The Irish standard., 1907-10-26

as its dignity. Paramount among the
rights of the laboring classes is their
privilege to organize, OF to form them
selves into societies for their mutua
protection and benefit 1t is in ac-
cordance with natural right that those
who have one common interest should
unite for its promotion, writes Cardi-
nal Gibbons in a recent article in Put
nan's Monthly
Throughout the United States and
Great Britain there is today contin-
uous network of syndtcates and trusts
of companies and partnerships. so that
every operation from the construction
of a leviathan steamship to the man.
ufacture of a needle is controlled by q
corporation. When corporations thus
combine 1t is quite natural that me
their example. II would be as unjus
to deny the workingmen the right t.
band together because of the abuses
incident to such combinations as tc
withhold the same right from CAPT.
talists because they sometimes unwar
rantly seek TO crush or absorb weaker
rivals.
God forbid that the prerogatives
which I am maintaining for the work
ing classes should be construed as i'm
plying the slightest invasion of the
rights and autonomy of employers
There should not. and need not, be
any conflict between capital and labor
since both are necessary for the pub
lie good, and the one depends OH the
cooperation of the other. A confess
between the employer and the EN-.
ployed is as unreasonable and as hurt
fll to the social body as war be-
tween the head and hands would be
to the physical body.
Whoever strives to improve the
friendly relations between the proprie-
tors and the labor unions, by suggest
ing the most effectual means of dinlin-
ishing and even removing the causes
Of discomfort, is benefactor to this
community. With this sole end ir
view I venture to touch this most del.
icate subject, and if these lines con-
tribute In some small measure tt
strengthen the bond of union betwee,
the enterprising men Of capital ant
the sons Of toll shall be amply re.
warded
But II labor organizations have
rights to be vindicated and grievances
to be redressed, it is manifest that
they, have also sacred obligations tc
be fulfilled and dangers to guarc
against AS these societies are com.
posed Of members very formidable ir
numbers. varied in character, temper
ament and nationality, they are, II
the nature Of things. more unwieldy
more dincult to manage, more liabl.
to. disintegration than corporations 0.
capitalists. and they have need Of lead.
ers possessed of great f1rmness, tac'
and superior executive ability, who
will honestly aim at consulting the
welfare Of the society they represent
without infringing on tho rights o.
their employers. They should exer-
else unceasing vigilance in securing
their body from the control Of design.
ing demagogues. who would make Il
subservient to their own selfish ends
or convert 1t into political engine,
We must guard against any WORD
or act that is contrary to the law
Every American citizen has the right
to be protected In his efforts to cart
an honest livelihood. No man or com
bination Of men should have the power
to prevent him from following his vo'
cation even by intimidation, for h,
may have not only himself but a. wifi.
and children for whom to provide.