The record-union., 1894-08-10
REPLY TO A POPULIST CORRE-
SPONDENT.

with having ridieuled and abused labor
ing men, denominating them anarchists
and Iawless disturbers; with having stig-
matized the Peoples party as in the
drift toward anarchism; with having
favored and upheld corruption in the ad-
ministration of government; with having
generally been the friend of system Of
protection by tariff regulation that has
done harm to labor interests.
Coupled with these the letter-writer re-
cites that but few out of the genuine
workers in the late strike were guilty of
violence, while had there been vicious
ness the many might have played havoc.
and adds in series of threats that the
time will soon come when the workers
will destroy every railroad, every bank,
every printing press and the property of
all who do not think and act as he as
sumes laboring men will dictate.
The letter is of the class that as rule
receives no attention from recipients.
But the RECORD UNION is moved to step
outside Of the rule in this case, since it
affords it fair opportunity to call at
tention to facts that give the lie to these
and similar charges concerning it, and to
which every journal that has the courage
of its convictions, and is engaged in the
promotion of the highest and best inter
estS of the community is subject.
AS matter of fact-and this without
boasting-the RECORD UNION has been
all these years, and is the consistent
friend and advocate of every industrial
and productive interest and the friend of
every honest wage-earner in the length
and breadth of the land. Its files will
show that no worthy reform has ever
been proposed for the betterment of So
cial, industrial, productive or business
interests, that has not had the voice and
influence of this journal in cooperation.
Indeed, were it not liable to be consid
cred boastful, the RECORD UNION could
recite the real reforms and progressive
and ameliorating movements of the last
half of the century. and by its files show
that it has been foremost in them all, and
in not few has enjoyed the distinction
of being some years in advance of public
thought and activity.
It has never at any time denied the
right of workers in legitimate industries
to organize; on the contrary. it has en-
couraged and favored such organization
as means promotive of labor's best in
terests, while it has condemned and re-
buked the perversion of such organiza-
ton whenever 1t has occurred.
The REcoRD-U UNION has not only advo-
Gated high wages for all workers, but has
manifested its faith in such policy on its
own payroll to industry. It has never
at any time abused, stigmatized Or lam
pooned labor. On the contrary, it has
been the constant friend and persistent
advocate of labor, and of the betterment
of the condition of its followers, and the
promoter of activities, many of which
have been realized in success, calculated
to uplift labor and put the wage-earner
upon still higher planes of civilization
and secure to him the largest possible re-
ward for his industry.
At the same time it has, with the JUS
fice which must characterize all such ad-
vocacy, demanded for all other interests,
those of capital, manufacture, property
nd -, i
the law, the same rights and privileges,
and insisted upon the same obligations
and burdens, for which it has contended
for citizens occupying the position of
wage -earners.
The RECoRD-UNIoN is rather amused
at the statement that it has been the ad-
vocate of radical protection, since it's con-
stant course has been in opposition to the
favoring of classes by such revenue pol
icy. 1t Will sadly trouble our corre-
spondent to place his finger upon line
IN this journal in which it has denounced
the industrial workers of the country as
anarchists. Men cease to be worthy of
and the friends of industrial interests,
who choose to array themselves with
anarchists whose hands are not uplifted
against the individual, but against the
entire organization Of society.
But it is with no ordinary pride that
this journal recalls that it has been, as it
will continue to be, the foe OF anarchism,
no matter who attaches himself to that
method of reforming social and political
conditions. So, too, it has while repeat
edly asserting its conviction that the
great body of American workers are not
an harmony with anarchism or radical
socialism, warned them that demogogic
leaders and impracticable and unprinci-
pled agitators have been and are attempt
ing to deliver the strength of labor inter-
ests to anarchical schemes, promoted by
foreign scum that has been floated into
the country very largely by capitalized
interests, and the unwise policy of the
Government which leaves our ports open
% the nrtrv of these dangerous classes