Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-09-03
ANOTHER HOLIDAY.


neighboring cities told of the general /
observance throughout the country of
September as Labor Day. What Is
better. the indications to that day
being made a national and state holt I
day. such holiday would mean
something of value TO the working
men, Not only would il be largely a
dav If relaxation from the cares and
burdens of life for them. but it would
he something like proper recognition
of the dignity and Importance of
labor. The tendency has been too
much toward the depression of the
social standing of labor in the eyes of
tho public as compared with the pro
fessions and more especially as com
pared with wealth This should not
be So. for the consummation Of such /
a'condition would have disastrous
effect upon public economy and would
seriously and dangerously effect ST.
ciety by the discomfort that would be
produced among the laboring classes,
and il would create an ascendency of
professional aristocracy and capitals
tie plutocracy shamefully at variance
with our republican institutions.
-
All Of the really great men of this
nation and notably the immortal and
pathetic Lincoln. have ever declared
that labor is above wealth, because
there could be no wealth without Ia
Dor. Hence whatever shall elevate
labor in the estimation Of the masses
and accord to the toilers equal respec-
liability and position in society and the
privileges that result from community,
placing them alongside Of our most
useful professions and other vacations
should be encouraged and Labor Day
offers an opportunity for effort in that
direction.
One Of the greatest mistakes in our
civilization is in according to men and
women high positions on account of
wealth. 1t matters not how low in
the scale Of moral or intellectual
worth one may be, wealth undeserv-
edly eleyates to position. and at the
same time everyone is ready To admit
that the true measure OF worth and
the true test for position should be
the ability and disposition To benefit
the community. the public. humanity.
~
The worship of wealth and the
empty power of guld-a power that
labor always has the strength To SUI
percede if it should choose to do
So-cannot live in land like
this: nor indeed in any other
land without bringing disaster sooner
or later. These dangerous influences
may in comparatively new country
like this republic for time, but from
il society must recede to first and cor
rect principles. else this republican
social and political system will fail
just as it has always failed under all
ever. by the degradation Of labor. q
great chasm has become apparent
between capital and labor: between
employer and employe. Some of th'
most honored and distinguished mel
of this nation who are not mere politi
clans but statesmen and latter-da,
philosophers have plainly pointed GU
the great dangers suggested and whicl
for the present are increasing will
startling rapidly, though Labor Da
presents a more cheerful outlook.
-
Seyenty-five per cent. Of our peopl
are represented in the field of labor
and according to our demo-republical
principles it has right 10 a very larg
share in the councils Of government
and in the establishment of the IN
written rules that govern society an
community. IL we arbitrarily refus
to accord them those rights their nun
bers will some day enforce thei
claims. Labor protects wealth an
defends the government and withou
il wealth could not accumulate or III
government exist. 1t has rights whic
other men should respect, and thos
who are within its ranks and tho'
without should become better az
quainted with each other and learn
realize that all men were created equa
that moral worth, not money. maxi
the man and that the best interests
the whole community will be su
served 10y a greater respect for the 5
cial standing Of the labor elements.
~
In view of these facts it hecom
the duty Of every good citizen to gi'
aid in making Labor Day a matter
general public interest, an event On
will bring nearer together and in