The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-06
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
LABOR DAY.

LABOR DAY.
Not for many years has labor cele-
brated its especial occasion OF rejoicing
under more propitIous conditions than to-
day II il only the beginning Of a period
OF Industrial activity such as this country
has never before seen. but even at this
inelpient stage the occasion is In marked
contrast 10 that OF year ago. Thou
sands Of men who despaired Of getting
enough 10 provide food for their families
last year copyrighted idly at the corners
or hung around the doors OF the closed
and silent mills. Today no man who
is capable and willing can fail to find
employment. IL Is true that too many
have yet had 10 enter upon occupations
requiring less native ability and trained
skill than they are capable of affording.
and that they are not yet receiving the
compensation 20 which they are entitled.
But the great fear of want has passed
away: old store bills are being liquidated
and the harder is no longer bare.
Prosperity does not only bring food and
clothing for the body. IL exercises a
man. 1t does not only smooth out the
wrinkles of anxiety and exchange COM
Portable raiment for the faded coat; II
puts manhood into the demeanor and
good will into the heart; it stimulates
the mind to new and ingenious devices
and sends the willing blood coursing
through the veins which feed the muscles
and make deft the hand.
Necessity is the mother OF invention.
bat not the necessity of want The ne
eessity meant by the adage is an unsatis-
fed demand. not the eankerIng despair
OF an iIi-fed body and the appeals OF
hungry children. The most skillful work
man and The most ingenious inventor is
TO be found among the 'nourlshed and
wel-pald workmen Of the United States,
o. indeed Of any country. and not
among the half-starved and poorly-paid
pe0ns OF countries where tho struggle
10 get daily food is never ending. begin
miug each morning and knowing no
change Of season or OF quickened indus
try
The great secret % the superiority in
mechanics. Of the greater achievements or
skilled labor In the United States les in
the better social and material condition Of
sts workingrren. Il is objected 70 by the
shcrt-slghted that the higher wages OF
workingmen in This country has produced
an Independence not 10 be found in the
older countries aud that this forms a men
ace TO oer progress. This is not true;
Il IL very FAR from true. IL IS true that
American workingmen are sharper intel
leotuaily. more acute In development and
mare Independent in the maintenance OF
sheir' rights than the laborlng men OF
many other countries. but II strikes and
rloting. distress and contention. are the
only evidences OF menace they are 70 be
found In a far more aggravated form
among those nations where labor IS most
depressed and lie condition most unfav-
orabie
There can be no permanent peace I'm SO
clety nor rapid advancement in mechanics
where the rights Of labor are not duly
recognized. The more generally didused
Is contentmeut among The worklnxmen-
aFiinees 81 ;rade-the more securely wlu
q nation b. based. Labor Is often com
PEELED 10 accept wages below what csvll-
aasioa calls for tn anord.ng tAe comforts
Of life. and 30 submit 20 exactions which
81 feels 60 be unjust. bat that can only De
9ar tlgne. The sense ~ injustice aIways
shoulders even raousa = e represse3 for
recsssity's SAKE
The employer ss nos always the gamer
VINO succeeds ia apparently wrestling lrom
MS euploye the fFnvs al: his labor with
oat giving sair aui honorable return.
He may force his terms as ar Individual
but as factor in the commonwealth. re
e wcAkenins his foTce seciety needs tor
rs OWN welfare TO Intervene. ana IN al
possible ways ssegEe - labor its Proeor-
tsauate "a a ard Ter TIE werk CT is hands