The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-18
FRIDAY, JANUARY is. 1901.
TRIUMPH OF AMERICAN INDUS.
TRIES

Marked attention has been repeatedly
dawn recently to the anxiety which is
felt by Great Britain about the industrial
rivalry of the United States Many RENE
dies have been suggested by the leaders
of thought in England for this menace
to one of the greatest of their wealth and
prosperity If the industries OF England
are beaten. not only in the trade OF the
world but in their home market by -Amei
can competition, then the evil day has in
deed come upon that country of hitherto
unparalleled industry and wealth,
Lord Resebery in his utterance has sus-
gested that the trusts We're responsible
for this threat to England, and while We
think that the trusts are Very Influential
in that direction and will be more so, yet
it is only a symptom of the real cause
of this successful rivalry, but the cause
itself The reason, and it is no secret, OF
Americas startling progress as a manu-
facturcr is Fundamentally due to the
character of her people engaged in the
business, both employers and employees,
both capitalists and workmen. The
American spirit is one of coura geous indie
pendence and seif-reIiance. ever seeking
better way for accomplishing the purpose
in view. giving TO every man the just
return and reward of his ability and his
energy That spirit being exertad upon
the great natural resources OF this coun-
try has produced results at which the
world stands in startling wonder
Exactly the contrary is true in England,
certainly as to her working people. The
medieval oppression of the working people
having been successfully combatted there
by labor unions. these unions proceeded
to install themselves in autocratic power
and To take control not only of the shops
OF their employers but of the energies and
abilities of the men. and have insisted that
there should be a limit to what man
should do regardless. of his personal ca
pacities or necessities.
il is well known that among working
men, as among the professions, there are
mechanics and artisans who are gifted,
and who. when left TO reap the reward of
their abilities and energies. will do
prodisious amount of work and earn
enormous wages. It is the custom in
America TO let these men do the best they
can in industrial pursuits. as is done by
other men in the arts and professions.
and they are encouraged by their employ
ers TO do it and they are cheerfully paid.
The consequence is that the American
workman walks With head erect and with
At
dependence and of conscious merit, and
he as the most potent factor in The
achievements in American industry.
IN England, on the contrary. this noble
spirit is repulsed and the oppression OF
The trades unions is such that men list
lessly seek how they may put in time
and take out an agreed rate of wages
which shall be The same for the good as
for the bad mechanic. When MIR Peter.
Gurran. who came here a few weeks ago
as The fratefgal delegate of The British
Trade Union 10 the Convention of the
American Federation OF Labor. he said
that the maner in which you rush in
This country would not be tolerated for
single moment IN England. There is
one thing that ] want To impress upon
Your minds. and that is that your manu-
iacturers are dumping their commodities
in our market cheaper than they can be
made over there. That goes to show that
YOU are more efficient slaves He said
further: Il detest a monarchy, though /
have no personal dislike for the good Old
lady, the Queen. yet it is a relic of bar
barisn1. However. from What ] have OBJ
served since i came here, ] tell YOU
frankly that If by a wave OF my hand in
England / could bring about a republic.
then would cease to wave my hand.
This comes from leading representa-
tive of the English workman. and it is
safe TO say that as long as the spirit that
he has indicated prevails in England. her
industrial doom is sealed
- further and coxnaae reason FOR the