The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-02
lCopyright. 1870.

eTS
Copyright, 1894.
New York, Sept The unusually
great scale on which Labor day is to be
celebrated this year gives special interest
to the following opinions. This is the
first year of the national industrial holi-
day. it having heretofore been observed
under state laws, according to which the
first day of September. the first Satur-
dav of that month, and the first Monday
have been variously set apart. 1t is
highly desirable that unanimity be at
tanned.
1t will be observed that Henry w. Can
non, from a great financial standpoint,
deems the immediate future of Labor day
very encouraging. Samuel Gompers pre-
sents the industrial view in his usual able
way Mgr. Thomas J. Ducy the ardent
friend of the working classes, has some
forciOle words on the hardShips of labor
under existing industrial conditions.
Various labor leaders throughout the
country, who have a word to say, are
likewise quoted.
SAMUEL GoSIPERs GIVES HIS VIEWS.
Labor day comes this year with various
changes in the industrial situation
brought about by causes, however, that
are special rather than general. That is.
acter, however events may have modified
its aspect. The needs of the cOuntry's
wage earners are as urgent now as they
have been heretofore. The evils attend
ant upon the injustice TO labor embodied
in our social system have been in no way
mitigated. Rather, they have in many
cases been increased.
But it is the prospects before labor on
the approach of its great holiday that are
of chief concern now. The passage of the
tariff bill, like the enactment of nearly all
measures ostensibly for the general good,
will have injured to the advantage of
special classes long before il becomes the
turn of the wage Garner to share in such
advantages (if advantages there be- as
may be left.
This is indeed a time in which we hear
much OF the wrongs and of the rights of
labor. The workingman, nevertheless,
sesms to remain pretty much where his
non-toiling friends first found him,
except where he has himself set to
work to carve out his own destiny.
IT is 10 a perception of this fact on
the part of the wage Garner that we owe
that unwillingness on his part to entrust
his destiny to friends who, however well
disposed they may be, can hardly know
his needs as well as he himself knows
them. 1t is surprising that this circum-
stance is not more understood than it is.
The workingman is not child who must
have his way pointed out TO him. Labor
is independent, seH-reliant and able to
take care of itself when there is a fair
field and no favor. Unfortunately a fair
field and no favor is the great lack just
now.
Labor day, then, witnesses a great re-
solve of the wage Garner to act for him
self He win take independent political
action, and this fall and winter endeavor
TO send workingmen TO represent him in
Ill L. L.
ahillatlcn with any political party that
industrial emancipation is TO be won. The
workingman must have his own class
movement. The great evolution that is
to transform our social system and finally
abolish wage slavery must be accom-
plished by the working man. And he will
never accomplish these things by asking
others to begin. If you want a thing
done, do it yourself" is as true in the
cause of industrial democracy as in any
other concern of life.
For the rest, Labor day will this year
be celebrated with unwonted vim and en-
thusiasm. All over the land organized
workingmen are making ready TO cele-
brate their holiday. There will be open
demonstrations, speech making and a dis
play of interest never equalled, probably,
siuce Labor day was instituted.
And the future2 | deem it encouraging
Labor has, it is true, met reverses at the
uduuS OIL capital, UuU inc COuulCb mas
not been one sided, and above all we
have the future. Every day sees more
general perception of the truth in
our country that if we would remain
free at all we must once for all put down
that form of slavery which is more insid-
lOuS than that abolished by LincOln-in-
dustrial servitude.
And that labor will do this there cannot
be the shadow of doubU.
The industrial situation, while serious
enough 10 warrant the apprehension of
all who have any interest in the welfare
OF their country, is by no means compli-
Gated as too many affect to think by the
attitude of labor, but that of capital is
precipitating the conflicts which culmi-
nate periodically in scenes such as so
recently drew the worlds attention to
Chicago. These scenes were, indeed, fore
told. AS far back as 1888 l took occasion
to say in report to the American Fedora
ton of Labor, that no man who has given
the question of strikes and the labor
movement any thought can look upon
strikes with favor, but to be continually
condemning them is entirely another
thing. To know when to strike and
PARTICULARLY when not to strike is
science not yet fully understood. To
strike upon falling market, or being in
sufficiently organized, or if organized,
not properly equipped with the
ammunition SO necessary to a sue
cessful strike-funds-is unquestionably
the hight of ignorance The story of
the strikes that may have failed of
their immediate objects, yet have pre-
vented reductions in wages and worse
conditions, will probably never be en-
urely told. Mounting condemnation of
strikes, we find by experience, does not
abolish or even reduce their numb Der. AS
consistent opponent of strikes,
though, | do find that those organizations
Of labor which have best provided them
selves with the means TO strike have con-
Mnually less occasion to indulge in them.
Inc most potent factor to prevent or re-
ouce the number of strikes is well organ
lled trade union, with a full treasury
ready TO strike should the necessity arise.
IL was a Detroit labor convention that
ahorded me an opportunity for impress
ing upon the minds of working people
the absolute necessity that they should
keep in view that it is not buster nor os-
tenlation that will win victories for
lhem. Such organizations of labor
may at times win victories from
employers but they are generally of a
Tansitory character. We must not only
De right, but have the power 10 enforce
mat right. There is no argument so
potent with unwilling or unfair employ