The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-07

the musty records of the past. AMI
those who would judge of the future of
labor by its history viii find little TO
encourage them in their researches.
That they will learn much is true that
they Will gather together a store of
facts is also true. but find anything to
cause them to feel that the labor Of
past ages was appreciated at its full
value they will not.
Until some seven centuries before the
coming of Christ men were divided into
two classes-masters and serfs. or lords
and servants Men who worked for pay
were despised, while those who were
the property of others had TO content
themselves with sufficient 70 eat, if in
deed they always obtained that. and
when IL was possible. clothing enough
10 keep the exterior covered.
Slaves Put to Death.
1t was the right of the master to kill
his slave without question Frequently
strong men were put to death for the
mere pleasure Of assembled guests. and
II was no uncommon thing to torture
slave while experimenting with poison.
When fetes were held in these oIden
days they were ordered and directed bv
the masters. Those who took active
part. those who made up the ranks and
files OF the merrymakers, were working
men or slaves. II was not in pleasant
anticipation then that the toiler looked
forward TO q gala day, before the dawn
Of the Christian era. for he became a
participant, not for his own amusement
or pleasure, but for the beastIy gratifl-
cation OF the nobility, who looked on at
the most revolving spectacles. through
which strong men and women, too. went
down 10 death, torn apart by wild
beasts in the arena.
IL was the custom to train certain men
10 arms so that they might act as glad
iators on fete days. Il the mother of
that day could have pierced the future
with the eye of love and have seen the
struggles. the writhing and torture Of
the infant babe which she held up 10 her
bosom IN tenderness and love, she would.
instead Of prolonging the life. end the
earthly visit of her offspring before its
first lettering steps were taken toward
the arena in which the earth would
drink the life blood, amid the shouts
and plaudfts OF debaoehed @rneR- and
women. who were born into the world as
the owner ana rulers DC the working
poor
Labor Day Denied.
The right to inaugurate a movement
having for its object the setting apart
Of a certain day. or number of days, on
which demonstrations, professions, or
meetings would take place, was denied
the artisans and workers of that period.
They were not privileged to hold any fes-
rivals without the consent Of their own
ers. and they dare not ask for that
consent. even; 10 do so would be haz-
ardous 20 life and happiness, If we can
magine that happiness existed in the
midst of such a depraved atmosphere.
When the masters of men went TO
battle and were victorious in capturing
The slaves OF their opponents, they
erected gibbets. and upon them crucihed
the unfortunates who had performed
service for those whom they had en-
countered upon the field
Frequently the slaves were taken to
the arena where they were turned loose.
one at time, to combat with wild
beasts whose appetite had been whetted
by hunger in anticipation of their com
ing Every cruelty. every indignity, and
every humiliation fell 70 the lot OF the
laborers OF Europe, or that part OF It
supposed to be civilized. The barbarians
who swarmed around ancient Rome and
crushed her naughty spirit were far
who looked upon those who were born
poor as their property.
Child Killing Legal.
The original slayeowner was the
father who had the right 10 put his
children TO such use as pleased him;
The killing OF the child by the parent
was allowed under the code which gov
erned the ancients.
II is not then difficult 10 see how
labor was held in contempt; that those
who performed il were regarded as Of
far less value than the tigers, hyenas
and other wild animals kept Gagged and
ready 10 furnish amusement for the
LDb44lt9 ny ittAlub upon tie AAANfIluE
flesh Of the man or labor. Not only
we're the poor. ignorant slaves put 10
torture. but men Of noble birth We're
found in the mar;s wnere slaves acre
bought and sold
Treated as Slaves.
When an invading army came back
with the trophies and prisoners it fire.
quently happened that among the latte r
were men OF rank and education. These
were treated as slaves from the mo-
ment they ceased 10 be opposing war
rlors on the field. They were obliged
70 labor side by side with the hereditary
bondsman. and with him they went 10
the arena 20 Kill and be killed for the
pleasure of the assembled muItiudes.
who hurrahed and cheered a. The hot
blood spurted from hearts torn from
men whose eyes could yet look upon
nc ghasti.- spectacle.
As the number or intellectual slaves
increased The discomfort among .hc
workers increased and after a tlme It
found vent in a strike against Injustice.
Some six centuries before Christ tho
practice OF allowing slaves 70 purchase
sbof,. freedom WAS ezrabTfrbad and ,.,.