The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-07
THE MANY CELEBRATE.
Labor Day Exercises at Virginia Beach
We're Very Largely Attended.
THE SPEECH OF Mr.. FRANK MORRISON
Secretary of the American Federation
of Inbor.-Khe Leo Rifles win the
Ftrss Prize Against tho Portmouth
Hines--EShibition ofI.ong Distance
swimming Award Of Prizes.

Labor Lay, as celebrated at Virginia
Beach yesterday by the various unions
ot Norfolk. Portsmouth and vicinity
Will 80 down into history as the most
successful in every way, and one of
the most pleasant ever experienced by
the sons Of toll in this part of the coun-
try.
The day was an ideal one and was
generally taken advantage of. Hundreds
or people poured into the city from all
points OF the compass, but the largest
contingent came from Richmond whose
many unions were all well represented
toth the Chesapeake and Ohio and the
Norlolk ans Western railways ran large
excursions 20 Richmond ut least five
hundred NorfollSiaus going up. but
this did not dotract from the attendance
at the Beach.
AN IMMENSE pIIRONG.
The Norfolk, Virginia Beach and
Southern railway had secured twenty
live extra ears from the Norfolk and
western people. and these. with their
o~n splendid equipment. enabled then.
to handle the immense crowd in n way
that was generally satisfactory ana
which provoked compliment on all
sides. General Passenger Agent, MIR. II
ii. lannill, and the other efficient OIL
| GERS OF the company had fairly outdune
themselves in their efforts for the ac-
commodation OF the public and the re-
suit was fully appreciated
| Ihe iirst train that went down to the
| Beach carried 4 large crowd, and each
| succeeding train brought a larger. until
| by the time The exercises were begun
there were fully four thousand peoplc
on the grounds, and this number is be-
| llcved TO haVS been nearly doubled he
| fore the last train left the Beach for
| Norfolk.
The Lee Rifles. of Norfolk and the
| Portsmouth Rifles assembled on Com
mercial Place and, headed by Borjes'
military band. in their new uniforms.
marched to The Virginia Beach depot
ana Boarded the $3.50 train, arriving at
the Beach at 3:55 O'clock. The two com
inands were marched upon the parade
| grounds IN front of the pavilion and
were given n rest preparatory to enter
l Ing upon the prize drill
THE EXERCISES.
The programme for the day had been
carefully and intelligcntly constructed
by the efficient committee on arrange
| ments, which consisted Of Messrs Ed
ward keefe. S. j. Hopkins, C. G. kizer,
| Enward Candles, James Carmichael nnd
M. y. Williams.
IL was near 2:30 o'clock when Mr..
James Is. Casey, president of the Cen
| trail Labor Union ana master of cerc-
| monies. who was seated on the band
| stand with the committee of arrange
| ments and Frank Morrison, ESQ, sec
retary of the American Federation of
Labor. arose and called the assemhlagc
! to order. After n few Introductory re-
marks. during which ha stated that Mr..
| William H. Mullen. president OF the
! Static Fcdeution. who was to have been
| ,.l
participating by the unexpected death
! or his daughter, which occurred late
| Saturday afternoon. Mr.. Morrison was
| then introduced. He held his audience
admirably and was IDcrally ana hear
| tily applauded. Mr.. Morrison spoke as
| follows:
THE CAUSE OF LABOR.
Ladies and Gcntlemcn--It is with
| great pleasure that ] stand here on this
| beautiful beach and add my voice in
! the celebration OF this day In every
| State and city of this country simlla,
| celebrations are taking place and trade
unionists are rejoicing over victories
won. and advocating anew those that
| are TO come. Never in the history Of
| the movement have the organizations
been in a better condition TO advance her
lines and establish improved condi-
| tions.
| Based upon the union tho efforts of
| these organizations are collective and
| the results general. not special. Unlike
most kinds Of individual effort the OBJ
| jcct is not to assist men 10 lift them
selves out OF their class, as II they were
| ashamed of it. or as If manual labor
| was Il disgrace, but to raise the class
| itself in physical well being and self-cs-
| timatinn.
| 1t is n mistake 10 say that unions are
the cause of hostility between labor and
| capital; they are the result Of that hos
! tility.
| Jesus Christ would never have been
! crucied If he had confined his teachings
TO theology, but he advocated social re-
forms, rchukcd the rich. denounced the
usury and scourgcd the thieves from
| the temple and dignifcd labor.
- am not one OF these who believe
| in trade unions" says the Bishop of
| Manchester, but they We're forced upon
the wage earners by the incqui;able
| treatment OF capital.
Every union formed has been for self
| protection against the greed OF the
| employer.
AS MORRISON SEES TT.
| Labor Is free says the subsidized press.
! Yes. labor is free to fight the battles.
pay the taxes and produce the wealth :
| labor is free to pay trust prices for
food. pay tribute to Shyiocks, and beg
for leave TO toll; labor Is free to work
for what she can get, to live in tene-
ment houses. in back alleys, and vote
| the monopoly ticket or he discharged:
! free to starve: free TO die and free to
I'LL place in the potters field. Shades
| OF Patrick Henry, what freedom!
The question Is asked what can a
wage Garner dc to better his condition .?
| My anSMec would DE ioin q mninn of