Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-06-16
THE RIGHTS OF UNION LABOR.

1t Is one Of the unfortunate things
that any violation OF the laws is al
most certain to involve more law
breaking The agitators who have
heen inilicting so much needless loss
upon all classes Ia THIS state attempt
10 justify their acts by the assertion
that the laws have Daeu violated Dnd
the viii of the people Ignored and
they say they are only trying to get
what rightfully belongs to them.
And now that violence and criminal
acts have aroused the people of Ger.
tain communities TO radical action in
order 10 drive ont these agitators.
there is too much danger that innocent
men may be made to suffer for the
crimes OF the gully.
The Chieftaln is glad to note that
the people OF the Cripple Creek dis.
rrict in presenting thoir pledge against
ihc employment OF union workmon
have undertaken to discriminate he
tween those unions that are nonserya.
tive. law abiding and peaceful, and
hose against which serious suspicion
- a. ''lAlA tAA AbNl 81 anu IlbllAN tAlNl.
The Western Federation of Miners in
IT'S convention last Saturday reailirmed
Lis endorsement OF socialism. and 1t Is
he Western Federation that Is respon-
7iblo Tor the strike at Cripple Creek
and also at Telluride. Bul the great
majority Of the labor unions. and the
great majority of the union wurtmcn
II ffg.1.YusIt. Il l.. ia,
'rn Federation uf Miners. nor to its
allied organization. the American La.
Dor Union. They belong to unions
hat are anllaicd with the American
Federation of Labor. which includes
nearly all the strongest unions OF the
country and which is controlled and
directed by conservative and law abid-
ing leaders.
There Is no right that has been more
often or more clearly recognized by
the courts than the right ol workers
20 combine for the advancement and
he protection ot their Interests. II
would be very foolish at the present
lime in Colorado to undertake to deny
his right or 10 fail 10 discriminate be
ween the lawabidlns unionists and
the revolutionary aud criminal ones.
TO iail TO distinguish between the
members OF such unions as the Loco,
motive Engineers, the Carpenters, the
typographical and many others that
might be named. on The one hand. and
he men responsible for the rioting
lie assassinatiuns and the attempted
revolution in The Cripple Creek district
and In Telluride. would he to lose the
support Of public opinion. which must
finally render the judgment upon all
,hese questions
IT is true that the union members
themselves do not always distinguish
IS carefully as they ought to between
he law abiding and the criminal mem
lers of tho unions, and they do not dis
0inguish between the unions that are
revolutionary In their purpose and
policy and those which are formed to
sscure lawful purposes In lawful
manner. But even that is not jus.
Jiication for a wholesale attack upon
al labor unions, and such an attack
could certainly only be planned or ad-
yocated by persons Ignorant OF the sit
uation in Colorado and other states
and reckless of the consequences Of
their efforts.
There are no more law wabidng lntelli-
gent and patriotic citizens Of the state
Than are to be found In the ranks OF
ihe labor unions. The law cannot be
twisted to the support OF any action
against union members as such and
public opinion certainly Will not stand
for anything of the sort.-Pueblo
Chleftain.