The Cairo bulletin., 1905-08-11
TALKS ON RIGHT LIVING AND
BELIEVES IN TRADES UNIONS
Says it is the Duty of Capitalists and Wage
Workers to Understand Each Other
and Have Sympathy for
Each Other

and the great llardships they endured |
in the year 1902; a contest brought to
happy termination through the inter
yention and mediation of our distin- |
guished guest. 1t is a pleasure to
say that largely as result of his ef- |
forts and mainly as a consequence of
his action, the conditions of life and
labor among the anthracite coal mine
workers have been materially improv-
ed, and the entire people of this COM
perity unprecedented in the history of
the hard ccal regions.
1T is equally important to say that
many of the bitter antagonisms and
prejudices of former years, both be-
tween the miners and their employers
themselves. have been slowly but sure
ly dissipated and the prospect of hon
orable industrial peace grows brighter
day by day.
Growth of Unionism.
In the pursuit of It's ideal trades
.unionism has justified It's existence by
good works and high purposes. Slow
|ly and gradually it has progressed to-
ward the fulfillment of its mission.
Il has elevated the standard of living
Of the American workman and confer
red upon him higher wages and more
leisure 1t has increased efficiency
diminished accidents, averted disease,
kept the children in school, and i'm
proved the relations between employ.
er and employed 1t has conferred
benefits, made sacrifices, and, unfor-
tunately, committed errors
"We believe it not unreasonable to
ask that we be judged, not by our
'aults. but rather by cur virtues.
Noted Friends of Unionism.
ITO find justification for our ex-
stenco or for the policies pursued
We do not rely upon the claims We
ourselves make Abraham Lincoln. in
a speech delivered at Hartford. Conn,
N 1860, While addressing the striking
shoe workers, said. Thank God, we
have a system of labor where there
can be q strike. Whatever the pres
sure, there is pont where the work.
man may stop Wendell Phillips is
quoted as having said, lie rejoice AT
every effort workmen make to organ
ize. hail the labor movement. 1t is
my only hope for democracy. Organ
ize and stand together. Let the ma.
tion hear united demand from the
laboring voice William Il. Gladstone
said trade unions are the bulwarks of
modern democracies, and so we might
go on with endless endorsements from
the great men Of the world whose
heart beats are with their struggling
fellow men. But we need not depend
alone upon the utterances of the inn
mortal dead. We have with us as
our honored guest this day, a man
whose name and deeds viii live as
long as the republic shall endure, one
who has on innumerable occasions,
spoken in no uncertain terms in de-
fense of the right Of the workmen to
organize, and has so far subscr bed
to the constitution and principles of
modern trade unions as himself to ac-
cept honorary membership in one OF
them.
And now, Mr.. President, may !
again bid you welcome? May cx-
| press the hope that your visit among
US may prove as pleasant to you as
Is appreciated by us?"
The president followed Mr.. Mitchell
and was cheered Justify all through
| MS address. He said:
| Il am particularly glad to speak to
THIS audience Of miners and their
wives ami children, and especially To
lspeak under the auspices OF this great
temperance society In our country
the happiness Of all the rest Of our
people depends most of all upon the
welfare Of the wage-worker and the
welfare Of the farmer, II we can
secure the welfare OF these two class
cs we can be reasonably certain that
the community as a whole will pros
per. And we must never forget thai
the chief factor in securing the wei
fare alike Of wage-worker and OF far
mer, as Of everybody else, must b.
Irhc man himself
"A The only effective way % help any