The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-06-20

families instead of singly. the adj
vantage gained by combination were
at the expense, to some extent. of the
freedom Of individual action. The
individual man was guided by the
welfare of his community more than
by that of his own. The successful
tribe or community or nation grad
ually evolved those factors of civili-
cation necessary for it's future well
fare, and in no case did the complete
overthrow Of such factors help civili-
zation. History shows us that the
collective freedom and independent
existence was obtained by great sac
rifices Of life and property. It would
be impossible to compare what the
cost has been Of the autonomy and
freedom which modern States enjoy.
or to estimate the sacrifices that
have been made to secure to mankind
immunity from tyranny and oppres-
sion, and the unquestioned rights
which now belong to every man.
The history of these sacrifices Is
a history of social movements. Time
and again these movements are re-
peated: through their appeals the
ignorant and the restless are capt.
waited, but time again releases the
hold of the Irrational doctrines. To-
day we are also met with such move
ments. new in name and character,
but old in principle, and like their
predecessors, will pass with time. the
movements remaining merely as
scars on a healthy growing life.
The Saloon Question.
Speakers, newspapers and maya
zines in the interest Of the prohibi-
ton movement are loud in their ap-
peals to organized labor and the varl-
Gus churches to help them In their
crusade against the liquor and brew
ing interests. The appeal is made
to the debt or obligation of the work.
ers to the movement.
simultaneously, personal Liberty
Leagues" and kindred organizations
are springfng up in all parts OF the
country fighting the advance OF the
prohibition movement. In many
places, labor unions, churches, and
other organizations have officially
passed resolutions unfavorable to
prohibition.
Internationally, there are multi
tudes of total abstainers in the ranks
of labor and church organizations,
and a greater multitude who believe
in the temperate use of beer. wine
and whiskey. On the contrary. many
trades and occupations connected
with the manufacture and sale OF
intoxicating beverages are represent
ed by trades unions. Apparently,
these organizations are essentially
temperance movements. 1t is there
fore a sad spectacle to see trade IN
ions. churches and the like yielding
to the interests of either side.
It is detrimental to their welfare,
to the direct aims of their organiza-
lions, to be made the tool of private
interest, or political Vaccinations.
The nature of such organizations de-
mand in and of themselves a strict
neutrality on such controversial sub
iects. no matter what the majority
opinion may be.
Public School Teachers Un1onize.
Cleveland, Ohio, presented a new
development in the evolution OF or
ganized labor, when its public school
teachers formed a regular union, az
filiated with the other trade unions
of the city and state. Moreover, the
teachers may form, join and belong
to any union without imperiling their
position in the school, according to
a recent decision of Judge Nef. This
decision was reached in the injunc-
ton procedure brought by John G.
Owens to restrain the board OF edu-
cation from carrying into effect its
resolution of May 1S, prohibiting
teachers from joining union uader
penalty of dismissal. The situation
is unique in the labor movement, par
ticularly in that Judge Neff character
ICES teachers as "laborers of the
highest type"
This increasing Importance OF the
works of the school teacher through
the constant widening and deepen
ing of the scope of school instruc-
ton, unquestionably entities her to
better social and financial recogni-
ton. These demands, especially the
latter one, can be realized to a great
or extent through the fundamentally
of the union. Organization has been
avoided because of traditional and
conventional public opinion; organi-
cation, however. is the practical
method Of professions and trades
But teachers, who mold the plastic
minds and hearts Of the greatest
numbers Of children. perform a DIFF.
ferent service from that Of trades