The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-12
Plea TO Labor to Support
Bryan Is Made
h Eloquently.
"STAND BY FRIENDS,
OPPOSE ENEMIES"
Lays Stress on Reception OF
Labor Demands at Den
yer Convention.

Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor. Issued
another statement today TO labor
voters. and threw into his appeal all
the eloquence he could command, look
ing toward the defeat Of Taft on No
vember 3, and the naming Of William
Jennings Bryan as President Of the
United States.
Mr.. Gompers reiterated his opposition
10 the Republican party, pointing TO the
attitude of the Chicago convention to-
ward organized labor. He reaffirms the
receptive attitude of the Democratic
party to the appeal Of labor, and urges
his followers to uphold the policies OF
the Democratic party. and TO do all in
their power 70 help the cause of Bryan,
whose declaration that the people shall
rule should, ne says. be sufficient to
guarantee their support.
GOmpeIs' Appeal
He says:
Labor has been and will be accused
Of craftsmanship. but in performing Q.
solemn duty NJ this time I'm support Of
a political party labor does not become
partisan to a political party. but parti-
san 10 principle.
LAS the campaign progresses. aCCusa-
lions, Misrepresentation Of all concaiv-
able kind VIII come thick and fast In
answer to them all, 1 have but to say
that mer who have given a whole LIES
Crergy TO the great cause of labor and
who, in all the years gone by. have
been found faithful, honest and sincere
are not likely to change their character
all Of a sudden. II we were DESTROYS
OF either office OF other emoluments
they could have been obtained with
greater ease from the party in power
Il have said before and now say
again. that there is no political office
IN the gift Of the American people,
elective or appOintive. that I would.
under any circumstances. accept. Not
that such offices could be lightly put
aside by an American citizen, but that
] believe ] can do more for the Ideas
that I cherish and the work In which
I am engaged, either as an official OF
as a member in the rank and file Of
the labor movement, and the threats OF
politicians to burn brush fires behind
me wherever 1 may go; TO create re-
belliOn' in the labor movement against
me, and bring about my defeat fol-
the presidency of the Federation, can
have no influence upon my mind and
cannot alter my course. As workers
and citizens We have our franchise. Is
citizens we must use II, TO protect and
law and secure individual liberty for all
men.
Stand by Friends.
Fellow workers and friends OF human
liberty, labor calls upon you to be true
10 yourselves and TO each other. to
stand faithfully by our friends and
elect them, oppose and defeat our
enemies. whether they be candidates
for President. for Congress. or other
offices. whether executive, legislative,
or judicial"
Mr. GOmpers declares that "the Re
publican party and its candidate stand
fer uphOlding and further extending
INTO our country a despotic Govern
srnent vested in the judiciary.
Human freedom and equality Of all
men before the law Is the result OF
the struggle Of the ages" Mr.. Gompers
concludes, ''and our hottest inheritance.
This we must regain: this we must eX-
tend so that IT shall be living charac-
ter-making. cOnduCt-gOverning principle
IN American life %