The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-06-06
SERMON ON WHITE LABOR
BOYS MAY Rise.
The New Life in North Carolina.

Charlotte Observer.
North Carolina is at the beginning
of new era in the velopment of which
the white laboring man is going to play
an important role. The movement is
revolutionary in its tendency, but by
proper training and attention will work
great good to those who take part In 1t
and to the State. The labor rally held
! in Charlotte on the Goth instant was
significant. It meant much more than
the casual observer would believe.
Many saw nothing more than 1900 tt
| 800 men marching in procession
[ saw more than that. felt the grow
ing power of class of people heretofore
of little consequence in this and other
Southern states. AS I moved among
the enthusiastic crowd I saw new hope
and fresh ambitions in the faces OF the
men and boys who com posed 1t. 4 de-
cade ago such meeting would have
been impossible; one hundred white
|
laborers would have almost exhausted
the supply. Most OF that class was
scattered through the rural districts,
where they worked small farms. With
the dyent OF manufacturing enterprises
they moved to the towns. They had
neither money nor influence. But to-
day those who will are earning com
| Portable livings, and some money he
sides. In addition to this they are
rapidly becoming a power in politics
The white laborlng man must be
reckoned within North Carolina be-
fore any man be elected. He holds the
balance of power. The vote of Is 5,OOC
cotton mill operatives can either elect
nor defeat. Truly, they have made
progress AS the South has risen from
the destruction caused by the civil war
so has the white working man lifted
, himself from the burden and curse O!
slave labor. Slavery was ban to him
duO iOl GIl0 uis3 tlu1O tAao AAseAVuttOii
fastened itself upon the South he is
! free to compete for the emoluments ol
/ honest labor.
| Is he going to make the best of his
opportunities, orwill he chase rainbow
and lose what ground he has already
gained? What Will be the ultimate
outcome? Will the State profit by the
progress of white labor?
| The demand in the South is for re-
liable and skilled labor. The cotton
mill, the wood shop, the iron foundry
and the clothing factory need both
Will the native born white man grasi
the opportunity and fit himself for the
work by becoming efficient, or will he
seek it through the labor unions and
secret orders? That is where the dan
ger lies. If he takes the former course
he will prove a blessing to himself, to
his employer and to the State, but ii
he pursues the latter the result will be
disastrous to all. Labor uuions are
we'll enough in their place. They he r
the skilled and intelligent workmer
but may ruin the man without the
sufficient training and knowledge who
sees them as a means to an end.
Knowing the people of North Caro-
| Ina and the conditions that surround
them, as do, I firmly believe that
great good will como from the progress
of white labor. The conservatism ol
the people Of this State, and especially
the rural districts, will save the Stat
from wild-eyed fanatics, base agita
tors, blatant fools and cheap dema
gogues.
/ The demand for good class OF un
skilled labor is so great and the re
muneration so attractive that reliable
sensible country boys are leaving the
farms and entering the trades. In ths
course of time they will form the back
bone of the white working force OF th'
South. The home training; at the
family altar; a: the old field school
and at the country church, the abld
ing place of the pure, unadulteratet
Christian religion, will make then
think we'll at all times before they
act Under any circumstances ap
peaie to their senses and honor will b
heard.
This was manifest to me at Belmor
Park, on the Goth, when several tough
broke up the labor celebration b.
starting disgraceful fight. The iror
noulders, the carpenters, the plumt
ers and other tIadesmen who com
from good, sturdy country stock wer
able and did control lot Of hoodfum
and ayerted general riot. Every da.
the personnel of the white labor o
Charlotte Is improving. Tho lnnux Q
country boys is helping it.
The street car conductors ana pt
|tormen of Charlotte come from goo
families and respectables home. The
are without skill or special training
, Int hove honor. honor driven deep Int