The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-30
Mitchell's Good Advice.

Readers Of The Times-Dispatch have
doubtless discovered for themselves that
we have great respect for Mr.. John
Mitchell, president Of tho United Mine
Workers Of America. We admire an hon
est ana faithful partisan, and Mr.. Mitch
ell is undoubtedly loyal to tho interests
he represents. He believesl in the prin-
ciplc OF organized labor, and he is always
READY to make courageous fight for the
rights of the workingman We do not
in all his views. But we have respect
for what he says, because we respect
him rs an honest and sincere man, and
we heartily concur in sentiment re-
comfy. expressed by him in an article
printed in a Chicago labor paper 1T Is
sometimes argued says Mr.. Mitchell,
that no strike can be won without the
Use of physical force. l do not believe
this to ho true: but, If 1t is, 1t were
| better that tho strike be lost than that
it succeed through violence, and the COM
hitting of outraecs." Mr. Mitchell holds
! that tic cause of union were better
lost II an won at the expense of the law,
but declares that the attitude of trade
is that of all good citizens.
The members of labor organizations
cannot afford to separate themselves into
81 class for any purpose. Least of all
can they afford to violate the law. They
cannot afford to ask for class leEisla-
ton, for legislation that is intended to
benefit them at the expense of other cit
liens. They cannot afford to antagonlze
the authorities. They cannot afford to
make a rulo prohibiting their members
from Joining the military any moro than
/ they can afford to make q rule prohibit
/ Ing their members from serving on jury
or from performing any other public SER
I vice They cannot afford to antagonize
4 tile government or the we'll recognized
| rules of society. They must be, first of
t all, good citizens and must make the OBJ
| legations of citizenship supreme. They
/ must &c good and loyal citizens first and
| labor union men secondarily. 1t is per-
| fectly legitimate for them to organize
| in lno1r own interest and to do all things
| that are right and honorable in promot-
! ing their welfare and to make rules and
| regulations to govern their members But
! they must be very careful, in making
| rules and regulations. and in all their
| conduct, to keep themselves we'll within
/ the law, the moral law as we'll as the
| law Of the land.
| There is no room in this country for a
4 distinct class There is no room for an
| organization whose purpose Is to pro-
| moto its own selfish interests to the
| tlrtlinent Of the public interest. In gen
| eral terms, there is no room In the
| United States for any organization which
| is not governed by the ruling principles
| OF Democracy. Mr.. Mitchell sums 1t all
| III when he says that the attitude OF
| trade unionists towards the law should
| be that of all good citizens. 1T must
| be If trade unionism is to have perma-
nent success and to enjoy the respect
| and good will and support of the pub
lie. N1r. Mitchell has made n dcliverance
Which Is of supreme Importance to trade
unionists the country over, They will be
wise u they follow his advice and UNI
wise if they ignore it.