The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-24
GROVER CLEVELAND
ON LABOR TROUBLES.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
New York. July 3.-That the force Of pub
lie sentiment will lead to general arbitration
in labor disputes is the position taken by
former President Cleveland in an article en-
titled "a Few Plain Words on Labor
Troubles" which appears in this weeks Col
lier's Weekly.
The national characteristic Of underlying
common sense, he maintains, will force
change in the present attitude assumed by
capital and labor. and ultimately patriotism
and the general sentiment of all classes will
prove irresistible forces working toward
Cancellation through arbitration. This arti-
Gle Is copyrighted by p. F. Collier & Son,
through whose permission the following ex-
tracts are printed:
I'VE have also loved to think Of Amer
lean patriotism" writes Mr.. Cleveland, land
to dwell upon it as sentiment 80 thor
oughly pervading our people and 30 pure
and genuine that. in its name. all our
countrymen would be willing to forego
selfish and personal interests II thereby the
welfare Of the great body OF our people
could be advanced. We know that this
patriotism Is not dead and that 1t Is still
able to foster and bless the best American
citizenship; but IS there not reason to fear
that 1t Is so weakened among those enlist
ed in the contentious between employers
and the employed that they are either I'M
conscious Of its restraints or seek to avoid
its exactions by giving lodgment to the de-
luding notion that their quarrels do not
concern the general good?'
Happily. however. We can still count up
on a national characteristic OF underlying
common sense that will not permit US to
look upon these untoward condition as in
corrigible. We may hope that the balance
of right between the contentious that now
afflict US will be adjusted as passion is made
to yield to the American sentiments of Jus
tice and love of fair play. and when these
shall insist that among those who lead as
we'll as those who follow in these labor con-
troversies. there shall be created and stimu-
lated a peaceful mood and q conciliatory
sentiment.
ANY intermediary attempting to bring
the parties in difference together for ami
cable elaboration should be absolutely disin-
terested and impartial and should possess
the unqualified respect and confidence of
all concerned.
THE National Civic Federation and like
organizations established In various local
tiles. have illustrated the benefcent uses
of such Intermediary. Many labor troubles
have been prevented and many have been
settled through their interposition. Operat-
irg on the same lines, We have seen volun-
tary arbitration resorted to by the contest
ing parties on their own motion with the
most reassuring results.
10 these influences Doth "orhlHsfnen ana
their employers are amenable. and neither
can escape theA Judgment These forces
Of patriotism and public sentiment may
sometimes sleep. but when thoroughly
awakened they are irresistible in the rec
tifcation of any wrongs that menace our
nations integrity and our peoples well
fare
IF those who contend in labor quarrels
fail to find for themselves the path of peace
and quiet. We need not despair of a remedy.
We can hopefully await the hour when the