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

owner.
Life a Hard One
The principle once established, men
stroye TO secure freedom, which came
after they had purchased the right to
call themselves freemen. Their lot was
little better than that of their for
mer associates, and the compensation
they received never exceeded 20 cents
a day. The workmen were actuated
by no pride of home or country. they
were not so particular about obtaining
their freedom except for the reason
that paganism OF that day taught that
the man who did not own his liberty
could not own a soul. In reality the
workman who purchased his freedom
believed that he purchased a soul at
the same time.
Slaves and freemen, men and women,
worked together in feId and mine. fire.
quently naked. not sensible Of their deep
degradation. AS intellect increases to
a higher plane among a few, it spreads
its influence 10 others. and secret me-C.
ings in the dark hours of the night were
held. During these meetings the con-
ditions which harassed them were
talked over, and plans were discussed
for their amelioration.
The first great strike on record was
that of 10000 workmen of Athens, wh1
went out of the mines and shops and
went over to the enemy of their country
at a time when il was in greatest peril.
This was during the Peloponnesian war,
in the year 4l3 B. c.
No Day of Rest.
Previous TO that time no Sundays or
other rest days we're allowed the work
ers. When mines or shops were owned
by the government and were leased to
contractors. the laborers were leased
along with the property
Much as the participants in the awful
scenes which took place in the arena
dreaded approach of the day when the
gladiator games were TO come of, the
great mass of workers were Indifferent
10 their surroundings and regarded such
days as breathing spells.
They were so hardened and bestiaI-
lied by the frequent exhibitions of bru-
tally that they regarded the shedding of
human blood as a mere pastime. and as
the victims went down for the last time
in the arena, they felt that it was a
happy release. from toll. The gladiators
themselves seldom cared to leave the
arena alive, for they lived in dread OF
the summons TO invade its precincts.
Spartacus an Organizer.
Some seventy years before the coming
of Christ, Spartacus succeeded in caus-
ing the gladiators to organize against
the practice of compelling men to kill
each other for the mere qualification of
the lords and ladies of that age With
such leader as Spartacus the working
men took hope, and made a desperate
effort TO crush the power that had so
ruthlessly trampIed upon the rights OF
humanity for many ages.
The struggle was a strike against op-
preston and slavery. Although it ended
in his death and the crucifxion of some
5000 OF his followers, it left so strong
and enduring an impression upon the
minds of the people that its lesson has
not yet been forgotten
1t is said that organizations Of labor
existed at the time Of the erection Of
Solomons Temple. The craftsmen en-
ployed upon that structure we're banded
together in something akin TO q trades
union and were able TO make themselves
understood by each other through the
use OF mystic signs and cabalistic sym
bols which conveyed no meaning 20
their master. Trades unions fiourishad
so long ago that no traces of their
origin can be followed with any degree
of accuracy. The skilled ard unskiIled
workers were banded together in guilds,
leagues, and unions.
On many occasions attempts were
made TO secure freedom from bondage,
Sdt each time the plans were frustrated
through the treachery OF some member
who cared more for the feeting smile
Of a master than the benefits which
would follow independence. That tho
number OF traitors was not greater in
those ancient days was due 20 the fact
that death. certain and swift, followed
the act of the betrayer.
Whether the master paid for The
treachery in coin or honcyed words the
fate melted out 10 the tTcachcrous one
by his fellow workers was always death.
and as a consequence only The man who
was ignoren; Of what had happened 40
others dared betray his associates. Ig-
norance o. the past and future was
what caused the treachery Of those an
Gent days. Then as now ignorance was
the most dangerous zoe 10 the advance
o. freedom and equality.
With The dawn Of Chris tianiJy came IN
awakening OF hope. IN arousing OF the
Intellect that nothing in history had
ever cccas-oncd before. Christ said that
''Ihe iaDoreT is worthy o. his hire" that
the lana shall no: be sold forever"
Embraced Christianity
Tradosmcn. members OF the guilds.
leagues and OTHER organizations OF work
ingmen embraced Christianity. and pro
claimed It's doctrines as being especially
advantageous 10 the welfare OF the toll
lag poor Thousands locked around the
standard OF Christianity for the reason
that IL was emblematic OF progress, Of
liberty and equality % men. The ar
tisan, the iron worker, the worker IN
wood and stone. the laborer OF the VII
sol nd h.