The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-08-26
LABOR. unions
HEAR PASTOR
Rev. J. H. Mason Says 0rgani-
zation Rights Industrial -.
Wrongs.

Inc aQUreSS OF rev. ). n. Mason 10
the members Of the Trades & Labor
ing Of that organization last night. AZ
ter the transaction Of routine business
and the receiving OF reports from the
committee ON Labor days celebration
Mr.. Mason said In part:
Il desire to suggest a few of the
principles which underlie human So
ciety, and upon which am convinced
you have organized your labor unions
Human society, like the body Of
one man, is a closely knit organism,
the different members inseparably re-
heart and lungs,-how necessary ev-
cry part to the welfare Of the whole
body.
In that organism which we call
human society, whatever benefits one,
benefits ALL; whatever harms one,
harms all.
Labor unionism has brought to-
gether a multitude of workmen wide
ly different in race, religion and de-
gree of culture, the strong. and the
weak, the wise and the unlettered, but
all united in one common cause, to
resist what they feel to be. unjust in
dustrial conditions. =. -
mo one claims that all workmen
have been unjustly treated by their
employers, but many employers have
overlooked the interests Of their work.
mon, and the time came that work.
men generally had to organize to pro-
tect themselves against unjust con-
ditions. y,
II see plainly that in unionism is
strength and protection for working
men, provided it is conducted on sound
principles. But uni0nism like all ex-
periments in this world is an evolution
from lower to higher, from crudeness
toward, perfection. Some Of it's first
fmperfections have been outgrown, and
larger ethical ideals are in sight. Al
low me to suggest some Of the good
things which 1 believe labor unionism
has already done, in part, and is yet
bound to accomplish more fully.
1.-The cultivation of sympathy with
fellow workmen to whom you are
bound by a great common interest.
Labor unionism promotes intelli-
gence. AS a member of the local union
you are led to inquire into a hundred
questions connected with your inter-
estt as workingmen and as members
Of a world wide society.
Il see further that a marvellous dis
cipline is gained by members Of labor
unions. Moral discipline. Many g. man
has been saved from dissipation by
Iessness when the strike is on Is an
other marked result Of the discipline
welded by these organizations over
excitable and vindictive individuals,
who would otherwise give way to vio-
lence. Agreed that certain strikes, and
certain methods used In other strikes
cannot be Justified, the wonder is,
that there has been such a general
hi-h grade of discipline in conducting
these protests against capitalized
wrong.
The highest grace Of character de-
veloped by labor unionism is self-sac-
rifice. A common sympathy, an en-
larged intelligence and a. growing self
restraint have led up to that great
control Of society-the willingness Of
the individuals to lay down his wages
his culture and his life, If needs be,
to promote the greatest good of the
greatest number Of his fellow men.
Friends, let US hold fast to- the work
of Fighting the industrial wrongs that
now vex society, but let us not be too
much depressed If these wrongs are
slow In getting righted. remembering
that God, and time, and the develop
ing conscience of mankind has solved
many problems in the past history Of
our race and will yet solve the labor
problems Of the age In Which we live.