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FREE FLAG.THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1877.C J - OPERATIVE AGRICULTURE.No. 4.Some inquiries in regard to thesearticles lead us to regret the necessitythat has prevented us from continuing them with regularity. Weareencouraged, as well as gratified, bylearning that they have been studied,and are approved by qu te a number of our readers.to come, fight its way against greatopposition. It cannot regulate thehours of labor, and diminish the timeAndnow given to 'physical Ivbor. this must be done or the race mustginning, has given emphasis to theneed of less hours for physical labor,and has earnestly advocated co-oper-still remain slaves to toil and poverty.But co-operation applied to agriculture would make each unit of theation; but it will not advocate anything so impracticable as “legalpunishment” for all violators of the eight-hour rule. And here, we may as wellsocial system comparatively independent and render it possible, profitable and necessary to spend less timeat bodily labor; it would thus relievethe labor market. The almost self-evident result would be a rise in wain the last article, published in No.17, we gave the general principles of co-operative society, concluding:substantially, as follows:ges, or an increase of the compensation of labor, whatever form it r take..ayThe next consequent result wonld be withdrawal of multitudes fromexpose the Free Elao to all the cannon-balls and small shot thatareprepared for enemies or luke-warmfriends, by a declaration of deep distrust in regard to the expediency andjustice of depending upon law as a means of social reform. We lookEaPattwith great jealousy upon the wholecentralizing policy which the incessant demand for law1. The inalienability of the soil.2. A democratic or republican formof government.3. Equitable (not equal) division ofthe proceeds of labor.Co-operation thus differs from competition, which places the means,and the profits of production in the hands of a few, shrewd, grasping, determined and powerful men; andi vicious occupations to useful and honorable industry. Society would thus be relieved from the support of crime, lleness and pauperism, and its energies could be profitably directed in channels of improvement, moral and intellectual.akes necessary. This is one of the chief curses ofthe system of competition. In the endeavor to make men fight, andfight fair, it is forever encroachingupon personal liberty. The phrasefree competition is a misnomer. Thereis no freedom about the system ofcompetition, except that which itLeaving these general thoughts forgives to the strong to oppress the weak. And, in the effort to preventthe consideration of our readers, we ] the terrible evils resulting from thiswill, in our next issue, attempt to social despotism, all society is putfrom communism, which entrusts thepresent, in detail, the methods of or- into a straight-jacket. Consequentlyinterests and fate of the communityganizing a co-operative association, we abhor the very name of competi-to the hands of “born leaders,” whoand of getting into working order,consider themselves, as it were, diguided by such principles as are well an(i umanity.tion, as the enemy of liberty, justiceAnd we will not ac-ftIS1ct.c€ilt;j1vinely appointed to the work.established, and by such experimentsas have the sanction of success andcept the same evil system and results*under another name.Co-operation is thus merely an ex- ^Le.And now we will give our Cincin-tension of the application of thatself-governing system and principlenati friend the ground-work of ourby which we, the people, provide forCAUTION AT A DISCOUNT.creed, as follows:(1ourselves a government, a navy, a1. We believe in “agitation, agita-iI. „ , ... , . , We have had occasion to commend I tion, agitation,” as life, and will dopost office sys em, pu ic schoo s, co-worker in the cause of labor what we can to promote it. For thisroads, bridges, a government printing office and manufactories of arms,and do a great deal of other importantfreform at Cincinnati, and have doneWe liked thepurpose, without unecessary criticismwork, without appealing to the com-etitive system, or feeling the neces-so with great pleasure, way in which the “Emancipator” dashed forward'into the thickest ofand with the most heart-felt sympathy we intend to labor for the success]of the Labor Reform or Workingmen’ssity of doing so.the battle, and, without envy or jeal- Party.ousy, modestly held back, prepared2.To suppose that clothing and food t0 rejoice in its success as leader ofWe believe in the necessity ofand]cannot be piovided for the commu- the hosts in the Queen Cityless hours for physical labor,more for mental labor and recreation.nity, on the same principle, as eas iyand successfully as roads, bridges andBut our modesty is not. as it seems 3. We believe in co-operative inschools, is to make the less more dif-to us, properly appreciated, for we dustry, applied to agriculture, andficult than the greater, and the simpleare evidently regarded as over-cau- other forms of production, as well asmore perplexing than the complicated.It has been found that competition, when7applied to government, musttious, cowardly, or, still worse, as time-servers. Hear what our Cin-to government, education and trade,cinnati friend says:as the only means of obtaining leisureresult in giving us nobles and kingsas rulers; that it cannot be relied onto properly educate the people; that it works disastrouslv in life and fireinsurance; that, when applied to railroads, and other forms of enterprise, it results in combinations and consolidations that give us mammoth monopolies, as our financial masters; that in manufactures and trade itproduces adulteration of food andmedicine, and tends to the deterioration of all kinds of goods; that whenit low-applied to labor and wages, ers the income of the masses to thesmallest sum capable of supportinglife; that it thus lessens naturel income and wealth, diminishes trade,and produces what Is very properly called “hard times.”Moreover all experience proves that competition, under its famous law of supply and demand, encour-“Below will be found a clip from our contemporary that has a very curious ring to it. Caution must be largely developed in the head of the editor, if we mistake not.Why wait to hear how far the document represents others’ views? Thereshould be no doubt in the mind of the man who is an advocate of labor's rights as to the merits of any averment of principles touching the elevation of the working classes. Either condemn it as false or adopt it as true.for enjoyment, health and education, and as the all-sufficient means of accomplishing all the objects aimed at in the eleven articles of “Platformand Principles” of the Labor Party.WORKINGMAN’S SUNDAY.Rev. Charles L. Thompson, of Chicago, preached what we call an excellent sermon in favor of “keeping holy the Sabbath day.” All the associa-ages, as well as provides for, the manufacture and sale of tobacco, intoxicating drinks and immoral publications- that it encourages and sanctions, the opening of brothels andsupplying them with victims; that it makes opportunities for, andencourages, multitudes to live by speculation and fraud; that it is graduallydestroying the great middle class,and separating society into the richand the poor, and thus showing itshostility to humanity, republicanismand Christianity.These charges, every one of them,can be proven by the admissions ofall the great writers who support thesystem of competition, as the necessary basio of society, and by factsThe rabble have always said, “away with the truth, crucify it!” so they ever will say; even those who are to be benefited will join with their enemies to crush out those who dare speak the truth. If you wait to hear a good report in order to take your cue, you are liable to not represent the cause of town-trodden humanity.In the place of being “ The Free Flag,” there will be a good chance for your bunting to bear the Pirate’s colors. Tell us,‘ what measures do you advocate :tions of youth, all the study and reflection that we have been able togive the subject, lead us to agree withthe preacher.But we ask Mr. Thompson to goone step further, and show the workingmen how they may be able to follow his advice. To use Sunday as headvises, requires that mind and body shall be fresh. Will he affirm thatthe business men who push and sweatall the week as they are forced to do;PLATFORM ANT) PRINCIPLES OF THE WORKINGMEN’S PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES.that the workingmen who exert alltheir strength and mind for six fullWe copy the following document, as it ap-f ears in the Labor Republic, of Indianapolis, ndiana, where the workingmen seem to be wonderfully alive and active. We do not know how far it represents the labor sentiments of the country, and present it for the purpose of finding out. We solicit communications and expressions of opinion in regard to it, and will therefore keep it standing for some weeks.At present, we can only say that, while we sympathize with the objects in view, we are not prepared to advocate all the measures or means proposed in ljlFlag.days, in the midst of dust, smoke anddiscomfort, are hopeful subjects topreach to on Sunday?Mr. Thompson probably pays forand reads a paper published SundayDoes he believe that themorning.printers who set up all night to prepare the Sunday morning dish of news■be «*u but; iut;a.»urt;a ur * v i . ?this declaration. —Free lum and for church-going peoplegenerally, are in a fit state of mind orWell, the “Free Flag” will remain body to engage in the “services of the free, whether it roam the seas alone sanctuary”?as an independent privateer, or as aproperly commissioned vessel of war, but it will never be afraid orAnd if they attend church, ^nd listen to such sermons as this aboutashamed to avow its loyal attachment to a good cause, and we hope preaching?Sunday, can they avoid contrastin the practice of the preacher with hithatare too abundant to require mention.To suppose the race incapable of rising to a higher plane of life and thought than this system supposes and creates, is to deny the permanency of republicanism, Christianity andcivilization.to convince the “Emancipator” thatthe expression, “If you wait to hearWe have presented this printing-a good report in order to take youroffice Sunday-work problem to anum-cue,tice.9yis one that does not do us jus-ber of ministers, with no satisfactoryresults.In the days when the grand oldThe writer of this article has seen“Emancipator,” edited by that grandseveral professors of religion makeold hero, Joshua Leavitt, was fightingwhat is commonly called “shipwreckThe co-operative system, so far astried, has developed results of a dicharacter to thoserectly oppositecompetition. It has,testimony of Johnproduced by according toStuart Mill, Prof,University, and other men of equal eminence, distributfelt;L-the profits ofawcett, of Oxfordtrade among the producers of thoseprofits; it has given courage andstrength to many who w°re despairing; it has cultivated self-respect,business ability and habits of economy ; it has greatly diminished the useof intoxicating drinks, and has utterly refused all participation in thefraud, meanness and folly of adulter-for freedom, the editor of the Flag,of their faith” by trying to make aliving then on the south side of theliving on daily morning papers. AndOhio, was at least as outspoken andwe do not care whether the paper beas zealous in behalf of “down-trod-published on Sunday or Mondayden humanity” as his ability j ustified,morning, the general result is theand was never suspected of waitingfor a “cue.”same on type-setters, pressmen and-and that result is not favor-But we admit that it is high time day.”carriers,-able to “keeping holy the Sabbathfor a fuller definition of the positionthe Free Flag proposes to occupy in the coming war. Hitherto it hasWe are not disposed to press thisparticular instance; for, according toour view of the case, “the whole headbeen an observer of the generalship -g gj^ the whole heart faint,” and theof the leaders who are necessarily in remedyj to be good for anything, mustthe thick of the battle, and of the au-pervading and radical.policy they are acting upon.The Labor Standard gives all pos-ations, short weight, light measure,and other companions of the competitive system.It is republican, and Christian;progressive and yet conservative inall its principles, methods and results. But co-operation in trade andmanufactures must, fora longtimesible emphasis to the demand foreight hours as a nominal working day,but the Emancipator emphasizes theneed of co-operation. For instance,in the present number the leading editorial closes with the declaration:“This can be accomplished by governmental co-operation alone.”Now. the Free Flag, from the be-The preacher who imagines thathis exhortations to the hard-worked,poorly-paid, ill-dressed, uneducatedsons of toil will have any permanenteffect, shows his want of acquaintance with the miserable, slavish, unhealthy life they are compelled tolead, and his total unfitness to dothem good by his preaching or conversation.We advise these reverend gentle
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Minneapolis Free Flag
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Thu, May 10, 1877
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