The labor world., 1911-11-18

years In accordance with the estab-5
lished policy Of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. refer to the events
taking place especially on the Pa
cific coast, either in the promotion Of
the initiative, referendum and recall,
or in acts Of the masses Of the people
through those purely democratic In.
strumentalities. Those events have
brilliantly and convincingly illustrated
the power of the people. They indi-
cate coming leap in the progress of
genuine democracy throughout the
country. = .c::,
j. Unions Not Partisan. ,
THE new mechanism of that, de-.
mocracy will loosen the throttle hold
which politicians have long mad upon
the people, 'relegate the political ma
! chimes to the background, and bring
to the front from all ranks of society,
and especially from the wage workers,
| men of truly patriotic and humani-
tartan principles, who are willing to
work, not for partisan advantage or
| personal preferment, or the selfish
| interests of any clique or circle, but
| for the good and welfare of commu-
nifty and nation, and consequently Ill
mankind. -.
ITO trade unionists in general
at the present stage of their
| dearly bought experience with po-
! litical manipulators, and of their
practical education in economics, par
ties count for little, while principles.
objects and achievements are every
thing. = NJ
Peoples Power Here.
I'VE confidently look forward, now
that the principles and the me
chanism of the peoples power have
been discovered, made clear, and ap-
piled, to rapid succession of extra
ordinary adaptations Of the instruc-
tions of this country to popular ideals
and aspirations. The old spirit of
partisan hatred, wrangling, bitter per-
scnalities, and cynicism over alleged
failure in popular government must
| give way to the new spirit which in
terprets the general moral and intel
ordinary adaptations of the institu-
| tions, generous emotions, and un-
| quenchable aspirations for fair play,
which must eventuate finally in &C.
| onomic justice. It matters little
whether any party, whatever it's
! avowals and Intentions, succeeds in
one place or another, now and again,
In this state or that.
Party Methods Contrasted.
The things desirable, in contrast to
party organization, methods, war
cries, and promises are those result
ing in permanency Of efficient meth
ods in possibilities Of advancing one
by one the propositions favorable to
| wage-workers, and in the opportuni-
ties for full play of the powers of all
the individuals of the community ca
pable of promoting through legisls:-
ton the welfare of the country and
Especially the masses. This condition
is being rapidly established, as we
have said, through the energy and ac-
tivity and concentration of aim of the
American Federation of Labor. No
other scheme of procedure for the
advancement of the interests and we'll
| being of the working classes me as
ures up with the policy. of our fedora
tion in the slightest degree. ..'=< ii. j. :.
'The history Of the working class
movement of. Europe in recent years
is one of recession from cloud-land
utopias and of approach toward the
policy of our federation. Revolution
is to come by way of reform, and not
by social cataclysm. The human con-
science is to be society's guide. The
social struggle is to be good and right
against evil and wrong. The attain.
. ment of the maximum of liberty for
every individual, the abolition of pow
erty, the best order in the production
and equitable distribution of wealth
in word the establishment OF the
conditions for the highest possible
earthly happiness for mankind -
all this must come through taking the
best that civilization has given us ,ai6
looping off, one by one, it's Imperfect
growths and it's baneful excrescences.