The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-04
Speech of Mr.. Bryan.

Mr.. Bryan spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
/ 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 inter
ests of the wage-earner. The laboring
men constitute so large and SO indispen-
sable portion of the population that no
social economic, or political question can
be treated without an investigation of
their connections Herewith. But there
are some questions which touch them i'm
mediately. while others only operate upon
them in a general way.
"The first thing to be considered is the
labcring mans ambition What are his
aims and his purposes; for what is he
striving? The animal needs only food and
shelter. because he has nothing but
body TO care for; but mans wants are
more numerous. The animal complains
when it is hungry. and is contentel when
its hunger is appeased: but man, made in
the image of his Creator is a threefold
being. and must develop the head and the
heart as well as the body He is not sat
isfied with mere physical existence; Meth
er will he be content unless all avenues
of advancement are open to him. His
possibilities must be as unlimited as his
aspirations.
In other countries and in other civili-
cations Ken have teen condemned by birth
to a particular occupation, place. or
caste; in this country each man, however
or wherever born, can strive for the high
est rewards in business state, or church,
and these avenues OF advancement must
be kept open
No civilization can be considered per-
fec. which does not plant a hope in the
breast Of every child born into the world;
the nearer we approach TO this idea the
better is our civilization. Those who com
plain Of existing conditions cannot be put
aside as disturbers OF the peace. To seek
remedy for every abuse of government is
more patriotic than 10 profit by bad sys-
TENS and then frown down all criticism
There should be no antagonism between
those engaged ia the various occupations
and there will be none when all recognize
the mutual obligations which are due be-
tween citizens Our desire should be not
to separate the people into warning fac
tons. but TO bring them into better ac-
auairtance and greater sympathy with
each other The enmity which the poor
EOllEi illttb lFEl ADhAIA liz AliA. Hii%A ti'E
contempt which the rich sometimes mani
fcs, toward the poor. would be avoided II
each knew the ether better and both were
content to be guided by the strict rules Of
justice.
The strife for Retirement.
The extremes OF society are really not
Is far apart they appear Those who
work for wages today may. under a good
government, be employers in a few years,
and the sons OF those who are employers
today may in a short time be day Iaborers.
Since 70 one can save posterity from the
evil effects OF bad Law. all should strive
Tor legislation which will protect each citi-
zen in his rights aud in the enjoymsat OF
the fruits of his own genius, his own in.
dlstry and his own integrity.
1T is-of advantage 10 the rich as well as
10 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
tipiies his eDjoyments, and makes him in
every way more serviceable TO society. Vic
tor Hugo has described the mob as the hui