Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-03
O. snwa Man Makes Labor Day
Speech at What Cheer.
A SUCCESSFUL CELEBRATION HELD
Big Parade in Morning, Followed in
Afternoon With Speaking and an
Excellent Program of Athletic Sports
Many Visitors Are Present.


What Cheer, Sept. 2,--(SpeciaD-
One of the most successful labor day
celebrations ever held in this city is I
being carried out today. Thousands
of visitors are upon the streets and ey-
elything has half holiday tone. A /
great many of the stores closed up this !
afternoon, aud employer Joined en-
ploye at the grove where great ceie-
bration is being carried out.
The event of the morning was the |
great parade All the principal streets
of this hustling little city were travers-
ed after which it wended its way TO
the grove where dinner was eaten. |
The event of the afternoon was the adj |
dress by the Iowa organizer of the
American Federation of Labor, ]. F.
Byrne. of Ottumwa. Mr.. Bryne made
an excellent address, which was re-
/ ceived with much enthusiasm, after
/ which a program of athletic sports
was carried out.
Mr. Bryne's Address.
Mr.. Bryne said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t is hap
py thought that those ip whose hands
have been placed the power to make
laws, to govern and protect us have
seen the wisdom of setting aside one
day in the year, as holiday in honor
of the toilers of this beautiful state.
This day, September ,, 1901. the peo-
pie o. our country will witness the
largest demonstration in honor of the
laborer in the history of the world,
and these demonstrations will illus
trate the advancement the labor move
ment has made through its compact
and business organizations. Today
happy thousands march in labor's hon
or. Today happy thousands of mem
bers of labor unions exemplify the
worth of the trades union movement
in advancing the interests or the toll
er. Today as labor's multitudes with
happiness in their faces tread their
way to the celebration grounds led on
by the music of union bands, their
hearts grow lighter. their steps quick
en-. and their appearance and deport-
ment throw glow of sunshine on all
who observe. Today we set aside all
gloom for happiness and recreation.
both to reflect on how far we have
gone to better our conditions and how
: far We can go to make environments
more tolerahle.
Must Help Others.
Today as lapor's forces unite in eel
n ebrating labor's holiday we must not
be unmindfui of our duties as men
>. and women to our less fortunate broth
ers and sisters. Nor let the enthusl
assn with which we are inspired fade
away with the setting sun. We mus
+, keep on with our grand work until we
u ourselves. come somewhere near ant
" future generations shall to the fulles
extent enjoy all of the comforts O
a life We canot stop until we have bet
tered the condition of all the wage
' earning class. many of whom at the
present time are abject slaves to TIL
} exploiters of capital and the despoil
ers of the nation. Today as we marcel
" shoulder to shoulder in Iabors peace
full army it comes to our minds tina
y all that labor has gained for itself il
lettering conditions and increasin
I, wages has been accomplished throug
- the organization of labors forces. an
all we can hope for in the future mus
IL come through the same channel. An
with this knowledge We are happy t
re know We owe to no one other tina
IN ourselves the better things we have
In the Van.
Today as we march in honor of a
th advancing civilization we feel proud {
of the fact that We are i'll the Van guar
ut of an army that is striving for the re-
he ognition of the dignity of labor. An
ly reanzing that we are living in til
in world of material things we are co
scious that it is our destiny to shorte
elk the hours of labor TO such extent tn;
tho unemplOyed can md labor at il
ed ing wages AS we gaze today upc
sit the men and women who are not
Ilu us we feel that they have given l
he their interdependence for dependenc
To us they seem very unhappy lndee
nd yet with the patience and charity tn
;it- has always marked our deliberatiol
we will help them in spite of tnel
elk selves. Day by day, year by year. Y
find our movement growing more pc
nd erful useful and beneficial to the to
ing millions of our citizens! In fa'
ed we are the only organized society
this country today that is looking {
MS ter the material welfare of the was
of Garner. all of whom are welcome u
Ir. der our banner.
nd Justice Not Charity.
ne Let it be said, we as organized was
lte earners are not asking for charity b
us for Justice We are striving for livi
afs wages. shorter hours and better sa