The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-22
0OD-0IvEN RIGHTS.

OOD.OIVEN kIUnlo.
President Roosevelt has made and pro-
uu,gated rule to govern the employ
ment of labor in the various departments
Of government. which is clear cut, honest
and 1ust. ut is adjudged and awarded,
he decrees that no person shall be re-
fused employment or in any way as
eliminated against on account of member
ship or non membership In any labor
organization, and that there shall be no
discrimination against or interference
with any employee who is not member
OF any labor organization BY members OF
such organizations"
The President could not take any other
stand and yet maintain the cardinal prin-
caple upon which our government IS
founded. The government has nothing
to do with the conduct Of an Individual
SO long as that individual does not tres
pass upon the rights of others. The gov
eminent cannot say that man may not
belong to a labor organization or any
other lawful organization, for to do 80
would be to take away from him his
Individual liberty. AS we'll say that
citizen shall mot be a member OF a church
or a member Of the Masonic fraternity.
or any other fraternity, as to say that
he may not be member OF labor organ
izauon and still serve the government.
II man Is working for the government
it /, none Of the governments business
whether or not he belongs to labor
organization, provided only he discharges
his duty as faithful employe.,IIt would
be monstrous for the government to dis
crlminate against laborer because OF
such aff1liation.
On the other hand, the government
cannot in Justice discriminate against
man because he does not belong to la
Dor Organization. In this case, as in the
other, 1t is only for the government to
inquire whether or not the employee Is
honest and faithful and capable 1t has
no more right to insist upon his becoming
member OF the labor union as a condi-
ton OF service than 1t has to make
non-membershlp In such union a condi-
ton precedent.
But greater than all. and above and
beyond all. the government Is In duty
bound to see 10 1t THAT none OF its ON
ployes is interfered with by fellow-ser-
wants or outsiders because he belongs
10 a labor union or because he does not
belong. This principle OF non-interterence
must be maintained by the government
and by all the forces OF the government
at whatever cost. There are certain
God-grven rights which our government
under Its Constitution, is sworn to main
tain and enforce. and prominently among
these is the right OF every man to the
use OF his physical and mental forces
This Is held by all writer's on govern
ment and political economy to be an In
herent right, an inalienable right.
Mr.. Tucker. in discussing this question
says, BY way OF illustration. that Lore
Bacon and his mental servant were wholly
unequal In their respective endowments
but tho right OF each to his own life
limb and liberty was equal to that of tn,
other. Herein" he proceeds, I'VE fint
the true equality between men. 1t Il
tho sole, exclusive and personal right O
each man to the endowments each re
relves from his Maker. Among men eacl
mans title TO these Is absolute; between
himself and God he holds as trustee TO
his Creator. Every man for himself Il
absolute self-use against all intrusiv
control by another man" And, agar
"a man, in his personal independence
being, has exclusive title 10 his own fac
ulties. OF brain. will and physique, with
title to exclusive self-use, 1t follow.
therefore, that the products OF self-u.
OF these being The things into which
has transformed or converted natur
objects TOR human use, are as much h
own as were the faculties by means
which they were produced"
1t Is selt-evdent that every man is q.
titled to his own labor and to the fruit
thereof. This Is divine right, and ar
interference with that right on the ma
OF an Individual or Of government is
base usurpatton OF divine authority rh
Lord gave and the Lord taketh ava,
Tho Lord gave VIZ faculties and lilo ma
afflict us and take hem away from u
but man may not, and whenever ms
does attempt to deprive another OF h
right to work or the fruit of his labo
NV he lis flying IA the face OF Erovidenc
and the government under which he Nv
Is Q farce and failure II 1t does n
T. protect him from trespass,
When employer and employe get II
principle thoroughly lnta their heart a.