The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-05
POVERTY.

w o' q RECONSIDERATION would be
effected in the affairs of each in
dividual and of every family if the
law Of causation were given it's right
full place in the thought world:
Cause and Effect.
1t eludes our attention because like
all the great laws of nature, such
as attraction, gravitation, etc., it
works in the silence. No noise, dis
play or pomp of any kind are at
tendants Of it. No officials with brass
buttons are around to suggest that
1t is operating. But for all that, it
has never let up one instant since
time began.
or all natures great laws-God's
laws If you choose-none are more
intimately related to, and concerned
in human affairs than this law Of
| cause and effect. Individuals may
ignore it but cannot escape it. Ma
tons may disregard it, but it's pres
ence will be evidenced In their ruin.
Pride and vanity may flatter them
selves they supersede it, but sooner
or later their collapse emphasizes it.
And so it is throughout all our life,
the law of cause and effect is for
ever at work, and clearly in evidence
whether we acknowledge it or no..
| We are both subject and object in
contemplation of it.
Poverty is one Of the effects of the
operation of this law Effects them
selves may eventually become causes,
and operate under the law; but
primarily, poverty is distinctively an
effect. And let us bear we'll in mind,
that an effect cannot possibly in the
nature of things disappear, or be re.
moved, while the cause is permitted
to actively flourish. This philosophy
is the bone and sinew of trade union.
ism. Unjust causes produce unjust
conditions. This statement is SC
elementary that it would seem i'm
necessary to put it.
But, the principles of trade union
ism are not fulfilled In the mere re
moval of injustice in high places, the,
also concern themselves in the re
moval of foolishnesses in low places
So you see, trade unionism has
double duty to perform: list, the
liberation of the industrial masse.
from the tyranny of greed ant
avarice; End, the educating of tn,
masses themselves, that they may no
become the victims of other cause,
just as dangerous as the first. Anon,
these may be enumerated pride, fash
ion, extravaganza, dissipation an,
> many Others
Poverty has been the curse of tn,
human family from the days of Adam
down. The overwhelming majority O
men have always been poor, and som
OF our pessimists declare that vii
be the case to the end of the chapte,
We don't believe one word of snc
pessimistic philosophy. The world
oaly just waking up to the fact tina
poverty is, and always was, an e.
feet. and trade unionism TODAY q
the harbinger Of better era for a.
men, is exerting all it's energies +
remove the causes. Conditions fort
fled by the accumulated false sent
= ment Of ages are not removal in
p day. The progress is of necessit
slow.
But the marvel Of it all is the gres
good that has already been accom-
lished. Fellow unionists, take cou
age! Your work is the noblest /
which human being can engage. 70
: are sowing seed that will produc
abundant harvest, and be a blessin
to the race when you have gone t
your reward. You will leave til
world better for your having been /
Ea so * = .E a.