Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-08-26
THE GOVERNOR At CONCORD
Impartial Address Was Delivered by
Chief Executive on obligations OF
Both Labor and Capital.

| cora graueu SCuool biouAuo ho'o' ~
planning his attitude toward the strike
situation and the purpose of the state
in dspatching troops to the scene OF
the strike.
The text of the governors speech,
in part, is rs follows:
"My own judgment was against my
coming here and speaking on this oc-
casion; but Mr.. Barrett, head OF the
Federation of Labor, and other promi'
nent officials of organized labor, after
our conference at Asheville on We'd
nesday the 18th, gave me most positive
assurance that in their opinion my
views of the situation and Of the DIFF
ficulties which beset all concerned
here would be of great benefit
Il do not deem 1t wise or proper for
the Governor OF North Carolina to
interpose and interfere with the max
ing of q contract between citizens
Of this state.
"The freedom Of contract involves
the very foundation Of free govern
ment. For the Governor OF North
Carolina to endeavor to force men to
make contract in this state against
their will is, in my judgment, very
improper thing to do.
Labor in North Carolina has
legal right to organize and to collec'
lively bargain when organized, provid'
ed, however, that they can find some
body willing to bargain with them.
Their rights to collectively bargain
cannot be taken away from them
under the constitutional securities OF
liberty, which are the very life OF the
republic.
ION the other hand, employers with
whom they want to contract have the
right TO contract with them or not
contract with them. as they see ut,
and deem II to their interest. This
would no longer be free country II
citizens were forced to contract with
any individual or group OF individuals
with whom they did not want to con.
tract. There is no law under which
the governor or any other official can
make them contract None could be
enacted under our constitution.
II believe in recognizing every 1e-
gal right OF organized labor: but also
believe in recognizing every legal
right of the employers of labor; and
every legal right Of unorganized la
Dor.
Furthermore, II | should inject my.
self into this controversy, and en-
deavor to adjust 1t. fear | would no
longer have the confidence OF the
side had come to judgment against
in my efforts to uphold the law which
continued conflict might necessi-
tate.
In respect to the disorder which
had assumed threatening proportions
in Cabarrus county, | think 1t arose
largely from the fact that the local
police officers did not clearly COM
prehend their duty more than from
any unwillngness to discharge It.
There has been much confusion in
the public mind as to what would
constitute illegal practices in a tense
situation produced between striking
laborers and those about to take their
places. announced in my letter to
Sheriff Cochrane OF Mecklenburg
some time ago (by the way, the wide
ly published statement that Sheriff
Cochrane called for troops was un'
true: he merely asked me for in
structions), that 1t was the duty OF
the local police authorities to use all
the necessary power to keep order
and suppress intimidation and inter
ference OF anybody's rights, but that
would unhesitatingly send troops
anywhere they were needed. what
ever cause produced the trouble.
But | want to move them away
from here, and appeal to all men OF
this county, whether you are standing
under the standard OF union labor and
doing what you can to aid the striking
laborers, or on the other side. Who
ever you are, and wherever your sym
pathies may be, | appeal to you as q
citizen OF North Carolina to give your
influence quickly and without delay
to the sheriff and the police officers,
and establish by common concord oil
all good men in this county respect
for order, liberty and peaceful ar
gument which will justify me In NOV
ing the troops here from your county,
They neither want to stay nor DO
want them to stay. They are here at
immense sacrifice to themselves, and
only for the purpose of enabling each
side to this controversy to enjoy all
the liberty guaranteed its followers by
the law OF the land. 1t is along these
lines, and upon these principles that
we can continue to enjoy liberty In
this State and country.
FINALLY, want to appeal to all con
fiicting classes to submerge and forge'
their class consciousness and class In
tarest In an unselfsh devotion to the
precious principles OF our government