The daily sentinel., 1907-10-30

we huSt Budr0 against dhy "oie
or act that is contrary TO the law
Every American citizen has the right
to be protected in his efforts to earn
an honest livelihood. No man oI
Icombination of men should have the
power to prevent him from follow
ing his vocation, even by htimida-
ton, for he may have not OILY him
self. but a wife and children for
whom to provide. 1t is my opinion
that the honest laborer who Is will
ing to work which is proper and
IL no way conflicts with the inter-
ests of the community, should be
| given the opportunity to perform it..
and to have the same protection
from authorities which is extended
to any peaceful citizen, no matter
how powerful or influential may be
the society which opposes him.
l take 1t for granted that all
unions and other societies of Amer
lean laboring men are disposed to
array themselves on the side of
peace and order and are as strongly
opposed to violations of the law as
other citizens. Hence they should
exert their influence to see that the
laws are upheld II they would main
taiL' the respect with which they are
regarded by their fellows. 1t is not
only a question of patriotism, but of
self-interest which deeply concerns
them.
l am persuaded that the system of
boYcottengj by which members of
labor unions are instructed not to
patronize certain business houses, Is
not only disapproved by an impartial
public sentiment, but that 1t does not
m a rl, =
ful and conservative portion II the
guilds themselves. Every man is
free. indeed, to select the establish
ment with which he wishes to deal
and in purchasing from one il pre-
ference to another he is not viola
ting justice, but the case is altered
when by a mandate of the society
he is debarred from buying from
particular firm. Such a prohibi-
tion assails the liberty of the pur-
chaser and the rights of the seller,
and Is an unwarrantable invasion
of the commercial privilege guaran-
teed by the government to business
concerns. II such a social ostracism
were generally in vogue, a process OF
retaliation would naturally follow,
the current of mercantile Intercourse
would be checked. every center of
population would be divided into
hostile camps and the good footing
which ought to prevail in every com
would be seriously impaired.
Live and let live" is a wise maxium
dictated alike by the law of trade
and by Christian charity.
Experience has shown that strikes
are drastic and at best a very Ques-
tionable redress for the laborers'
They paralyze Industry,
they often foment fierce passions,
and lead to destruction of property,
and above all they result in infiict- |
ing grievous injury upon the laborer
himself by keeping him in enforced
idleness. during which time his
mind is clouded by discomfort while
brooding over his situation, and his
family not infrequently suffer from
the want of necessaries of life. The
loss inflicted by strikes on the en-
polyers is not much more than half |
as great as that which Is sustained
by the employed, who can much less
AFFORD to bear It, 1t would be a |
vast stride in the interests of peace
and the laboring classes If the policy
OF arbitration which is now gaining
favor for the settlement of inter-
national disputes, were also availed
OF for the adjustment of disputes
between capital and labor. Many
blessings would result from the
adoption OF this method; for, while
strikes. as the name implies, are az
gressive and destructive. arbitration
Is conciliatory.