Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-02

- III Il II EOAASAe 80
That is, t b e
labor cause mas not altered its charac-
ter, however events may have modified
its aspect. The needs Of the wage
earners are as urgent now as they have
been heretofore. The evils attendant
upon the injustice 70 LABOR embodied in
our social system have been in 20 way
mitigated. Rather, they have in many
cases been increased.
But IL is the prospects before labor
on the approach OF its great holiday
that are OF chief concern now. The
passage OF the tariff bill. like the en-
actment of nearly all measures osten-
sibly for the general good, will have
Injured TO the advantage OF special
classes long before IL becomes the turn
of the wage earuer 20 snare in such ad-
yantages or advantages there be) as
may be left.
This is indeed a time in which we
hear much of the wrongs and OF the
rights OF labor. The wOrkiugman,
nevertheless, seems 10 remain pretty
much where his nOn-toiiing friends
found him, except where he has him
self set TO work TO carve out his own
destiny. IL is TO perception OF this
faction that we owe that unwillinRneSs
on his part 20 entrUsJ his destiny TO
friends, who, however well disposed
they may be, can hardly know his needs
as well as be himself knows them. IL
is surprising that this circumstance is
not m5re understood that it Is. The
wOrkingman is not 4 child who must
have its way pointed out TO him. La
Dor is Independent, Self-reliant and
able 10 take care Of itself when there is
fair field and no favor. Unfortunately
a faia field aud no favor is the great
lack just now.
Labor Day, then, witnessed a great
resolve of the wage Garner TO act for
himself. He will take independent
political action and this fall aud winter
endeavOr 10 send wOrkingmen % repre-
sent him In the halls OF legislation. II
is not by affiilition with any political
party that Industrial emancipation is TO
be won. The WorSingmau must have
his own class movement. The great
evolution that is TO transform our social
systed and iually abolish wage slavery
muss be accomplished by the working
man. And no will never accomplish
those things by asking others 10 begin.
"If you want a thing done, do 10 your
self" Is as true in the cause Of indus
trial democracy as in any other concern
OF life.
For the rest, Labor Day will this year
be celebrated with unwonted vim and
enthusiasm. All over the land organ
lied Workngmen are making ready TO
celebrate their holiday. There will be
open air demonstrations. speech making
and a display of interest never eQualled,
probably since Labor Day was insti-
tuted.
Aud the future? I deem it encourage
ing. Labor has, il is true, met reverseS
at the hands of capital, but the conflict
has not been one sided, and, above all,
we have the future. Every day sees a
more genera PERCEPTION Of the truth in
our country that If we would remain
free al all we must once for all put down
that form OF slavery which is more ia
sidious than that abolished by Lincoln
industrial seryitude.
And that labor will do this there can
not be the shadow Of a doubt.
The industrial situation, while serious
enough 20 warrant the apprehensions Of
all who have any interest 10 the welfare
of their country, is by no means COM
plicated, as too many affect TO think,
BY the attitude OF labor. Not the atti-
tude of labor, but that OF capital, is pre-
cipitating the conflicts which eliminate
practically In scenes such as so recently
drew the worlds attention to Chicago.
Those scenes were, indeed, foretold. AS
far back as 1SSS l took occasion 10 say
in report 20 the American Federation
of LABOR that no man who has given
the question of strikes and the labor
movement any thought can look upon
strikes with lavor, out TO be continually
cOndemning them is entirely another
thing. To know when TO strike aud
particularly when not 10 strike is a sci
ence not yet fully understood. To
strike upon a falling market, or being
insufielently organized, or, If organized,
not properly equipped with ammunition
so necessary 10 q successful strike
fundS-is uuquestionably the height Of
ignorance. The story OF the strikes
that may have failed Of their immediate
objects, yet have prevented re-
ductions 10 wages aud worse condi-
tions, will probably never be told.
Mounting condemnation Of strikes, we
find by experience, does not abolish or
even reduce their number. As con-
sistent opponent OF strikes, though, 1
do fnd that those organizations OF
labor which have best provided them
selves with the means 20 strike have
continually less occasion 10 indulge in
them. The most potent factor to pre-
vent or reduce the number Of strikes is
y Dell organized trade union, with 3
fnU freSSury ready to strike should the
necessity arg
afforded me an CROrsunity OF impress
ing upon the uinds< mot .Sar i ksop's
the absolute necessity' ' S,l., sn0I .ul
keep in view that it olusssr eer
pstentatiOn that VI :sSscIIes lor
sry; u 4 ~ ansitory
which aoc4 aDly be
m vel the |8ll -.