The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-09-19

UNION MOVEMENT WILL
UPILFT WHOLE PEOPLE
Present Campaign Fraught With
Questions Of Vital. Interest
to Trade Unionism.

CHICAGO, Sept 1s.-The American
Federation of LABOR chief, in his im-
promptu speech at the Labor Day
trade. union banquet, rendered an eio-
auents trtbuteAtta the rights Of wage
earners. He said. in part:-
IT I believed that the movement
fit Of the organized workers alone, I
could. not give it the attention which
have done in my life work. It Is
a. movement for the uplift Of all our
people and the trade union is the best
instrument which we can use. The
very existence of that instrument il
at stake. You have heard the ex-
preston of the two political parties.
The. Democratic party has made
clearcut expression in favor of equal
rights before the law. The labor
plank in the Republican platform is
not a plank. Read the platforms. The
declaration Of the Republican is not,
as many imagine, a plank on labor.
It may be a whole lumber pile on
labor. uaughter) But it is not
plank. Perhaps it is a knot hole. Il
it is it's a. mighty ragged one.
Mr.. Taft's declarations regarding
the right to strike and the use of
injunctions could have been no more
explicit If he had mentioned the name
Of Mr.. Van Cleave of the Buck Stove
and Range company brought recent
ly against me and some others. Mr..
Taft's qualification in favor Of in
functions is an affirmation of the
justice Of this suit that has been
brought against us. Ask Mr. Taft or
any Of his supporters what they think
of the suit, and you will see their,
position.
Next: Wednesday John Mitchell.
Frank Morrison and myself are SUM
moned to appear in court to answer
to charge: of violating that injunc-
ton which Taft justifes. We are to
be tried: to- : determine ). whether we
shall be sent: to Jail. for exercising
the right Of free speech and, free
press. *. ,=:x 4--,:.--44--..sssz
IF Lam, guilty Of libel or treason
Lam amenable to the laws of my
state and my country, but so long as
I say nothing REASONABLE shall claim
the right to express my honest con-
victions, and that is all I have done.
1T is = matter of grave import to
organized labor whether, under tho
Sherman antitrust law, our organ
izations are illegal combinations in
restraint of trade. If we are denied
our natural function of organization,
Of what benefit git to us to organ
lie? To form a mutual admiration
society? No. We must have the right
to displease the powers. that be. I'm
tired Of having men appear in the
position of apologizing for the right
Of free speech.
If I am to be denied these rights,
I'll simply say this: the whole world
IS a narrow cage to. me IT cannot
express my honest thoughts!
II am not university graduate. I.
graduated from the college of hard
knocks in the workshop, and I may
not write as elegantly as some. but
what write Is the expression Of the
discomfort of the working men of our
country. Whether I agree with Mr.
Bryan in everything is not for me to
discuss here. believe he is thorough
]y in earnest and I will stake my life
on his honesty: :..
Il have no votes to deliver" he said
in conclusion. Il owe allegiance to
no political party. I am an American
citizen and a wage Garner. have
but one vote" (here he turned and
grasped Mr., Bryan's hand) and
mines cinched!"