The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-02-08

sentatlVes, and endeaVor calmly and
carefully, intelligently and humanely.
TO arrive at result that shall be ben
e1lc1al to both and to all the people,
we realize, too. that an agreement
with an employer is an obligation
which ought to be as faithfully kept as
a bond or the oath of allegiance to
our country.
We object to holding, legally or
otnerw1se. the organizations of labor
liable In damages for the violation Of
agreements either by an officer of the
organization or even the COLLECTIVELY
as expressed by the organization it.
ser. The reason is, that we have in
MIND the experience of centuries ago,
When the organization of the toilers
IN the old guilds was destroyed and
their funds confiscated simply at the
Whlm OF the crown or those who stood
for it.
we believe that the greatest DAM
age Which can be inflicted upon the
workers Is to reap the fruits of their
own folly when they are wrong.
Noth1ng can contribute 50 much to
rectl1y errors. Nothing tends so much
TO bring about a clearer understand
ing OF the mutual rights of both work.
men and employers as the endeavor to
place their errors behind them and to
learn by their Mistakes:
I'VE are endeavoring to place the
movement of the workers upon a high
er plane OF ethical consideration. We
are des1rous Of the good will Of en-
ployers and the employing class and
their representatives. Our movement
makes FOR the common good Of all and
1nst1lls into the minds and hearts of
our fellow-toilers in unions the same
elements Of honor that we expect in
individuals. No man can maintain his
self-respect or command the respect
OF his neighbors and friends unless his
word can be absolutely relied upon. Il
Is the same with unions.
I'VE want better relations with the
employing class. We are contributing
our quota toward that desirable end
But we claim, even il it be not gen.
orally recognized, that there is no fac
tor in our behalf so potent to secure
consideration at the hands of our en-
ployers or fair agreements from them
or faithful adherence to the terms
~OA~eAo ~lo W. agreements, as a
well-organized body of wage-earners
In the unions Of their trades and CALL
lngs; these combined in the national
unions and still further associated in
a thorough federation Of all organized
workers.
my friends, came here directly
from the twenty-f first convention Of
the American Federation of Labor. the
highest and best organized and most
thoroughly federated effort of the
workers Of the world that has ever
existed. Coming from their ringing
appeals and their arguments and their
philosophy and the yearnings and ex-
presslons OF hope, as Well as their
complaints of errors and wrongs of
the past; let me assure you that the
organized workers of America have no
fear for the future, whatever NAV
present itself.
They are true. loyal, faithful and
devoted citizens Of our country, loving
it's institutions, revering its traditions
and honoring the men who have made
this great country of ours what it is.
Realizing the very many changed con-
d1t1ons that have come about, the
workers have no fear for the future,
but rely upon the justice of their cause
the humane aspirations which prompt
them; and the silt and the manhood
that make up the American, character
to solve all nrnh1oms,'