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Show LABOR REFORM: Victory again perches on the shoulders of Labor. The great strikes which have unsettled trade in the East, have in some measure ended, and labor has received recognition. Public opinion, ever tardy in matters relating to labor reform, now comes forward to applaud success. The public need not think that labor will rest satisfied, while monopolists absorb the major portion of its earnings. There is a law of compensation written upon the brow of labor, which of itself repays and ennobles the mind, a grand nobility resting upon the honored workers. Every man's labor has a certain value-no more, no less-and that is the amount of compensation which should be paid for it. It is the worker's stock-in-trade, and it is quite natural that he should desire to sell in the dearest market. Impartial judges will scarce deny that trades' organizations often do (to a certain extent) improve the condition of the laboring classes. If there were no combinations the power of capital over labor would be unlimited if not despotic. There is no law, human or divine, which compels individuals to do a maximum amount of work for a maximum amount of pay. Every man-professional or otherwise-has or should have the right to determine the conditions under which his labor shall be given to others, always, however, recognizing the law of supply and demand. Until equality in matters of this kind are arranged on a permanent basis, nothing on a permanent basis, nothing may be expected but internal trade disturbances. These occasional outbursts are but admonitions of an unsettled state of society, and warn us of coming revolutions in the industrial world. Those who have given this subject consideration, agree that in this, the mid-day of universal education, tyrannical capital, and the bonds which bind it to surly labor, is in danger of being rudely dissolved at an early period. [missing] manhood will assert its prerogative, and submit to no unrighteous decrees. Labor throbs with a holy ambition to elevate the toiling masses, while mighty combinations, composing the trades' unions, joined for self-defense, are bringing together men of every creed, color, trade and nation; and as a rule they work harmoniously together to effect the object of their confederation. Leaders with masterly minds, frequently guide strikers until they have secured to them satisfactory prices for their toil. While granting the right of the toiler to combine with his fellows for self-protection and charitable deeds, at the same time we protest against any man, or body of men, who in their united strength attempt to coerce or intimidate those who may differ from them in opinion. The interests of labor and capital are mutual, if not identical, and for this reason it would be far better that both parties should bear and forbear, "live and let live." |