But they have but hazy ideas OF the
best means to employ to bring about the
results, and as to the character of the
change as well. Reasoning that any
change would be for the better, they
strike blindly. and injure themselves.
as rule. far more than they iniure
their antagonists.
The pending conflict will set back the
cause of organized labor half century.
1t has been waged upon false theories
and its methods have been lily con-
ceived. 1t has been the purpose Of the
leaders to strike down the innocent as
well as the guilty. Indeed. The injury in-
flicted thus far, has been upon the weak
and defenseless; the enemies of labor
have not felt the blow. And the pro-
posed suspension of all industry-the
order of General Master Workman Sow
| ereign-will intllct upon millions the
/ most dire hardships without reaching
| these at whom it is aimed. The rich will