Pursuant of the American Dream

By Cole Weiler
Every man, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free
to pursue his own interest his own way, and to bring both his industry and capital into
competition with those of any other man or order of men. This is one of direct beliefs of
one of the greatest laissez-faire philosophers of all time, Adam Smith (Viner). These
great United States were founded on and have thrived on the idea that individuals with
aspirations to succeed can eclipse others through commercial competition. This natural
competition drives progress, and standardizes values. Unnatural interference bastardizes
the system. In order to maintain business the manufacturers must do what allows them to
remain competitive and optimize their own intrinsic value. If we jeopardize competition
through a drastic raise in wages we will most reasonably lose the mills that make this
town great. Any worker whose view on the strike is so narrow and self-centered that this
fundamental principle is trimmed from sight will surely doom our town and therefore
themselves. As a wise manufacturer stated, Paterson is silk, and silk is Paterson
(Doherty). We must maintain this mentality to insure that all of our citizens keep their
jobs. We cant focus on what solely best for ourselves, or for the workers, but also for
citizens such as Eddie Brown and Teresa Pallozzi. We realize full cooperation is the only
way this process can end beneficially for all parties involved. Both manufacturers and
weavers must give up their pride, and meet diplomatically to tease out what is truly
important for each group.
Economic systems are inherently self-correcting when outside factors dont
interfere. Implying that all in all justice and equality will prevail in the long run if left
undisturbed. The use of foreign unions, and their diatribes against us manufacturers does
this city nothing but add vitriol to our peaceful city. In open forum Elizabeth Gurley
Flynn has stated that the IWW is willing to use violence in order to achiever their goals
(Gurley Flynn). Now does that sound a neighborly thing to do? Such shortsighted views
like that should stay out of Paterson. The IWWs only goal is to pit our families against
each other in order to achieve their ulterior goals. The IWW prides themselves on
creating individuals into one (ICC). They take away your uniqueness then move to the
next town. Paterson has no greater meaning to them. The manufacturers and weavers of
Paterson have to live with the affects. Us manufacturers have the business expertise that
helped build this city, what good does it do to destroy it. Please listen to our logic and
avoid the outside fallacies that will be flaunted to you.
If you seek to turn your back on Paterson please then, flee to the nearest adjacent
state. Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, the silk weavers in those states work longer
hours and only make 70 cents on the dollar in comparison to the gracious Paterson wages
(Wages and Hours, 183). In hindsight the grass has never been greener on the other side.
We are on our side and want a compromise to be achieved as much as you workers do.
There is a quote that I will leave you with. It is a truth that shows our willingness for
creating a fair but incentivized environment for all. Come back to work, and let us
Patersonians discuss the future on peaceful terms. No society can surely be flourishing
and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable, Adam
Smith.

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Viner, Jacob. "Adam Smith and Laissez Faire." Journal of Political Economy 35.2
(1927): 198.
After reading several articles about the doctrines of Adam Smith I came across this
journal entry from 1927. This secondary source in the Journal of Political Economy,
discusses how Adam Smith viewed the success of capitalism in an economy. It supports
my argument by giving me insight on how laissez faire allows for self correction of the
economy and provides individuals with incentive to work and stimulate progress. This
view seems to be in strong correlation with what the manufacturers goals would be. The
article specifically discusses these matters in respect to worker strikes because that was a
common implication of laissez faire in the era that the journal was published. Also it
made me aware of some Adam Smith quotes that I would like to incorporate into my
speech.

"The IWW and the Failure of Revolutionary Syndicalism in the USA, Part II."
International Communist Current. <http://en.internationalism.org/ir/125-iww>.
This secondary source is an analysis of the IWW and specifically their decline of
influence. In order for the manufacturers to pick apart the opposition they must know of
historical weak spots that the IWW had. This article shows how the IWW was hesitant
on large issues and lacked cutting edge radicalism that let them fall behind. The group
was heavily focused on One Big Union, but failed to actually bind workers together
nationwide in a proletariat uprising. They would pursue individual uprisings sometimes
to no avail. This source provides helpful propaganda for the speech.

In Class statements:
Doherty, Henry Paterson is silk, and silk is Paterson19 Oct 2014. Tweet.
Gurley Flynn, Elizabeth We are not opposed to using violence 23 Oct 2014. Spoken.
This primary source is a documentation of statements of classmates during the in class
simulations. The use of these statements allows me to build a stronger argument against
my opposition using their own words. Throughout my essay I quote different speakers at
different times. Some of these are quoted directly through twitter, while others are
quoted through rough recollections of in class statements.

Wages and Hours of Labor in the Cotton, Woolen, and Silk Industries. Washington:
Govt. Print. Off., 1913. Print.
This primary source is a collection of labor statistics about silk mills in 1913. The
department of labor, which adds to the legitimacy, collected these numbers. It is helpful
because it gives me an accurate representation of working conditions, and how much we
should negotiate. It also allows me to undermine the workers view that the Paterson
wages were too low.