The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1911-07-21
UNIONiSM'S DUTY
Make Observance of Labor Day
a Notable Event.
LET THE CLANS GATHER.

Fnrade Should Be impressive and All
Exercises Significant of the Lofty
Purposes and Splendid Achievements
of Organized Toll.
Prepare for Labor day. Let the
welkin ring with this slogan from now
until Sept. 4. writes Cornelius Quincy
In the Minnesota Union Advocate.
No one can overlook or dlscoun, the
immense energy and activity of the op
ponents of the labor movement in con
centrating their enormous resources tor
It's destruction, and the movement
should summon all its forces and solid
fly them In its defense. 1t should do
this particularly on occasions of pub
lie display. when the eyes Of the world
nre necessarily fixed upon it.
TO arouse public sentiment to open
expression and guide its ulterance In
the right direction is one of the most
effective means organized lahoi has for
support in its righteous undertaking
and protection against wrong on the
part of its foes. Labor day gives the
one grand opportunity of the year for
deeply and properly impressing the
public miad, and II should always be
Of its possibilities.
The only way in which such use of
It can be made Is for all the unions 10
unite In the biggest. bravest and most
elevated celebration Of the day their
powers admit Of The street parade
should include every member of every
union who can possibly turn out, every
attraction in uniform and blazonry.
every suggestion in motto and decara-
ton of principles, every device and
display expressive of tendency and
purpose and every proof of progress
that can be marshaled for the event.
II should always be the longest, bright
est and most imposing pageant of the
year and enlivened with every band of
music that can be secured. The other
exercises of the day should be as in
structive. practical and significant of
achievements as the best talent attain
able can make them.
This should be the rule for all Labor
day celebrations. 1t ought to be en-
forced to the last line and syllable at
this time. when the contest between
labor and its enemies is acute and the
situation Is crucial. Public opinion
throughout the country is undoubtedly
more favorable toward trade unionism
than 1t ever was before. Millions of
people once Indifferent to our move
ment are now cordially sympathetic
with 1t, and thousands who were form
erly opposed TO 1t have had their eyes
opened to its merits and become friend
ly in word and action. Even the courts,
so long the ''cities of refuge" for the
privileged classes in all their hostility
to the toilers of the land, have weaken
ed In their unreasonable desire to de-
cree against the men and women of
labor and abated somewhat of their
indefensible usurpation of power In
labor cases.
Seeing this, the violent men who
have so excessively exploited the
workers through the vast privileges
given them by our methods of iegisla-
ton and Jurisprudence have multi
piled and intensified their efforts to
crush the labor movement and are
putting everything they have in serv-
Ice for the purpose. Labor must meet
this increased activity on their part by
augmented energy and zeal on its own
1t must show its strength. manifest its
power, proclaim its rectitude and take
the heart out Of its opponents by its
display OF numbers and enthusiasm
in support of its principles.
Suitable preparation for proper
Labor day demonstration requires con
siderable time and hard work The
unions in every city should begin work
ut once. They should appoint their
Labor day committees and map out
their part in the programme for this
years celebration now. They should
20 at the matter with the determina-
ton to make their turnout of 1911 the
greatest their city has ever seen and
an inspiring example to all other cities