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TRADS soc/Erm.s: THEIR OB~ECTS AND POLICY. 1 r5;
other workmen, and thnt even if all could combine with equal
-0 they would only mako all things dear, nnd hinder the
production of t,he commodities upon which we live.
I apprehend thnt the notion which lioa at the bottom of
Unionism is this : That a man is bound to think, not only
of himself, but of his fellow-workmen. The principles of
Unionism condemn a man who accepts work at a loss rate than
tho current wnges, because ha may Lo leading tho way to s
reduction of wages affecting hundrcds or tllousauds of fellowmorkrnen.
TLero can bo no doubt that in otlo point of view
this principle of looking to the advnntngo of tl~e rnnny rather
than tho one, is nobla and disinterested j and I do not doubb
t.hnt if tho history of strikes and trade disputes wero fully
written, it would discloso ns many instances of fidolity and
heroism and tho fearless encounter of hardship and eveu death
ns many a war described in history.
13ut tho Univ~~ist overlooks the fact thnt the cnueo to which
he is so faithful, is only the cause of a small exclusive class ;
his triumph is the injury of a vastly greater numbor of his
fellow-workmen, nncl regarded iu this point of view, his cause is
n narrow and selfish one, rather than a broad and disinterested
one. The mor0 I rrdmiro the perseverance, tho self-forgetfulness,
tho endumncc, abstinence, and a hundrod other good
qualities which English workmen often display during tho
conduct of a groat trade disputo, tho mor0 sinceroly do I
regret that so many good qualities should be thrown away, or
rather misused, in s cause which is too often a hurtful one to
their fellow-men.
VII.
I wish to say a few words on tho question how far Trades
Societies have succeeded in raising wages, for it is E very
favonrite and apparently strong argument with Union leadera
to point to the improved condition of their men ae a proof of
the benefits conferred by the Union. I am far from denying
that in aome trades, especially the building trades, wages have
been raised, because those trades have special opportunities
for protecting themselves at the wat of the rest of the country.
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