The Labor Question

The honest laboring man all over thia broad land is just at present bearing a heavy load heaped upon his back by those who pretend to be his f rienda. The agitator, who liyes upon bim without toil; the bummer" element tliat thrives by strikes and delights in driving honest men out of their situations; the well-meaning but hot-headed fanatic, who sees the real or hadad injustice to whicii the labcring man is often subjected, and strives to accomplish in a day what it will take years of organized effort to accomplish, all these have flushed to the front as the laboringing man's friend, and he has to bear the load ot misdeeds of the former and illdirected enthusiasm of the last mcntloned clas8. It is doubtful if the laboring man of thi8 country is to be broken down even under this great load, however. He is too strong and powerful. He I-as found the road that properly traveled will lead to the success ha seeks, viz.: organization. And he has also fouud the weapons- powerful ones they are too- that judiciously and carcfully used, will humble his opponent who will not listen to reason. The Knights of Labor are to-day probibly the most powerful organi.ation in America. Their principies as laid down by their grand master workman, are good ones; they propose to fight their battles with ballots not bullets; there is no taint of socialism in their composition; and all they ask is justice between capital and Uibor. Tliey recognize the fact that capital and labor must go hand in hand peaceably, quietly, unitedly, and that what effects one must of a necessity effect the other. But strikes and boycots must be releguted to the rear, to be used only in cases of dire necessity. They are weapons too powerful for ordinary use, too harsh to be handled by any but the most careful ana cool. When laborers make just dem.inds the sympathy of the whole people are with them, but when their demands are unjust they turn the tide the other way. What they need is cool-headed men to lead and good judgment to gnide their councils. Will they have these, and having them be content to listen and wait? These are the important qnestions for laboring men to decide for themselves.