The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-09-05
Labor Day.

CoIrmbla celebrated Labor Day last Mon.
day. At an immense gathering OF people
Governor McSweeney was called upon 10
make q speech. The Governor not so long
ago was a laboring boy, and he has not 30
soon forgotten the struggles to which the
Door are subjected. No man better knew the
wants and needs OF the poor than NJ. b.
McSweeney. He said:
Mr.. chairman, Ladies and Fell low.citizens: !:
I want 10 say that the very Kind invitation
extended 10 me by President Wallace 10 speak
to you on this occasion Is appreciated more
than apy Invitation that | have received in
the last six weeks, during wnisn Time l. nave
ciate 1t more because 1t carries me back at
least 25 years to the time when | was one
of YOU Today when i saw in your parade
old printers marching with the typographical
union who were the friends Of my childhood
days, could not but feel the greatest pleas
ure and Satisfaction. If l have anything TO
which can give credit for what am today,
Office. am not here to talk politics 10 you.
The occasion is one that does not warrant my
addressing you on such subject, but am
your governor and wish to assure you That
advancement OF the laboring man. Gap
plause.) l wish to say TO you mat II your
president and the representative men OF your
organizations will come to me and let me
benefit to you 10 the development OF your
citizenship, you will find me not wanting in
real friendship TO you, and assure you Will
take up those matters in my message and 90
what lean TO be OF real oenenl 10 you. l'oci'
ferrous applause.l
NV friends, I wish TO say to you that 1 am
proud OF the old city OF Columbia, her educat.
ional and other institutions. | am PROUD Oh
her deyelopement and her prospects for the
future. am proud OF the good sturdy men
and women that see working In the cotton
mills. Only a few nights ago was at Brook-
land. did not 60 there 10 make spesch,
but l was invited to do so and did 80. The
one thing that struck me when ! laced the
gathering there was the NUMBER OF enIlRnten,
ed people that saw. There were oeautiful
women and intelligent men; eo l was siaI ,lG Y
to these boys that saw In the parade this
morning and whom l see here now. Boys.
let me plead with you to go 10 SCHOOLS !
wish TO ask your parents 10 see tnas ySe,hIe yo1
10 obtain an education and become enlight-
ened men. want the parents OF these ooys
to see that they are educated. There ls NO
telling what is in them. Each mas cnanee
wealth. They may not become presidents or
governors but they can become good stauncn
citizens and be credit TO their State, tnelr
fathers and their mothers. (APplause;.l
MY friends, we must not alone consider one
side OF this matter. We must give great cred
It TO those moneyed men who have been put.
Ting their capital into all Of these enterprises
that have been giving you the opportunity TO
earn your livelihood. Let me express the
hope that nothing will ever occur that Will
|injure one dollar of the capital that has been
[inveated In this man ner. Ny friends, when
ron have differences with those who nave
Etnyested in such enterprises, put forward
Eyoufs best, strongest and wisest men and then
6ftoQether and Rettle all OF those differences.
(Hf& &fffends you have reason TO be proud OF
|11f ffl6lves. know printers who can edit
III get out q newspaper, did the occasion
|xe4uire, a. well as any at the helm OF most OF
Tho newspapers of our State. Now I want
|f6E9e boys that see here 70 let their purpose
Eb6 10 elevate themselves, to be men.
ttT am not unknown TO the members OF
[ti16 Columbia Typographical union that
zee here today. Years ago had the honor OF
b8{1e the corresponding secretary OF your
|nft(6n. end later on was for the while the
presidenf % that union. am proud vf the
Lunion, and am proud OF all organized labor.
NoW,in conclusion, let me again say to you
that II your representative men will come
Nome and confer with me, l promise to do
what can 70 subserve the best Interests OF
che laboring men Of South Carolina. Permit
me 20 express the earnest hope that your cele-
bration today will be most pleasurable one;
that you will enjoy the various events arrang-
ed for your entertainment by your associa-
lion. and return to your labors tomorrow with
renewed energy and vigor.
4 Gov. McSweeney was greeted with pro.
lonaed and heartily given applause as ne
concluded his speech and took his seat.