Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-26

Ecu DIS great struggle IOr num4n |
rights, as against greed. and avarice,
and hence. the justification of the
Trades Unions existence, the Unions
being a product of advanced civiliza
ton, will continue to be great civil |
lizing force in our future growth and
| development.
We can now boast of at least forty
permanent homes in District 13 where
we can meet periodically to discuss
live social and economic issues, and
to mold character, crystalize public
opinion. elevate the intellectual, moral
and higher standards of good citizen
ship, thus giving to society and the
world higher ideals and you will, If
temperate In the discussions of these
questions, undoubtedly make life ten
dererd and hopes brighter as you aa-
vance in intelligence along the lines
indicated
The Trades Union will continue to
exist while there is wrong to be
righted, but also urge upon you AS
members of great modern institu-
tion not to attempt or allow any one
to appeal to your prejudices or to in
fame each others passions, but
rather you should strive and bend all
your energies to cultivate harmony
and good will among your members,
eliminating as far as possible all dis
| cord. dlssentions, chickering's, and
strife.
Achievements of the Trades Unions.
1t needs but cursory examination
by any student of history to satisfy
himself that the Trades Union Is
permanent institution, built upon the
eternal principles of justice and
eIuity and its benefcient influence is
being brought out more prominently
before the public and when properly
understood by the masses of society,
1t will add stability to our rational
and economic forces, and hence.
greater degree of confidence will be
ushered in between the two divergent
forces of labor and capital. or en-
ployer and employee
The achievements of the Trades
Union movement are many and varied
indeed, they are almost beyond human
comprehension. The pages of history
are replete with detailed accounts &c
what has and is being accomplished
through the instrumentality of the
men and women who toll
Pardon me for calling your atten
ton briefly to some things that have
taken place In the past. The men
who compose our trades Unions have
united continents, have made it posi-
Bile to transmit human intelligence 70
the remotest parts Of the world
and yet only few moments
time required to accomplish results
Of such magnitude. Again the arts
and science owes its onward and
triumphant march to the intelligence
of the men who toll and our great
movement will continue to furnish in
SEPARATION towards greater and more
I. phenomenal achievements in our
future growth and development.
Organizations of the Past and Present
For many centuries the labor union
have existed in many countries, yet
somewhat imperfect in construction,
and their usefulness very limited in
their isolated condition, yet, thanks
to the self sacrificing efforts of the
pioneers that laid the foundation. upon
which we have built thereon, the pre-.
sent peerless superstructures all over
the civilized world, we, with feeling
mingled with pride and admiration.
proclaim that the Trades Unions will
continue to scientifically adjust itself
to the growing changes or evolutions
Of society or civilization.
oul DlSCIlCI, anu
international Unions are as essential
. to our future welfare and advance
ment as are the rivulets, streams, aiC
our commerce.
True Greatness.
A philosopher wisely stated that
:. nations and communities only become
great in proportion to the intelligence
Of the masses Of its people. This
self-evident truth applies with equal
force to the Trades Union movement
and never in the history of this OF
any other country, were. the fields
of opportunity as great as at the pre-
, sent time. Hence, recognizing how
, essential to our future progress it is
a to disseminate knowledge and educa
. ton. efforts should be put forth Il
!. educate the masses, particularly II
the comparatively unOrganizedi sec
a lions of our country and ultimately
q of all countries
/ All but the man that exploits ant
: thrives upon the labor Of the poor anG
y uneducated will accept this conclusive
+ and self-evident truth. The labor prob
/, lem must be solved through the co
! operation and united efforts of every
a man and woman who rely upon theft
!. toll for an existence. But however
a am not unconscious of the further
fact that there are many public
: spirited and philanthropic men in al
: the varied walks of life that are nov
;. assisting by their personal influence
in giving impetus to our cause.
: The Trde Union that feels that i
has attained that degree of perfec
: ton where its rights must be respect
ed, should bear in mind that 1t car
:, = not rise. beyond it's sphere. or environ
!. ments. Water will not rise above 1T
!. own level, only by superficial means
a hence, the weakest and most imper
. feet Union must be elevated through
:. the efforts Of the stronger Union
= Then to accomplish this desired end
:. :. the artisan, the mechanic, the skilled
i and unskilled workmen in every de
!, partment of the worlds industries
: should be brought to full realiza
. ticn that all must work together AM
y become thoroughly conversant witt