The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-09
THE MISTAKEN VIEW OF LABOR
UNIONS.

When the Governor OF Maryland or
dered two regiments Of State troops,
few days back. 10 go TO the disturbed
district of the State and protect property
and preserve order. the Federation of
Labor OF Baltimore Immediately met
and adopted resolutions rendering their
"sympathies to the United Mine Workers
of America. and especially 10 the miners
Of Maryland in their struggle for a bet
ter condition of life. and their efforts to
throw OFF the yoke of slavery" Another
resolution was then adopted. which put
the seal Of disapproval Of the Federation
on the proclamation OF Governor Brown
calling out the Fourth and Fifth Regi-
ments."
When the Governor of Maryland called
these regiments out. and ordered them
TO the coal mines, the sheriff Of the county
had certified to him that turbulent as
semblies of miners were threatening the
lives Of those miners who desired Ia con-
tinue working, and they were also threat
ening the destruction Of the property OF
the mine owners. and he further certified
TO the Governor that he, the sheriff. was
totally unable to cope with the unlawful
assemblies with any force at his com
mand; wherefore ne asked the assistance
of the military, as the laws of Che state
required that he should do under such
circumstances.
Now the point is to be Xpiessly noted
that the military was sent TO the mines
for 10 other purpose than to protect life
and property from the attacks OF men
who were threatening TO commit murder
and arson. How could the Federation OF
Labor Of Baltimore extend its sympathies
to men engaged in this unlawful enter
prise and condemn the Governor for en-
deavOring TO prevent them from perpe-
trating these crimes? IL can only do it
upon one ground. and that is the PROPOSE
ton that striking laborers have right
10 use any physical force that is neces-
sary TO compel their employers to aban-
don a position taken by those employers
in relation to the employment and TO
concede to the strikers what they de-
mand in respect to the employment. That
Is the only ground upon which such reso-
buttons can be justified, and we do not
suppose that the Federation of Labor
would have much difficulty in avowing
that as the ground upon which they
base their resolutions.
II the proposition were conceded, it
would be the same thing as consenting to
a dissolution Of society and the total alb
rogation of law. Labor organizations must
learn that .Iis proposition is one which
they must abandon, or they will set all
other elements of society against them,
and. by holding TO 1t, they will do their
own constituents incalculable harm.
Every element of society comedies TO
the iaborer the right to quit work when
he will and to remain idle as long as he
chooses But the same elements equally
claim for the employer the correlauve
right to say that he will pay TO more
than a given sum to his employe, and
that IL that employee will not take that
sum, he will hire another In his place
Society will protect the laborer in an ur-
disputed right TO quit work when he will
II he is not satisfied with what his en-
pioyer is willing to pay, but society Will
equally protect the employer in an UNI
disturbed right TO employ another in his
place II the first laborer is unwilling to
work for what is offered and a second
laborer Is willing 10 do so.
The labor yrions ere capable Of render
ing immense service 10 woIkingnen If
they viii recognize the second principle
as the correlative Of the first. II is a
principle which all laws OF social order
are determined TO see maintained. They
only disturb the public peace and bring
loss and distress upon laboring men when
they attempt to base their corporate &C
ton upon a denial Of the employers
right TO hire new men in place Of the
old. II the old are unwilling 20 accept
the employers terms When they deny this
right TO the employer. and seek to pre-
vent him from exercising IL by ply
steal force. they Will meet with the de-
termined opposition Of every man who
desires 20 see his country under the
dominion OF law. and who recognizes So
eial order as the sine qua non 10 civiliza-
ton.