The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-26
.GOHPERS ISSUES
MESSAGE OF CHEER,
Tells Laboring Men of Amer
lea to Remain Stead
fast.

Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation OF Labor. who
spent Christmas Day at home with his
family, expressed himself as mighty
glad that he had been able 80 eat his
dinner with his family instead Of in
Jail
This is my chief personal reason for
rejoicing at this glad season Of the year
the anniversary OF the birth OF linn
Peace, said GOmpers, but my personal
JOY is submerged in the happiness feel
because the highest court OF the lana
has decided 10 review the Injunction
cases. These cases in their final settle
menL mean more for TIE cause of in
dustrial peace than any thers that have
come 10 Tor settlement ia the past tygen-
TYNE years anywhere in the world
The truest idea or peace, the peace
that the Christ came TO earth TO give
20 mankind, Is, IN my opinion Industrial
peace-tor how can men be at peace
with the men OF other nations unless
they be at peace among themselves
The question OF the rights of individ-
ual labOrers 10 belong to labor unions
and TO speak out freely for the indus
( trial freedom cf their fellows, is one
that was supposed TO have been settled
I in this country for an time when the
Constitution was adopted But this right
/ has been gradually invaded by the
courts OF this free land, which has held
/ the torch Of liberty up 70 the oppressed
/ Of all nations.
Still Oppressed.
Under the present construction that
! has obtained in most of the courts OF
America, Iaboring men are oppressed to
/ that same servitude that they were
] compelled 20 submit to IN the feudaI
days when common people had no rights
/ Money has again reared its head as the
dominating factor in the question Of
what is right
Now that the Supreme Court Of the
I United States las decided 10 look into
the case. we should all rejoice IL
/ viii mean that TIE highest Judicial au-
/ thOrity in this country viii say jusL
/ what constitutes the law on this subject
will tell the American people whether
the law allows the courts 10 enjOin IA
advance the doing OF anything for which
there might be an adequate remedy az
law already, or which might be perfectly
regal if done
Then we viii know whether Il Will
be necessary for the American people
10 pass more laws which VIII guaran-
tee the constitutional right of free
speech and free press To the people OF
whether II VIII be necessary TO amend
the very Constitution itself in order
TO make these safeguards Of liberty Sc
Their Sacred Rights.
IT say that the decision Of the Su-
preme Court to taEe up this question
means much for the cause Of industrial
peace because, whatever The decision
of the court viii be, L believe the peOplt
OF this country VIII straIghtWay make
these sacred rights secure and that this
/ troublesome question WIKI be set al rest
Labor organizations are first and
foremost organizations that seek indus
trial peace and not strife. To the caus
of peace we are pledged whether 4
= come through strikes. DOycOrts, or tn'
ordered processes Of law. I believe tina
the great body OF Americans stand fOi
\ fair play above everything else be
llieve that when the courts once decide
= what rights we have and what we have
mot. under existing laws. the Legislative
body will speedily amend those por
2 ltions that are held to be inaedquate an'
D that industrial STRIFE VIII become les
2 and less frequent as time goes on
THE affairs of the American Fedora
ton are I'm good order The spirit o
e brotherhood prevails to q greater eXten
T. than il has prevailed for years, ant
b we are all united to bring about bette
~ conditions Of life for those who toll
: NV message 10 the labOrers Of Amer
d lea at this Joyous season IS 70 be o
p good cheer and stand stesdfast to IN
II cause which is brighter daily as II
better understood.