The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-08-06


promised to deliver the labor vot,
to the Democratic party.' ', ~
such statement is SO absurd
us hardly to need refutation. We
recognize the absolute right OF
every citizen to cast his vote fo1
any candidate and with any party
that he pleases. Far be it from MS
TO attempt to coerce the votes OF
the workers, nor are we so asininp
as to promise to deliver the labor
vote.
'But we do in all seriousness.
urge the workers and all good
ciClzenS to consider most carfully
ana thoughtfully the attitude of
the two great political parties to-
ward the fundamental rights and
principles embodied in labor,s
demands. Study their respective
plaCioSms and then vote as con-
science dictates.
ION the one hand we have a
tepubllcan congress absolutely re-
1uslng to enact the demands Of the
workers for right and equitable
legislation and boasting that it is
willing to take the consequences.
FOLLOWING this action of congress
we have the convention of the Re-
publican party scoring laDor's de-
mands and adopting a socalled sin
junction. plank which is an insult
to the Intelligence of every voter
IN this land-a plank which de.
clareS for the continuance and per
petuation of the abuse of the in
llnPfJ0n f,-
application to labor disputes.
.'The Republican party definite
ly lines up with corporate inter-
ests of the country and defines the
people to help themselves. On the
other hand, the Democratic party
indorses labor's demands and
pledges itself to carry them into
effect if it is put into power"
"We earnestly ask the workers
and their friends to make the
choice which is in accordance
with their best interests. We ask
them to remember their moral OBJ
legation to cast their votes for
those who will protect and defend
their rights. If they fail to do so,
they will have to reckon with
even a worse condition of affairs
than now obtains.
eve feel that we need not do
more than state the facts above
outlined. The workers and their
friends have had experience in the
past year of what the party now
in power can do and intends to do.
The very feeling of outrage and
Indignation which prompted the
decision OF the workers 20 use their
political power to protect them
selves will guide them as to how
to cast their votes. They will
elect their friends and defeat their
enemies.
Sum- mariZing and concluding
Mr.. GOmpers says:
"While there is no effort being
made by 'Gompers to deliver the
labor vote to the Democratic
party yet, even in the brief time
which has elasped since the two
great party conventions, there is
every indication that the workers
| throughout the country most
heartily indolse the action of of
ficerS Of the American Federation
of Labor il all that they have
said and done in matters political.
'sW lille we do not wish in any
way to interfere with each mans
right to choose his own political
affiliations, yet we say frankly
that the worker who in this cam
paign supports the party or the
candidate who has scontemptuously
and boastfully shown hostility tC
labor's INTERESTINGLY, he will
have to reckon with his own con
science and with his fellow work
men.
: Gin accordance with the actor
Of labor's protest conference heiC
last March
'sNe now call upon the workers
of our common country to StanC
faithfully by cur friends. oppose
: and defeat our enemies whether
| they be candidates for president
for congress or other offices, wheth
er executive, legislative or judicial
: HWhat has been Rdone so far, 1:
} in line with the determination thu: