The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-26

travel some, have nice dress, home
instead OF tenant house, furniture
instead of boards and boxes, a bath
tub instead of basin, a feeling of
contentment and happiness rather
than misery and sadness.
It's only natural that we expect our
sons to be presidents, but, brothers,
how can we amend this wretchedness?
You say, II can't afford these Injuries
for my wife," II cannot educate nv
children" do you not see the man
ner in which l am compelled to labor
for the very necessities of life?"
How is 1t possible that my children,
wife or self may have the comforts
or advantages of the higher class?"
III there are any means whereby I
may better my condition I will gladly
accept them"
There is. The union comes to your
rescue and, sincerely, sir, it is the
working mans only protection.
"Oh!" you say, 1T would never do
for me to unite myself with it, BE-
cause then my boss would certainly
be against me. The boss has told me
that the great curse of the laboring
people is unions. He tells me strikes
are frequent and men are idle for long
periods; that union men are lawless
and are the cause Of all the labor
troubles"
This is his argument to keep you in
serfdom. The less your. profit the
more for him. His family's luxuries
are your fam1ly's necessities. You,
in sense, are his family servant.
Where is yours? You are the only serv-
want your family has. They are serv-
ed poorly, but your boss's family is
served we'll. Is this justice? I think
not. Your condition has remained the
same so long until you are now cow
ardeu. You are afraid to assert your
self. You feel that others are above
you in God-given rights. There is a
place and good living for you.
Your education may have been neg
lected, but you may help pave for
your children the way to knowledge.
Your path may be wearisome, but
strive for the elevation of future gen.
erations. Again, I repeat, your con-
ditions can be bettered If you give
unionism your support. I'm union
man, enjoying living in a union town,
the eight-hour day and good wages.
I do not feel that am doing any man
an injustice when go to my work at
z o'clock and back again at $780,
Men more highly esteemed go to thoir
offices as late as 10 o'clock and spend
a month or two each year in travelling
and sightseeing. I allow no person
to step on my toes, as it were, or to
crush my privileges. / feel myself
the equal of any man, and in this I
am justified. The union helps me.
It is a means of self-defense, a rock
of Gibraltar for the laborer.
These words are never emphasized
enough: In union there is strength"
1t necessarily follows that the larger
the union the more their ability, re-
sulting in greater individual power.
A few months ago lost my wife,
who was as much a union woman as
I am a man. The union paid to me
the death benefit, and I had the un-
bounded sympathy of my fellow crafts
men. There was no worldly power
which could offer. me the help that
came through my union.
There is no harm in it, so tell vour
wife the advantages, teach your child
rem that the principles of labor unions
are right and that the laboring Deonle
need unions.
When our bodies shall have return.
ed to the earth and our souls departed
to the great beyond, our lives will
then be living monument looked
upon with grateful hearts. We die.
but the good we do lives.
The union has helped me better nv
condition. Has it yours?
If you are not member, reader, or
If you have neglected your duties, put
yourself in fellowship and cause the
one great aim Of our lives to be &C.
complished, viz:
Happiness Of home, which is the
pride of unionism." 1.-THE Carpenter.
It was customary for the MARRIAGE
able maidens OF old times to have