The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-04


~ than general
| That is, h .
labor cause has 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 to labor embodied IN
our social system have been in no way
mitigated- Rather, they have in many
/ cases been increased.
But it 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
ostensibty for the general good, will
have Injured to the advantage Of special
classes long before 1t becomes the turn
Of the wage Garner TO share in such
advantages Gf advantages there be- as
NAV be left.
This is indeed time in which we hear
much Of the wrongs and of the rights of
labor. The workingman, nevertheless
seems TO remain pretty much where his
non-toihng friends first found him, ex-
cept where he has himself set 10 work
20 carve out his own destiny. 1t is to q
perception of this fact on the part of
the wage Garner that we owe that I'M
willingness on his part to entrust his
destiny TO friends, who, however well
disposed they may be, ca hardly know
his needs as we'll as he himself knows
them. 1t is surprising that this cir
l. - I1,-
II is. The wor1ingman is not q child
who must have its way pointed out TO
him. Labor is independent, self-reliant
and able to take care of itself when
there Is fair field and no favor. Unfor-
tunately fair field and no favor is the
great lack just now.
Labor day, then, witnesses great
resolve of the wage Garner to act for
himself. He will take independent po-
litical action and this fall and winter
endeavor to send workfngrnen TO rep
resent him in the halls of legislation.
1t is not by affiliation with any polit-
zeal party that industrial emancipation
Is to be won. The workingnan must
have his own class movement. The
great evolution that is 20 transform
cur social system and finally abolish
wage slavery must be accomplished by
the workingInsn. And he will never
accomplish these things by asking
others to begin ''If you want thing
done, do it yourself" is as true in the
cause Of industrial democracy as in
any other concern of life.
For the rest, Labor day VIII this year
be celebrated with unwonted vim and
enthusiasm All over the land organ
lied workingTnen are making ready TO
celebrate their holiday. There win be
open-air demonstrations, speech max
ing and a display Of interest never
equaned, probably, since Labor day
was instituted.
And the future? I deem II encour-
aging. Labor has, It Is true, met re-
verses at the hands OF capital. but the
conflict has not been one sided. and,
above al, we have the future. Every
day sees more general perception Of
the truth in our country that II we
would remain free AZ all we must once
for all put down that form Of slavery
which is more insidious than that abol-
ished by Lincoln-industriaI servitnde-
And that labor VIII DO this there can
not be the shadow Of doubt.
The industrial s;taation, while Sc
rious enough 70 warrant the apprehen-
sions Of all who have any interest IN /
the welfare Of their country, Is by no !
means complicated as too many affect I
20 think, BY the attitude of labor Not I.
the attitude OF labor. but that Of cap
ital, is precipitstinG the conflicts .
which eliminate practically n scenes 4
such az so recently drew tho .
worlds attention 70 Chicago. Those /
scenes were, indeed, foretold As far 4
back as 1855 took occasion 20 say n
report 20 the American Federation OF 4
Lrbor, that no man who has given the 4
question Of strikes and the labor move
ment any thought. can look upon
strikes With favor. but 70 be continual
y. condemning them Is entirely an \
other thing To know when 70 strike
and particularly when not 20 strike IS
a science not yet fully understood To
strike upon falling market, OF being
insufEciently organized. or. II organ
lied not properly equipped with am
nunltlon - necessary 70 successful
strike-fanos is unquestious Die the
height Of ignorance. TIE story % the
strikes that NAV have failed a their
Immediate objects. yet have prevented
reductions in wages and worse condi-
lions vii probably never be told
Mounting condemnation OF strikes. we
nnd hv experience does rot abolish ~
even reduce their uu@be-. A. coz
sisteut opponent q strikes. though
30 find thzt those organizations q
labor which have best provided them
selves With the means % strike have
continually less occasion. 20 indulge n
them The most potent factor % pre-
sent or rsdnce The number % strikes -
, well Organized trade Enion. with a
full t-easury ready % strike should The
s~o@<<s.= 49,