The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-10-17
= 49,
;, Labor Day.: :


One day in the year have the legis-'
lators set aside for the good Of the
country-Labor Day. Labor day was
celebrated everywhere this year as
never before. In the city Sof New York
the storm-center Of organized labor
the day was observed in many ways,
with a parade as the main feature.
Throughout this country men and
women whose religion is trade-union
ism and whose belief is founded upon
justice and righteousness have gather
ed at the shrine of organized labor to
whorship. its lofty ideals.
Of all the legal holidays which we
celebrate there is none which is so
much concerned with the present and
the future as Labor Day. The birth
days Of some heroes we celebrate be-
cause the wonderful. work they did for
this country could not have been per-
formed by men unless they possessed
the rarest qualities. Decoration day
we devote especially. to the reverence
of the memory of those who have
fought and bled for liberty. Declara-
ton day we celebrate because it was
on the fourth of July We became a free
and independent nation, and because
it was on that day that our inalien-
able rights were so clearly set forth.
Labor day is created for the working
men. It is day when every person
should be awakened to serious con-
sideratiOn of his environment. It is a
day when every man should think Of
the rights and privileges which .arej
guaranteed him by the constitution.
ic fv,1
centration of ones mind upon the
subject if his rights as a creator of
wealth will accomplish more than u
stray thought now and then through
out the whole year. In short, it should
be set aside to the consideration of
the best means of establishing and
bringing about change in our con-
dition which will insure life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness to all.
1t has ever been the pride of man
to march in full glory to the strains
of inspiring music. The sounds Of
trumpets, the beating of drums, the
endless procession of numberless
thousands during this one day of an
entire year accomplish nothing. We
may attract attention by our steady
marching: we may command passing
respect because of our numerical
strength; we may cause uneasiness
because of our Qualification in a noble
cause. But what does it all mean? Can
we truly glorify in Labor day without
attempting to make our lives brighter
and the worlds misery lighter? Shall
we proudly boast of our independence
when the, voices of little white fac
tory slaves, srying to be relieved from
so much earthly misery, reach our
ears? In the year thas has rolled by
have we had any special reason for
Qualification and jollification? Strikes,
lockouts, boycotts, blacklists, unfair
lists have marked this period. A foe
stronger than ever emerged to create
chaossin in the ranks Of: organized labor:
AN enemy fisrcer than ever faced us.
,fnslti 6. .,1liit tai
gtecapted to. disrupt .orgaIlIzedsS labor.It
has Indeed, been an eVentful year. :s
-: The parade on last Monday was.
therefore, for: no other purpose; than
that of demonstrating the steadfast
adherence of union men to union prir-
ciples and of creating lasting respect.
The presence of Labor day, however,
should not be signal merely for mirst
and gaiety. It should lend inspiration
to a just cause; it should show that
the: aspiration of is toward the higher
and the better; it should sound the
signal Of alarm that unless organized
labor makes some rapid strides in the
year to come, all our efforts will have
been in vain. The principle of organ
lied labor must be advanced, for it
ennobles mankind; it is setting the
pace for higher civilization. it is the
main factor which will result in the
amelioration and betterment of all
upon this planet.
A firm reliance in our strength will
lead us to victory. And though the
monster Capital strike at us; though
we lose skirmish, in a great battle
We will ever be victorious. The effect
of Labor day should be everlasting
upon us, who have mutually pledged
to each other our lives and our sacred
honor"