The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-01
LABOR DAY.

The demonstration which labor will
make next week in all parts of the
land will no doubt voice the Intelligent
demands of the workngmen. Such at
least should be the case wherever men
are free to express themselves, and it
is to be hoped that nowhere in this
country will any employee use coer-
ci,n, either directly or indirectly to
prevent the free expression of opinion,
for it is only when men are free from
undue influence that Labor Day can
have a meaning for them.
OF course there will be no such thing
as unanimity of opinion for in differ
ent parts of the country diverse opin-
ion will naturally be found in direct
bearing on existing conditions.
For instance there is little doubt but
that next week in those centers where
labor is plenty, and factories are run
ming at full time, and perhaps over
time, men will take a stand in favor
of what they believe has brought about
the condition which, rightly or wrongly
they believe is attributable to certain
policies and it is well that these men
should express themselves as freely as
they see fit and demonstrate in jubi-
lation of what is to them, desirable.
On the other hand it is equally certain
that, in parts of the country where the
trust has closed the factory for the
reason of economy of operations,
and many men have been thrown out
of employment there will be demon
strations quite at variance with those
of the more fortunate workmen. 1t is
meet that this should be so. A pic
ture of conditions and a rehearsal of
causes, as the laborer may see them
viii in the end be good.
Wherever there is causes of con-
gratulations and Fluctuations as we'll
as causes for grievance and discomfort
workmen should use the occasion which
Labor Day affords to intelligentIy,
calmly and temporarily debate those
things which are to their own best in
terest.
After all Labor Day is not to be con-
sidered only as d day of rest, amuse-
ment and enjoyment, which in the end
results in loss of time and money. but
it should be considered as a day set
apart for the contemplation and con-
of ways or means to better
the future unless such an element as
this enters into the day. Of what avail
can it be to the laborer? Above all the
man who tolls for a living should avoid
the demagogue who comes TO him in
the guise of friend, but who is in
reality his worst enemy. This dema-
gogue is found in the ranks of the
employers, and is not confined to one
political party. He is a pest wherever
he may be found and should be shun-
ned.
To the workingmen of this western
The Intermountain Catholic
,ffers its fluctuations and trusts that |
he future of this country, no matter
what the result of the pending can
ass contains for them, hope and prom
Sc of better things.
In the evolution of industrial condi-
ions there should be a larger wage |
md fewer hours of that the evolution
# the individual may keep pace with
material things.
Mems souls and mems bodies are the !
hiefest concern of all who are not
teeped in dense materialism and
rossness of spirit. And, as a people, |
nless we turn our thoughts to the
deviation of the men who tolls, by en-
arging his opportunities for self i'm
we build our school houses
n vain for his offspring.
Labor Day therefore should be an
occasion on which men should formu-
ate their demands for adjustment of
onditions which they would have
nore conformable to justice and rea-
on. 1t should be a day for intellectual
ecreation and not for material pleas l.
res. When Labor Day takes on this
Dhase then the day of hope shall have
awned for him who earns his bread
" the sweat of his face. May the
God God soon hasten it.