Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-07
BRYAN AT ST. LOUIS.
HIs ADDRESS THE CHIEF FEATURE
OF LADoR-DAY CELEBRATION.
1HE BASIS OF PROSPERITY.
II Rests Upon Those who Convert
the Natural Resources of the Coun-
try Into Material Wealth-''Gov-
eminent by Injunction"

ST. LOUIS. MO-. September 6-The fea-
ture OF the Labor-Day celebration In this
city to-day was an address by Hon. w.
crowd ever seen In the park greeted the
speaker. His speech throughout was en-
Enthusiastically applauded. Previous to the
meeting Mr.. Bryan reviewed a parade OF
1000 laboring men. Mr.. Bryan spoke in
part as follows:
While / find pleasure in participating
In the exercises OF this day. I 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 writ
ten by distinguished New York banker
/ find The assertion that the prosperity OF
farmers Snd laborers depends upon the
prosperity OF the businessman. SO long
as one entertains such an idea he is GER
tain TO entertain erroneous views on
social and political questions. All of the
literary, professional, and commercial
classes will find upon Investigation that
they rest upon those whose brain and
muscle convert the natural resources OF
the country into material wealth. Not
only must any real prosperity begin with
those who toll but the nations progress
toward higher civilization must be mea-
sured by the progress made by the pro-
ducing classes. Under every form Of gov
eminent IL has been possible to point
few persons possessed Of meanes and re-
finement, but IL Is the average progress
not the progress of the few, that must
be considered The Improvement to be
hoped for must come from efforts on your
side Of politics.
Mental discipline, moral training
habits of industry and economy, all nave
their part in improving the general cohui-
ton of our people. and yet the influence
OF legislation must not be overlooked. a
form of government like ours makes IL
possible for the people to have such
legislation as they desire, but even then
II is possible for a few persons to over
reach the people as a whole. The welfare
of the people must be sought, not In the
securing of special privileges to them
selves, but the denying of special privl-
leges to any one.
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
Labor organizations have been one OF
the most potent influences In behalf OF
the wage-earners. Labor organizations
are responsible for the fact that skilled
labor wages have not fallen as much as
prices. although they have not always
succeeded In keeping employment up 10
full time. The Idle man is
menace to the man who has employment
and the number OF idle men must neces-
sarily increase IL we have money sys-
tenn which constantly raises the value OIL
the dollar and constantly lowers the
market value of the products OF labor
Arbitration Of differences between iarse
corporate employers and their employees
is one Of the political reforms most need-
ed by wage-earners. untll arpi'ia-
ton Is secured the strike Is the only
weapon within the reach OF labor. So
cietv at large is interested I'm the applica-
ton of the principle of arbitration to the
differences which arise from time TO time
between corporations and employees.
I.aborjng people have special interest
iust now in securing relief from what
is aptIy described as government by in
junction" The extent to which the writ
OF Injunction has been abused I'm recent
wears 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 injunction Is to
avoid trials by jury. Trial by jury is
more important to the American people
to-day than 1t ever was before In our
nations history 1t was originally in
tended as protection against royalty.
and 1t is to-day the main protection the
people have against plutocracy which Is
TO the country what royalty Is under a
monarchial form of government.
Tonight the champion OF the silver
cause was given @ reception at the JEFF
ferson Club. At least 5000 people at
tended, and many Of these were given an
opportunity of meeting Mr.. Bryan.