The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1905-02-02

y
it has to sell Qabor) upon us whether
or no.
Suppose an American in a foreign
city should be chased by mob, caught
and beaten unconscious, then his
mouth pried open and carbolic acid
poured down his throat, then his ribs
kicked in and his face well stamped
with iron nailed shoes, murdered be-
cause he tried to earn bread for his
children. BY the Eternal, sir, feet
of American Men of War would assem-
BILE there, clear for action and blow
something off the face Of the earth IL
reparatioD we're not made for the blood
of one of our citizens.
And what answer do we make to the
appeals of the hundreds of widows and
orphans of those Americans murdered
by labor unions? How do we try to
protect the thousands of intelligent
citizens who. with reason. prefer not
to join any labor union and be subject
to the tyranny of the heavily paid rul-
ers OF the labor trusts?
Upon a firm refusal by Mr.. Post to
join this criminal conspiracy a general
boycott was ordered on Grape-Nuts and
Postum all over the country, which set
the good red blood of our ancestors in
motion, bringing forth the reply that
has now passed into history: I'VE re-
fuse to join any conspiracy of organ
lied labor to ruin publishers. nor will
we. discharge any of our trusted en-
ployes upon the orders of any labor
union. If they can make their boycott
effective and sink our ship, We will go
down with the captain on the bridge
and in command"
This set tie writer's in labor papers
crazy and they redoubled their abuse.
Finally one of their official organs
came out with large double column
denunciation of Battle Creek, calling 1t
"a running sore on the face of Michi-
gan," because 1t would not become 'or-
ganized" and pay in dues to their labor
| leaders. The usual coarse, villainous
epithets common to labor union writ
ers were INDUCED in.
The result was to weld public senti-
ment in Battle Creek for protection
| A citizens association was started and
mass meetings held. Good citizens
who happened to be members OF local
unions in scme cases quit the unions
| entirely, for there is small need OF
them there.
The working people of Battle Creek
are of the highest order of American
4
union members. for practically all OF
the manufacturers have for years de
clined to employ union men because
of disturbances about II years ago. and
the union men now in the city are
among the best citizens.
No city in the state of Michigan pays
as high average wages as Battle Creek
no city of its size is as prosperous. ant
no city has so large proportion of the
best grade of mechanics who own theil
own homes.
So the work people n.assed togethe'
with the other citizens in the organi
zation of the Citizens Assn with thu
following preamble and constitution:
Whereas, from 1891 to 1894 tn,
strikes instigated by Labor Unions il
Battle Creek resulted in the destruc
ton of property and loss of large sum!
of money in wages that would hay'
been expended here; and.
Whereas, these acts caused serious
damage to the city and in marke,
way delayed its progress at that time
and.
Whereas, since the year 1894 tn
citizens have been enabled. by publ
sentiment, to prevent the recurrence o
strikes and Labor Union disturbance
which have been prevalent elsewhere
and,
Whereas, the employers of this cit
have steadfastly refused to place tn
management of their business unde
the control of Labor Unions. but hav
maintained the highest standard Q
wages paid under like conditions any
where in the United States. and here
) By unanimously declared their inten
to continue such policy; and the EN-
p,oyes Of this city, large percentas
of whom own homes and have fam
lies reared and educated under cond
tious of peace and the well-earne
prosperity Of steady employment. hav
steadfastIy maintained their right
free American citizens to work will
out the dictation and tyranny of Labt
!. Union leaders. the bitter experience {
! the past offering SUFFICIENT reason IL
a determined stand for freedom; an
a whereas, the attitude of-the citizeI
OF this subject has been the means
preserving peaceful conditions ar
continuous prosperity n marked CO
. trast to the conditions existing
orher cities suffering from the dict
. tion of Trades Unionism; It Is ther
. fore.
: Resolved, that the continuance
q peace and prosperity in Battle Gre
: can Be maintained. and the destruc;i
) work Of outside interference avoid
y under the combined effort and acti
/. d II our people by the formation
4 | 3 Citizens Association,