The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1910-04-28

who had to tramp barefooted through
the snow, leaving bloody tracks behind
them. All through this terrible winter,
though starving and almost naked, these
hearts of gold kept on the fight for
their country's independence. While they
were suffering reverses the ystill pushed
on, and at Yorktown the English were
defeated. The dark clouds were fast dis
appearing from the horizon, again the
bells rang out heralding the victory every
where, and at the last the starry flag
hoated over a free people,
Why am L relating these events in the
glorious struggle of the American people
for the overthrow of British rule and for
independence? 1t is to show that history
is repeating itself. The common people
of this country in these later days again
find themselves deprived of their liberty
and their inherent rights trampled upon,
not by Old England this time-for u CEN
tury the starry flag and the union jack
are side by side like brothers-it is the
trusts and capitalistic combines, the
money kings, who today are ruling this
country of ours. The common people
have declared for freedom. The trusts
and combines are arraying their immense
power against us. Their spies and
agents are everywhere, the dark cloud
is again lowering over us, threatening to
crush the common people
We have yet to face the battle, and
when the inevitable comes we must be
prepared for it. We have found traitors
in our ranks as of yorc, brought with
trust gold, who would sell us to our fore;
there will be more of them and we must
not be caught sleeping.
We will yet have to face long, hard
winter the same as the little army at
Valley Forge, we will score some victories
and suffer some drastic defeats; the time
may even come when we will search for
work in vain and ourwives and children
will have to go hungry. But some day
the cloud will drift away, the bright rays
of the sun will alight upon us and cheer
up each saddened heart. Yet, again
L say, the struggle is yet to come and do
not let it find us unprcpared,
in times of peace we must prepare for
war. Let us establish n general defense
fund and also a local fund for defensive
purposes. A million dollars would not
be too large an amount for the Brother
hood to raise-it would not cost each
man much; we can easily raise it and let
us do it at once. 1t will prove a bull
wark of defense; it will be money well
invested. 1t is well for us to get ready
to fight, for it is just possible that by
being in a position now to give battle,
our foes will not be as well prepared for
a fight as they might should we delay.
We will folldow the example of our fore
fathers? Will we dare?
Brothers, as our cause is noble and
Just one as sure as the sun is sining
above US we shall win in the end; only
stand shoulder to shoulder as a unit :;
preach and practice unionism at all times.
Never play the part of Benedict Arnold,
for he is held in contempt even by those
who bought him. No country's flag
waves over his grave, no country s bugler
sounded taps, no country's soldiers fired
last vollcy. Be true to one another,
true to the broad land our fathers fought
to save; be true to the United Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners and Ia
bors cause. Let us dare-Cor. in The
Carpenter.