The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-01-03

at preset fritter its power away on strikes
and boycotts that can only be handled by the
respective trades interested. With such COM
bination of labor's forces the emancipation Of
labor would surely follow. am for unity and
harmony. II the above plan be not satisfac-
tory, then on some other that is satisfactory.
am ready to acquiesce in the will of the ma
jority and will do all in my power to further
the accomplishment of the ends your letter
has in view, and if any one in or out Of labor's
ranks stands in the way of success, he must
be treated as an enemy of the workers. Wish
ing you success in your efforts, am, fraternal-
ly yours. JOHN B. LENNON.
Though at times feeling tr1fie dis
couraged because of past failures, Rob
ert Schilling of Milwaukee says we should
keep on trying, and to try with Bob
means to shake things up, even if sue
cess is not attained in full:
JOS r. Buchanan:
From years of experience. have come to the
conclusion that the unifcation of labor is a
present impossibility. And the rock in the
pathway of this contamination devoutly to be
wished is the giant Selfshness. In my annual
address as president of the Industrial congress
at Rochester in 1873. which at that time occu-
pied the same position the American Fedora
ton of Labor does now, l took the position that
there was but one means of salvation for la
Dor, and that was to have only one united or
ganization. For years the leading members of
the Industrial congress had tried to accom-
plish this object, but without success. The
sum of my experience in that line was laid
down by me in the address, in saying that the
officers of the various national and information
al unions prevented united action because
they were afraid of losing their positions with
the salary attached. And fear this same OBJ
stacle will prevent union now. My remedy
would be to keep on trying, but in the mean
time cultivate harmony between the varioui
organizations looking toward united politica.
action, as that must be the ultimate means OF
redemption. When, as chairman of the first
committee on constitution OF the Knights OF
Labor, proposed the declaration of princi-
pies that was adopted, held there was but
one way to carry it into practical operation.
and that was by political action. While Mr.
Powderly held different opinion for years.
we agreed to disagree, and he never found
fault with me for favoring such plan even iI
the assemblies of the order.
ROBERT SCHILLING.
Chris Evans, as secretary CT the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, has had ex-
ceptional opportunities for observation,
and he says we must close mp the ranks
Jos. r. Buchanan:
The mistakes made in the past should serve
as valuable guide in the future. The large
army of unemployed at present, together with
the large percentage of unorganized workers;
presents a sad picture to look upon, and one
that gives plenty of food for thought and re
hectiOn.
While organized workingmen have been ar
rayed against each other in the past through
too many organizations, the employers of la
Dor have profted by the mistakes made an6
nc 1oh hof<o
emergency than their less fortunate employees
who have been made helpless through divi-
sion among themselves. The trade union
principles as advocated by the American Fed.
Grafton of Labor have been fully tested during
the late depression in trade, and the present
standing of the unions affiliated is one of the
best proofs that the platform is broad enough
for all the skilled and unskilled workers of ev-
cry trade to stand upon. Trade matters to be
made successful must be carried on by trades
unions and on trade union lines. Labor can
not afford to antagonize itself by division of
its organized forces. A movement to close up
its ranks for future preservation is necessary.
A solid federation of all trades will be the con-
Meeting link for future success. The enamel
patton of wage slavery can only be brought
about by unity of thought and action, and upon
these lines we hope and trust that all wage
earners will unite. CHRIS EVANS.
Sam LeMngwen of Indianapolis, one
of the old guard, asks himself if he will
live to see the realization of what has
been the dream of his life:
Jos. R. Buchanan:
am fully in line with the sentiments ex-
pressed in your late letter on reorganization.
1t is no time now to bubble and cavil over past
differences. Conditions are upon us which de-
mand the earnest thought, reflection and con-
sideration of every true friend of the toiler in
whatever branch of labor engaged. There can
be no harmony, no union of sentiment for
good, no benefit derived where may exist any
species of antagonism. Concert of action.
Cancellation, confidence!" Zone for all, all for
one!' My whole life has been devoted to the
contamination of such realization. Will l
live to see it? There will be no difficulty in it's
accomplishment if the individual wills it. The
fates not inauspicious, and let US hope that
all our actions may be guided by such judg-
ment and discretion as will demonstrate the
sagacity and wisdom of the object in view.
SAM L. ,LEFFINGwELL.
George F. Murray of New York, mem
Der of big g. and one of the pushers in
"Old D. A. g." believes in broad plat
form, but he wants it hot:
Jos. R. Buchanan:
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the mightier land.
Thus nature itself, with it's magnificent or
ganization, points the way. The universe is
atomic, only cohesion preventing chaos. Mighty
Gibraltar, impregnable in the concrete, crum
bled again to impotent atoms might properly
typify the unorganized toilers, each Individual
unit in a helpless struggle against organized
forces. The money kings know natures les
son by heart and have so far withstood the
puny assaults of the unorganized masses.
When will the workingmen realize that in
universal and cohesive organization they will
mold the lever with which they can move the
world? Make it plain-so plain that he who
runs may read; but hot-so hot that it will
burn indelbly. That is the lesson, take it.
you are trying to teach. Keep at it. Teach it
so well that action-prompt, vigorous and last
ing-will be born, and on a platform so broad
that all may stand. We want all the atoms,
and then the labor problem will solve itself.
Every toiler should aid you in the effort
GEO. f. MURRAY.
Robert Bandlow of the Cleveland Cit
izen believes the trade union basis broad
enough and does not want to see that or
ganization suspended. Let US give it
more power, Robert. Here are his time
ly suggestions:
Jos. r. Buchanan:
On the question of extending the organiza-
ton of labor SO as to make it more potent in
support of the tOilerS' rights, | wish to saw in