The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1921-08-25
THE GOVERNOR At CONCORD
impartial Address Was Delivered by
Chief Executive on Obligations Of
Both Labor and Capital.

dressed a mammoth crowd at the Con-
cord graded school grounds here, ex-
planning his attitude toward the strike
situation and the purpose of the state
in dispatching troops to the scene of
the strike.
The text of the governors speech,
in part, is as 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 Wed
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.
II do not deem it wise or proper for
the Governor of North Carolina to
interpose and interfere with the max
ing of a contract between citizens
of this state.
1.-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 a
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.
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 fit,
and deem it to their interest. This
would no longer be a free country If
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
II believe in recognizing every 1e-t
gal right Of organized labor; but also
believe in recognizing every legal
right of the employers of labor; and
every legal right of unorganized Ia
Dor.
Furthermore, If / should inject my
self into this controversy, and en-
deavor to adjust it, fear I would no
longer have the confidence Of the
side had come to judgment against
in my efforts to uphold the law which
a continued conflict might necessie
tate.
I'm respect to the disorder which
had assumed threatening proportions
in Cabarrus county, I think it arose
largely from the fact that the local
police officers did not clearly COM
prehend their duty more than from
any unwillingness 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 I'M
true; he merely asked me for in
structions), that it 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
r finD1v send fTOOnR
anywhere they were needed. what
ever cause produced the trouble.
But I want to move them away
from here, and I 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
Iaborers, or on the other side. Who
ever you are, and wherever your SYM
pathies may be, I appeal to you as
citizen of North Carolina to give your
influence quickly and without delay
to the sheriff and the police officers,
and establish by common concord or
all good men in this county respect
for order, liberty and peaceful ar
eument 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, I want to appeal to all con-
ficting classes to submerge and forget
their class consciousness and class in
terest in an unselfish devotion to the
precious principles of our government.
Morrison on Employers.