The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1914-07-17
THE PATHWAY OF PROGRESS.
Combination For Mutual Protection
Only Method of Securing Justice.
Trade Unionism UpIifts the Working
Man Mentally and Morally.

Onty WetHod OF securing JuStico.
Trade Unonism Uplifts the Working
Man Mentally and Morally.
Labor's successful struggle for child
labor laws and for women's eight hour
laws is an eloquent testimonial to the
cause of trade unonism and should
close the mouths of the shallow critics
and political lunatics who are eternally
bowling in season and out of season
for labor to become more active polit-
fcally. 1t emphasizes what President
Gompers says. that organized labor is
partisan to a principle and not to
party"
In brief, the aim of organized labor
Is to serve the practical everyday
needs of its members to secure the
eight hour day. A living wage and
sanitary workshops are part of the
curriculum of the trade unions OF the
nation. They do not deal with abstract
theories Their mission is to get re-
suits. and they believe in adhering to
and at times practicing the admonition
Of the Apostle Paul. BE all things to
ali men,, but true to labor.
Can cause with such a mission be
smothered? Conscientious love for the
eternal principles of fair play and the
prayers of the mothers of the race say
NO" a thousand times No" The
misguided captains of industry might
as well attempt to cross the Pacific in
q wheelbarrow, to sweep back the
waves of the ocean with whisk
broom or TO change the planets in their
course as to try to prevent the workers
OF the world from combining for mu-
tual protection.
Organization is the only salvation for
the worlds workers Through organi-
zation they become stronger physically,
mentally and morally. because 1t less
ems the hours of toll and increases the
earning capacity, at the same time Civ.
ing more leisure to read and study the
problems of life The trade union is a
moral and mental gymnasium for the
workers of the world and has done
and is still doing more to protect and
promote the interests of the people
that need it most than any other insti-
tuition or all other institutions COM
bined
Labor's struggle is no May day pic
mic. 1t is a mans game that you are
engaged in. tug of war, and you
haven't got time to let go and exam
Inc your hands, for if you do the other
fellow will get something away from
you.
Eternal vigilance is not only the
price of liberty, but it is the price of
everything that is worth having for
example, an eight hour day, living
wage, sanitary workshops, protection
from dangerous machinery and the re
moval of every unjust law or practice
that deprives the workers of their free
dom or robs them of the fruits of their
toll
To secure these laudable ends we
must be vigilant; we must not only be
in the union but must have the union
In US. A stove without a fire is no use
on a cold day We must start a fire
in the stove, and it will then do the
work for which it was designed.
A card man or card woman is of
but little value to the labor movement.
The strongest asset of each is to pay
dues and assessments under protest
and otherwise retard the progress OF
the cause
The fellow with the union in him
is the live wire, the hot stove. the one
who is ready and willing to work on
.riy hoe ba+ iS
in him to promote the general uplift
of the men and women of labor.
If you are really in earnest in this
crusade, If you have enlisted in this
army to fight for your own and others
rights, you should not be among those
who loaf in the tents, as did the chill
dren OF Israel. and grumble at the
leaders.
If you wish to establish the eight
hour day. work for organization: If
you wish to take the children out of
the sweatshops, work for organization;
IL you wish to put money into the
pay envelope, work for organization; If
you wish for more human laws, work
for organization. In short If you are
willing TO lend hand in the grand
est movement. the most righteous
cause, that has engaged the efforts OF
men from time immemorial, work in
season and out of season, giving your
best endeayors to build up and encour-
age organization, for thereby you will
help to answer labors questions and to
solve labor's probems.-C Sea
mems Journal