The record-union., 1891-09-08
PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
c. NJ. Harrison Delivers an Eloquent
Address.

c. NJ. Harrison Delivers an Eloquent
Address.
Mr.. Harrison, as President of the Day,
made the opening address, and he was in
| terrupted several times by cheers. He
spoke as follows:
Friends and F'eIl0w-citi-ens [ will
not attempt to give full expression to the
pride and satisfaction | feel at being Sc
lected to preside over such a large and
enthusiastic meeting of my fellow labor
| ers on the occasion of the first observance
of Labor Day in he Capitol City Of Cali
fornia. This day has been set apart as
the laborer's holiday, on which to lay be-
fore the world his expressions and his
wrongs, his desires and his hopes.
We, who represent almost every use
ful calling in this glorious common
wealth, are here to advocate the right of
every man who tolls to a just proportion
Of the profits of his labor, to ask that as
mechanical inventions and
LABoR-sAvING MACHINERY
Increase the rapidity with which work is
accomplished, the hours of toll shall be
shortened, until every man who desires
employment can find something to do.
That none shall be permitted to labor
from the moment when jOcund day
stands tip-tOe on the misty mountain
top, until night has let her sable curtain
down and pinned it with a STAR" while
others are searching in vain for a reason
able days employment at a reasonable
days compensation.
We believe there is something wrong
in social or governmental system where
III a few years one man can pile up for
tune of fifty to hundred millions. while
those upon whose toll he has risen can
scarcely take a weeks recreation in a
year But we are law-abiding citizens,
70 lSyI,l Il IL,
by lawful means. 1t is useless at this
time to urge the necessity of labor organ
IZatlonS. Their utility and necessity is
admitted by every man whose judg-
ment is
NOT WARPED BY PREJUDICE
Or blinded by personal considerations.
By close organization and federation of
the Varions branches OF skilled labor we
nave been able to avoid many disagree
ments and strikes, and when trouble does
come we have relegated brute force to the
limbo of the past, and use with ten-fold
effect the more civilized and humane
weapon OF public opinion, relying upon
the righteous and just Judgment of our
fellow-cltiZens for the vindication of our
cause. So long as labor organizations are
governed in this manner-asking nothing
but what is just-they cannot fail of sue
cess. Their underlying principle is most
ably defined by the old illustration of the
bundle of sticks. Separated each can be
easily broken-united giants strength
may be eXerted in vain to DESTROY them.
one trade or occupation standing alone
may be easily defeated, but with a fedora
ton of trades and Just cause there can
be no such thing as fail.
While labor unions are opposed to
strikes, yet in support of their rights.
when all reasonable efforts at compro-
mise have failed, they stand ready to re-
sort TO this remedy in self defense. A
trades union that will not strike when;ne-
ccssiJy demands would be as useless as A
military company that would not fight in
defense of its fiag.
The gathering of to-day possesses no
party or religious significance. Side bv
side march Republican and Democrat.
Greenbackers and Citizens Alliance adj
herents. Protestants and Catholics, Jews,
Freethinkers and Agnostics stand shoul-
der to shoulder in our ranks; vet to say
that there Is no political lesson to be
drawn from this gathering Of the sons of
toll would be a miSstatement. If rightly
interpreted it means that they are awaken
ing to a fuller realization of their duties
TO themselves and to their country as
good citizens that it is their individual
duty to Judge. each one for himself as to
what is the best governmental policy to
be pursued and who are the most fit men
TO be placed In positions of public trust
and responsibility, and after having salts
fed his mind and conscience of these
facts it is his inalienable right and duty
to cast his ballot according to his own
judgment, and not at the dictates of the
man or corporation by whom he is en-
ployed. 1t also means that the time has