The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-05
Twenty Thousand Chicago Working
Labor Topics and Patriotism.
SOME LESSONS OF THE PAST
WORK OF EARLY STATESMEN RE-
VIEWED BY oHIo's EXECUTIVE
Washington's Struggle and Final
the Capitals OF Europe.

CHICAGO July 4-The joint picnic OF the
American Federation or Labor and OF the
Chicago Trades and Labor Assembly, at
Sharpshooters Park. the leading fea-
ture OF Chicago's celebration OF the Fourth.
In point Of attendance. at least. il topped
all the others. fully twenty thousand pco-
pie being on the ground TO listen 20 the
addresses made by Vice President Steven
son and Governor Mckinley. OF Ohio. Thorn
as j. Elderkin. vice president of the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor presided over the
speechmaking part OF the programme. In a
few words he introduced Vice President
Stevenson. who was greeted with enthasi-
astic applause as he stepped forward. Mr.
stevenson spoke for over an hour. In clos
ing, he said:
The century just closing has witnessed
an enlightened, a humane public sentiment,
in recognition OF the rights and dignity OF
labor, crystallized into law. The historian
hume, in speaking of the condition OF the
Engilsh law century ago. says: The law
prevented the laboring classes of the CON-
munity from combining together against
Der, were powerful i'm wealth. and might
combine against them. ana determine not
TO give them certain sum for their labor
Another English writer says OF his own
country: Down TO the year 1924 two or
three workingmen could not meet together.
though never so quietly, TO settle the wages
-.
without committing offense i'm the eyes
OF the law, for which they were punished
lhe keynote TO what we to-day behold
are the words of Adam Smith. Labor was
the first price. the original purchase money
paid for all things In this land OF nber-
". by earnest and intelligent discussion. by
freedom or thought OF cooperation, OF or
ganizatiOn and OF action, labor has re-
ceived recognition. Here il has been clearly
established that the true relation of en-
pioyer and employed is not a confiict-but
an absolute identity OF interests. In de-
termination of the rights of each the pfin-
ciple in action is-justice- What the closing
century has achieved for labor is its crown
ITO day, my feilow-citzens. enjoying lib
er;y an the largest degree in this favored
land. our thoughts turn to unfortunate Ire
land, the ancestral home OF many OF
our countrymen. Oppressed by merciless
exactions, with cruel landlordlsm the heri-
tage Of each succeeding generation. yet
struggling against odds for a larger meas
ure oil freedom, Ireland challenges at once
our sympathy and our admiration. May we
not believe that the morning of brighter
day is soon to dawn upon that gallant
oppression, OF suffering and OF toll. will be
TO them, as IL has been TO US, individual
freedom and home rule.
I'VE have entered upon the second GEN.
tury OF our national life. God grant that
we. and those who succeed us. may not
before. That we may not be unnlindful OF
the sublime lessons or the past. Then may
we be assured that the bright which
ushers In the third century OF this Republic
will look down upon people happy and
prosperous, whose hearts are grateful TO
ened were counted worthy TO be named with
these who founded this government.