The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-05-10
(By c. o. Young.)

If we only had the ability and un-
derstanding to produce an argument that
was so replete with powerful logic and
exposition of basic truths that it would
appeal to the human intellect SO strongly
that it would induce response in the
individual SO substantial and lasting
that his future conduct for the we'll
being of the human race would be ever
manifest, am sure we could render no
greater service. Again, if that portrayal
of logic and truth was of such force as
milton, our ideals would soon be prac-
tically applied and much of the discon-
tent of our people relative to the slow
process of evolution would disappear,
and we would hear little of revolution
ary propaganda. However jealous we
may be, bringing to our aid all our
force of intellect in the requirement of
knowledge, we find our scope and vision
circumscribed. No one is a Paythagoris;
in possession of the knowledge of all the
ages. And, if we were, we would be
confronted with the imperfection of the
vast majority, and would be as badly
Handicapped as if We were just an ordi
nary mortal.
Being thus confronted with world
full of imperfect minds, most of whom
are just ordinary human beings, born
and reared under the varied environ
ments and conditions of diversified
nationalities, with each possessing its
peculiar people, with traits, customs, re-
| ligions and politics, and particularly
customs and religions handed down from
generation to generation for thousands
of years, we can well conclude that hui
man progress and development will be
of slow process. And, that any attempt
at bringing about by sudden impulsive
action change in a system so replete
with ancient customs and habits will
only bring disaster and produce just the
reverse of the things most desired. The
ment in this country is confronted with
and must meet and overcome those OBJ
stacles of peculiar human characteristics
inthe same manner of careful methods
as is the case in other lines of develop
ment. Any sudden injection of methods
peculiar to other lands in dealing with
the labor movement here will often, in,
stead of resulting in benefit to the toll
ers, be destructive of the good already
attained through the methods adopted,
peculiar to our customs and people. A
policy which would be necessary in an
European nation to bring about just
labor reforms, may be entirely useless
to us, and impracticable.
l know that statements of this kind
at this particular stage of our move
ment (when "syndicahsm" and revolu-
tionary political doctrines, direct ac-
tion," anarchy" and NEAR anarchy"
are so much in evidence) will be desig
mated as retroactive, by the revolution
iStoj ahb OhoSt WIN nave Iut COuldSt W
speak in opposition to syndicalism and
other wild isms that would paralyze
society in an effort to realize their day
dreams, will be marked and heralded
to the world as traitors. 1t takes a
man of courage to face mob. Espe
cially if the mob is carrying a banner
inc orihnJ t1y.th hn IL, -
liberty 'etc., which naturally will ap
peal to those to whom justice has been
too long denied. To attempt to defend
a system of organization which teaches
practical evolutionary methods brings
one into great contempt of those who
would redeem the world over night, some
of whom have only received the new
light between the setting of the sun and
the close of soap-box meeting. These
new disciples would have you turn your
back upon your organization, upon your
country, upon your emblem, upon your
home, and have you follow their leader
ship, which teaches destruction of every
pAhhNiPiS Va NiuS uShiVSioSy anu dufo-
Gates the substitution of reign of ter
ror leading to chaos. Each law unto
himself. That the rank and file of in
telligent working people, though their
conditions are far from what they should
be, will fall into line with such princi-
pies and methods is preposterous. That
ignorant, oppressed human units will
stampede at the behest of a fiery APP
peal has been too often demonstrated to
leave any doubt, and the results OBJ
tanned from such outbreaks, as far as
lasting benefits are concerned, remind us
of the burning of a city in order that it
may be prosperous. 1t rebuilds quickly.
perhaps, but little is said of the indi-
vidual wrecks as result of the fire
and the criminal who set the fire is soon
forgotten. The person or persons who
inflame ignorant minds to destroy are
criminal in makeup, and he who advo-
Gates sabotage is of the same stripe.
He who advocates dishonest methods
is himself not honest. That individuals