Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-09-14
BRYAN AT CHICAGO.
Pleads for the Preservation Of the
Declaration of independence.
Speaks to Labor Day Celebraters Up
ON the Rights and Privileges of
WOrkingmen Under a Republic
Form of Government.

Twenty thousand workingmen lis
tened to William j. Bryan at Electric
park, Chicago, on Labor day, who, in
the course of lengthy address upon
topics suited to the day, said:
<.Mr Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen,
81 am greatly obliged to the committee
for the invitation which enables me to par
ticipate in the celebration of Labor day
at this place. This day has been wisely
set apart by law to emphasize the dignity
of labor and for the consideration of those
subjects which especially affect the in
terests of the wage Garner. The laboring
men constitute large and so indispenS-
able portion OF the population that no
social, economic or political question can
be treated without an investigation of their
connection Herewith. But there are some
questions which touch them immedia tely,
while others only operate upon them in
general way.
1.-The first thing to be considered is the
1aboring mans ambition; what his
aims and his purposes; for what is he
striving? The animal needs only food and
shelter. because it has nothing but body
to care for; but mans wants are more nu-
merous The animal complains when it
is hungry. and is contented when its hun
ger is appeased; but man, made in the
image of his Creator, is a three-fold being
and must develop the head and the heart
as we'll as the body. He is not satisfied
with mere physical existence; neither Will
he be content unless all avenues of ad-
vancement are open to him. His POSSIBLE
tiles must be unlimited as his aspira-
lions.
'In other countries and in other civiliza-
lions, men have been condemned by birth
to particular occupation place or caste:
in this country each man. however or
wherever born, can strive for the highest
rewards in business, state or church. and
these avenues of advancement must be
kept open.
mo civilization can be considered per-
breast of every child born into the world;
the nearer we approach to this ideal, the
better is our civilization. Those who COM
plain of existing conditions cannot be put
aside diSturberS of the peace. To seek
a remedy for every abuse of government
is more patriotic than to profit by bad
systems and then frown down all criticism.
There should be no antagonism between
those engaged in the various occupations,
and there will be none when all recognize
the mutual obligations which due be-
tween citizens. Our desire should be, not
to separate the people into warning fac
lions. but to bring them into better
Quaintance and greater sympathy with
each other. The enmity which the poor
sometimes feel toward the rich and the
contempt which the rich sometimes mani
fest toward the poor would be avoided If
each knew the other better and both were
content to be guided by the strict rules of
justice.
1.-The extremes of society are really not
far apart they appear. Those who
work for wages to-day may, under a good
government, be employers in a few years,
and the sons of those who are employers
to-day may in short time be day labOrerS.
Since one can save posterity from the
evil effects of a bad law, all should strive
for legislation which will protect each cit
izen in his rights and in the enjoyment
of the fruits of his own genius, his own in
dustry and his own integrity.
"It is of advantage to the rich we'll
to the poor that the children of all have
an opportunity to secure an education; for
education widens the individuals horizon,
increases his capacity for usefulness, null
tiplies his equipments and makes him in
every way more serviceable to society.
Victor Hugo has described the mob the
human race in misery. Those who are
well-to-do have selfish interest, and
should feel moral concern, in removing
despair from every human breast. AS mis-
cry is lessened the security of property is
increased human life is protected in pro-
portion as happiness is promoted.
''Why should the man who eats at
well-supplied table forget the man whose
toll furnishes the food? Why should the
man who warns himself by the fire forget
the man whose labor in the forest or in
the mine brings forth the fuel? Why should
the man clad in the best products of the
loom forget the man whose calloused
hands make fine clothing possible? Both
the consumer and the producer are neceS-
sary, but of the two the producer comes
first in point of time and in point of i'm
portance. Shall the rosebud blooming in
beauty and shedding it's fragrance the
air. despise the roots of the bush because
they come into actual contact with the
soil? Destroy the bud and leave the roots
and a second bud will appear, as beauti-
full and fragrant as the first; but destroy
the roots and bud and bush will perish.
''How can the wage Garner secure that
share of the earthS bounties and the gov
ernment's protection which he deserves?
The associations formed by workingmen
have been productive of much good.
The labor organization as We now find
ic hn -, rk-tv fo1
The individual found himself at diSad-
vantage when dealing with the corporated
employer, and the organization not only
enables him to contend for his rights upon
terms more nearly equal, but it stimulates
him to ltudy and understand the condi-
lions which surround him.
THE labor organization has been fore
most in advocating the reforms which have
already been secured. Several years ago
the secret ballot was demanded by the
wage earners for their own protection
That ballot has been obtained. and through
its operations those who toll for individ-
uals or corporations are able to protect
their political rights and to use the ballot
according to their own judgments. This
Is long step in advance.
THE labor organizati ton has done much
to lessen the evils of child labor. No one
can visit the factories where children are
employed without contemplating the crime
which is being perpetrated upon posterity.
II there Is any temporary economic adj
vantage in the employment of children of
tender age, IL is insignificant when meas
ured against the permanent injury done
to present and future generations. To rob
child of its school days is bad enough.
but to bend its back by a load for which
only the adult is fitted is even worse
1.-The labor organization has also contrib
7lted towards the shortening of the hours
of TOLL and it should not cease its efforts
until the eight-hour day is secured. APP
proximately, one-third of the "A hours must
be given to sleep; If another third of the