The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-08
GOMPERS IS DEFIANT.
Reviews the Bucks Stove Case in His
Annual Report.

Toronto, Canada. Nov. S.-Presldent
Gompers' annual report to the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor submitted to-
{ ay was in part as follows:
There is not wrong against which
we fail to protest or seek to remedy;
there is not a right to which any of
ur fellows are entitled which it is not
our duty, mission, and work and strug-
gle to attain. So long as there shall
remain a wrong unrighted or a right
Genied, there will be ample work for
the labor movement to do. The strug-
sic through the ages has always been
extended with brutal tyranny and cruel
injustice.
Some have always had to suffer
that the people might obtain some
-nodicum of freedom. The times in
which we now live are no exception to
that rule. They who are true to their
fellows, true to themselves, can not
and dare not evade the duties and re-
possibilities which come from their
advocacy of the cause of the people.
Tyranny, exercised by no matter
whom or from what source, must be
resisted at all hazards. The labor
movement which is the defender, pro-
tector and promoter of the rights and
interests of the people must be car
ried forward, it's rapacious, ignorant
opponents to the contrary notwlth-
standing. We should not, and we
must not, surrender the rights which
dare not permit the workers to be-
come the victims of the tender mer-
cies of their exploiters.
1.-The higher manhood, womanhood,
and childhood, a better standard of
life which we have achieved for
Americas toilers, the better concept
of human rights and liberties which
have been secured at such great sac
rifices are too precious heritages even
to permit them to become debatable
topics. They are the result of con-
quests in the struggle; they are ours
to maintain and perpetuate for I'M
born generations.
There is no limit to the lines of ac-
tivity in which our movement is en-
gagged for the betterment of the condi-
ton of the workers, to attain all rights,
and to work for the attainment of JUS
tice. The interest and the right of any
one of our fellows is the concern of the
labor movement. To bring light into
the homes hope to the hearts, aspira-
lions to the minds of the workers, is
the duty and mission of our movement.
To make mankind truly free has been
| the dream of philosophers, song of the
poets, and the struggle of the workers.
I'm the whole history of our move
ment greater struggle has taken
place than that for the preservation
and the maintenance of the right Of
| free press and free speech. AS you well
| know, this arose under the injunction
| proceedings and court decisions in the
| case of the Bucks Stove and Range
company against the American Fe/era-
ton of Labor. December, 1907.
| 1.-The technicalities of the case were
soon lost sight of in the battle to pre-
serve the great principles of human lib
erty which were involved.
1.-THE people of our country have with
| the men of labor made it clear to the
whole world that no curtailment of the
rights of free press and free speech will
| be tolerated.
'"The herculean efforts of the men o.
| labor to arouse the people of the coun-
| try to a realization of the danger which
| threatens our constitutional liberties
| will go down in the annals of history
! as one of the great crusades for the
maintenance and advancement of hui
man rights
81 repeat and emphasis this fact. -
he said. that the doctrine that the
citizen must yield obedience to every
order of the court Notwithstanding
| that order transcends inherent, natur-
al human rights, guaranteed by the
constitution of our country, is vicious
and repugnant to liberty and human
| freedom and that it is the duty, the
| imperative duty to protest.