The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-11-03

sired 8to see our friends successful and
our enemies defeated, regardless of par
|ty. But this year the parties them
selves divide on questions which are
fundamental. At such a time, our
friends are those who are for the prin-.
ciples which mean liberty to organize
and freedom from Asiatic competition;
our enemies are those who advocate
principles that would be fatal to our
organiza tions and to the standard Of
wages which white men must have. I
can best express my position on the
dangerous expansion proposed by the
present Administration by a quotation.
This quotation is from the report of the
committee on presidents report Of the
American Federation of Labor, and
was unanimously endorsed py the last
convention of the Federation. 1t there
fore fairly represents the position of
organized labor. 1t is as follows:
We note with keenest apprehension
the departure on the part Of our pres
|ent government from the ideals and
principles of human liberty. When in
the hour of intense suffering and strug-
for the first time in recorded history,
into. political document this imperish-
able truth, that all men are created
equal, and by their Maker endowed
with certain inalienable rights, among
which are the rights to life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness, it was
meant for all men and all times; not
only on the religious and political fields
but on the Industrial field as we'll. It
was given to us by Him who suffered
on the cross, and has conquered alb
solutism in religion and in the state.
1t is taking hold of our Industrial ac-
tivities, remodeling and harmonizing
them with itself. Any step backward
in practice, and especially in principle,
in this evolution toward a., complete
democracy is 5traught with" the great !
est dangers to labor. When the toi1er
lin the sugar fields Of Hawaii is COM
|pelled >to*:continue to, labor against his
will, it IL an attack: upon the freedom
of the workers in the kindred industries
within the old states. When the Cub
ans, the Porto Ricans. and the Filipin-
os are deprived of the right of self-gov-
ernment by our ruling class, it is our
political rights which are in jeopardy.
When the military arm of the govern
ment, unduly enlarged, is permitted to
exhibit it's inherent tendency, whether
it be in Cuba, in Idaho, or in the Phil
ippines, then freedom is the gravest
danger. Absolutism, protected. and
stimulated by large standing army
and encouraged by a disarmed peop3e.
crushes all opposition, assumes all reai
power, while it leaves the trappinga
thereof to people who, feeling the
substance gone, all the more worship
the insignia that remains. Feeling that
this is our present condition, we urge
upon all lovers of political and indus
trial liberty to unite, regardless Of po-
litical or other immediate interest, in
the defense Of this fundamental
principle. We warn our people against
the plausible arguments advanced n
support Of extension 81 territorial do.
ninion. We have noted the repeated
!. recommendationsby the several secre-
taries Of war, that the army beSini
creased, giving the social and illsitS.
trial disturbances 81 scountr Haa
& their 4. rea J, ssn.