The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1909-01-07
StreWn With Blood
Hunger and Anguish
Disappointed Hopes and Sacrifices Has Been
the Pathway of Trades-Ur1ions, But
Still the Fight for Better Conditions
Continues.

When one conciders the con-
dition of workingmcn today coz
trasted with their lot twenty five
years ago, it causes one to wonder
at the great changes brought about
between that period and the pres
cnt. The path has been Strcwn
with blood, anguish, disappointed
hopes and sacrifices, yet this path
has led its travellers to the fuller
measure of enjoyment and almost
ideal conditions. Hope has in
spircd those toilers to press on,
and these sell-same tOilcrs will
struggle anu sacrifice until correct
and Satisfying measures are melted
out,
This is the day of the skillful
workman. Organized labor has
been the potent factor all thes
years, paving the way to better
things. 1t has appropriated unto
itself a great principle-one from
the Word of God-and it has
diligently sought to apply this
principle to all workers. An
organization of working men and
women formed for the uplifting
of each and for the rcScuing Of
those cast adrift on the sea of
disorganization is one approved by
the Creator. 1t is as necessary for
tollers to join an Organization as
1t is a church. The church dis
seminatcs religion: the union that
of charity and brotherhood. That
of both is extremely difficult and
has its dlScouragiug elements.
Trades union today is the pulse of
America. 1t is not its wealth, nor
its armed forces, nor its numbers,
but solely that factor known as
trades union, powerful in Il degree
such us was unknown before.
Trades union of organized labor
has created a new order Of things.
1t has INCREASINGLY and assiduouSlv
applied itself to the task of re-
deemin@ men and women, and how
1T has succeeded, Over three
millions in its ranks, with millions
of acute sympathizerS! 1t has IN
troduced new kind Of Christian
charity, and many have adopted
Its pattern. Look at the homes
the vast expenditure of money,
the education of men and women,
the relleveing Of distress, the sup
porting OF the aged and needy.
Ihose are monuments to organized
labor such as the world never
knew before. AS an illustration.
New York City Typographical
Union cNpcndS 100000 "a year in
charities alone. not counting its
other avenues Of expense. What
institution is there, sacred or
scculcr that can surpass the record
OF this New York union? We
lear very few, if any. And this is
one example of what organized
TABOR Is dong. 1t is no wonder
harmony prevails. 1t is no won
der such men become expert and
prohclent. Attacks from the
outside against one member are
lett by all-rcSisted by all. No
wonder, then, that unionism
grows.
10 sum up, the work is in, its
infancy. Organized labor is shed
ing us Swaddiing clothes and is
growing into youth. The evolving
OF public policies of the future will
be assisted in by union men. In
great deliberations their voices
VIII be heard. Others have guild.
eu IN the past, but organized labor
VIII nave hand on the steering
gear. IN calm or storm we hone
10 GO what is right. pleading our
cause, defending our brothers and
SISTERS, sacrificing. if need bc. to
ueiiioiStrate our fidelity, and
hoping, nevertheless, to win to our
banners all who believe in Justice
peC.eF conditions, reasonable hours
ana wages and free citizens.