The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-03-09


the recent session of the American
Federation. Not only the national
trades who glory in the worth and ben
eficience of the label of their trades
should give close attention to measures
for especial protection and defense to
the little prince of boycotters; not only
the cigarmakers, the woodworkers. the
iron molders, the garment workers. the
united hatters, the tobacco workers, the
leather workers, the coopers and other
label owners, should resent, such as
saults as are here suggested, but every
representative of organized labor
should give serious thought to the
threatening danger, now no larger than
a. mans hand, but an avalanche in it's
possibilities for the destruction of one
of the mighty safeguards to the pro-
paganda and advancement of princi-
pies of equality and justice, so bravely
advocated and so strenously maintain
ed by an army Of honest workers
whose ultimate purpose is the accom-
plishment of good for struggling hu-
manity in every cline.
The writer does not desire to be con-
sidered as an especial advisor as to the
class of legislation to be enacted by
such representative body as the Am
erican Federation of Labor. But be-
ing in at the birth, at Pittsburg, in
1881, and having witnessed the growth
and prosperity of the weakling, from
it's infancy to it's present giant
strength of manhood, with untold of
possibilities in it's future greatness, in
work for the amelioration of the strug-
Cling weak and the increase of bless
ings for all humanity, he does not
deem it undue assumption to offer sug-
gestion in a line of thought for the pre-
servation of a weapon of defense which
has done so much of good in our pro-
gress Of advancement and achievement
One other thought arises which might
be of paramount Importance, if reflect
ed upon seriously: and that is a strict
adherence to the principles Of trade un-
ionism pure and simple" The Feder-
alton is trade union body, of trade
unionism, by trade uniOnism, and for
trade unionism. Between the state
socialist and the anarchist, trade un-
ionism occupies the middle ground. 1t
is neither arrogant, nor oppressive; it
political affiliations; color, sex or race
cut any figure in his qualifications for
| membership, and his performance of
duty to the principles inculcated make
him the peer Of any OF his fellows. Care
should be observed of no disturbing
element to attract from him the plain,
pure and simple duties he owes his
brothers of his craft or calling. Trade
unionism is religion enough in itself,
orthodoxy sufficient for all the ills
which may afflict- the sons Of labor and
tail, and if properly adhered to and en-
forced will prove, in time, the greatest
boon for present humanity and coming
generation ever conceived in the mind
Of man. There is mo theory or wild
speeula ton in trade. unionism; it is a
s1faets;ssits ssf deals
with t1e present I, not with hu1lucina-
tions or probabilities: Present bread
and comfortable living and content
ment !. are Of visible value. Wild and
visionary speculation and contempla-
ton bring no lasting good in any form
and act more as deterrent obstruction
to we'll formed intentions in wiser fields
of action.-Sam l.. Leffingwell.