The herald., 1897-09-07
BRYAN SPEAKS AT ST. LOUIS
TO 4 BIG AND ENTHUSIASTIC
CROWD
A Plain Statement Of the Needs Of
Labor and the Methods Of
Filling Them

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Sept. 6.-The feature
Of the Labor day celebration in this city
today was an address by Hon. W. J..
Bryan at Concordia park. The biggest
crowd ever seen in the park greeted the
speaker. His speech throughout was
enthusiastically applauded. Previous to
the meeting Mr.. Bryan reviewed a
parade of $1,000 laboring men.
Mr.. Bryan spoke in part as follows:
while find pleasure in participating
in the exercises of this day am also
actuated by sense Of duty, because the
observance of Labor day affords me an
opportunity for the discussion Of those
questions which especially concern the
producers Of wealth.
"In a pamphlet written by dis
tinguished New York banker find the
assertion that the prosperity Of farmers
and laborers depends upon the prosperity
of the business men. So long as one re-
tains such an idea he is certain to enter
tain erroneous views upon social and po-
litical questions All of the literary,
profe ssional and commercial classes will
find, upon investigation, that they rest
upon those whose brain and muscle con-
vert the natural resources of the coun-
try into material wealth. Not only
must any real prosperity begin with
those who toll, but the nations progress
toward higher civilization must be meas
ured by the progress made by the pro-
ducing classes. Under every form of
government 1t has been possible to ap-
point few persons possessed of means
and refinement, but it is the average
progress. not the progress Of the few.
that must be considered. The improve
ment to be hoped for must come from ef-
forts outside OF politics. Mental dis
cipline, moral training, habits Of industry
and economy, all have their part in i'm
proving the general condition Of our peo-
pie, and yet the influence Of legislation
must not be overlooked.
"a form of government like ours makes
| it possible for the people to have such
legislation as they desire, but even then
! it is possible for few persons to over
reach the people as whole. The well
fare Of the people must be sought, not in
the securing of special privileges to them
selves, but in the denying Of special privi-
leges to any one.
1.-The labor organization has been one
Of the most potent influences in improv-
ing the condition Of the wage-earenr
Labor organizations are almost entirely
responsible for the fact that skilled labor
wages have not fallen as much as prices,
although they have not always sue
ceeded in keeping employment up to
full time.
while giving to these organizations
credit for what they have done, it is
only fair to suggest that neither labor
organizations nor any other form Of pro-
lection can secure to labor permanent
| immunity If the general level Of prices
continues to fall. The idle man Is the
menace to the man who has employ
ment, and the number of idle men must
necessarily increase if We have money
system which constantly raises the
value of the dollar and constantly lowers
the market value of the products of
labor. Arbitration of differences between
large corporations and their employees Is
one of the political reforms most needed
| by wage-earners Until arbitration is
secured the strike is the only way within
reach of labor. Society at large Is inter-
ested in the application Of arbitration In
the differences which arise from time to
time between corporations and their
employees.
"Laboring people have a special inter-
est just now in securing relief from what
is aptly described as government by
injunction The extent to which the
writ of injunction has been abused with
in recent years has aroused hostility
which is almost universal. 1t is only
question Of time when government by
injunction will be cured by legislation.
The main purpose of the writ of injunc-
tion is to avoid trial by jury. Trial by
jury is more important to the American
people today than it ever was before
in our nations history. 1t was originally
intended as protection against So
ciety and it is today the main protec-
ton the people have against plutocracy
which is to this country what royalty is
under a monarchical form Of govern
ment."
Tonight the illustrious champion of
the silver cause was given reception at
the Jeffersonian club. At least 5000 peo
Pile attended during the evening, and
many Of these were given an opportun-
ity of meeting Mr. Bryan.
ALTGELD'S ADDRESS
PHILADELPHIA Sept. 6-Ex-Go
ernor John p A1tgeld of Illinois ad-
dressed an audience of about 1000 people
at Washington park today. His subject
was "Municip.i and Government Own
ership, and Government by Injunction. ;"
The event which brought the ex-gove~-
nor here was the Labor day cele bra tion
by the United Labor league of this city
President Ernest Kreft occupied the
chair and made the opening address
He then introduced Mr.. Altgeld, who
said that, "aside from the financial ques-
ton. the most serious problem that con-
fronts the American people today is that
of rescuing their cities, their state and
federal government, including the feder-
al judiciary, from absolute control of
corporate monopoly
"A PATRIOTIC PARADE
KANSAS CITY. MO-. Sept. 6.-Kansas
City's worhnsmen. 5000 strong. marched