The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-10-15
WE ARE A NATION
of
ptmb

Holidays are intended to celebrate
certain events marking our national
progress or in honor of men or insti-
tutions which have contributed to the
public good. Memorial day marks in
the thought and sympathy of the
American past sacrifices made that
the nation might live redeemed from
evil and strengthened by trial.
Independence day Is observed be-
cause of Jefferson's immortal declara-
ton. 1t has taken its place not alone
in the annals of this republic, but
Lives with the great charters Of lib
erty of all the world So Labor day
means a living thought. an essential
belief in the elemental thing which
is the substance of our independence
and an enduring basis upon which a
nation is founded.
Jefferson's declaration was for all.
It proclaimed the rights not of classes
but of all the American people. Me-
mortal service Is not for few. 1t Is
for all who served in common cause.
Labor dav typifies the imperious ne
!cessity and the dignity of all labor.
lit exalts no class. 1t ennobles all
labor.
Not for FrivoiIty.
Today is not for mere external
show. 1t is not for amusement and
frivolity. 1t possesses a deeper sig
inifCance Eveyone who tolls and
fails concerns us. Everyone in brok-
en- health concerns us. Every fanny
lin want concerns us. Every child
Irobhed of the common heritaee OF
childhood concerns us. The humanity
THAT relieves misfortune comes from
the heart.
A more farsighted purpose will
strdy the cause and prevent the mis-
I, fortune. Every able-bod'eA man who
/ fa;'s, every r,cther or child who suf-
fers by that failure. every child weak
ened by premature labor is a national
weakness, because the nation is at
last the sum of its units. Government
Is interested in knowing why some
fail why some lose health, WHY some
| immature work beyond their strength
| and against the laws of natural de-
Vehement, why some families lack
support.
If it can prevent it. 1t ought. For
then the nation is stronger in the az
gregate. Society lesislates through
government. It is the high duty of
government to apply remedies wher-
ever the weakness exists. Economic
i laws are memorable.
No Substitute fer Thrift
It must be remembered today that
government can furnish no substitute
among the strong and fit for industry
and thrift. 1t cannot compel the IN
dividual to save 1t can give him a
chance literally to earn and safesuard
him and his earnings. 1t cannot pro.
| tect him against extravaganza. folly,
and evil habits and at the same time
(! preserve that individual freedom that
iconstantiy attends civil liberty in all
republican forms Of government. @
T, So this is 2 dav % sober thought.
! Of serious counsel with all for all.
| This labor anniversary is observed
amidst remarkable International and
worldwide conditions that profoundly
disturb the normal state of even neu-
/ trail nations When half the civilized
world Is in the grip of extended and
continual battle even nations at peace
realize that the 1eoples of the world
are indissolubly knit in a common hu.
! IDHnflN WHOSE DuiSeUSdtS tli Gle thS
earth in obedience to the impulse of
our higher nature.
Face New Conditions.
Our productive energy and com
NORGE ere facing new conditions. and
with orr foreign relations proclaim
the call for the best in the American
people Original THOUGHT. patience,
! great forbearance. and skill in the ap.
plication of sound principles of indus
trial progress to our domestic affairs
concern us today.
| The adjustment Of our FOREIGN rela-
itions to preserve neutral rights. the
| freedom of the high ssas and the
law of humanity. even in the eytrem-
/ ity OF war must apneal to the Amer
| lean people as a high duty and a
mea sure OF our responsibility to the
/ world In all this. labor is an fndis.
pensable rart and an elemental ne.
cessity. Today labor must weigh IL,
proper duty in reaching the desired
/ goal.
! Idle DAYS Lose.
{ A eeneraI depression has held orr
country in it's srasp. Enforced idle
ness has stricken willing hands The
/ idle da-- of labor Is total loss It
! cannot be redeemed. It has taken
sometime from the laborer and his
/ family that cannot be restored. Their
home has been made less secure for
every day Of unemployment Their