The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-05
In Address Delivered by Rev.
Edgar Grassland at
the Park
PROGRAM OF SPORTS
ALSO CARRIED OUT
success of Day Somewhat
Marred by Unfavor-
able Weather

Labor's rallying day in Barre was ac-
corded the place that is its due in the
program OF legal holidays by complete
suspension of work in offices, shops and
stores; but the weather wasn't what the
celebrators of Labor day needed to make
the occasion a booming success The
Central Labor union staged big picnic
at lntercity park, and what with base
ball, speechmaking, football and other
competitions, it provided entertainment,
instruction and amusement, among other
things, for a large mum Der OF people. The
labor committee supplied everything but
the weather, which is saying a good deal
for the committee and as little as pos
sible for the weather clerk. 1t dawned a
bleak September morn and before noon
the skies had fulfilled the mornings
promise OF intermittent showers.
. Naturally plans in general for the OBJ
servance of the day gravitated toward
the park and apart from a spirited con.
cert by the Christoforo Colombo band in
the morning Labor day right here in the
city was pretty much like the preceding
day. The young Italian musicians, un-
der the leadership of Prof. P. Gropcli,
played with admirable elan and their ef-
forts were we'll received by consider
able crowd.
Early in the day it became evident
that the labor people would have to put
the weather on the unfair list. Rain
made deep gaps in the attendance at the
park, but the committee decided to 60
down the line with the program. Rev
Edgar Crossland's stirring address on
"The Melting Pot OF Labor" was the
center of attention soon after the noon
hour. The clergyman was introduced by
Alexander Ironside. His address was a
comprehensive study of the labor prob
lem in its multitudnous phases and per-
haps the best contribution of its kind in
the annals of organized labor's Septem-
Der picnics in this vicinity. Beyond any
doubt he struck note that was wholly
pleasing to his auditors and they were
not slow in voicing their approval of his
His speech was given substan-
TALLY as follows:
uAi. SAoooloHu SpScIH
'Mr President Ladies and Gentlemen:
This nation, with all it represents and is,
: labor's contribution to the present sum
If human peace and happiness. Within
title more than a hundred years, with
he aid OF her twin servants. capital and
cience, she carved it ont of the depths of
,rimeval forests and the solitudes OF the
'athless prairies, tunneled its noun
aims, bridged its streams, harnessed its
revealed the hidden treasures
t its fields and mines, builded its vii
ages and towns, established its cities,
cared within its borders homes innumer-
Bile. and bound them all into one with
ands of steel and endless threads OF
ire. Through the divine ministry Of
oil of hand and brain the fullness of the
md is ours
Every nation sets aside certain DAYS
hich are peculiarly associated with its
rowth and vital experiences. About
lose days are entwined those deep emo
ons, thoughts and yearnings that give
laracter to national life. They are the
iys for remembering what has been and
IF gathering inspiration and hope for
e future. They are the fountain head
the spiritual forces of the nation-the
rces which give direction and value to
else. Those whose physical and men
! creative power has made possible the
dustrial and commercial progress OF
merica have won the right to one OF
e great national holidays. 1t is a right
transcendent Importance, and one that
ust be cherished.
Labor day belongs to the working
ople of America, let us therefore OBJ
rye the day as its Importance and sig.
icance demands. Our theme, The
,lting Pot of Labor is vital topic OF
e day.
OF course, know there are those OF
= employer class who will say. Let the
mister stick to his own business. let
n preach the simple gospel which is
be understood as another wav of tell
the ministers to keep their hands off
all living issues. | would reply that
separation of church and state does
mean the separation of ministers
m all ethical, social and moral re-
ms. am not entering into the mere
identS of the higgling of the market
| am entering into the contests over
price of health, strength. brain. char
er and life. Amelioration of evil con
ions is certainly more Christian than
ifference to the worlds sorrows. Men
lie to hate whatever is injurious be
Sc. in the light and life of the words
Ie-us. they are seen to be wrong.
NV conception of the minister's worth
his: He should be swiftest to awaken
very undeserved suffering. bravest to
ak against every wrong. and strong
TO rally the moral forces Of the COM
ATTY against everything that threat
the better life among men.
When ! express approval Of the labor
ement. do not approve everything
lected with II. any more than | ap-
re of everything that has been done
he name OF Christ. The topics | dis
to-day are 50 vital that any presen-
on ~ them j. bound to be miscon-
I'd in some quarter. Nevertheless.
. seems 20 be only one course for an
- man. which = To say his word and
entity endure Misunderstanding and
malicious abuse. The labor move
I. j. J understand Il rightly is. I'm it,