The herald., 1896-09-08

| ieve the labor organization stands first
among them all. (Applause.) 1t has
brought them together where they could
consult with each other, where they
could compare their views, where they
could unite their strength, where they
could make their influence effective and
the laboring man has his organization
and his own free efforts to thank for
| such blessings as he has secured.
Now, my friends, some have criticised
labor organizations. "a voice, Hanna"
and applause.) There are some who
have believed that banking organiza-
tions are to join associations that man
ayers Of railroads should join associa-
tions. that everybody was entitled to
join associations except the laboring
man. (Applause) The laboring mans
association has been the means by
which he has protected himself in his
warfare against other organizations
among other people.
| Now, my friends. the labor organiza-
tion has done much good and yet there
Is good that society can do, that will
add to and supplement the work of the
laboring men themselves. I want to
speak Of it here-the principle of arbi-
tration of differences between corpora
tions and their employees. That princi-
pie has been forced upon the attention
of the American people. I believe in ar
bitration. (Applause.) Arbitration is
simply the extension of the idea of the
court of justice, an important tribunal,
before which men may go and settle
their differences instead of resorting to
violence to settle those differences. The
laboring men are interested in arbitra-
ton. Yes, they have so expressed them
selves, but l want to say to you. my
friends. that society has higher inter-
est than the laboring man in the princi-
pie of arbitration.
Society has a right to protect itself
against these contests between capital
and labor. Society has a right to say to
| both employer and employe, instead of
asserting right or claim, and defend
Ing 1t by force, you should in the interest
or society submit that to an impartial
tribunal land let justice be done by
them who can see both sides.
New conditions make new laws neces-
sary. In the old times one man en-
ployed but few laborers. There was a
BOND of sympathy between them. He
knew the names of his employees. He
came in contace with them and sympa-
thy sprang from heart to heart and this
sympathy was an influence that enabled
them to agree upon amicable terms.
But times have changed Instead of
the employer with few employees, we
| now have great corporation with it's
tens of thousands of employees. 1t is i'm
possible for the employer to know his
men. 1t is impossible under these con-
! ditions that there should be that per-
sonal sympathy between them that con-
trolls their conduct toward each other
What must we do? There is but one
thing that can be done. Where that per-
! sonal acquaintance has disappeared and
therefore injustice has crept in, socie-
ty, with it's paramount interests and
overshadowing rights, can step in and
by law arpplement that condition, that
relation, and substitute justice for force
| In the settlement of these difficulties.
| (Applause.)
Now I appeal to you to take the in
terest in the government that you ought
to take. I want you to take an interest
in politics. I am not here to tell you
what your opinions should be. I am
not there to suggest to you what measures
would, in my Judgment, bring relief;
but have right, as an American citi-
zen. speaking to other American citizens
I have right say, to beg of you that
you shall recognize the responsibilities
which rest upon you as citizens and pre-
pare yourselves for the intelligent dis
charge of every duty imposed upon you.
Government was not instituted among
men to confer special benefits to any.
Government was instituted for the pro-
lection of all the citizens in order that
they might enjoy the fruits of their own
toll and the result of their own eXer-
tions. Great applause). And it is
the duty of governments to make the
conditions surrounding the people
as pleasant, as agreeable as possible,
and you must have your opinion and by
your votes must have your influence in
determining what these conditions may
be. My friends, If you find a large unm.
Der of men out of employment, you
have right to inquire whether idleness
is inflicted upon the human race by ma
tural laws, by the act of the creator,
VI WIelHer IL Is uue 10 LEGISLATION Wnlcn
is wrong If due to legislation which
was wrong, then it is not only your
right but your duty, to change that leg
islation. (Applause). The greatest
menace to the employed laborer is the
increasing army of the unemployed. 1t
menaces every man who holds q posi-
ton and il that army continues to in
crease it is only a. question of time when
those who are. as you may say, on the
ragged edge, shall leave the ranks of the
employed and join those who are out of
work. (Applause). My friends, am one
of those who believe that if you increase
the number of those who cannot work
and yet must eat, you will drive men
to desperation and increase the ranks
of criminals out of those who would be
earning bread under better conditions.
(Applause).
The New York World of a few days
ago, editorially, complained CT the in
crease of crime. My friends, if you find
crime increasing, If you find idleness
growing, it Is not a privilege only, it is
duty you owe to yourselves and to
your country to see whether you can
change coalitions and improve the con-
dltions that surround you. Now, when
you come to ballot, l want you to re-
member that that ballot was given to
Won NOT nv anV man who eYOp1ovs vO,1