Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-10-03
ari,ish Labor Troubles.

I '" . d . =. . p =
British Labor Troubles. "a
while the labor problems which are
now confronting the British industrial,
social and political world Just at TINS
Time appear to ebe sxtrernely critical,
those who are best acquainted Win
British traditions and who best un-
dorstand British character, have put
l,tt,e concern as to the final outcome
Generally we of America nave a
very incorrect notion of the Britisn
neople and British institutions, ana we
find 1t almost impossible to reaiize
tbat although we have a repubiican
form of government and the British
have a monarchial form, the British
90 a neople, are far more Democratic
than we are. "a.
Il may seem fike sacrilige to say 1t;
hut there lis no such patriotism IN
America as. there. Is in England. we
would not be understood as Suggesting
that the American is not as loyal TO
his country. as is the Britisher, OF that
tbe American is not as good q man
as is the Britisher any kind OF way
not that. But the Britisher and the
American have, different way OF
looking at things, a different attitude
to party and somewhat different at
titude to country. 81
4 Roth British and Americans are
proud of something-nationality them
selves, or something. Each thinks MS
own country is the greatest on earth
greater than all other countries COM
bined for that matter, and in TINS
they are very much alike.
But when 1t comes to government
the Briton Is the, best Democrat. he
believes absolutely in majority rule
and he believes in implicit obedience
to law. He reserves the right to dif-
fer with those in power, of course, and
he claims the right to change the ma
iority to minority if he can; but SO
long as the, majority is the majority
he gives strict obedience to its rule
He has always doncf fthat. Americans
give allegiance not so much TO country
as to party. He stands by'shls own
party through thick and thin, backing
it UP in everything withoue trying to
decide the right or wrong of 4, and no
matter what the opposite party does
whether right or wrong he is against
IL. Mt
Take factionalism in South Carolina
for example. Whoever heard of one
fastfon fstfo doing anything that met sthc
approval Of the other faction: Or take
national politics. Whoever heard OF
the Republican party doing anything
that could command the approval OF
the Democratic party or whoever
heard of the Democratic party doing
anything that could command the ap-
provai of the Republican party?
NThe Americans interest in politics
is based solely on a desire to rule to
dominate, and his interest in his party
is mainly selfish. If he does not actual
ly desire or seek office for himself his
choice is governed mainly by the con-
sideration' as to whence he will receive
the greater standing or prestige.
Take that row down in Charleston
for instance. Each faction, as fac
ton, would almost as lieve see the
city swamped into the bottom of the
sea as to see it under the domination
of the other faction.
But in England it is different. The
government goes into the hands of the
majority party, and if'no party has a
majority then by compromise into the
hands of the strongest party
Each of the parties, no matter how
many there he; believes in the people
as n whole and tries to so conduct IT.
self as to merit the confidence aau
support of the people as whole.
AS to what is going to nc the out
come of these great Industrial and
social disturbances now going on in
England mo. man. can tell; but all may
rest assured that tho people will work
it out, and after they have reached n
settlement, it will be greater and
more powerful England than before.