The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-08-19
GETTING READY TO PARADE.

GETTING READY TO PA6AOk.
The trades unionists of Lincoln and
Havelock are getting ready to make
a big parade on Labor Day. That 8
bullyl If ever there was time in
the history of this community when
organised labor should make q goodly
showing, that thine is now. And we
are confident that organized labor is
going to measure up to the opporta-
nifty. 1t has been tho good fortune
and the pleasure pf the writer to davs
had some connection with every labor
Day celebration in lincoln for the past
eight or nine years, and 90 far -
his recollection runs the interest and
the enthusiasm this year 10 ahead OF
any previous year. This is a good sign.
The mere whisper Of OPPOSITION in the
form of an organised effort to tight
the unions has had the effect of solidi-
flying the ranks.
But a. we watch the enthusiasm
shown in the matter of making good
showing on labor day, we can not help
but wonder what would happen if the
unionists Of this county took as much
interest and showed as much enthusi-
am in concerted political action as
they take in concerted Labor Day &C.
tion: And why should we not take as
much interest in getting together on
election day as we show in getting
together on Labor Dayf Is it not a
fact that we too often nullify our Labor
Day efforts by our election day actionsf
Honestly now, Brother Umonist, what
does the politician care for our Labor
Day demonstrations as long as he can
election day. Can you not imagine
the capitalist cheering us as we march
by on Labor Day, and sneering at us
the minute we get past him and he
recalls that although we march Shout
der 10 shoulder in the Labor Day pa
rade we split up into foolish partisan
factions when we get to the polling
placesf Capital has no politics and no
partisan bias. 1t is republican when it
pays to be republican, and democratic
when it pays to be democratic-b
it is for capital all the time. And as
long as capital can keep us divided by
throwing political clap-trap at us, just
50 long capital will slip i'm between the
divided ranks and swipe all the fruit
and leave labor all the husks.
What difference does lit make to you,
Mr.. Wage Garner, whether it is re-
publican or democrat that gives you
the legislative relief you asks What
difference does it make whether the
lemon you get is handed to you by a
republican or democratic
The partisan can not be a patniot.
We believe in political parties; believe
they are necessary. But IF there is
any one thing that is dangerous to
this republic ut is partisanship. The
man who votes a straight party ticket
and is unable to give an intelligent
reason for so doing, is little less than
a simpleton. There is but one fool
equal to the wage Garner who votes
the republican ticket because his father
did, and that is the wage Garner who
votes the democratic ticket because his
father did.
Wouldn't it be fine if union men
could get together and frame mp "a
plan to act as a unit on election day
just as union men are getting together
these days to frame up plans for get
ting together on Labor Day7 There
will be fifteen hundred union men in
line in Lincoln on Labor Day. If they
would pick out a legislative ticket
and cast that many votes for it on cleo
tion day,.they would elect every legis
lative candidate. There are 81, 900 or
ganized workers in Nebraska. If the,
would pick out their friends irrespec
tive of political utilization and vot,
for them on election day, they coult
elect to state office men in hearty sym
pathy with organized labor.
Maybe some day wen have sens,
enough to lay aside partisanship ant
personal jealousies and do that yer,
thing. We haven't made much head
way in that direction as yet, by tn
symptoms are growing more favorabl
every day. A little greater effor
along educational hines, more Thorough
cultivation of the independent spiri
now happily growing stronger-an,
then ell begin to get real results.