The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-02

industry is unthinkaDie. The terrible
tragedy of war which has just ended and
which has brought the world to the verge
of chaos and disaster would be In vain
IL there should ensue return to the con-
ditions of the past. Europe itself whence
has come the unrest which now holds the
world at bay is example of standpatism
In these vital human mstters which Amer
lea might well accept as an example. not
avoided Europe made Americn the diff
ferential and the price of 1t all Is enmity
and antagonism and Frustrated industry.
! The right of labor to live In pence and
comfort must be recOEnized by govern
ments and America should be the first to
lay the foundation stones upon which In
dustriai peace shall be built.
Labor not only is entitled to an adequate
wage but the shop should receive reason
titled to- protection at the hands of the
government In every emergency. No govern
m ment worthy of the name can play thess
mutuality OF interest between them which
the government must seek to express and
safeguard at all cost.
The right of individuals to strike is In
violate and. ought not to be interfered with
by any process OF government, hut there Is
tb ags m and ro snas Is 81 fe s. ~
pie and to assert its power and majesty
against the challenge of any class. The
government. when it asserts that right.
seeks not to antagonize a class but simply
to defend the right <ef the whole people
against the irreparable harm and injury
class to usurp a power that only govern
ment itself has right to exercise as pro-
lection to all.
In the matter of international disputes
which have led, to war. statesmen have
sought to set up as a remedy arbitration
tSe e asis nHs
the establishment of a tribunal. fair and
just alike to all. which will settle indus
to war and disaster? America, lwttnessing
the evil consequences which have followed
out of such disputes between these contend
ing forces, must not admit itself impotent
to deal with these matters by means of
peaceful processes Surely there must be
some method of bringing together in a
council of pence and amity these two great
interests. out of which will come happier
day of peace and cooperation, day that
will make them more hopeful and enthus-
iastic In their various tasks. that will make
for more c6fIfort and happiness in living
and more tolerable condition among all
classes Of men. Certainly human jntelli-
gence can devise some acceptable tribunal
for. adjusting the differences between cap
itai and labor.
This is the hour of test and trial for
America. BY her prowess and strength
and the Indomitable courage of her soldiers
foreign battljefields her conceptions of
| liberty and justice. Let not her influence
as mediator between capital and labor
be weakened and her own failure To settle
matters of purely domestic concern be pro-
+. claimed to the world
There are those In this country who
upon a majority. Russia with Its blood
! and terror Is a painful object lesson of the
| power of minorities. 1t makes little diff
| ference what minority 1t is; whether cap-
| ital or labor. or any other class: no sort
! of privilege will ever he permitted to dom
! mate this country. We are a partnership
or nothing that is worth while. We are
democracy where the majority are mas
| ters, are all the hope and purposes of the
men who founded this government have
! been defeated and forgotten. In America
there is put one way by which great re-
forms can be accomplished and the relief
| sought by classes obtained and that Is
thru the orderly processes Of representa-
| tive government.
Those who would propose any other
| method of reform are enemies of this cOun-
try. America will not be daunted by