The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-12-01
CUP PARENT BODY
THE .NERlCA\ FEEDER ALTON OE
LABOR Is \ SUCCESS.
Substnntiul. Real and Practical
BODY. Devoid OF Theories. lHmS
and notwithstanding Vision
AIRY tx Trade NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
piishmcnt~ Along Lines Of Least
Cost nnr Sacrifice.

The approaching session OF the Am
erlran Federation of Labor, if not al
together the most importantly usual
ly claimed for it, will be one highly
interesting and entertaining, not only
to the delegates in attendance, but to
the large and growing mass of work.
ing people to be found scattered broad
cast over the land. gaining daily in
contentment and happiness under the
benetirrnvc afforded by the influences
bred and inculcated by strict adher-
rnce to the principles of trade union
ism pure and simple says the Am
trican Federationist.
OF course there is the usual threat
tnings OF fate awaiting the Federal ton
uttered by the various malcontent
psrudo-refOrmers that are forever
uuacking some favorite nostrum cura-
bic Of the ills which afflicts suffering
humanity.
1t is hardly necessary to enumerate
the various remedies suggested, each
as the only possible panacea of cura-
tive quality. They all seem to be bent
upon one single purpose-the destruc-
ton of trade unionism: and as all rats
and scabs in the universe are favor
able to means for like results, an esti-
mate can easily be place upon the
honesty Of methods proposed for rene
dial reconstruction Of the measures
now being carried on for the ameliora-
ton of the condition of the masses.
The phenomenal growth and success
of the American Federation during the
year just closing ought Of itself to be
sufficient to dispel the wild and harum
scarum hobgoblinism which gets itself
together at Varius seasons of the year
and especially antedating the annual
sessions of the Federation. to brighten
it from it's course and direct it always
in the visionary and impracticabe
methods intended only for it's destruc-
ton.
The Knights Of Labor. not being
formed on a trade union basis. lacked
the stability Of endurance as an or
ganization. Founded wholly on the
mixed assembly system of locals, the
enticements and attractions of it's
workings soon worked themselves out:
interest was soon lost in it's movements
which were really nothing more chan
windstorms. without results. While
trade unionists in every part of the
country entered the order. they found
little to interest them, except the bene-
mt that might eventually be derived
from the possible enlightment of the
uneducated masses Of working men or
in th.. brnrtirenr.' Of some kind of or
SANITATION which, in some mysterious
manner, might bring about Immediate.
relief for the suffering they felt in their
daily struggles for bread
It Is needless to enumerate thu Num-
hel"Ss other theories isms. and Soph-
lst"ri.S being cnncocteu, agtuted and
pressed forward for the reform of trade
UNION methods and practices. If there
IS any real danger which threatens the
STABILITY and purpose Of trade union
ISM outside "t a certain degree Of
apathy and inditference--it is the de-
traction Of motive in the object to be
reached. The trade unionist when
only NlraSurably successful Is prone
10 rar"lessness Of duty. not only to
himself, but t" his fellows, for the lit :
tie ne has accomplished. and in his
ShadoWy citation or imitation of mind
is in danger of allurement and entce-
msnt by the fascinat ipns Of many wild
entirely foreign to the purpose he has
in view, are Of such speciOus and sup
CRITICAL fairness as to lead him entire
ly aStray from his original honest and
earnest predetrrmnation
If the working man will curb his
eagerness and hastiness; if he viii
measure his progress by calmness OF
thought and reflection: if he will com
pare the past with the present, and OBJ
Sel,r the gradatiDnS IF conditions
IintliOrative' to the world Of toll, he
will find satisfaction in the philosophy
Of his own mind, he will find that it is
not by wild theory. tcrmina ting only