The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28
CONCLUDING PAPER


While under normal conditions the inter-
ests OF labor and capital are identical and
the one Is aided by the other In the pro-
dactlon OF wealth. under the grossly un-
Just and abnormal conditions existing in
our modern social and Industrial system.
iaoof and capital. in the struggle to main
tain their rights. find themselves pitted
against each other in a warfare for exist
ence.
With natural opportunities open TO all.
subject only to the right of possession for
use. labor and capital meet upon a natural
and equitable ground Labor has the nat
ursli and divine right 10 employ Itself upon
the natural raw material of earth I'm the
production OF wealth, and capital has all
the rights which attach to property. the
product OF labor; and when II enters into
the production of wealth in partnership
with labor, II clearly has the right to draw
Its reward In proportion to the increase OF
the partnership production over that OF
labor unassisted.
AS long az natural opportunities are open
and labor has ever before IL the possibility
OF applying itself to natures storehouse OF
raw material and drawing therefrom all it
needs, capital can never exact an undue or
unjust share In the results of any partner
ship agreement, while the natural desire
for increased advantage on the part of
labor will tend toward justice In It's deal
ings with capital.
Howe. n. iaon ypol.ze natural opportuni-
ties TO such an extent that labor cannot
find chance TO employ itself and you will
find that capital. deprived of its natural
master. Ia Dor. and forced to seek other
avenues Of profit TO itself. at once takes
advantage OF labor and assumes the airs
and prerogative of the master. And, tn
deed. IL is master. the natural order is re-
yersed; the crown is rudely torn from la
hr~f f,rrx rSl SAp Il a axFrl Hs1
10 the condition OF the lowest serf. cring
ing and groselliug I'm the DUST. begging an
opportunity 10 work for the few crumbs
that fall from King Capitals table. For a
time capital seems 10 profit UNNECESSARILY
BY the new arrangement; but wait, We
soon hear the cry OF "oyerproduction.
Labor. deprived of Its divine right 10 en-
pioy itself. cannot consume its due pro-
portion. and capital finds itself with an
oyersupply OF commodities. the price of
which IL steadily falling.
The history Of the past few years Is fresh
In the memory of ali-iabor idle. capital
unemployed. values falling. business stas-
nation. distrust. failure, ruin.
Men wonder why during this century of
such great progress in the means of pro-
duction and distribution, there should
come TO the feast such gaunt and hungry
skeleton as we have ever with us. why
hard times should suddenly come upon
us. without warning and ruthiessiy sweep
away the results of lifetime OF toll and
saving, leaving pathway strewn with
ruin. CHASTITY with the corpses OF suicides
and hideous with grinning. gibbering ma
Macs whose reason had fed under the
strain imposed upon them in the mad
struggle to live under the grossly unjust
conditions Of modern civilization.
To he sure. q gleam Of sunshine, ever aud
anon bursts through the clouds. A change
In the financial policy. new tariff schsd-
re. a war In some foreign country, a FAM
inc or a pestience. causes the pulses Of
trade to quicken. and We are inclined TO
shout Eureka It's four1. Now does the
sun OF prosperity shine. and the winter Of
eur discomfort Is made glorious thereby;
we praise God for all sueh.'
But in the midst CT IL ALL some one whis-
pers iii comes" and again the fetid