The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-09-11

blessed the world and the jewellers
| therein"
| Certain facts in the present condi-
ton of civilized man must, however,
give us pause" The passing century
has been marked by progressive
mastery over the forces of nature. Its
great achievements are in the field of
| FORCE acquisition. AS the physical
force under human control has been
augmented and made productive, it
! has become increasingly profitable. So
| ciety has neglected to acquire for the
benefit Of humanity in general, the right
to utilize the increased force which has
been wrested from the enginery of ma
/ ture. and has permitted 1t to be engross-
ed by small minority, to whom pelf
is the supreme object of existence. A
startling social result has been manifest
The lordship of mankind has passed
from emperor, king and noble to a sor-
did herd who exploit countless schemes
! OF oppression. Their grasping spirit
has cunningly devised and deliberately
executed a scheme for destroying the
| monetary character of certain metal
in order to enhance the value of finan-
debtor with an uncovenanted and un-
righteous augmentation of his obliga-
ton. Their plan has silently, yet cf-
fectually added mountainous accretions
4
ic smiles of cunning and Inscriptions
money-changers, industry moves in
wrctohedness and despair. They have
placed themselves in control of the vast
modern systems of overland transporta-
ton and wiring from passengers and
from shippers of commodities inordinate
tolls aggregating a sum far beyond the
revenues of mighty states. They have
/ obtained from the legislative power con.
cessions OF the right to transact business
collectively as artificial persons, COM
monty called, corporations" and have.
in that capacity, INDUCED in fragrant
misuse of the functions with which they
have, by governmental fiat. been en-
dowed.
They have, In violation of law,
leagued these corporations together in
associations termed, trusts" and have
made these trusts the most odious mo-
nopoles.
Tho social state-the condition of
mankind living in civilized commune
ties--creates markets. furnishes COM
mercial demand, and confers profits.
In desert. or other uninhabted waste,
no trust" could uprcar it's serpent crest.
Society at large constitutes the field
within which it finds it's prey. Society
can Danish the evil from it's domain, or
can yield a self-immolated victim. At
present, mankind, socially organized,
seems to be listless. 1t treats with dis
datn the prophet who denounces the
trusts" and uttcrs predictions of social
disaster
Does the "fin dc steele boast of this
condition of its socio-commercial af-
fairs? Nay. 1t is condition which
wanting a reformer, will be annihilated
by revolution.
The condition of the wage-earning ell
ement of our population is deplorable.
Although they are theoretically equal
before the law to all other men; al
though our system of government was
planned for the purpose of securing
equal rights to all. special privileges
to none" nevertheless, the labor ele-
ment finds itself constantly discriminate
ed against, insulted, humiliated and
robbed. The employer of labor is
ranked as a business man. and re-
ceivcs great consideration. When he
figures in the role of a british extor-
toner and his employees seek justice
in regard to wages, any organized re-
volt upon their part is generally regard
ed as reprehensible. 1t is spoken of as
"a disturbance of the business interests
Of the country" as 1.-The work of agi-
tators" and as IAN anarchistic uprising"
Thus do terms of contumey greet en-
deavors to secure justice and vinditate
liberty. The cause of labor, further
more, receives unjust detriment from
the subservicncy of certain judicial Of
ficers. Sitting as Judges in equity"
they eagerly forward the works of in
equity and iniquity by issuing injunc-
tons based upon the ex parte state
ments OF the employing class and Its
slavish satellites; and by levelling these
injunctions against the exercise by non
active worl1men of the right to under
take through public assemblagc the
demonstrations afforded by public pro-
cessions, and other innocent means of
forming public opinion, such measures
as may be calculated to defeat avarice
and benefit labor.
The tone of public affairs, public
opinion and public comment toward
the citizens who are engaged in manu-
al labor must change. IT is impus-
sible for the spirit of fraternity, upon
which free institutions depend for their
support to be maintained. II the
interests of labor are to be lightly re-
gardcd, its advocates sneercd at and
its leaders subjected to special indigni-
tics by the press and the Judiciary.
The laborer must be reckoned with in
Ina.