The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-05-10
THE woRKINcMAN


laborers and capitalists
The classification serves very
well the purpose for which it is in
tended, butit is aquestion whether
more truth than error IS involved
in it. 1t is possible that many Of
the invidious class distinctions that
exist in the popular mind, may
be attributed to it.
Setting aside the fine distinc-
tions of the scientific economist,
the laborer is any man who works,
be it with brain or or hand.
The man who guides the plow
through the dust and heat Of the
day; the man that handles the pick
and shovel which remove the c oal
from the bowels of the earth; the
man who swings the hammer that
builds our houses; the man who
manipulates the tools and machin-
cry that fashion all manner Of
workmanship--these are laborers.
No less a workingman is the
man who owns the mine, the fac
tory or the mercantile establish
ment, and directs its operations,
and no less arduous are his labors.
No less a workingnan is the man
whom insters TO our needs in sick
ness;the man who helps US out Of our
legal difficulties, the man who deals
in spiritual truths and guides us to
a better lite; the man who pushes
the pen and regales us with fact
or fiction as our needs or whims
may desire; the man who manages
AM industrial enterprise great or
small.
In whatsoever measure a man
puts effort into any pursuit III lite,
he is a workingman 1t matters
not whether he possess only the
clothes upon his back or whether
his wealth passes into the millions,
so be it that he tolls in any man
ner, he is a workingman; and to
the extent that possesses things of
value, in material goods, strength
of hand. mental fiber, or moral
worth-the things that make pos
sible further accumulation, -he is
also q capitalist.
Broad as the earth is, there is
no room in it for anyone but a |
workingman. True, there is lin
tied class that has been denomi-
mated the idle rich. To the
honor Of America De il said, there
are few of this class in this country.
A country can have 10 greater
menace than an idle class, whether
rich or poor. If any distinction be
made, the greater danger and dis
race inheres in the former class.
But we are all workers in America |
nd we have shown the world the
splendid results Of hard toll under
fair conditions and free institutions. |
As workingman, we have com
mon purposes and common inter
ests. We are building cities
nd commoawealths; we are striv-
ing to gain possession of the
largest share os the things that
minister to the highest self-develop- |
ment and the greatest enjoyment
oflife.
The problem of economics and
the purposes Of legislation is the
equitable distribution Of the pro
ceeds of our labor In competi,
rive system, a man passes for what
ne is worth--he secures rewards IN
proportion to theservice herenders.
If he possess small capacities, ply
sical, mental, or moral, his
rewards are small If he possess
superior strength Of brain or Drawn,
his rewards are great. We. increase
the results Of our labor only as we
add to our efficiency. The COM
petitive system puts a premium en
worth.
Be a workingman' is the great
command. Work, work. and
whethef il be blowing corn, painting
picE cEhres or writing epics, so that tit
IS done to thine own satisfaction,
thou canst not fail Of thyreward p
With this high doctrine Of labor, we
las aside class passions, and envy
lnes, and become feiIow-workers t
,ne with another in the honestl r
pursuit. Of iile's noblest purposes. Z