The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-07
Declares Mr. Bryan in His
Speech at Chicago.
AMERICA is LEADING
In the March Toward Altruism
He Tells His Hearers.
Discusses Taft's Relation to the
Injunction Matter.

bryan was Ine prlnclpa1 orator at the
celebration of Labor day in this city.
He spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and GENTLE
men:
Labor day is legal holiday and 1t
was made SO because the legislators
thought the wage -earners worthy TO
have a day specially set apart for the
consideration of themes that concern
those who toll. l appreciate the COM
pliment paid me by the programme
committee of this city in inviting me
to participate in the ceremonies of
this day, and it was gladly accepted,
because Chicago is the second CITY
in the Union, and as a labor center IL
is scarcely second to any city in the
world.
If it were proper to speak from a
text, would select passage from
Proverbs, for know of no better one
than that furnished by the words of
Solomon when he declared that as a
man ''thinketh in his heart, so In he.''
This is Bible doctrine; it is common
sense. and it is human experience.
We think in our hearts as well as in
our heads-out of the heart ARE the
issues of 1ife.' 1t is a poor head that
cannot find a plausible reason for do
ing what the heart wants to do. be-
gin my speech with this proposition
because 1 want to impress 1t upon the
minds of those who listen TO me, and
upon those who read what 1 say to-
a
moral than an intellectual one.
Tolstoi, the great Russian philos-
opher, in defining the doctrine of
bread labor" gives as one of the rea-
sons in support of it. that personal
contact with manual labor-not a
recollection of former toll, but con-
tinued acquaintance with it's neces-
sary to keep one in sympathy with
those who work with their hands He
contends-and is it not true THAT
r n DC
at the root of most of the problems of
society and government.
The world is growing toward broth
erhood, and our nation is leading the
way. There is more altruism in this
country than anywhere else in the
world, and more today than there ever
has been before. There is more recog-
milton of the kinship that exists be-
tween us, more thought about the Ques-
tions which concern q common human
ity than at any preceding time. The la
Dor organization is part of this great
movement of the masses toward closer
fellowship. 1t has worked wonders in
the past and its work is only COM
menced.
The labor organization helps those
outside of it as it's members because
the increased wages and improved con-
ditions are shared by nonunion men as
we'll as by union men.
Nobody Is Perfect.
Do not understand me to say that a
labor organization is perfect; 'the king
can do no wrong" can no more be spo-
ken of a group than of individuals. The
labor organization is composed of men;
it's affairs are controlled by human be-
ings, and human beings are not perfect.
All that man touches is stained with
mans imperfections, and his frailty can
be traced through all his works. But.
fortunately for the laboring man, the
Judgment pronounced against his mis-
takes must be tempered by the fact
that those with whom the laboring man
comes into contact are also like to err.
When the employe deals with the en-
ployer, he is dealing with one OF like
passions with himself. Each is likely
to be insistent upon what he believes to
be right and the opinion of each, as to
what is right. is likely to be colored by
selfish interests and affected by incom-
plete information as to the facts. II
the employe has sometimes resorted to
violence to enforce his wishes, the en-
ployer has sometimes employed his po-
sition to secure an unfair share of the
joint product. 1t is the province OF the
law to place limitations upon both, and,
the security of our government is found
in the fact that both employer and en-
ploye, in their calmer moments, viii
Join in the enactment of laws which
will restrain them in moments OF temp
tation. Some assume that labor is law
less and that to settle the labor ques-
tion permanently we need only enforce
the law vigorously. I yield to none in
insistence upon obedience to the law.
Law is necessary in human society, and
it's enforcement is essential to peace
and order but we must remedy abuses
by law If we would insure respect for,
and obedience to, law.
The important lesson to be learned
by the citizen in a government like
ours is that the ballot Is both shield
and sword-it protects him from in
jury and enforces his rights.
Our Natural RIGHTS
The first thing that is needed for a
better understanding of labor ques-
tions is the recognition of the equal
rights of all and, second, more inti-
mate acquaintance. We have rights
that may be called natural rights; they
are inherent: we have them because
ment did not bestow them upon us
the government cannot rightfully
withdraw them from us. We all
come into the world without our voli-
tion the environment of youth large
ly determines the course of our lives.
and this environment is not OF our
choosing We live under the same
moral Obligations, and are responsible
to the same Supreme Being. we nave
our needs that must be supplied; we
require food, clothing, shelter, COM
raniouship We have our domestic
ties and the tenderness of these ties
is not measured by wealth or position
in society. Man has used petty dis
tinctions to separate society into diff
ferent classes. but these distinctions
are insignificant when compared with
the great similarities that unite us In
common destiny and impel US toward
common end.
on this day it is we'll to emphasize
the fact that we are linked together by