The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-09-04

memorable associations. rich with the
spoiIs Of history. are we met today TO
give expression 10 sentiments peril
nent to the hour The passing events nf
the morn are but a part OF that larger
scene OF action which embraces the
length and breadth of the nation
from the easserumost pines OF Maine
TO the ~esternmost crags of these Ha-
zens injured TO toll are making pause
in their daily pursuits to assemble and
counsel together for the betteTment of
their temporal veal The public spec
taeie. though instructive and pleasing
to the eye, reflects but an incident of
the day. The pomp and circumstance
OF parade the splendid page
antry of labor that moves in
timely unison with the span
gled flags and waving banners proudly
floating in the semi-tropical breeze
all these are but the outward sem
blance Of the soulful sentiments that
inspire the observance of the occa-
sion.
One day Of the three hundred and
sixty-fiye days Of the year Labor may
call its own. The representatives OF
that indispensable class Of the nation
invite public notice of their condition
and their aspirations. No one rot d.
rectly connected may otherwise know
Of the record and aims of that class as
measured by the standards of civilization
morals, intelligence and capacity The
people may not know of the strength
in numbers and the earnestness Of
purpose of the deyotees of labor bit by
such popular demonstrations as this.
The members themselves have no more
potent method of communing together
and resolving upon measures for their
common improvement than is afforded
by the present plan. Hence it is that
the true aspiration of the day is that
labor as such shall be bettered by the
observance thereof
1t 1t said that mankind in general
accepts an individual at his own est-
mate. One is never credited with
higher standing than one CHOOSES 20
assume II one undertakes on eseif
the fault is ones own. This is as
true of the classes, perhaps, asst is OF
the individual Labor has its welfare
and honor in its own keeping Labor
is but the aggregate Of the class Of
| laborers. this general term embracing
all those who toll with their hands as
we'll as with their heads. AS each Ia
borer respects and dignifes his calling,
In Just that portion Is labor elevated
| In the esteem OF the masses. No class
Of people in this great nation may
| safely refuse the respect of the other
classes. Experience has demonstrated
that greater happiness, peace, pros
perity and enlightenment prevail when
all the people are dwelling together in
| mutual respect and as one harmonious
| whole. Labor has had its trials and
| tribulations; it has often been misun-
derstood and frequently misjudged.
| And. without recounting the struggles
of the past, we may well extend con-
gratulations that today labor stands
on higher plane in the confidence and
esteem of the masses than ever before.
And especially is this true with respect
| to the United States. In no other coun-
try is labor so well paid; nowhere else
are the toilers SO abundantly supplied
with all Of the necessities and so many
of the luxuries OF life; nowhere else
Is there an equal percentage of home
steads owned by the wage-earner. His
home is model of comfort and refine
ment: his daughter may have her mu-
steal instruments and polite culture;
| his son may attain a higher education
| in the public schools and pass easily 10
places of trust and responsibility in
life. They make, in the aggregate, that
great middle class of citizens that form
the very backbone Of the two nations
OF the world. There is no place OF
honor and trust to which the worthy
laborer may not aspire. There is no
niche in honorable fame higher than
those he has filled with honor and
glory to himself, his nation and the
world. Suggestion only need be made
of a few: The immortal Lincoln, a
rail-splitter and farm hand; the incom-
parable Grant, a tanner and wood haul
err. and the martyred Garfield, driver
on the towpath. In the highest ccun-
ellis of the nation. in positions of honor
and responsibility everywhere-in aht
forefront Of inventive genius. industry
and accomplishments, the representa-
tives Of labor are ever in evidence
The United States is pre-eminently tbs
model home of labor. Nowhere else i:
labor go eQuitably recognized. Here
the humblest citizen may. II he would
rise to promiDence. worth and fame
And all this because the representa-.
tives of labor have fought the goot
fight and kept the faith They have
been honest with themselves and thail
fellows have learned to love and honor
them accordingly. They have set fol
: themselves a high standard and have
filed the full measure. Intelligence
: skill and probity have won for then
lasting honor. Their achievements re
dound to the glory of the country /.
| Is said that civilization is gagged ,,
. the condition Of its toilers- By thi
same token the United States is tn
highest in the scale And it Is so b.
reason Of the genius. skill. application
J and fairnes sof its producers sam
elements that enable the merchant an
manufacturer to defy successful com
petition in the markets Of the world
i The products Of the American soil. tn
foundry and the Workshop embrace tn
/ argosies OF every sea and the export
to every cline.
Pausing in the rapid cycle OF h
year, there b given the opportunity I
survey the past. appreciate the preseu
and plan for the future. The lesson
taught by experience. observation an
reason are that 30 long as intelligence
wisdom and moderation obtain, ID
waYfsro ~ tha toil3ng masses Is s.