The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-08-31
A LABOR DAY MESSAGE
TO- THE TOLLERS
(By John ]. Mcnamara J

| @NfSSiSS, Stil-s aug. lS-ln
past few days l have received severa
communications from various labo
and progressive publications request
:nS trat l contribute 4 few lines tina
would lie appropriate to labor day.
| The first thought that presents it
! self is that l owe sincere and heart,
! expression of thanks to the lubol
press Tld to the rank and file of on,
great Industrial army that supports
| noS only our press but they suppor,
other sympathiZerS who uphold or.
SaiiZtd labor in its aims and aspira.
lions.
Know of no more appropriate time
to cAtend fraternal greeting to my
valiant friends and sympathizers that
Their efforts in behalf of myself and
my brother are appreciated beyond
expressing. Mere words fail to convey
our iec'lnGs and our friends will have
TO calth in the thought the inward
leeling
Labor day-the day set aside for the
toilers who produce all wealth and re-
tain none-this holiday is set aside
for the workers. The thought of the
day calls before our vision past cele-
bratlons. parades, and renewed pladg-
es to work honestly and faithfully in
the Interests of our common cause.
AT first blush it would appear that
one behind prison bars on the coming
OF labor's holiday, would be filled
with bitterness, sorrow and despair
Ihere is no bitterness, no despair be-
cause in the past neither in the future
VIII efforts to crush down labor be
fruitful of any permanent results.
Sorrow there to is of course but it
is because of the separation of re-
latives friends, and tired and true
companions the possession of which is
greater, than all else on earth. This
sorrow is OF course temporary: forti-
fed by clear conscience and secure
in the belief that Ultimately right and
justice will prevail we need have no
fear of the artificial terrors of our
enemies.
labor day thought is that it
should be more than n mere celebra-
ton or backward glance at what
has been achieved or left undone
While we profit by past errors we
should also look on labor day rs the
starting point for an improved civili-
Zatioh that will eliminate industrial
oppression and wrongs.
The soldier of industry has long
lean revolution the loss of flesh and
blood and manhood upon the battle
fields of the nation and the attendant
evils sink into utter inSignificance
when compared with similar sacrifices
on the industrial field.
In spite of the value to the nation
of the industrial soldiers their slaught
er and oppression has continued year
after year; their honors are unsung:
no provision is made for their rn-
naming dependants.
The concentration of capital and
the practical elimination of competi-
game whereby we struggle and COM
pete with one another for existence
that the industrial conflict is far
more Obstructive than actual warfare.
Against the spirit of greed and
aVarice thcre is a genuine spirit of
unrest throughout the civilized world,
Il feeling that no longer is it to be
understood that property rights are
sacred and that the person of the
toilers has no rights that cannot be
invaded.
| know of no better time to unfurl
the flag of man against mammon
than on labor day: it would be a most
fitting celebration. a battle auspicious-
~ started and sure of victory. Why
not make our labor day celebrations,
meetings of protest against an indus
trial and political system that COM
pcls mollions to suffer and starve that
4 few may swindle and squander.