Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-23
The E,Alc. Il s.riAss.


principles which form the basis OF all
sound law, and social order. There is
vast difference between liberty and
license. and people who confound the
two are liable to a rude awakening.
The right to life liberty and the pur
suit Of happiness'-to the orderly con-
troll of ones ownpersonal affairs. which
is enjoyed by the citizens of this coun-
try is common one. Nothing in our
form of government gives one man the
right to interfere with. or in any way
abridge the rights of another. The
moment he undertakes to cross the
boundaries of his own rights and in
wade those of his neighbors. the law
steps in to say you must do thus and
So"
Any man of legal age in this country,
not under duress for miSdemeanor or
mental infirmities, and not bound by
prior contract voluntarily assumed,
has right to dispose of his labor
where and to whom he chooses. If
opportunities are afforded to better his
condition it is his privilege to improve
them. Indeed we may say that it is
his duty to. for every man owes it to
himself and those who are near and
dear to him. to do all that he honestly
can for the advancement of his own
fortunes. If he thinks that his well
fare will be enhanced by association
with men of kindred interests he is
at perfect liberty to join them. He
may engage in strikes. if he chooses.
Thus far he is well within his legal
rights When. however. he undertakes
to forcibly prevent another man from
selling his labor when and where, and
to whom he pleases. he becomes a
transgressor against the law, a self
constituted tyrant and n foe to the
social order which is essential to the
existence of civilized society. Arch
bishop Ireland. one of the truest
friends of labor in this country. COM
menting few days ago upon the
great steel strike now in progress. ad-
labor unions in their efforts to better
themselves through strikes. in the fol-
lowing words:
This must be ever emphatically as
serted and maintained as an inviolable
principle that, however much labor
unions have reason to widen their
muster rolls, and however much they
have the legal and moral right to do
this through pacific and persuasive
methods. they must not attempt to
wrcst from men outside their ranks the
right to work. or to seek to coerce
them into activity by illegal or unjust
attacks upon their civil and moral
freedom
Equity and law are superior to the
personal welfare of an individual or of
aggregations of individuals and equity
and law demand that the personal free
dom of the citizen, whoever he is, be
made sacred and secure. SO long as
this freedom is respected the ques-
lions evoked in the present strike may
ployers or employees. who are directly
concerned in it. although meanwhile all
citizens have many reasons to hope
and to pray that brotheriy love and
calm counsel will prevail, both among
| the employers and employees, and that
peace will soon again reign in the
| land"
1t is to be said to the credit of the
men engaged in the great steel strike
that thus far they have refrained from
acts of violence. They and their lead
ers appreciate the fact that peaceful
| methods are essential to that favorable
| public opinion-the most potent of all
forces in q Republican form of gov
| ernment-without which no movement
| OF this character can hope for success
| It is doubtless true that orderly and
well behaved strikers are frequently
held responsible for breaches of the
peace committed by an idle and law
| less element entirely outside their or
ganizations 1t is important therefore.
that members of labor organizations
should promptly repudiate men of this
| class and give the authorities their
| active assistance in controlling them.
| A man who sells his labor has a just
right to demand that his employer
shall faithfully keep his agreements.
| and on the other hand is himself
bound to honestly fulfill the obligations
ne has assumed. The same laws of in
| teerity and fair dealing that win men
standing and influence in the bust
ness world must be scrupulously OBJ
served by labor organizations which
would We the confidence and respect OF
the community. Ahealthypublic opinion
| will never fail to condemn manor
body of mentor wantOnly breaking
an agreement deliberately and fairly