The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-06-17

ObIeetion 70 traces Ontons nat hsy
ospriVs the Individual Of Liberty 10
Unsound-Thsy Secure and Maintain
the Ri hts Of Workers.
On Sunday evening, April 3, the Unit
ed Trades and Labor council Of East
Liverpool O., together with members
Of other organizations Of that city and
Wellsville attended services at the
First Christian church Of Wellsville
o., on the invitation Of the minister
Q. s. Morrison. A NJ, former printer
In the course Of bis sermon the minis
ter asserted that the statement Of G.
W Post that only 10 per cent Of labor
was organized was false statement
that more than 20 per cent Of the
workers Of the country are members
Of trades organizations. He declared
that Christ, the Son Of God, constant
ly dlgnihed labor and I'm pointing the
way to victory stated the principles
Of unionlsm as the chief means to the
end" The Rev Mr.. Morrison said in
part:
The labor union Is not only legitimate
institution, but IL Of great economic, ed
ucstional and moral value acting upon a
principle or right recognized by both d.
vine and human law II Is not denied
that in the evolution Of labor unionism
mistakes, wrongs even crimes, have been
committed. but these are not to be charged
TO the principle and purpose Of the union,
but to misguided members. Nor IL the
labor union alone In these dark victssi-
tudes Of development. Civilization, gov
ernuents, even the churches. are not one
whit behind In these matters, as history
well shows. But are they to be con
denned because in their earlier stages
misguided advocates were guilty OF gross
wrongs and crimes? Neither should We
condemn the labor unions as such. They
Ike other great movements for human
upllft. have struggled up to higher ground
and broader vision and will continue to
do so. l would condemn wrongs commit
ted by union men not only because It Is
Inherently criminal, but also because It Is
contrary to the principle and purpose Of
unionisnn and brings reproach upon 1t
unIustly. However grfevous the wrong
sought to be righted, two wrongs never
make a right The whole purpose Of the
labor union Is to better the condition and
life Of laboring people generally. It IS
absolutely unselhsh. Is It not a worthy
purpose?
NonunIon labor should not condemn the
unions but should come into them that
the house Of labor may not be divided
against itself and may stand to secure its
rights, not only Of wage but Of better
rnent Of all conditions Union principle is
the foundation Of all successful co-opera-
ton and government. The objection to
unions that they deprive the individual OF
his liberty to act independently Of the
whole body or governing authority Is not
sound in social, material or political econ
ony. for that very principle Is the
strength Of our form Of goyernment-he
votes and abides the msiority rule. Lib
erty really only becomes possible through
combination on the basis Of majority rule.
The relation Of the member to the union
is Ike that Of the citizen to the republic
It secures and maintains his rights.
It Is charged 1t stirs sp STRIFE " hat
government was ever established without
strife? What wrong was ever righted
without strife? Is the union wholly to
blame? Is the corporation that refuses to
negotiate fair2 II Is a fact that, dealt
fairly with, the union decreases strife.
Il is charged against organized labor
that 1t excludes nonunion workers from
employment This is not an object, but
simply an effect. of organization for their
own good and the general good OF labor
people
A popular objection to labor unions Is
that they oppose strike breakers in order
to force them into the unions This Is a
stock argument from the capitalists Yet
the same principle Is the reliance Of the
ambitious capitalist to force out compe-
tition.
Contrast the motives Of the two Even
II the principle be not the best. the mo-
tive Of the labor union Is the best, for It
is to build up all laborers. while the mo-
tive Of the other Is to crush all less for
tunste competitors. However doubtful
. h. Fa
al! on the side Of the labor union.
Merchants often combine In a written
agreement to control prices and hours OF
business. A cut rate merchant steps in
and not only sells his commodity lower.
but works longer hours The organized
merchants try TO induce him to join them
on prices and hours, and IL ne refuses on
the ground that he has the liberty to do
az he pleases the combine does not hesi-
tate 10 punish him vigorously. even to the
extent Of putting him out Of business.
What IL their motive? The good Of the
many? No; simply the benefit OF the few
themselves only-and there is no public
outcry.
When the labor union inyokes the same
principle from more worthy motive. the
good OF the many there Is a great cry
raised against IT as wrong. Why this dis
elimination? Because all too many peo-
pie are willing to fawn upon the rich and
p0UTful and sneer at and condemn the
less fort anSte
Mr Morrison concluded with the
statement that the principles OF union
ism and Of Christianity were Identical
and inseparable; that the Bible point
ed the way to trades unionism and the
solution Of all troubles, labor and 9th
erwise typographical Journal
Labor Strikes.