The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-10-08
OR'SR|CHTS
Set Forth in an Address
Made Recently by
Cardinal Gibbons
THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE

| I'LL ttdtRb ~ StlOHNtGG
Labor has its sacred rights as well
as It's dignity. Paramount among the
| rights OF the laboring classes Is their
privilege to organize, or to form
themselves into societies for their
mutual protection and benefit. II is
In accordance with natural right that
those who have one common interest
should unite together for its promo
tion, writes Cardinal Gibbons in the
October Putnam's Monthly.
Throughout the United States and
Great Britain there is today q con-
tinuous network OF syndicates and
trusts, OF companies and partnerships,
so that every operation from the con-
struction of a leviathan steamship TO
the manufacture OF a needle is con-
trolled by q corporation. When cor
poratlons thus combine II Is quite
natural that mechanics and laborers
should follow their example. II would
be as unjust to deny the workingmen
the right to band together, because Of
the abuses incident to such combina-
tlons as to withhold the same right
from capitalists, because they some
times unwarrantably seek TO crush or
absorb weaker rivals.
God forbid that the prerogatives
which / am maintaining for the work.
ing classes should be construed as i'm
plying the slightest evasion 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 on the
cooperation OF the other. A contest
between the employers and the en-.
ployed Is as unreasonable ami as
hurtful TO the social body as war
between the head and hands would be
to the physical body.
Whoever strives to improve the
friendly relations between the propri-
etors and the labor unions, by sug-
gesting the most effectual means OF
diminishing and even removing the
causes OF discomfort, is a benefactor
to the community. with this sole end
in view | venture TO touch this most
delicate subject, and II these lines
contribute TO some small measure TO
strengthen the bond OF union between
the enterprising men OF capital and
the sons OF toll, shall be amply re-
warded.
But IL labor organizations have
20 80 h.
to be redressed, It is manifest also
that they have sacred obligations 70
be fulfilled and dangers to guard
against. AS these societies are COM
posed OF members very formidable in
numbers, varied in character. temper
ament and nationality, they are, in
the nature OF things. more unwieldy,
more difficult TO manage more liable
to disintegration than corporations OF
capitalists, and they have need OF
leaders possessed of greater hrmness,
tact and superior executive ability,
who will honestly aim at consulting
the welfare OF the society they repre-
sent. without infringing on the rights
OF their employers. They should ex-
ercise unceasing vigilance In securing
their body from the control OF design
ing demagogues, who would make ii
subservient to their own selfish ends, |
or convert II 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 earn |
an honest livelihood. No man or COM
OF men should have the
power to prevent him from following |
his vocation even by intimidation, for
he may have not only himself but a |
wife and children for whom to pro-
vide. II Is my opinion that the hon
est laborer who is willing to do work
which is proper and in no way con-
1icts with the interests of the COM
should be given the oppor-
Lunity to perform 1t, and TO have the
same protection from the authorities
which is extended TO any peaceful cit
zen, no matter how powerful OF In
fuential may be the person or society
which opposes him.
I take for granted that all unions
md other societies Of America labor
ng men are disposed to array them
selves on the side of peace and order
md are as strongly opposed to viola
ions OF the law as other citizens.
Hence they should exert their infiu-