The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-09-13
Labor Day.

At the demonstration on Labor Day, at
representative in congress, delivered the fol-
lowing eloquent impromptu speech, which
we especially commend to the attention of
the Labor organizations in this county:
II am surprised to be called upon to adj
dress you," he said, ''but am pleased to
meet with you. l am always proud to as
sociate with the workingmen of the country.
have been gratifed today to witness your
the streets of our beautiful city. so orderly
and grand procession of happy, contented
and prosperous workers. l was also graft
fed to read in the evening papers that the
day has been generally observed all over the
country as q national labor holiday. Com
merce has been temporarily suspended that
the bone and muscle might enjoy day of
rest, and that the organized labor of the
country might pass in review before the
people, giving evidence of the advance made
by wage-wOrkers within the last few years.
In what pn lful contrast to this celebration
today was~that tired march of idle men in
London yesterday-150, 900 starving men
marching the streets of London, demanding
but the right to earn their bread. How
strange it seems to us in this land of plenty,
that such an army of men should be COM
PEELED to take this step Of last resort the
strike, to secure an advance of 1 cent an
hour. While you are rejoicing today, men,
in your prosperity, don't forget these men
on the other side of the water, who need
your prayers.
have just returned from an annual re-
view of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and as l witnessed your procession today l
was reminded that you are perpetuating the
work that those boys i'm blue did in '61 and
'65. They preserved this nation and digni-
fed labor by setting free 100000 slaves.
You are taking up their work and develop
ing the resources of this great country for
the glory and benefit of all. They saved
the nation and II is your proud privilege to
secure its prosperity.
A government of the people b1t carries
out its destiny which is truly founded on
the love of the people, and where all classes
have equal rights under the law. There
must be equal justice or government by
the people will fail. Equal rights means
equal privileges and no favored classes.
The same laws for the rich and poor and no
class legislation, as it is hostile to the best
interests of free nation. My platform Is
one nation, one flag, one set of laws for all
and special legislation for none. Equal JUS
tice is the inaiienable right of every Ameri-
can citizen. and il Is the corner stone of
this Republic.
There is no need for alarm for the future
of any nation which is grounded on the
patriotism of the people, and the demon
stration Of today, which gave the American
flag the post of honor everywhere shows
Ial
to the nation which has already existed over
hundred years in the hearts and affections
of the people. Every true-hearted Ameri-
can must have been proud of the patriotism
everywhere visible in tOday's magnificent
celebration of Labor day."
We also commend to the attention of our
readers the following sketch from the North
western Lumberman of the business enter
prises in which Col. Bliss and his family
friends are engaged, all Of which is largely
in the interest of the wage-earners:
''The Bliss family is another eminently
successful family I'm the lumber business.
Col. A. L. Bliss and his brother, DIR. l.. w.
Bliss, have resided here many years.
They operate large mill at Carrolton, and
are interested i'm the firm of j. w. q K. s.
Bliss, Milwaukee, operating mill and salt
works; with G. s. Bliss Il Co., operating q
saw mill here. A. u. Bliss, nephew, is a
member of the firm of Bliss q Van Auken,
who purchased the mill property of Geo. Il.
Williams n Bros, few months ago. This
winter this firm will build a planning mill,
and will handle its stock In the car trade,
operating lumber yard I'm connection.
The members of the Bliss family are among
the best people Of the Saginaws, and most
successful business men. Col. A. L. Bliss
is attending the national encampment al
Milwaukee this week. He is warm per-
sonal friend of Gen. Alger, and has been
interested In number of successful deals
with the ex-governor. This winter Col.
Bliss will occupy seat in the national house
of representatives, to which he was elected
last fall.v