United labor bulletin., 1909-11-05

One of the most enthusiastic demon
strations ever given to a labor leader
was that accorded Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation OF
Labor on his return to his home city,
Washington, D. c., after his tour OF Eu-
rope studying the industrial conditions
existing on the other side of the pond.
The welcome that was accorded Mr..
Gompers will long be remembered by
the trade unionists participating in the
affair, as well as the entire country. A
monster parade, that was participated in
by fully 10000 toilers. paraded the
principal streets of the Capital City
on Tuesday night, October u, IN MS
honor. President Gompers, accompanied
by other prominent officials. reviewed
the parade, and as the sturdy marchers
passed by the sight of so many men ex-
pressing their confidence and loyalty to
him the grand old mans eyes were dim
med with tears.
After the parade reception was held
in his honor and speeches were made by
many prominent men in not only the
trade union field. but the business world
as we'll
Mr.. Gompers' Speech.
When Mr.. Gompers arose TO make his
address he was rendered an ovation fit
for king. In part, he said:
''Fellow-workingmen and women and
friends: I want you to believe me when
say that in so far as this demonstra-
ton is concerned or carried any per-
sonal aspect, I can find no words to ade-
quately express my feeling of apprecia-
ton and gratitude to the men and women
who participated in this demonstration,
or who have sympathy with our cause.
My gratitude is given without stint or
reservation. But l believe this demon
stration is not for man, but for the
principles for which We stand.
4 have seen much abroad, much of
it vitally interesting. I was charged with
making vacation of it However. no one
who knows me believes I had much fun
since left Washington. I believed /
was intrusted with very serious mis-
sion.
1T is difficult for us to understand the
woeful misconception Of the American
labor movement abroad. and it is not
due to any lack of desire to know. but
it is due to the willful misrepresentation
of our movement I am glad to say this
one thing, however.
No matter what else may have been
accomplished or failed of accomplish
ment by my trip abroad, the men of
labor OF Europe have better under
standing of the living, vital militant
movement of America.
Il have seen much of the art, much of
the history. legends and traditions OF
Europe: seen her cultured classes and
seen her poverty and her misery. I did
not circumscribe my Investigations by
any boundaries or limits. I sought the
light wherever it might be found"
Speaking OF the force opposed to the
labor union movement who have at
tempted TO misrepresent him. he reirer-
ated his previous statements that he
would not quake or quail in the presence
of any power. however mighty. when
convinced that justice and liberty are on
his side. He respects every man for the
contribution he makes for social pro-
gress. he said. There is no man for
whom he would bend his knee in sub
mission; no man to whom he will look
up. unless that man possess the attrib-
utes of honesty and justice. and there Is
no man upon earth upon whom he would
look down.
Il found not one valuable eontribu-
ton of the material advance of workers
in any country that had not been pro-
duced by the much-abused labor union
movement. But l cannot go into any inn
portant discussion of my studies and OBJ
servations for the convention of the Am
erican Federation of Labor is near. and
il is to it that must first make my re-
port
The time is near at hand when the
hopes and aspirations of humanity from
time immemorial for common bond of
brotherhood the world over will be real
lied An International Federation of
Labor is near at hand-not to oppress or
do injustice. but to establish justice for
the producers of wealth. At the mass
meeting of representative labor men
from the world over that l attended in
Paris. solemn protest was entered
against the armaments of the nations
A leading British statesman is authority
Tor the statement that II war is TO oe
abolished 1t will devolve upon the work
ingmen of the world to accomplish 1t.
"But we are at this time passing
through critical period in our own