Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-09-06
LABOR.S HOSTS PARADE
Over 10000 Union Men In Line
in Philadelphia.
MITCHELL Makes TWO SPEECHES
Presence Of Miners Chief IN Quaker
City Was the Occasion Of the Great
est Demonstration Organized Labor
EEor AeId

NfAJ was Nnc occasion OF NhS 6redS-
est Demonstration Organized Labor
Ever Held.
Philadelphia. Sept 3-The organized
workmen or Philadelphia yesterday
paid their tribute TO John Mitchell,
of America. and at the same time
showed their sympathy in a substantial
way for the striking anthracite mine
workers OF Northeastern Pennsylvania
The presence of the miners chief was
made the occasion Of probably the
greatest demonstration that organized
labor has ever held Gu Labor Day. In
the forenoon a parade was held under
the auspices of the Central Labor I'm
ion, in which nearly all the trades OF
the city were represented It Is esti-
mated that more than 10000 men were
In line.
After the parade q big picnic was
held at Washington Park, on the New
Jersey side OF the Delaware river. a
few miles below this city. There were
probably 10000 persons In attendance.
Here Mr.. Mitchell made two addresses.
His principal speech was made In the
grove. where between 1000 and 5000
listened and cheered the strikers
leader
Mr. Mitchell said: This day has
been decreed as labor's special holi-
day. and from one end Of the country
to the other the great hosts OF labor
have assembled and are reviewing the
struggles OF the past and preparing for
the struggles OF the future The year
that has just closed has baen unpret =.
dented in the growth OF the trades
union movement and the growth OF in.
dependent thought and independent ac-
ton, but with the great growth OF the
trades union movement new problems
have arisen that will tax our greatest
strength t. solve We have this year
government by i-jPncIion and owner
ship by Divine right in their most ac-
centuated form II one OF the most
conspicuous OF the capitalists OF the
country properly represents the senti.
ment and feeling OF his associates,
then we must take It for granted that
they believe that God in His infinite
all the resources OF our country. | was
taught to believe, when boy, that God
loved all His people alike, was
taught to believe that He conferred no
more power or favors upon one than
upon another; and notwithstanding the
declaration of the controllers OF trusts,
l am not prepared to abandon the
teachings Of my boyhood days.
Every year sees some struggle OF
the workers that stands out more con-
spicuously than other struggles. This
year 1t happens that the coal miners
OF Pennsylvania are engaged in a life
and death struggle for the right TO
live. Ladies' and gentlemen. I am one
who believes that the time is not far
distant whom the workingman will
have to solve the labor problem. am
free to say that my own views have
been somewhat changed since this
strike started. look forward to the
time when those who build the man.
sions will not have to live I'm novels.
/ look forward to the time when those
whose spires point heaVenWard will
not have to walk past them, too rag
ged to enter. I stand for the solidarity
OF the trade union movement. l hope
to see the time when No man who
earns his bread by the sweat of his
brow will be outside the ranks ow his
trade union. / look forward to the time
when the workers OF our country will
take possession Of their own country"
Mr.. MitchelPs second speech was
confined to an appeal for aid Among
the other speakers at the two meetings
was M. M. Dolphin, OF New York, for
merly national president OF the Rail-
way Telegraphers' Union. The entire
proceeds Of the picnic, estimated at
$4,000. will be turned over to the
miners union.