Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-07-23
The Ned Of Unity.

50 often quoted, so univ SdlIl dtVui-
esced in that no one ever thinks Of
denying its truth, and yet perhaps no
other is more frequently denied by
our actions and methods of work. If
we could but secure its application to
a degree even remotely approaching
our recognition of it in theory, our
Accomplishments would be almost I'M
measurably greater than those now
possible.
With those who have pledged them
selves to work for brotherhood the inn
portance of united effort should be
recognized in a more vital way than
by those not so pledged, for only in so
far IS unity becomes an established
fact can their efforts attain success.
Brotherhood without unity is incon-
ceivable: equally so is unity without
brotherhood: either term implies the
other.
OF greater value to our. or to any
movement. than unlimited funds. of
more Importance than even the wisest
management, is a united spirit among
the workers: where this exists all
other good things will follow as life
follows warmth. If | might choose
for the cause OF brotherhood either
the combined wealth of all our mil
lionaires. or twice the spirit of unity
that now exists, | should unhesita-
tinrly choose the latter. Much as we
need funds. this is the deepest need,
and funds would follow as matter of
course.
There are many organizations that
stand for brother hood now each work.
ing in some slightly different way, but
all avowedly for this broad object
as broad as the Universe. Each or
ganidation is working to increase its
own membership, to fill its own treas
ury, to accomplish the supremacy of
its own methods. Suppose the con-
yiction Of their common object, the
breadth of the platform upon which
they stand should so penetrate all
these organizations that they should
find them selves able to join all their
forces and work as a united whole.
Can anyone measure the difference
between the work that might be &C
cOmplished by such a body, and the
meagre results accomplished by these
same organizations working sepa-
rately, and sometimes, alas, even in
jealousy of each other: Yet the OBJ
iect Of all is simply to hasten the
coming of TIE brotherhood of man.
Reformers are often accused, and
perhaps with some reason, of losing
sight of the end they have in view in
their controversies over details. No
doubt honest opinions sometimes diff
fer 20 much as to the best of two or
more roads by which common ideal
may be reached that practical union
is impossible. Bat when we have rec
ognileG this fact, if such it be, what
is the course to pursue: Should it
not be to still unite on every possible
point Of agreement, and cease look
ing ~ the differences: Ii each con-
scientiously pursues his own method,
allowing the disagreements to work
themselves out by experience instead
of trying - adjust them by contro-
vtrsy. they will he far more apt to
disappear and make a deeper unity
possible
Thi- course seems very far from be-
ing the one at present pursued by re-
formers, and. most surprising of all,
ever by professed co-operators
whose very name means unity or it
means nothing.
II all cooperative organizations
could spend the time and energy now
spent in controversy and criticism
and sometimes in bitter feelings, in
searching for every possible way in
which they might cooperate with
each other, the movement would
spread at least twice a. rapidly. II
tine difference is such that they can
ilDk ht4 h AiE Lll1l el0 OlIA VI = cllllhfl-
ton. that fact once recognized is
sufficient, and attention can then be
turned TO the many ways i'm which
they still can work together for the
common cause. If this had been the
policy of all cooperative organi2a-
tious. there would have been fewer
quarre's among them for tle world to
point-to. and fewer failures to be
quoted In Encouragement OF fresh at
tempts.
f&uskin colony seems to have adopt.
ed thl- principle and 10 be holding
out the ri 1ht hand of fellowship to
cooperative effort along other lines
than her own. 1t is very evil
dent that the aims OF her members
reach far beyond the financial sue
cess OF their own enterprise, and by
the Godspeed they have given to
Equality, and their cooperation with