The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-02

II - proper tuht IN THIS ndtioit, Wncie
the place Of the workingman has been
made the post Of honor. Labor day be
distinguished among our holidays. A
vast change has taken place in the con-
dition and the rights OF labor. Organ
ization has realized the tremendous
power. the power OF numbers. that re-
sides within the ranks of those who do
the work of the world. Nowhere does
that advantage tell 80 powerfully or
as In republic, where equality OF po-
litical and civil rights. manhood suf-
frage and the rule Of the majority give
to labor the transcendent power in the
state.
More cogent even than this Is the
sturdy moral sentiment that eievates
labor to a place of high distinction in
democracy. Society Is founded. In
the modern view. upon the principle
that every man must pay his scot. We
have not yet quite arrived at the prac-
teal point OF insisting that every man
must pay by his own labors his way
through life. We tolerate the idle
spendthrift at one end Of the scale,
and his brother. the tramp. at the 9TH
err But the nobility OF labor and its
place as moral agent are recognized
freely. The millions OF American
workers. whether using brain or
hand for the advancement OF the race
and the worlds betterment. are the
true Legion OF Honor.
II Is fitting that one day in the calen-
dar Of the republic should be set aside
in honor Of labor. Happy release from
toll and the pleasures OF social inter-
course belong to II. For labor has its
great moral mission TO fulfill as well as
wealth: to show TO the world that II
will not use its power unjustly nor toll
crate anywhere the evils that II has
united TO oppose. 1t is q day for out
ings and sports and happy life under
the open sky: for congratulations upon
the new estate OF the workingman In
this time OF ours. for simple pleasures
and the wholesome Joy OF life.
Labor In our state and city has am
pie reason to celebrate the day. Here
II has enjoyed an overlooking measure
OF the prosperity that has come to the
nation within the past few years. Here
no man need be Idle long except by his
own fault. Here the organization OF
labor has protected its rights and made
It invincible In upholding any Just
cause. Here the whole sentiment Of
our people is IN sympathy with Its
hopes and aims No stronger proof OF
this could be given than the liberal
I response of our people 20 the appeal
/ for labor temple. and the generous
! readiness with which large portion
4 OF the necessary funds has been pro-
vided BY another year the formal ex-
/ crelses Of the day may be held In the
new building that Is 10 be organized
/ lahor's home.
/ In the designation OF Labor day as
a holiday, the nation recognizes the
foundation Of its prosperity and the
supper, OF its Institutions. The United
states is the one government that
trusts the people absolutely. that be-
lisyes In them. that conndes its for
tunes and VS. future unrescrvediy to
their hands. Through the wrll-beluE.
the content. the elevation o. the mul-
tltude. We grow into the rare ana per-
feet state. There "a no other base
broad enough 60 hold the Industrial or
the political edifsce There Is no other
4 idea that contains our faith and trase
Ia humanity. Tomorrow let ease from
toil mark the country where human
labor has accomplished its worthlest
results; and beside the nlrth and be-
hind the PROFESSIONS and below the adj
dresses lie, the thought gcrminate and
fructify that Ia the complete fulfil
ment OF what the iaeorer owes to So
ciety as well rs what society owes to
labor win be found the key TO national
stability, commercial greatness. indi-
viduai happiness and that far-osr
growth into the ideal commonwealth
that Is the cherished dream OF ali.