The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1903-05-01

itself with that which is frivolous, startling, and vulgar.
There is, think. somewhere in the Bible, a text which says that Coo
is. angry with the nations that are rich. II we look profoundly, there is
much in our social and political life which should make our persist.
ent optimism seem little else than N unwilngness or an inability to sec
things as they arc.
How many of us in the contemplation OF the lives of men who have
spent all their energies in accommodating riches have had an eye ft
the exaetions Of this wealti-bayc thought how msspcnt these lives ft
the most part have been. how barren of idehs2
Look what this spirit has done for us. 1t has defled our rivers until
N ohr cite to-day a thirsty man may not get a glass OF cold water that is
fit to drink. 1t has blackened and poisoned the atmosphere with smoke
and noNious vapors. 1t has desecratcd the face OF nature where sch
dissertation were a basphcmy. II has made novels for the occupation
OF men where not even swine could live in comfort.
And all for what? That a nation. already the most wastcful and
extravagant on earth, might be able for greater extravaganza.
We need not so much new measures as a new heart. In our labor dit
hculies the moraizaton Of both employers and employees is an indis-
pcnsablc condition in the bringing about OF a better state of things. And
since the employers are fewer in number and presumably more intelligent
than are the laborers. the chief effort should be to give them new minds
and new hearts, that they may understand that they are trustees not less
oil public interests than of private interests. and that the rights of work
ers' to say the least. are IS sacred as are the rights of owners.
Labor and capital are allied forces, and workers and owners, there
fore, should live at peace and work in cooperation. When disagreenents
arise they should be settled by syscmizcd arbitration in accordance with
joint agreements between the employers and the employed, involving
the recognition OF unions. For the umon movement has been for good
always; here and there it has destroyed the individual in his marked
capacities above other men, but in the equilibrium established by union
forces the best interests of the greatest number have been conserved.
Therefore, believe that anything which will work TO the fuller recog-
milton OF the union principle on the part OF the capital OF the country will
agreement for a fixed period. Just as the union is recognized, Just to
that extent it is forced into responsibilities which it could not shmk il it
would. The time may come when it will be advisable to incorporate
unions. but il is not yet here; it is enough that union labor is rccog
nidng that the union which regulates its contracts literally kills itself.
America should take the lead in this coming understanding and mu.
tual recognition OF rights between labor and capital. As a people we should
be more IN sympathy with labor than almost any other people on earth
Our ancestors worked with their hands. They came here young, active,
vigorous. and progressive. and they were the literal builders of the new
country. We should not have a class so soon out OF touch with the man
who labors with his hands.