The Greenville times., 1894-09-01

ia issO and Is now beginning his third term
discovery Of America, as on 70 os
observed by the people by public DOM
onstrations, and suitable exercises 10
the schools and other places. These
are the only national holidays pro
vided for by congress outside Of this
latest addition to the list. II is OBJ
jected by some that the putting Of
the day on the plane of the Others
mentioned in the act Is misleading
since none Of them isa national holi-
dnv In q technical sense. Thev ara
made holidays by state law or by na.
tional enactment limited in its applI
cation to the District of Columbia
Even Thanksgiving day, though desig.
mated by the president, becomes pub
lie holiday only by state legislation
providing that any day designated by
president or governor as q day Of
Thanksgiving shall be public holiday.
Some states, including Pennsylvania,
already have a Labor day Of their own,
set apart by state legislation. and have
chosen the first Saturday in September
rather than the FIRST Monday as being
more suitable TO the laboring classes
WHO get holiday at the end of tho
weeks work rather than the beginning.
The question arises in such cases: Have
these states now two Labor days or
shall the federal holiday take pre-
cedence over that OF the common.
wealth? Achange In the state laws
to conform with the new conditions
may be expected next winter in these
states.
The setting apart Of holiday for
labor celebrations is due perhaps more
TO the Knights Of Labor than any one
organization. The celebrations are
nearly always held under the auspices
Of this body, although there Is gen.
orally u hearty cooperation on the part
Of other societies of workingmen and
those Interested In their cause. The
late head Of the order, I. " Powderly,
was its enthusiasts supporter for
years A
The Labor day Observance il not
similar to that of any other holiday.
II approaches the Fourth of July, but
Is without the hilarity and exuberance
Of that occasion. There Is an under
tone Of seriousness that tells of the
earnestness Of the cause Of the work.
ingman and shows the Importance OF
his interests in the development Of
American civilization.
The chief feature Of the day Is .
parade-but it is not procession de
voted to drum majors and bunting. 10
Is more In the nature of a trades dis
ply In which every avocation Is repre-
sented by workmen busy at their va
rious trades Then there is big pic.
mic dinner and later the speeches,
which are far more important por-
tion of the programme than In most
other holidays In the addresses there
has often been tendency TO a radical
presentation of the cause of the work.
men, and the occasion has sometimes
been taken advantage of by reckless
agitators who have seized the opportu'
nifty to express nn-American and un'
patriotic ideas.
While it is perhaps true that some
what extreme ideas are more readily
received than upon occasions like In
dependence day It Is not generally done
without disapprobation, and with tbs
day made rest day for the whole ma
tion instead of for particular class Oh
section, its observance will become fal
more broad and less marred by any ex
preston tending to arouse antagonisn
between the toilers and any other clas
whatever.
The significance Of the day is far
reaching, and the unanimity will
which congress indorsed 1t. the bill
passlng practically without opposition
In either branch of congress, proves tn,
sympathy with which 1t has been re
ceived by those high in authority.
Indications are that It will be NOR
generally observed this year than eve
before in the nations history, and tn
problems that confront labor and hav
received so much discussion during tn
past few months will be PROMINENT.
before the gatherings in every village
: city and hamlet in the nation for SC
luton.
, 1t Is an encouraging sign that labo
, has received this recognition, and tina
: the United States Of America has bee
the FIRST nation on earth to make s
important a concession to the laborin
classes II. Is not only q permanen
concession, for such an enactment ca
!. never be abrogated, but II will,
! rightly used, aid In bringing about
better understanding Of the labor que
: tion, now SO prominent In political an
,. ethical economy the world over.
G. NJ HARGER.
The other night my eyes I shut,