Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-02

blies belonging to the order were repre-
scented under different names in the Cen
trail Labor Union. On the day in question
the general assembly was convened In the
city, and it's members were invited to re-
view the parade. While the procession was
passing the reviewing stand Robert Price of
then general worthy foreman OF the
Knights of Labor, This Is labor day in
earnest, Uncle Dick" From this the first
Monday in September was perpetually
christened as Labor day. In 1888 the New
York labor organizations paraded on that
day of the week and the month. and in
1884, when the Central Labor Union of New
York was discussing the question Of parad-
ing, George X. Lloyd, Knight of Labor,
moved that the first Monday in September
be formally designated as Labor day. The
resolution was unanimously adopted, and
steps were Immediately taken for the pur-
pose of getting the legislature to enact a
law making Labor day legal holiday for
ever.
1t Spread Rapidly.
The movement was quickly successful in
New York state. and from there it extend ed
to other states with gratifying results. and
at last received national recognition by its
adoption in the District of Columbia, as
described in the opening paragraph Of this
article. The first Monday in September is
also celebrated as Labor day in Alabama,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas Maine.
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mis-
souri,, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee,
Texas and Washington The first Mon
day of October is Labor day in Cal
ifornia and in Louisiana; the 18th
Of November Is the date on which cities
with a population of 100000 or more OBJ
serve the holiday. In Wisconsin the day is
designated by the governor of the state. 1t
! will be seen that no less than twenty
seven of the states of the Union have
| designated Labor day by legislative en-
actment or otherwise as a legal holt
| day. In New York measure was
first introduced which recognized and
| while Oregon was the first to make such a
measure law.
| In Europe the 1st of May is universally
| adopted as a day on which to discuss the
! ay be regarded as Labor day there
There are also many trades unions parades
| in the cities and towns of the United
| States on the list of May, but this habit
| does not in any way interfere with the
! labor observance Of the legal Labor day
| holiday.
What Labor Day Means.
Properly understood" wrote Mr.. T. "
! Powderly, recently, Labor day is a day or
| which all that is ambitious, noble, lofty
! and grand in the nature of the workman
| should be appealed to. Those who discuss
! the questions Of the hour before meetings
| of industrialists that day should BIZ
neutrality-suspicious. of the gospel of hu
| mainly and its needs, not mammon and it,
| greedS. 1t Is their duty to teach doctrine
| of independence of thought and action t.
| the industrian. The rights of man to the
earth and it's products, the rights of mar
| to all that labor creates, and the duty o.
| the industrian as self-reliant either
| should all occupy the thought of the speak
er, and be the theme of his discourse
1 a do to %
recreation and education The physical IL
man is to rest while the mental is to be i'm
| proved The day is to be celebrated not i,
honor of any one man living or dead, bu
In honor of and by living, throbbing, pull
sating humanity, whose needs stand highe
| than respect for the memory of the dead O
| regard for their wishes. Today, tomorrow
the future, are all before us on Labor day
| or these We think, talk, and for these w
| work. That which will best serve the liv
ing men and women of today and the fu
tire should receive the careful attention O
all who take part in honoring that great
est of all factors in mfnistering to the goo
of the world-labor.
so far Labor day is am experiment
| Whether 1t shall continue as a day on wic
the duties of citizenship shall be taught
| the needs of living humanity discussed an
the duties we owe to the millions who vii
| come upon the earth to make or mar It
future shall be considered, remains to b
| seen. From a position of mental servitud
| workman has advanced to higher altitude
In mental and physical freedom. From
| servitude in which he could, without ques
ton. be killed for the amusement of hi
| aster, the workman has emerged, an
now he stands free from every thrall say
his own prejudices of creed. of craft, O
politics and of race If Labor day Is OF
served as it ought to be, the gospel of hu
mainly will be understood by all men an
women there will be no slaves to en-
plcyer. party. boss. or creed. Love tn
neighbor as myself though he bow not be
fore the same altar. Do unto your neigs
bor as you would have your neighbor q
unto you will have meaning not now III
derstood as they should be this side of tn
portals where eternity begins and God rule
In the presence Of those He calls froI
earth.
Antiquity OF Trades Grsnniza tons.
at is said that organizations of labor e>
fsted at the time of the erection of Sole
mons Temple. The craftsmen employe
upon that structure were banded togethe
in something akin to a trades union. an
were enabled to make themselves undel
stood by each other through the use {
mystic signs and cabalistic symbols, whic
conveyed no meaning to their master
/ Trades unions fourished SO long ago ths
no trace of their origin can be followe
. with any degree of accuracy. The skille
L III