Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-27
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
Senator Hanna Delivers Strong Ad-
dress on Labor Unionism.

f1dlud COulTlDutto W tHt February
number of the National Magazine OF
this city an article on Socialism and
the Labor Unions"
After expressing his belief in the
power of education over the American
people and the basis of right, fair
ness and justice, Senator Hanna
writes:
There is no more engrossing ques.
ton than that of the relation between
labor and capital, which seems the
paramount issue today.
The instinct of workingmen to
band together to protect themselves
Is no more to be wondered at than
the same instinct on the part OF cap
ital.
"Now. my plan is TO have organized
union labor Americanized in the best
sense and thoroughly educated to its
understanding of its responsibilities
and In this way to make It the ally
of the capitalist rather than the foe
with which to grapple.
1T Is often asked what is to become
of the non-organized consumer IL am
icable alliance Is made between labor
and capital. But every man belongs
to the one or the other group, for
that matter he is likely to belong to
both.
Il took some time to consider the
work of the civic federation and am
firmly convinced that II is the object
to which | desire to consecrate the
remaining years of my life. | fully
appreciate that 1t Is long struggle.
but the progress already made under
the motto of the civic federation-the
golden rule-has surpassed even my
most sanguine expectations, and I am
sure that the American people will
sustain policy based upon the high
est moral and social impulse which
will eliminate the passionate preju-
dices that now exist between capital
and labor"
Discussing some of the objects Of
the civic federation, Senator Hanna
writes:
Until within comparatively few
years. big capitalists or the employ
ing interests have had the advantage
because there were more workmen
than there was work. But conditions
have changed. and for every work.
man, on an average. there are two
jobs now in the heydey of our pros
perity and 1t is expecting too much
of human nature to suppose that
workingmen shall not desire large
share Of the profits. Has not this
motive been the stimulating incentive
of the men who are making business
affairs? No one who is acquainted
with union labor for the past five
years can fail to recognize the won.
derful advancement that has been
made In conservative, cool-headed
and thoroughly practical management
of these matters by the workingmen
themselves.
Labor organizations may be open
to sharp criticisms at times; but 1t
can not be fairly stated that they are
always wrong. II every man Is treat
ed as man, and an appeal made to
his heart as well as his reason, 1t will
establish a bond OF confidence as a
sure foundation to build upon.
while labor unions may have been
curse to England, I believe they will
prove boon to our own country. when
a proper basis of confidence and re-
spect is established.
"The menace of today, as I view II,
Is a spread of a spent socialism, one
Of those things which Is only half un-
derstood and Is more or less used to
infame the popular mind against all
individual initiative and personal en-
ergy, which has been the very essence
Of American progress.
There Is spirit OF cooperation or
community of interests, which some
people may confound with socialism,
that is making headway with US; but
when anyone attempts, for political or
financial reasons, to advocate the
whole program Of European socialism
he will find little prospect OF the
seeds taking root in American soil.
| This, think. was demonstrated
very conclusively In the Ohio cam.
paign, where higher socialism was
brought forth as an issue.
Fairness and prejudice will never
agree to the confiscation OF the pro
ducts OF one mans toll in order TO in,
sure comfort to the idle and worth
less. No ism Is wanted by the Amer
lean people that will take from any
American citizen the just and suit
able reward of his labor. Both cap
ital and labor must yield In time &c
the great law Of fair dealing. man tc
man. wish could impress upon ev
cry American the individual responsi
bility that rests upon each one OF US
Every year of experience. every dol
lar OF accumulated capital, every tai
ent we possess should be regarded
as a sacred charge for the natior
to help in uniting the interests OF ricf
and poor, learned and unlearned."
ANOTHER DRAW.