Facsimile PDF - Online Library of Liberty

ON INDUSTRIAL PARTWERSHIPS. 123
every one feel that there is an evil at work which needs a
remedy? Does not the constant occurrence of strikes, and
the rise of vast and powerful organisations of workmen, show
that there is some profound nnfitness in the present customs
of the couutry to the progress of aEairs ? Bacon tells ua that
it is not good to try experimeuts in states, and that “ wo
should stand upon the ancient ways ;ll but he adds, “ unless tho
necessity bo urgent, or the utility evident,”“aud with deep
wisdom he points out that ‘I Time is the greatest ‘innovator i
and if time alter all things to the worse, and wisdom a d
counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall bo tho
end ? ” * I believe tht his words apply to tho present Etab
of things, and that time is altoring the status of tho workmen
oE this country. As a grout middle-cluus of merchants anit
n~nnnfi~ctnrcr.~ lms arisen and asserted tlloir position in the
statc, ao I conccioo that nII theso cornbiuotions and nrbitmtiuns,
and regulations, and other devices in tho various trades,
j betoken nn earnest though often a mistaken impulse in tho
:. working-clz~sscs towards something Letter nud higher than
they yet enjoy. It is truo that the innovations of time aro
OW and scarce to Lo perceived. It is our misfortuno that
cannot measure and estimate what is going on in tho prosent
moment, and only when an evil has beon long endured can w0
see how obvious and how necessary was the remedy.
I confess that I cannot myself see tho ond to the troubles
which arise out of the contest of capital an3 labour, without
somo decided change. To overcome or destroy unions, aud
achieve peace in this manner, is the desire of soma master%
TO me this seems neither desirdh nor practicable. hsoeiation
of some kind or other is alike tho sign and means of civi-
Iisation. In proportion as we become Inore civilised, societies
and unions will ever multiply. It is only by substituting one
more useful and beneficial form of orga&ation that another
can be dissolved, and I think it can be demonstrated that
anion between each master and his men is the real union
which will be a blessing to 811.
Eaay on Innovation.