The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-09-19

On account Of the inclemency Of the
weather on Labor Day all of the events
of the day were postponed until Sunday
September IL. The heavy rains proceed
ing this date put the grounds in such
condition that it would have been folly
to attempt to hold the picnic, SO post
ponement to a later date was agreed
upon. The following is a portion of the
speech which was to be delivered by
w. E.. McEwen who had been selected
as orator Of the day.
The time and place is opportune for
calm and careful discussion of the
great questions involving the future
welfare Of all men and. women who toll
with their hands. In visiting among
the trade unions of Minnesota I have
given much of my time to the study of
the men and women who constitute the
labor movement Of this great common
wealth. I never look into an earnest
face, mark a firm set jaw or observe an
intelligent countenance of a member
of trade union without giving some
thought to the early days of the labor
movement when it required consider
able courage to be member of trade
union. There has been a vast improve
ment in the character of the American
working men in the past twenty years.
This is largely due to the educational
advantages resulting from the persev-
erance Of trade unions in the securing
of compulsory educational laws.
1t was indeed fortunate that the early
labor organization drew from the ranks
of labor it's strongest and noblest char
acters. While many mistakes were
made, yet the good that they have
done has so over-shadowed their short
comings that we have nothing but
praise and gratitude for them While
they were launching the movement up
on the world they suffered the most
bitter personal attacks. The organ
izations they were advocating were lost
sight of by their enemies in their deter
mination to crush its champions. But
they were strong men who knew not
fear, and while many Of them were
killed and hundreds were Jailed new
who were just as strong and determine
ed as their predecessors. The seed once
planted fell upon so good ground, until
today we have clothed in such
men as Samuel Gom-pers,
president of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor, a notable debater, a
careful student and powerful organ
izer; in Daniel J. Keefe, the leader of
the uncouth longshoremen, the great
est diplomat in the industrial world;
in Eugene v. Debs, the vanguard lead
er whose eloquence and magnetism has
won the cause thousands of converts,
and in gallant John Mitchell, the heroic
leader Of the miners who stands with
out a peer as a general Of an unframed
army, as a. scholar whose early. educa-.
ton was limited, and as Pa atesnan
who spurned- a public office inorder that
he may serve the miners better: All Of
these men and an hundred more just
as brilliant are but the creatures of the
old patriarchs who gave birth to the
movement that is responsible for this
magnificent gathering today. All praise
to the old boys. Historians may not
refer to their deeds of valor; authors
may not write of their noble sacrifices;
nor may teachers tell of their strong
and remarkable characters, but they
have erected for themselves a monu-
ment I'M the heart of every liberty low
ing workingnan in America that shall
arise and arise until it's bleakest point
shall pierce the azured skies. It stands
upon a loving PEDESTAL, so broad and
so strong as to shield, shelter and pro-
tect the most humble of Gods Great
ures.
This movement Of ours is an economic
movement, brought forth first from a
hunger for food, then for desire for
better homes and a higher civilization.
In so much as we are living in an age
of organization where every thing
about US, in business, society and in
dustry depends upon unity Of effort
for success, then it should be evident
to the thoughtful man that it is alb
solutely necessary for labor to organize
for it's own protection. Were it not foE
trade unions the conditions Of the AM
erican workman would be hopeless and
the future would be shrouded in gloom.
Is there indeed a labor question, or is
this agitation merely the ranting Of a
set of morbid men called agitators?
For an answer come with me to the
coal fields Of Pennsylvania and West
Virginia where the miners delve into
the bowels of the earth for the black
nuggets that keep you and I warm
during the cold frigid winters of the
north. Let us go to the cotton mills of
the south where little children fresh
from the cradles are sacrificed on the
alter of mammon that their life blood
may be coined into gold. Yes let us go
to the factories of the great cities
where men and women toll away their
lives for a mere pittance and ask them
if there is labor question and the ans
wer will come back to us in tones Of
thunder there is a labor question and
one that will never be settled until it
is settled right
It is not necessary to speak to an in
telligent audience upon the necessity of
organization for the workingmen. Ev-
cry person will agree that intelligent
organization is essential to the very
success of labor. Possibly more good
could be accomplished by dwelling upon
the results of organization. Possibly