Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-15

''The recent and present strikes,
which reach from ocean to ocean prac-
tically. are greatly to be deplored. No
stronger argument can be adduced to
prove that there is something radical
ly wrong in our system of commercial
and industrial government all of
which hinge directly upon our system
Of political government. These strifes
and contentious can but result disas-
trously to all concerned, and every In
dividual in the country is indirectly, if
not directly concerned. 1t seems ex-
ceedingly expedlent that the govern
ment should interpose by establishing
a national arbitration board with pow
er to settle all differences that arise
between employer and employee, and
thus bring labor and capital closer to-
gether, avoiding the jars and stagna-
tions to which commerce and the in
dustrial world are now and have been
subjected.
| "Inasmuch as every strike affects the
solidity of the government to a great
er or less degree, the government be-
comes relatively an interested party,
and should bear the expense of the adj
justment by this arbitration board, In
stead Of the burden being thrown upon
the shoulders of the wage earners.
"The initiative and referendum
have the right ring. If indeed this
is a government of, for and by the peo-
pie, how can we the better amplify this
fact than through the initiative and
referendum? If the supreme court, the
president of the United States, the vice
president, the cabinet, the whole peo-
pie Of the country would have voice in
the administration of affairs.
Anarchy Prevails.
"The spirit of anarchy is abroad in
the land and if permitted to spread un.
| hampered for ten years to come, as 1t
has the past ten years, shudder when
contemplating the consequences. That
same demonlike spirit which possessed
the brain, the heart. the soul of the as
sassins of Lincoln. Garfield and Nc
Kinley, permeates the soul of each
participant in every mob or lynching
Notification that is celebrated, whether
the victim chances to be a big bur
| ly negro in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana
Mississippi, Ohio or New York, or 9
Swede, German, Italian or other race
descendant, and the seat of the trag
edy in some other state. Anarchy is
anarchy, and it is vitality poison tc
good government. and if not checked
or rooted out will assert itself wher
and where 1t is the least expected.
Liberty the Keynote.
i Gentlemen of the committee, re
cognize that liberty is the keynote Of
the national liberty party. Keep this
ever in view. Liberty Of thought, liber
ty of mind, liberty of action. Stand fol
liberty everywhere. all the while, fol
all the people. Remember that liberty
and independence are inseparable. De
mand liberty and practice independ
ence. What we need today is person
al. civil and political liberty and tt
achieve these, we must cultivate true
. manly independence. When we shall
: have awakened the truly religious sen
, timent of the American people to {
clear realization Of our actual politica
infringement and it's consequent effec
: upon the future of our country, ;
/ brighter day will dawn upon us ant
, national tranquility will succeed con
; fusion and strife.
u 1T is the duty Of every negro to d.