The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-11-09

american WOrk1nSmon assume the
right Of organization as a matter OF
course. In nearly all continental
countries the right is hampered with
police or other regulations against
which trade u%nionists rebel. In some
countries, as in Hungary and Austria,
the right is only encompassed by trick
and subterfuge. In Italy and Ger
maintained only through constant
struggles. Labor organizations in
France, legitimate only since 1884,
fight constantly against compulsory in
corporation, and similar attacks upon
a just liberty.
Americans exercise the right OF
free assembly. What this means
seems difficult some times for foreign
bred, naturaliZed American citizens
to understand. But in actual prac-
tice. immigrants to this country from
Russia, Spain, Austria, Hungary,
Germany and Ireland can bear wit
ness to Americas larger liberty in
this respect. No where in the world
may men assemble freely to mob a
mans house or person or to preach
violent r~evolution: but in America
men may meet and devise over-turning
the government and expelling from
office it's heads by ballot, and not lose
their standing as conservative citizens.
In the countries named they would be
classed as dangerous extremists.
Americans practice right of move
ment from place to place without let
or hindrance which is not known in
Europe. A laboring mar in America
when travelling may feel that he is a
man; in Europe, he is presumably a
possible vagrant, pauper, or subject
for police surveillance.
Americans have a right to trial by
a jury of their peers that is rarely
known to wOrkingmen in European
countries. Judges, not elected by
the people. are harsh interpreters of
teh law when trying the poor and
defenSeleSS, the opponents of the
privileged classes. The saVag atti-
tud Of German magistrates toward
the socialists is prOVerbial; the Sc
verify of English judges in cases
of pOaching or similar petty offenseS
against the property exhibits a settled
principle of putting defense of posses
sions above consideration for human
beings; the travesty of a trial for
F'errer proved to what lengths mon
archy is capable Of going in judicial
or military murder of it's opponents.
Americans exercise a great, though
frequently overlooked, right in super
vising their public servants and
making them aware of the possibility
of dismissal on wrong doing. In
Europe, of the titled aris-
tOcracy may be worthless to the COM
munity, f1agrantly immoral, opponents
to general progress, self-interested
promoters Of war, social pests from
many points Of view, and still retain
power as lawmakers and stand we'll
And finally, Americans have consti-
t%utionally guaranteed a free press
and the rights Of free speech.
The European social reformer is
often confused regarding the American
and economic situation be-
cause he cannot understand that
much hat he has yet to struggle for
in this country been accomplished.
The basic principles of liberty are here
recognized in the law. The principle
Of equality before the law is estab-
If all the logical results from
these principles do not always follow,
the fault lies with those American
citizens who do not or can not. de-
their rights as freemen should.
The next letter Of this series will be
to general remarks on the
economic condition of the European
w~age-WorkerS.
SAMUEL