The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-09-21

sents the Sentiments Of Trade
Unionists-Cowardly Assassin 1.
Severely Rebuked.
Where do the trade unions stand?
Do they in any way countenance the
taking of human lives, or the assassi-
nation of rulers and chief magistrates?
There Is no better way of securing the
sentiments of the trade unionists than
by observing the expressions of the la
Dor press.
There are some who attribute the as.
sissination of our beloved president to
every element among the forces engage
ed in the reform movement. For the
benefit Of these we reproduce editorials
from the principal labor papers Of the
United States. It will be- observed that
every one condemns the dastardly deed,
and points out way for relief:
The trade unionists Of the United
States share the general regret at the
recent murderous assault on President
Mckinley and wish for his speedy re-
covery to health, The trade unionists,
being good citizens, can entertain no
feelings but those of abhorrance for the
dastardly attempt to assassinate one
who, besides being personally man of
good character, is the chief representa-
tive Of the people, Of the peoples gov
eminent, of the peoples power for good
or i'll. We concur in the view that the
blow of the assassin is blow at the
people themselves; and regarding the
tradeu mons in a sense equal to the
government as a concrete expression
Of the peoples will we regard that blow
as particularly a personal injury. or
all the expressions of sorrow and SYM
pathy in connection with the attempt
upon the presidents life none can be
more nearly nor more sincerely the ex-
pressions Of personal interest and pub
lie concern than those of the trade
unionists of the United States.
We say this much not in any feeling
Of compulsion to set the labor move
ment right on the matter with the pub
worth considering. The labor move
ment needs no setting right on this or
any other matter involving clear case
of good morals or human sympathies;
it's position on such matters can always
be taken for granted by men Of sense
and disinterestedness. We feel, too,
that perhaps the most graceful course
would be to pass the subject without
any allusion to matters that are essen
But, unfortunately, these matters are
forced upon US, and in such way that
to ignore them would be to incur the
risk of misunderstanding; a risk in
volving too great possibilities in the
present state Of industrial affairs to be
undertaken under any circumstances
AS usual in cases of this kind, there is
a great deal Of talk in press, pulpit and
other public places of deep conspiracy
against social and political order, and
threats Of retaliation are freely made.
Most of this talk is pure reving. To
say that it is the result of anger alone
would be to give those who utter 1t
credit for being at least sincere. This
we do not believe to be the case. AS
Stunning that lne editors and preachers
who so loundly proclaim their hatred
of conspiracy and their demand for it's
repression are men Of intelligence and
some knowledge Of social movements,
it is obvious that their conduct is in
spired more by a desire for notoriety
than by any sincere motive. In these
days no man of Intelligence, and least
of all a man holding a position of re-
sponsibility for the intellectual guidance
of his fellows, can associate the ideals
and methods of anarchy and socialism
and escape the charge Of Wi1lful at
tempt to mislead his readers or hearers,
Such men are by every standard of
computation worse enemies of society
than any avowed disturber of the peace
The attempted assassination Of Presi-
dent Mckinley is a crime that demands
punishment to the limit OF law upon
all persons in any way responsible for
it. But judged in the extreme, both as
a crime against the Individual and
against the state, it is venial offense
compared to that Of the press and pull
pit, which by arousing blind prejudice
against those who refuse to subscribe
to the doctrine that whatever is, is
right" would destroy the very forces
that make for the preservation and ad-
vancement Of society.-Coast Seameen's
Journal, (San Francisco.)
Whether President Mckinley lives or
dies, the most cowardly and revolving
crime perpetrated against free govern
.ment since the assassination of Abra-
ham Lincoln, has been committed.
Every lover of liberty, no matter what
his social or political environments may