The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-07-15
f. THE PIONEER uNIoNIsT.

TIE FIONEEn UNlONISls
Rough Road Travelled by tho Founders
of the Labor Movement.
Oh. how many there were. whose
names are forgotten, who suffered un-
told agonies to lay the foundation Of
the labor movement. of whose real
mission they had but the vaguest con-
ception!
These pioneers of progress paved the
way for us and deserve far more ut
to do for them. We must at best RES
cue their nameless memory from the
darkness Of oblivion, and this we un-
dertake to do with the hveliest sense
dered and the sacrifices they made in
the early and trying stages of the
struggle to improve the condition and
advance the welfare Of their fellow
toilers.
The writer has met and known some
Of these untitled agitators of the ear
lier days. whose hearts were set on Or
ganizing their trade, or at least their
branch Of it. and who had the courage
to undertake the task and accept all
the bitter consequences 1t imposed.
The union men Of today have little
or no conception Of what the pioneer
unionists had to contend with when
they first started forth on their mission
of organization. The organizer of the
present time has to face difficulties
enough. it is true; but. as rule. the
road has at least been broken for his
approaching footsteps-the uniou has
already been organized. and commit
tee meets him ut the station and es-
corts him to the hotel.
Far different was it with the pioneer
who left home without scrip in his
purse" whose chief stock consisted In
his ability to ''screw his courage to the
sticking point and whom privation
and hardship only consecrated more
completely to his self appointed mar
tyrdom.
Starting out, more than likely. after
having been discharged for organizing
a local union of his craft or for serv-
ing on a committee or interceding for
a fellow or talking back" to the boss
or any other of the numerous acts
which mark the conduct of the manly
worker. distinguishing him from his
weak and fawning brother and bring
ing upon him the Reproduction OF his
Misunderstanding out to organize his
fellow workers, that they might fare
better than fell to his lot. he faced the
world without a friend to bid him well
come or cheer him onward. Having
no money for railroad fare. he must
beat his way. But such slight fncon-
venience does not deter him an in
slant Reaching his destination. he
will allow and then proceeds with due
caution to look up 1.-The boys" careful
to elude the vigilance OF the boss. who
has no earthly use for worthless Ia
Dor agitator.
We shall not attempt to follow our
pioneer through all his tortuous wind
ings. nor have we space to more than
hint at the story of his cruel persecu-
ton and pathetic end.
! Our pioneer leaving home in many
an instance never saw wife and child
again. Repulsed by the very men ne
was hungering to serve. penniless, de-
serted. neglected and alone. he became
1.-THE poor wanderer of stormy day
and ended his career nameless out
cast Whatever his frailties and ia ults,
they were virtues all. for they marked
the generous heart, the sympathetic
soul who loves his brother and &C.
cepts for himself the bitter portion OF
suffering and shame that be may serve
his fellow man.
The labor movement Is his monu'
ment. and. though his name is not in.
scribed upon 1t, his soul is in it and
with it marches on forever.-Eugene
| v. Debs.