The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-13
THE LABOR WORLD. !

mence by applying the torch to my
own house. Let them come on. AS we
are not the aggressors, we seek not
this awful contest
Peace rests not upon the militia or
the army, but upon the patience and
long suffering of the toiling mass. The
army, so far as it has any effect is
not to Quiet but to disturb; 1t is not
to terrorize, but to make the people
mediate. They wonder what all this
bluffing' Is, for. Can a few soldiers
scare the men who make armies and
| who compose the flower Of American
manhood Are we serfs that we cringe
at the mention Of troops?
IF the laboring men are willing, the
decision of an arbitrator without can
non or club, will command the obedi-
ence of every toiler affected.
Even il we are right and the arbit-
rator decide against us. still we will
bow to that decision.
"Then If the decision Of one man, un-
| armed and alone, can exercise this vast
power. what is the use Of the sacrifice
Of lives, calling out armies and making
an opera bouffe of government?
1T is evident that blunder has
been made somewhere, somehow. Let
| us ascertain its source.
Is Army Necessarily
"Is it just or is it necessary to bring
in an effort to smother the cry Of the
toiler for arbitration? Is it right or
expedient to attempt to stif1e the de-
mand for the settlement Of controversy
by court procedure? Is the purpose of
the army to prevent the carrying out
of written contracts that are open to
all who care to read them? Can you,
our honored president. afford to use the
forces under your control to st1f1e la
boris demand for peace and the meth
DDS of peace? Why should our attempt
to get and maintain peace be met by the
army and by war?
EVERY laboring man knows these
facts. What WIN be the results upon
the citizenship of this country if, when
American citizens ask for court pro-
cedure and order, they are met by the
bullet and the jail? Is it not time to
| inquire as to the facts in the case? We
submit that labor is an essential OF ma
tional life. And the sympathy and CO.
operation of the laborers in their life
work Is as essential as is the SYM
pathy and cooperation Of citizenship.
Unity is necessary fact Of develop
ant and progress. Unionism can do
| Mr. e be destroyed in industrial life
THAI can patriotism in political life.
He is short-sighted indeed who cannot
see that the cause of VIC is the cause
Of all. and that the destruction Of one
without protest is sooner Ut later the
| destruction Of all.
"The revolutionists we'll understood
that a law directed at Massachusetts
| was in effect, law against South
Carolina. Franklin's saying that If
we don't hang together we will hang
separately has become a'truism.
"Shall that far sightedness that was
praised in Massachusetts, be condemned
in Chicago? Or shall that principle Of
| thoA
condemned today? The thousands Of
unions springing up as the trees of the
| forests answer Mo-
"Unionism has come to stay. It is
merely the systemization of an inher-
ent law of human action.
| 1T Is therefore better to recognize
| this law and deal with it as SUCH and
make use of the high trait Of man hood
Of which it is expression than to COM
nit the folly Of trying to crush it out, as
| George III tried to crush out the spirit
of unity and independence in the
colonies.
Let us not. awake to this fact just
after it is forever too late.
I'VE therefore trust that you will
the case. to you before you permit any
abuse Of federal power by complying
with the request of the numerous law
breakers of the land-the constant ap-
plicants for governmental privileges.
All that we are asking is that. our voice
be heard.
Respectfully submitted, committee
appointed by the Chicago Federation
Of Labor to request hearing before
any action be taken by the federal
president relating to the CHICAGO strike
situation. (signe6
&c: H. Shea, president international
Brotherhood of Transfers.
| D~1l
Federation of Labor.
| Joseph O'Neil, vice president Chi
cago Federation of Labor.
| IT. p. Quinn. Canvassers' union.
1T. Rickert, president Garment Work
ers, international union"
| The committee presenting the protest
was received by the president in person
late this afternoon at the Auditorium
annex The members Of the committee
| expressed themselves as much gratif1ed
| at their reception by the president. The
| president told them no demand had been
| made upon him for the use Of troops III
| Chicago.
Committee Called Down.
The president said that he would read
the protest at once and after doing so
| said:
| II nave read the petition you present.
| ed to me, the conclusion Of which is a
!
be taken by the federal president relat-
ing to the Chicago strike situation. AS
yet no suggestion Of any kind has come
| to me from any source that I should
| take any action. OF the merits of the
case I am wholly ignorant. I have 10
knowledge Of what the situation is or
Of what; steps should properly be taken
| to end It. I feel, however. that in view
! of one statement or series of stale
| ments in your letter I ought to say this:
! I regret that you should in the letter
! have spoken at all of the use, Of the fed
| eral army, as you have there spoken.
No request has been made to me for &C.
| ton by the federal government, but at
| the same time, Mr.. Shea, as you have
| in this communication brought up that
| fact, I want to say one thing with all
the emphasis In my power.
Must Uphold Order.
| I'm upholding law and order, in doing
| what he Is able to do to suppress mob
violence in any shape or way, the mayor
Of Chicago, Mr. Dunno, has my hearty
| support. I am glad to be able to say so
| to you gentlemen before say it to any