The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1907-09-06
The LABOR DAY PARADE

President GOmpers of the American
Federation of Labor is not in sympa-
thy with those who would abolish the
Labor Day parade on the ground of
expense. In the September number
of the American Federationist Presi-
dent Gompers discusses the matter
fully, and The Wageworker, which
had come to look upon the parade
with disfavor, is bound to confess
that it was in the wrong, after read
ing the editorial in question. Presi-
dent Gompers says:
Labor Day without demonstration,
parades and meetings, will, as the
sun rises and sets, lose it's distinctive
characteristic and simply become a
holiday for Notification, without pur-
pose, design or result
Already we find social and frater-
nal associations, and those with
speculative turn of mind, alluring the
wage-earners from Labor Day parades
and demonstrations to outings, pic
MICS, and excursions, gotten up pure
ly for private profit; and particularly
is this true in such places where pa
rades and demonstrations by labor
have been, even temporarily aban-
doned
Let organized labor abandon Labor
Day as a distinctive day, with its pa
rades, demonstrations, meetings, adj
dresses, and social features, and it's
individuality may be lost forever
1T is true that some expense is
involved in bona fide labor celebra-
ton of Labor Day. But what is that
expense compared with the wonderful
advantages secured in riveting the at
tention of the world, friends, and op-
ponents alike, upon the great cause
for which labor stands?
Incident to organized labor's Labor
Day celebrations, weeks in advance
the newspapers of every city through
out the country publish the actions
and doings of labor; the hopes and
aspirations of the organized labor
movement.
"On Labor Day itself, and for days
after, special features, editorials, are
conspicuous in the daily press and
magazines.
1.-The day before Labor Day, Sunday
ministers of the Gospel of all denom-
nations usually make the theme of
labor and the significance of Labor
Day the text of their sermons. Is it
likely that if the distinctive character
of Labor Day were to be abandoned
that the cause of labor would re-
ceive the same attention from the
public, the press, and the pulpit.
| "As the marching hosts of labor
pass by with their banners unfurled
floating to the breezes, they stir the
cling to the convictions and the faith
that is within them, they remind them
of the holiness and nobility of their
cause, The banners, notices, and
slogans of labor fling defiance to our
opponents and encourage the morgan
lied to make common cause in union
with their fellow-workmen.
Labor Day demonstrations quicken
the conscience of those inclined to
the wrong and create healthier pub
lie opinion for the great cause for
which labor stands.
"As the workers organize and show
the strength of their numbers and
the unity of their purposes, by their
Labor Day parades, demonstrations,
meetings, addresses, and innocent
pleasures, they command the atten-
ton, respect and confidence of our
fellow-workmen, and in the last analy-
sis, of all the people.
THE educational influence and i'm
preston made on Labor Day will be
measured by the earnestness and de-
votion with which that day is OBJ
served by the organized wage-earners
of our country.
"Once Labor Day is diverted from
It's true, distinctive characteristic, de-
voted simply to meetings, or solely
social features, then gradually in time
the meetings will be discontinued, and