The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-05-31
". NJ. A. EXERCISES
-on. David oyermyers Address oonelndeal

fellOwmen, dlssipsting unfounded sus-
plcions, banishing groundless and un-
natural enmities, and bringing all
parts Of the human family more close
ly together. IE great cities, ia Of
fees, stores and shops millions of ac-
tive brains aud skillful hands for hire
perform the more intricate service
required by this educated and highly
organized age. While millions more
less skillful but not less helpful on
streets and public places are drudgiug
and Shaving and sweltering through
the awful heat Of summer and shiver-
ing and freezing at their appointed
tasks through the bitter cold OF WIN
ter. Turn where you will, look
where you may, on land or sea, In
city or country, the sound of labor's
stroke is heard, the fruit Of labor's
work is seen; in fact, all that the eye
can behold, proud cities, cultivated
fields, shops, mines, factories, rail-
roads and all the vast substance of
civilization are the product Of labor.
All this is peace. But what Of
war? In war labor not only contin-
ues to do the work but fights the
battle. When the tocsln is sounded
and the bugle calls the stout mechanic,
the bright artisan, and the sturdy
farmer arises from the lethargy as
though summoned by the voice Of the
dead and casting behind them the
endearment of peace, they say "We
! 20 and If we perish we perish.
But what Of capital? In peace
capital reaps profits. But should not
capital reap profits? Certainly, so
long as it is invested In enterprise it
should have a fair return.
Bit capital should not reap sHeh pref
its as mil sNslaVe labor. Shall any one
question the profits Of capital? Yes,
when they grow SO great as t. menace
not only the rights of wage-earners
but also the peace and liberty of the
country.
Stone upon stone, brick upon brick,
plank upon plank, beam upon beam,
with faithful stroke and patient care
and honest toll labor joins and builds
the houses which shelter us and oul
treasures. In pain and suffering ant
sorrow, unpaid and oppressed, labor
makes the raiment for which for thu
most part we cover and comfort ant
protect our bodies. With sturdy AM
consistent industry, through all sea
Z sons and all weather, under the burn
ing sun Of summer and through tn
frost and storms Of winter, the farme
grapples with the soil and It's pom
derous products that we may hav
not only food but the raw material
for clothing and other necessary uses
Down deep in the earth where nc
a ray Of natural light can penetrate
lin noissome and sitting air, covere
y with dust and sweat and CRIME, "
with souls as white and hearts as tru
as ever inhabited human breast, tn
miners dig and delye, and do and di
to provide us with life Sustalnin
heat and light to illuminate and max
radient our homes.
= : \ \
The appeal which labor makes +
justice is irresistible. The caus
the sons Of toll cannot be ignore
The dangers they brave, the labo
they perform, the burdens they bea
4 the privations they encounter, Il
sufTerings they endure, and the pi
lance they receive, extort from
the poets despairing cry "Oh G,
that bread should be SO dear and he
and blood so cheap"
The ban Of degradation placed up
labor's brow by ignorance and cruel
must and shall be removed. Not
waiting for it to remove itself but
the agency Of true and earest me
The time is at hand in which
complacent selfish and wicked ph
osophy of the rapacious and predatc
elements will no longer be endured.
Once knowledge was monopolizI
Now it is the common property OF
Once conscience was monopollz
now it is the right Of the indiyidu
Once political power was monopoliz
and over a great portion Of the wo