The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-09-01

sOf lnhgr hoV - ~ u L e1S liz II
wages have en g nor i1iit ~. m doubled
and he has unlimited opportunities for
recreation and pleasure" This looks
like a strong presentation of the case
of those who claim that labor is unrea-=
sonable and piggish. and so it is if the
argument is to be limited to a compar-
ison of the condition Of class at one
time with what it was at an earlier
period. But there is another way of
looking at the subject, and from this
viewpoint the picture is not so rosy.
The advocates of labor-or the Apos-
ties of Discomfort, If you like the char.
acterization better-claim the right to
look at the question from a relative
standpoint, and it seems hardly possi-
ble that any fair minded man can dis
pute the claim.
Progress Due to Industry.
The intelligent laborer, who knows
tnat to his industry ana skill is due in
greatest measure the progress made,
who realizes that the great temple Of
civilization has been raised, block upon
block, by his strength and cemented
with his sweat and tears. charges
civilization with having, through it's
industrial system, exploited him. 1t
is admitted, at least in this country;
that there is no progress in the changes
that limit their benefits to a portion
only of the people. If, therefore, the
contention of the Apostle of Discomfort
that the relative conditions of master
and man are not materially changed is
correct, then my friend who measures
T the status of the workingmen with car
pets and cottage organs has not such a
strong argument after ALL 49,:
Civilization Increases Demands.
Another point in the argument of the
apostle is that the advancing civiliza-
tion has Increased the desires and am
bitiOns of mankind generally, else
there has been no real progress, as has
been already cited. And not only has
the desire for q better condition been
cultivated by the general advance, but
it is an undisputed fact that the neces-
stiles of the man of today, regardless
of his position, are much greater than
were those of his type under the olden
regime. The luxuries Of so years ago
are the necessities of today. OF what
benefit will the free schools and the
other advantages over their grand
they are to be satisfied with the sta
tions in life that were occupied by their
fathers-that is, II the tendency of the
race is still to be upward? To firmly
grasp this thought just imagine society
with the sole exception of the laborel
Tin the same sense that that word is
generally used), continuing what we
call Its advance at the present break.
neck speed. The idea is absurd
Were labor to accept the dictum o1
some of the preachers and professors
and become contented with what wi
will admit is it's improved condition
the wheels of progress would wabblt
\ on for a time under their impetus and
then stop stock still. The wise mar
in the high place knows that he hold,
his position or goes higher only wher
the mudsill is pressing upward ant
raising all that stands between hin
q and the topmost layer. The progress,
IL of man expresses only the elevation o
the actual producer. the foundation o
civilization. 81 II $ss 5s5,
Let us take q glance at the nine
6 teenth century history of labor. IN thi,
q brief reviewsI shall rom choice con