The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1908-10-31
MEN OF LABOR LOVERS OF LIB
ERTY.


what 1t did not do.
1t Is no attack upon the judges to
say that they are men with fair
average quality of human nature; that
they are subject to the prejudices and
passions of men. They cannot divest
themselves Of their humanity by put
ting on the judicial ermine any more
than they can the king divest himself
Of his by putting on the crown.
Despotic power under the ermine is
as dangerous as despotic power under
the crown. To stay its progress some
remedy must be had, and we there
fore appealed to the republican con-
vention at Chicago and were given
the same answer in still more insult
ing language. If that were possible.
We asked for bread, and they showed
us whip, and in order to be certain
that the whip will be effectually used
the republican party nominated as its
standard bearer, Mr.. William H. Taft.
the originator and specific champion
of discretionary government; that is.
government by injunction. In pass
ing I may say that his nomination.
under the circumstances, was logical.
1t would have been impossible for the
party to find n more effective repre-
sentative of it's policy.
Labor's representatives then went to
the democratic party. That party
made laDor's contention it's own. 1t
pledged it's candidates for every Office
to those remedies which labor had
already submitted to congress. The
standard bearer of the democratic
party, Mr.. William j. Bryan, entered
fully into the essence of this struggle
and declared that the real issue in
this campaign is: Shall the people
ruler"
The republican party and it's can
didate stand for uph0lding and furth
err extending into our country des-
potic government vested in the ju-
dietary.
The democratic party and it's can
didate stand for government by law
vested in the people.
AS an American citizen, in view of
these facts, / nave no choiceI have
only duty. Duty to preserve with my
voice. pen and ballot, that form of
government, for the preservation of
which Lincoln said: Men died at
Gettysburg"
Human freedom and equity of all
men before the law is the result of
the struggle of the ages, and our no.
Hest Inheritance. This we must re-
gain; this we must extend, so that it
shall be living, Misunderstanding.
conduct-governing principle in Ameri-
can life.
Labor has been and will be accused
Of partisanship, but in performing
solemn duty at this time in support
Of a political party labor does not be-
come partisan to a political party. but
partisan to principle.
AS the campaign progresses, mis-
representations of all conceivable kind
will come thick and fast. In answer
to them all, have but to say that
men who have given whole life's
energy to the great cause of labor and
who, in all the years gone by, have
been found faithful, honest and sim
cere are not likely to change their
character all of sudden. If we were
DESTROYS of either office or other emol-
uments they could have been obtained
with greater ease from the party in
power.
/ have said before, and now say
again, that there is no political office
in the gift of the American people,
elective or appointive, that l would,
under any circumstances, accept. Not
that such offices be lightly put aside
by an American citizen, but that be-
cherish and the work in which / am
engaged, either as an official or as a
member in the rank and file of the
labor movement, and the threats of
politicians to burn brush fires" be-
hind me wherever may go;
to create" rebellion in the labor
movement against me and bring about
my defeat for 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; as citizens we must use 1t
to protect and extend equality of all
men before the law and secure indi-
vidual liberty for all men.
And now, fellow workers and friends
of human liberty, labor calls upon you