The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-14
Discomfort is HEALTHY.


things as they are, finding its expression
in determined, forceful struggle for
improvement
No reference is intended to the carp.
ing, snarling, whining discomfort OF the
chronic pessimist; but that higher,
nobler, divine discomfort which moves
men in their ambition for better things
and without which this old world would
become as a stagnant pool, breeding
disease, rottenness and decay in every
branch of human endeayor.
Discomfort, through the steps OF its
progress, made freemen of the vassals
and Williams of the fuedal age, took from
them the stigma of ehattels and vested
in them Mt least some OF the rights Of
human beings it impelled the religious
ly downtrodden inhabitants of the old
world to begin the journey that saw It's
end at Plymouth Rock; it moved them
later, when the hand Of the oppressor
became too firm, to defantly toss the
historic cargo of tea into Boston harbor;
and it was this same noble quality Of
the human mind that furnished the
vigor to prosecute the Revolutionary
war and gave to the world the stars
and stripes
fndustrially, discomfort has ruled the
mind of the worker since the plan Of
profiting by the labor of others was
first devised. Those who through force
of circumstances and for other reasons
have needed the biblical admonition TO
eat their bread in the sweat of their
brow have seen their labor turned TO
the enrichment of others to their own
and from the knowledge of
this condition has sprung healthy and
vigorous discomfort that will exist and
for good so long as any form of in.
justice finds a place in our industrial
life.
The trade union, that most beneficial
of the toiler, owes its birth
to this industrial discomfort. Discon.
tent, through this medium, has brought
the eight.hour day to many trades and
is working ceaselessly for it in all the
rest; it has secured for the worker many
advantages OF life he did not enjoy, and
holds out to him the promise of still
greater measure Discomfort is response
bic for greater degree of education for
our children than everj II is providing
them with opportunities for knowledge
instead of profit making for Others, and
It is bringing the feet of the toiler
solidly to the ground and his face to
The light and making or him truly a
man.
1t is indeed strange, and pity, that
70 many of the worlds workers still
from this industrial army OF
iiseontent the utilization and support
hey so surely owe and which can bring
hem so much good. More thoroughly,
,ut impotently discontented than all the
est. they do not or cannot see that the
,nly powerful and effective discomfort is
hat which is crystallized and made
,nown in concrete form, and which can
Ind its expression only through or
,anization working in the interest and
or the good OF ALL But the gospel of
united discomfort is being carried to
.hese benighted fellows, and steadily
re they coming into our camp, and
very able-bodied soldier in the army
# unionisul should be missionary to
lear the truth.
And you, brother unionist, how is your
tandard Of discontentg Are you still
ull of the realization that there is yet
from you part Of that which il
ours by right OF toilf Are you still
Nth your shoulder to the organization
'heel, striving to do your share in
lbor's struggle? OR are you content
nth what good your organization may
o without your assistance -are you
,tting some Of your fellows do all The
owing while you assist at the harvests
IF has some one told you that you
hould be contented.-that you should
let well enough alone?"
Let no man preach to you the doctrine
t eontentment-th is the song of the |
rem. Where contentment reigns there
an end Of progress; they cease to
spire to greater things, and then begins
he period Of retrogression and decay.
nd the instant that labor assumes the
osture of content that moment will
the backward mareh4for it
at true today as ever that there is no
Ich thing as standing still, And the
rmy of labor must continue its for
ard march to industrial victory, and
needs the help of every wage-earner
lat its progress may be more rapid.
The man who tells you to be content
he who wants you to be satisfied with 7
bare existence, while he alone enjoys !
lie comforts and Injuries which you
'oduce. Your discomfort is notice that e
, is to be called upon to relinquish I
me of the fruits of your labor he now
enjoys that you may get i
our share He wants you to be con.
uted with an unfair division of tbo n