The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-06-28

whenever a man capable of per-
forming great and glorious actions is
emerging from obscurity, it is our duty
to remove, if we can, all Instructions
from before him: to increase his scope
and his powers to extol and amplify
his virtues. This is all requisite, and
often insufficient to counteract the
workings of n!alignity round about
him.'-Landor.
Politics, according to Webster, is
the science of government, but, up to
the present, we as members of labor
organizations, are not allowed to in
terest ourselves with this science, prob
ably because we might gain too much
neutrality-suspicious. too much-and as
knowledge is power, We might in all
probability, take political matters in
our own hands, to the detriment of and
political office as their private proper
ty, and not as a public trust, to-wit,
professional politicians.
If we studied political economy in
our meetings, We might be in a fair
way to act intelligently with those who
have had the benefits of scientific
political education in our advanced
schools and colleges. If we were al
lowed to discuss economic questions of
a political nature, we might be able to
come to some well-reasoned conclusion
as body, and act as such.
Now, who are the principal objectors
to political discussions in the meetings?
Who are they who roll their eyes in
holy horror when the subject is men,
toned? Who are they who say if
you introduce politics in the Union
with a big, big u I'll quit? I will
tell you. They are the fellows who
do not want to meddle with money,
tariff, or railroads, or anything else
that affects the whole people. They
are the fellows who grow black in the
face yelling "paternalism' when you
hint at governmental control of all
public service corporations. They are
the fellows who do not know anything
of living issues except what Doodle
politicians tell them.
Z, II these are, not the fellows who OBJ
stnnsomica liIssf
enlighten. each other on the economic
problems Of the day, as schools Of
thought and study-then who are they?
To those who object to politics being
introduced in our meeting rooms, or in
troduced into trade unions in general,
no matter who they be, might I ask
these questions:
What harm would I do, if I hap
pened to mention that thought that
if the United States was good enough
security for bonds it was equally good
enough for greenbacks. And if it was
thought so, why are bonds better than
greenbacks, when they are issued from
the same place and are based upon
the same wealth? No harm? Well,
that is a question within the bounds
of politics. And would do no harm to
discuss it.
If was to mention that thought it
wrong for judges on the bench to get
free passes from railroad corporations,
especially when these judges weigh the
balance of justice between lone widows,
orphans and one-legged brakemen and
fingerless switchmen on the one side,
and the generous passdistributing cor
poration on the other, as it might bias
justice in a way detrimental to the
suggest as a remedy for so criminal
OWNERSHIP, and advocate the elec-
ton of men pledged to that end; would
be doing much harm? I think not.
Still it's politics.
If I were to assert in the meeting
room that election frauds, violated
pledges, and broken promises, was
enough to eternally damn and swamp
any party or individual who should be
guilty of any such conduct-that such
acts were driving an assassin's knife
into the side of the Republic, and forg-
ing slaVery's chain to the ankles of
our children. Further, if I could bring
proof to show that these things were"
don't you think I would be doing right
No matter where or when or how I
did it-in the meeting room, the street
corner, or in the church, think that
when such state of affairs exists, the
exigencies of the case demand that it
should not be hidden-rather it should
be proclaimed from the house top.
And that is politics.
Unless we take advantage of the op-
portunity that the meeting room gives
us to discuss the political issues of the
day in an honest and intelligent man.
ner-as workmen, as honest citizens,
and assert ourselves, maintain our
rights by resolutely asserting them
we shall drift down, down to thral-
dom, and no one to blame but our
selves, for we did not embrace the op-
portunity of collective association and
assertion in the cause of liberty When
we remember the fact that labor is
destitute amidst the plenty it creates;
that legalized monopoly begets million
aires and tramps, forces progressive in
equalities of wealth, and even takes
the bread from the mouths of our chill
dren. Remembering that, I for one
say that it is time we took the trade
unions intoa politics. Knowing, as we
do, that the great organs of public
opinion-the pulpit and the press, SEN
ates and seats Of learning-look on
these evils just mentioned without i'm
patience to correct then1-all symptoms
of wrong, injustice and unrest-moves
us as Intelligent, conscientious OBJ
servers to seek political relief from
the ills that have surrounded us.
Let us politically assert our right as
freemen-as laborers, workers or
NAe S EI~