The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24

nor the American Federation of Labor would obey it. since it issued they have refused to obey II. and though the Amer | ican Federation Of Laborss disobedienee has been successfully achieved, and the law has been made 10 fall. not only has the law failed Tn It's effort 10 arrest wide spread wrong. but the injury has grown more destructive since fi=~ injunction than if was before Thert =.as a studied, de- termined, defiaat conflict. precipitated in the light of open day between the de- crees of tribunal ordained by the gov ernment of the federal union and of the tribunals of another federation grown up in the land: one or the other must sueeumb.
 "On the sociological aspect of the sit uation some faith in the ultimate right ness of American men. whether in labor unions or out. is to be entertained. For believe that the habit of the land sat urates them with a readiness to abide by authority. as I believe that this very readiness to yield to authority has un- done them before now, through the er- TOTS of misguided leaders, swollen by pigmy power.
 Supremacy of Law
 "It stands in the nature of things that the unlettered will be most sensible of that authority which most often shows it. self in their modest affairs, although higher authority may exist to which their attention is not every moment directed by some interference with them, but to which they stand ready to adhere upon the moment that shows them that the lesser authority was in mistake, or lead ing them wrong. It is written in this record that the labor unions and It's off cers meddle into a member daily af- fairs deeper than does the law; restrict him in matters that the law leaves free; and then so continually crowd their au- thority upon his attention that insensibly he comes to regard them of control in his affairs; the fact that he regards them as authority leads him to heed them because of his readiness to yield to authority; his very respect for author ity assumes that all authority Is respect able; and so upon them he relies-by them is led.
 What knows the worker in Texas, Florida, Maine and Oregon of the merits of the original controversy of 36 metal polishers in Missouri? What knows he of the refined distinctions about boy cott' conspiracy, injunction and the voidness for want of jurisdiction or Judicial decrees? In respect of each of these and of the original controversies, he has been betrayed, hoodwinked Into the stand of an enemy of law and of so- cial order Announcing freedom to pur- chase what and where one will they deny that right to him, proclaiming the right l of all men to labor, they restrict 1t to l the holders of a union card, declaring the right to enjoy full earning capacity. l they liimt his daily earnings 10 staeeo sum-
 Higher Authority. | In passing sentence on the defendants, the court said: "It would seem not in appropriate for such a penalty as will
 
 though late, will serve to vindicate the orderly power of judicial tribunals and establish over this litigation the suprema- cy of law"
 More than two hours were occupied by Judge Wright in reading his opinion. The defendants sat and listened intently throughout the proceedings, President Gompers now and then making some nota- tion on paper regarding points referred 10 in the judges remarks. At the conclu- sion of the reading, Judge Wright, look ing directly at Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison, said: Have either of you any thing to say why judgment should not be pronounced?
 President Gompers stood up and ad- dressing the court said: T am not con- sc,ous at any time during my life of having violated any law of the country, or of the state in which I live. l would not consciously violate a law, now. or at any time during my full life. It Is not possible under the circumstances which bring me before your honor this morn ing, and after listening to the opinion which you have rendered, to say that which I have in mind, but, however, may be permitted to say this: That free dom of speech and freedom of the press has not been granted to tine people to sa ythe things which please; but the right to say the things that displease even though they do wrong. There Is much that l would like to say, but l cannot do 1t now"
 Struggle for Rights.
 At this point MT. Gompers. after a short pause said he would like to make 6 few remarks.
 T may say" he added, that this is a struggle of the working people Of our country, and it is a struggle of the work ing people for right The labor move r.ent does not undertake to presume to be a higher tribunal than either the courts or the other branches of the government of our country. It Is a struggle of the ages-a struggle of the men of labor 10 throw off some of the burdens which h, ve been heaped upon them; to abolish some of the wrongs and to secure some of the rights too long denied If men must suffer because they dare speak for the masses or the men ol eur COuHtiS if men must suffer because they have teen raised to meet the sordid greed even to grind the children in the dust to gain cellars they must bear the consequences.
 But continued MT. Gompers, If I cannot discuss grave problems, great is sues in which the people all over our country are interested-if a speech made by me during a political campaign, after tho close of this case, if the speeches in furtherance of a great principle or a great right, are to be held as against me- I shall not only have to, but am Wiling to bear the consequences. l would not have you believe me a man of a de- liant character in disposition or in con- duct, but in the pursuit of honest oon- struction, and in the furtherance of the common interests of my felowmen, shall not only have to. but be willing to s' limit to whatever your honor may inn rose'
 Mitchell Speaks.
 Mir Mitchell followed in a strong reson- art voice. 'I thoroughly and unreserved- y indorse what MT. Gompers said.