THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR 5

The American Federation of Labor, however, avoids the fatal
rock on which previous organizations, having similar aims, have
split, by simply keeping in view this fundamental principle as a
landmark, which none but the most infatuated would have ever
lost sight of.
The rapid and steady growth of the American Federation of
Labor, arising from the affiliation of previously isolated, to-
gether with newly- formed, national unions; the establishment
of local unions of various trades and callings where none be-
fore existed; the spontaneous formation of federal labor unions,
composed of wage-workers following various trades in places
where there are too few persons employed at any particular one
to allow the formation of local unions of those trades, thus fur-
nishing valuable bodies of auxiliaries and recruits to existing
unions upon change of abode; the central labor unions, trade as-
semblies, the citadels of local power; the States' federations for
State legislative advancement, this steady growth is gratifying
evidence of the appreciation of the toilers of this broad land of
a form of general organization in harmony with their most
cherished traditions, and in which each trade enjoys the most
perfect liberty while securing the fullest advantages of united
action.
