Evening journal., 1906-09-03
Monday, September 3, 1906.
LABOR DAY.

THROUGHOUT the country the day is be-
4 ing observed as one especially devoted to
labor" that is to the men who earn their living
by the mechanical crafts, combination OF men
tai and manual labor
Thousands of workingmen in the different cit
les are parading, celebrating and demonstrating
They are calling to our minds the important place
that labor so-called holds in the body polite 1t
IS holiday recognized in Delaware and many
other cominonwealtbs Each year it is coming
to be more generally observed and its effects
noted The labor unions and all men who take
notice Of the day have just right to be proud OF
it.
Never in the history Of the world has labor oc-
cupied such an exalted position The condition
OF the Nvorldngman is better 1t is improving
in this country he has unlimited suffrage which
means that the laboring masses are really the
controllers of the government and responsible
for it. In most OF the European countries the
voice of labor is heard and is a potent force in
the governments AS time goes on suffrage is
extended in those nations. History is largely
record OF the struggles Of the masses to better
themselves, to get more OF the worlds goods, to
live happier and better lives.
In production three factors are recognized
labor, land and capital. Labor is the most inn
portant because it.is human.--W Without labor the
other two factors would be inert. Labor is the
active force land and capital the passive, Not
so many years ago the economic writers treated
labor as a.nere commodity. They dehumanized
it. Ii was something to be secured at the cheap
est cost, at the lowest rate OF production The
laborer was to receive bare subsistence, merely
what would sustain life. But there has been
revolt against such doctrine. Labor is to be
considered as human ethical vital And so
arose the question Of distribution, distrbutive
justice, until now the subjects among the en-
lightened writer's on these topics not merely
the production OF wealth but its equitable distri-
button And it is out Of this idea, this change
and exaltation Of labor that the idea Of trade un-
ions originated 1t is what makes them so strong
to-day
The nature OF industrial and business life ere
ates the unions. They could not disappear if it
were desirable, Without organizations, the la
boring population would be in condition Of
chaos, or as Professor Clark once said, they
would be dehumanized brutcs. Industrial life
has changed Manufacturing is concentrated.
The little shop and the small master with few
employees. has largely gone The large factory
operated by large capital takes its place Then
follows the organization Of the working forces
just as logically did the organization of indus
try into the larger mills and factories
How different is the lot OF the laborer to-day
from that Of years ago. Only few years age
much production was carried on by labor held ii
the shackles of human slavery. Laborers not SC
long ago in other countries were denied suffrage
were subjected to onerous and burdensome rules
were denied even the right to free motion and 10
comotion were regarded by man as mere instru
ments to produce or make things, to create
wealth for others in times of peace and compos
the armies and navies in times OF war. Educa
ton was limited and there were few opportuni
ties. Changes for the better have come slowly
The advancement has not been swift, but it ha
been sure Education is practically universal
we have any defects in our government, such ex
ist because the masses of the people are willing
to tolerate them republic like ours reflects
or should reflect the sentiment of the masses. II
theory we have government by the masses. 1
II differs in practice then the fault is with tn,
masses, The emphasis OF Labor Day, the hon
orlng OF the Drawn, the muscle, the sinew anc
The brain all combined like they are in no othe
occupation except the mechanical arts. shoul,
cali to mind the responsibilities of labor. n,
other class Of citizens should feel the duties o
good citizenship more than do the men who oh
serve the day to-day.
They should be the foes OF grafters the oppon