Social Problems And Their Peaceful Solution.

and the retailer . It is , therefore , in this apportioning of the profits that classinterests arise ; and it is thus that the various classes employed in the production of the same staple article of consumption become to a certain extent antagonistic ; namelyin that each class will certainly

, endeavour to obtain for itself the greatest possible share in such apportionment : and this is the Avhole history of tradesunions and strikes . Could men but see that this antagonism should be limited in extent , inasmuch as an exaggeration of it must

perforce bring about the state of " a house divided against itself "—the interests seemingly antagonistic being in reality identical —such things need neA ^ er be . Yet that every class should unite to promote its own interests is perfectly

intelligible and perfectly legitimate ; " but to gander , " and so it is quite as reasonable — to take tAvo classes more usually prominent in their antagonism than others — that the masters should unite as the men . But

whilst this principle of trades-unionism is perfectly admissible on both sides , Avhatis grossly wrongis any action involving the exhibition of force or coercion ; thus , whilst on the one hand , the men may in all fairness combine to make the best market

for their labour , refusing to work at all unless paid such Avage as shall represent their full and fair share of profit on the manufactured article , they have no possible right to prevent other men , if they be sominded , from doing the work for less ; on the other handthe masters , whilst uniting

, to fix the prices they can afford to pay their hands , have no shadow of right to prevent their hands from combining in any legitimate manner , to obtain the best price they can ; far less have they any shadoAV of excuse for endeavouring to compel

their workmen to receive any portion of their wage in kind . The principle of unions then is , on both sides , legitimate , yet should it be exercised in moderation : for whilst on the one hand

the masters may , by unduly holding out , lose their hands altogether , by driving them either to other occupations or to emigration ; on the other hand the men may , by a lengthened strike , altogether suppress the manufacture , or divert it , or the capital employed in it , into another channel . Thus , then , unions may

whilst moderately conducted , work AVOIIders ; yet may they , if their powers be unduly exercised , deprive their members of occupation and capital of exercise , and by turning the stream of supply into another channel , rob the country of its sinews of strength ancl skill , and drain it

of its Avealth ancl prosperity . Were Ave asked to propound a remedy for such a state of things as this , we should simply quote the old yet ever-living adage of One Avho was Servant and Master too" do unto all men as ye Avould they should

do unto you . " To the masters we should say , " g ive unto your servants that Avhich is just and equal , knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven ; " whilst the men we should bid Avork " not with eye-service ; and Avbatsoever ye do , do it heartily as unto the Lord ; " exhorting both to return to the spirit of the good old times Avhen

the interests of each were identical . '' Does the master exact Avith utmost rigour , his measure of work . Then let him get it , but Avith it will go none of the kindly feelings of that brotherhood which can exist irrespective of varying social grades ! Does the man extort the last penny of his

bond ? Then let him have it , yet let him remember that with " the pound of flesh " goes no single " drop of blood , "—the blood of common race and kinship—but , instead , the labour done and the price received , there ends the compact ; and Avhen the

machine—no longer man—is past his meridian of strength , he must go to the Avail , to give place to one younger and stronger , than himself ; in fact he has joined with his master in extracting the very juice and marrow of his strength , ancl , his day past and over , he must neither Avonder nor grumble if he is thrown aside like a sucked

orange . Once more then , " let your moderation be knoAvn unto all men , " ancl remember that " unity is strength . " To counsel more than this is not within our province , nor would it serve our present purpose to do more than show that the apparently

conflicting interests of capital and labour are easily reconciled hy mutually conceding as equitable a division of the reAvard of labour as of the labour itself ; for if toil be the lot of all , so too should he the recompense of toil : and that this toil is , Ave have shown in demonstrating the proposition that there is work for all to do , for