The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-19
NEGOTIATIONS.

expression to the thoughts embodied
in this editorial; not by way of crit
icism, but for purposes OF self'exam-
nation and reflection, profitable alike
we hops, to ourselves, and to our latin
full co-workers in the cause OF trades
unionism. An occasional mental IN
snection of ourselves, our methods,
aims and purposes Is healthful and in
ytgorating, as tending to stimulate our
enthusiasm, and broaden the sphere
of our activities. To be method1cal,
we have arranged our thoughts under
what we hope are appropriate heads'
that the meditations may be the more
readily understood.
NOBILITY OF OUR WORK.-The
work in which we are engaged, as
trades unionists, is as noble and mer1-
torious as any line Of endeavor that
ever enlisted human effort. 1t de-
mands in it's successful prosecution
the exercise of the highest and best
powers, mental and moral, Of which
our minds are capable. There is room
and opportunity for men of every form
and degree of talent, and each indiv1d-
ual can contribute to the full measure
of his capabilities. Speakers, writer's,
organizers; men of executive, judicial
or financial abilities, all can find in
trades unionism an abundance of op-
portunity to put their talents to good
use. Some possess unusual aptitude
in one line, others in another, and this
very diversity Of talent Is a source Of
great moral army enlisted in the glor-
1ous cause Of humanity.
OUR CONTENT1ON.-F Of all,
we insist that from the Industrial
standpoint there are but two classes
of men-the employer and the en-
ployee; in other words, capital and
labor. To say, as is sometimes done.
that capitalists are laborers, and that
laborers are capitalists, Is a mere Jug
glery of words, to hoodwink the mind
into ignoring a distinction as real as
the difference between fire and water.
And like the latter elements, there is
an interdependnce existing between
capital and labor that renders the
ono Indispensable to the other. Now,
strange as the following statement
may seem to persons unfamiliar with
our principles-the aims and objects
Of trades unionism with respect to the
relations Of capital and labor, are
summed up in word of seven letters
JUSTICE.
JUSTICE-A very reasonable re.
Quirement, is it not? Yet the expert.
ence OF the world, In all ages, has
been that capital for some ineMplicable
reason, either inherent in its nature
or attributable to mans weakness, is
eternally given to ignoring the de.
mands OF justice in it's dealings with
labor. This tendency on the part OF
capital,-call 1t greed, avarice, selfish
ness or whatever name you will-has
been at the foundation Of every spe
cies of human slavery that ever ex
listed In the world. When advancins
civilization set its seal of disapprova
SO effectually upon slavery in the
open, as to wipe it from off the face
OF the earth, the same CAPITALIST,
spirit sought, and still seeks, by indi
rect means and heartless methods. Il
maintain covertly, what public sent
ment would not tolerate to have it d,
directly and openly for moment
That's the point at which trades union
ism meets it and challenges it to mo,
tai combat. Trades unionism SAYS t
capital - you have from labo
what belongs to you, in full measure
running over, and you shall be full
protected In it's enjoyment, but Their
is no law human or divine that wi
justify you in claiming or exactin
more. That's our position in a nu
shell.
REFLECT1ONs.-such being /
+ brief an outline exposition of our pri1
g. ciples, our meditations lead us to r.
b. 1lect upon what manner of men "
should be, what virtues should "
+ strive most earnestly to cultivate, an
what weaknesses to avoid, that "
4 1aay be the better equipped for the all
+ cessful accomplishment Of our n1issio
p as trades unionists. First, l wou]
say, We must observe Justice OH
n selves. Not merely justice in the a
q stract, but justice In its concrete a
plication to all the relations of III
GA from the highest to the lowest.
s8j We must be just TO ourselves, to o,