Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-04
lABOR'S DAY OF REST
Its General Observance by District
Organizations.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOLIDAY
Excursion to River View Under
Favorable Auspices.
AT M A r S II A L L II A L l.
AT M RSH ALL II A L l.

A more beautiful and favorable day than
this for the observance of labor's holiday
could not well have been provided, even
had those for whom 1t is set apart been given
the privilege of making the weather. Here
in the District, where the first Monday in
September is recognized Labor day, the
occa sion was observed not with parades, as
on some former occasions. but by spending
the day in outings. Labor of almost every
description was suspended, and the day
given up to complete rest and enjoyment.
The first Monday in September Is OBJ
served as Labor day in twenty-seven OF the
states and territories of the Union, as fol-
lows: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware the District of Columbia, Flor1-
da Illinois, Indiana, Iowa. Kansas, Maine,
Massachusetts,, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
souri, Montana Nebraska, New Hampshire,
New Jersey New York, Ohio, Oregon,
South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and
Washington. Pennsylvania observes the
first Saturday in September, and California
the first Monday in October.
1t is not definitely known when the term
of Labor day was first used in this connec-
ton, but it is generally believed to have orig
mated during the meeting of the general
assembly of the knights of Labor at New
York city, September 3. 1882 The various
labor organizations of that city paraded
that day, great picnic afterward being
held, at which addresses were delivered.
During the parade, and while the various
orga nizations We're passing the grand stand
at Union Square, Robert Price of Lonacon-
ing, Nd. remarked to the general worthy
foreman of the Knights of Labor. Richard
GriffithS: This is Labor day in earnest,
Uncle Dick
Official Declaration.
The following year the New York labor
organizations paraded the first Monday
in September and when next year the Cen
trail Labor Union of that city was discuss
ing parades George X. Lloyd. Knight of
Labor is said to have offered a resolution
declaring the first Monday in September to
be Labor day The resolution was adopt
ed and steps We're at once taken to have
the legislature of the state make the first
Monday in September a legal holiday to be
known as Labor day. These efforts were
successful. and New York was the first
state in the country to consider the ques-
rtion in its legislature, although Oregon was
the first state to make the matter law.
Significance of the Day.
The real significance of the day is thus
set forth by Mr.. T. V. Powderly. ex-grand
master workman of the Knights of Labor,
now commissioner of Immigration:
The real significance of the American
Labor day lies in the fact that on that day
no question of local Importance, no strike.
no controversy or dispute shall interfere
with the observance of the day. On that
day the workers meet, and either parade
or hold festivals of another character dur
ing which time speakers address the assem-
bled multiuudes. 1t was the intention OF
those who introduced the first Labor day
resolution to make the day stand apart
from all other holidays in the nature of its
observance. While parades. pcncs, fesu-
walls and games were permissible, the prin-
cipal feature of the exercises was to consist
of lectures and discourses upon topics
l2tnC to the welfare of the industrial
masses. Every question of political, social
and economic importance should be dis
cuSSed at the nj -etings on Labor day. On
other days the Intellectual in man is not
appealed to as On Labor day. The grounds
on which the industriaiiStS assemble on
the first Monday in September should re-
seInble an open court in which both sides
all sides-to the great question of produc-
ton should be discussed. new feature
has been introduced by inviting employers
Of labor to take part in the demonstrations
and address the meetings from the stand
point of the employer or any other that
might appear more appropriate to the
speaker.
Properly understood Labor day is a day
on which all that is ambitious, noble, lofty
and grand in the nature of the workman
should be appealed to- Those who discuss
the questions of the hour before meetings
of industrials on that day should be edu-
cators-they should be teachers of the gos-
pei of humanity and its ne DIS. not mann
mon and it's greedS. Those who address
such meetings are burdened with
weighty responsibility. 1t is their duty to
teach a doctrine of independence of
thought and action to thu industrian. The
rights of man to the earth and it's pro-
ducts, the rights of man to all that his
labor creates and the duty of the indus
tran a self-reliant citizen should all
occupy the thought of the speaker and be
the theme of his discourse.
Day of Rest.
Labor day is to be a day of rest, of
recreation and education. The physical in
man is to rest while the mental is to he
improved. The day is to be celebrated,
hot in honor of any one man. living
dead but in honor of and by living, throb
bling pulsating humanity the needs of
which stand higher than respect for the
memory of the dead or a regard for their
wishes. Today, tomorrow, the future are
al before us on Labor day; of these we
think. talk and for these we work. That
which will best serve the living men and
women of today and the future should re-
c2ive the careful attention Of all who take
part in honoring that greatest of all fac
tors in rlinisterine; 20 the good of the
world-labor
whether Labor day shall continue
a day which the duties of citizenship
shall he taught. the needs of living hui
manity discussed and the duties we owe
to the millions who will come upon the
world. to make or mar its future, shall
be considered. remains to be seen. From
a position Of mental servitude the most
degrading and humiliatng, the workman
has advanced to higher attitudes in mental
and physical freedom. From a servitude
in which he could, without question be
killed for the amusement of his master,
the workman has emerged, and now he
stands free from every thrall save his
own prejudces of creed of craft, of poll
tics and race. If Labor day is observed
as it ought to be the gospel of humanity
will he understood by all men and women:
there will be no slaves to employer, party.
boss or creed. Love thy neighbor as thy
self though he bow not before the same
altar, DO unto your neighbor you would
have your neighbor do unto you will have
a meaning not now understood as they
should be this side of the portals where
eternity begins and God rules in the pres
ence of those He calls from earth"
Cessation of Business.
Labor day was made legal holiday in
| the District of Columbia by Congress in
| 1894. and therefore not only are the vari-
Gus departments of the general government
| and those of the District closed today, but
also the banks and very many of the other
financial concerns and business houses of
| the District. Here the day is being OBJ
served by the two great labor organizations