The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-24
DAWN OF REASON.

Vu1lc Lut A1lllCu1u1A 1Ady OO 0IAAA
some distance in the future, signs of
the dawn of better times are to be
seen and the true philanthropist need
not despair, for the day is approach
ing when much of the strife and fac
tional warfare which has in the past
and is still unfortunately arraying
against each other those who should
be working in harmony and unison
will be a thing of the past. The ef-
forts now making by the representa-
tives of labor and capital to harmonic
the divergent interests, or more prop
erly speaking interests identical, but
which through a misunderstanding
of each other and wrong conceptions
Of many things have caused the strife
and acrimony which so often marks
their relations, are indicative of an
awakening of reason and a spirit of
better conditions all around.
The very interdependence Of the
two elements is such as should make
the attempt to bring abount harmony
and friendly feeling a task easy of
accomplishment. Although they have
had their q%aurrels, often bitter and
cruel in the long run they have in
variably come together and peace has
been restored, a peace that very often
was brought about at a cost to each
contestant frightful to behold. Suf-
fering, ruination. death and count
less other ills have too often been
permitted to hold reign over those
opposed to each other before they
listened to the voice of reason and be-
fore Judgment was allowed to assert
itself. While sometimes one or the
other of the opposing forces gained all
they contended for, oftener it has been
only by mutual concession and con-
Citation that a rapprochment has
been effected and months of weary
suspense and agoniZing doubt ended.
By being honest with each other and
by fairly stating their respective
grievances and permitting full realiza-
ton Of the truth that no matter what
their relative positions in life may be,
all are men and all human, swayed by
the same passions and prompted by
the same impulses, the representatives
of the two elements will find it sur.
prising that they should have permit.
ted themselves to become opposed to
each other in matters and concerns so
vitality important to the welfare and
happiness of each. AS was truly and
well said by ONE of the men who
participated in the late conference,
capital cannot get along without labor,
no more than can labor exist without
capital to furnish the avenues of en-
ployment and give those who have
only stout hearts and willing hands
an opportunity to gain a livelihood.
By the speeches of those who repre-
scented the toilers at the meeting
which in many respects was one Of
the most remarkable ever held in the
country, it became apparent that the
day has gone when the laborer looked
upon capital and combinations of such
as instruments calculated only to op
press and degrade him. Presiden'
Gompers was one of those who dis
claimed any such feeling and declar
ed that industrially he welcomed com
binations of that kind. The objec
lions he registered against combina
lions of capital interfering with the
political affairs Of the nation and par
ticularly with the judiciary, did credi
to himself and to those for whom h,
spoke. He but voiced the sentiment!
and desires of all good citizens, b.
they laborer or employer. Realizin,
the great benefits labor has derive,
t from organization, he is fair minded
) enough to be willing that capita
| should be permitted to benefit itsel
: in lii manner Labor and capita
: he said are joint elements in the pre-
: duction and distribution Of wealth
By forming organizations on bot
sides and governing those organize
tons in the proper manner ana ar
pointing as representatives to dea
with one another men of sense, jude
e ment II broad conceptions of h,
mainly and the rights that each DOS
sesses much better results may be az
r complished than by individual effo,
n to obtain that to which each is entitle
S and which by right each should holt
d President Mitchell of the min
n workers, ~concededly one of the mos
loyal, fearless and able as well a
just leaders the laboring men of tn
S country have, epitomized the Who'll
e Industrial situation when he gave Il
j. terance to the following, which a