The San Francisco call., 1908-09-08

his hand a theme with which to hold
the attention or arouse the enthusiasm
of his hearers Labor Day ISoo. Is no
exception to this rule. On the contrary,
the present occasion flndS the labor
movement of the country confronted Oy
a situation the gravity of which can not
be exaggerated In a word, the IaooI
movement of today has been attacked
III manner that threatens its practical
annihilation. Considering all things,
and particularly the manner and source
OF the attack IN question. II Is tsaIOli Ise-,s
history has the labor movement con-
fronted q danger even approashlnS IN
its possibilities. and. indeed, probabiil-
ties. the menace that now threatens It.
ATTACKS OVERCOME
From time immemorial the path of
labor has been strewn with thornS
rather than with roses The 1orceS OF
greed, of prejudice, OF passion ana OF
pride. all the historical opponents OF
labor in the industrial world, have at
tackled the labor movement in turn, and
sometimes in united form. These at
tackS have been met and overcome, II
may be with much loss and suffering,
but nevertheless with the final result
of strengthening the ranks OF organized
labor and advancing its cause OPPOSE
tion of this kind is natural and the heId
in which it is encountered IS, compare
lively speaking, a fair one. The progress
made by organized labor is itself PROOF
that this opposition need not be feared.
that it is stimulant rather than
menace to the growth of the labor
movement.
Today a new and unexpected form of
opposition to labor manifests itself. The
courts of the land. those tribunals OF
should be least disposition TO take sides
against the workers, are now arrayed
against the labor movement From the
highest court in the nation the word
has gone forth that the labor move
ment is a conspiracy and subject 10
penalties designed for its determination
as such. The sword OF justice mas been
cast into the scale with the contentious
of capital, and labor has been chal-
lenged 10 outweigh these forces with
its simple plea for constitutional right
PROGRESS OF LABOR
In every Labor day meeting today
the story of labor's travail and triumph
will be recounted, the germ, the genesis
and the growth of the labor movement
will be traced; the golden thread that.
running through the whole history OF
mankind, marks the progress or labor
from savagery to slavery, from slavery
10 serfdom, from serfdom 10 freedom,
will be picked up and followed through
its devious windings for the pleasure
and instruction OF the assembled
throngs. But above and beyond the
story of the battles fought and Won
will rise the clarion call 10 that battle
yet to be fought, battle for the main
tenance of those rights already
achieved. battle in which the cause OF
the whole people is inseparably linked
with that of organized labor, battle
the results of which will determine for
a long time to come the current or pub
lie life, whether that current shall be
progressive or retrOgreSSiye.
The outcome of this new struggle
upon which we are embarked can hard
ly be doubted. Given a full realization
of the issues impending and deter
mination that these issues shall be set
tied favorably to the cause or human
progress, the outcome is assured.
MUST MAINTAIN RIGHT
On this Labor day we declare anew
our faith in the power OF organization
as the only means whereby We may Sc
cure. a fair and decent consideration of
our demand for improvement in the
terms of employment.
We declare that the right of organi-
Zation must be maintained inviolate as
including and embodying the right 10
do collectively that which may be done
individually, since only by such right
of action can the right of organization
itself avail anything.
With all respect to the courts, the
congress and all other institutions of
the nation, we declare that the labor
movement must not be outlawed. and
we pledge ourselves to use every lawful
means TO prevent that condition.
The labor movement must be in the
future. in all the past, forward
movement.