The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-09-12
TRADE UNION AND ITS ENEMY.

Monday last was generally observed as a nation
al holiday. 1t Labor day. In obedience to
popular sentiment, business was suspended on that
day. Editorials written upon the subject usually
began by saying it was a day for relaxation, day
of pleasure for the toers. That does not half
press the idea of Labor day. On the part of those
who participate, it is the showing they make in
parade which eomprehends Labor day. 1t is the
pride of development III organization, the strength
exhibited in numbers. If this we're not presented,
there would be no Labor day. The trades mionist
would take his relaxation in some other way. 1t is
observed that trades unions are the only ones to
celebrate Labor day. Legislation made it ma
tiona holiday for them especially.
Standing on the sidewalk to watch the process
sion go by, one who is at all medtatiyc cannot help
turning various mental queries. Does he find
the answer in the procession going by! Every
year these displays are larger. the number in line
greater than the one preceding. Merchants and
manufacturers supplement- the display with floats
advertising their business. Does this argue the
mutual nterdependence of the one class upon the
other? Is it public recognition of such! Again,
how many of the men marching behind the trades
union banner are socialists ready to change the
prosperity which the trades unionist enjoys
into visionary something which iustifes the trade
of bird in the hand for two in the bush.
Neither the state the church, civil society
religion need indulge in any apprehension
the growing strength of these trades unions. Moth
ing in their laws is inimical or inharmonous with
good citizenship and exalted patriotism. Rather
have individual members of unions i'll great number
given evidence of their love of country by sacrifice
ing their lives forsit Weak, indeed would be our
national defense i'll time of peril did the skill and
Drawn of organized labor refuse to volunteer.
Therefore should it be encouraged better its con-
dition by all reasonable and lawful means, because
the greater the happiness that is distributed among
the common people, the greater the incentive to
fight for a country that is worth fighting for.
If any socialists were, in the Labor day parade
as individual members of the cult it was sign that
they are not yet ready trade the bird ia the hand
for two in the bush. 1t was a recognition, forced
though that recognition be- that the trade union
held the upper hand in the economy of the wage
Garner.
There is a broad difference between trade union
ism and socialism The trade union is tangible
proposition. 1t is with us and has been with us
for years. Good in most respects, it can be good
i'll all respects; evil only where its aims are per-
yerted Socialism is not a tangible proposition Its
theories have received no practical demonstration
anywhere. Its presence as a political party, its
success in eeeting individual partisans to Office
have only advanced idea, not produced con-
crete. Is it good! We know not it has not been
tried Is it bad If it proves So it is easy to get
rid of it. An idea does not long survive after
practical demonstration of its inutility.
The trades union is the natural antithess of
socialism The practical philosophy of the trades
greater obstacle to the spread of socialism than
the hostility of religion Hence the success of So
calism depends upon the destruction of trades
unionism first; and this because the one makes for
happiness through higher wage scales and shorter
hours of labor while the other insists that greater
happiness is secured through total abolition of
wage labor. The two ideas irreconciliable. The
wage system in America encourages opportunity.
rewards skill and invention, inspires ambition to
become master in place of man-all natural and hui
man desires The other system Cor rather idea, for
system is not crystallized) strikes down Individual
ity, enforces equality regardless of talent estab
fishes common ownership, acknowledges no master
except the state, no God no morals that interfere
with sensual pleasure.
Upon that rock it will split if ever it reaches
the stage of experiment. Nothing brings the
world to It's senses so quickly as object lesson
God may permit this idea of socialism to expand
until it controls nation whose people have
braced it because they reasoned the change could
be no worse than the condition and king they over
threw, There some nations to whom socialism
would be a relief, for awhile. There is one. how
ever, where it take root-the one that
holds out opportunity to the toier. The one which
encourages trades unions. The one which has made
Labor day national holiday.