Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-11
"WEHAVEFAITH
In OUR CAUSE"
SAYS GOMPERS
Further Declares "We Are
Tied to No Administra-
ton, but Are Free Men"

Washington, Nov. II. - Abjuring
loyalty to a Temporary" administra-
tion which violates the principles of
democracy, Samuel Gompers, speak
ing for American labor at dinner
given tonight for delegates to the
rternational Federation of Trades
Unions, declared that I'VE are tied to
nc administration, but we are free
men and propose to exercise the free
dom of our judgment"
| Mr.. Gompers told the representa-
/ tvs of foreign labor that he did not
| believe a true understanding of the
coal miners strike had reached the
/ President because of his illness.
Responding to the American labor
! leaders address, Leon JouhauN, lead
er of the French labor delegation to
| the International Labor Conference.
declared that IF the workers of the
United States need the assistance of
the workers of other countries they
will' get it," as he added, frontier
cannot separate the interest of work
ers and private interests cannot sep
arate workers"
I'VE are engaged in the greatest
work of oday," said Mr.. Gompers,
the greatest that has ever been en-
trusted TO the common people of
America-to secure right and justice
principles of freedom and humanity"
Whenever and wherever there is
an attempt made by the employers
as employers or by the government
as a government to depart from the
fundamental principles of freedom
and democracy, it is not only the
right, but the duty of men and wo-
men and labor to stand up and pro-
test regardless of what the conse-
quences may be-"
Continuing in a lower voice, the
FeucratICn chief sHiQ'
We are living in our own time as
best we can, but our lives are just
a passing instant to the continuity
OF civilization, and the progress of
the world and what matters it If you
and you and you and | are placed in
Jail because We have attempted to up
hole the principles OF freedom and
justice and democracy. 1t is better
that we should have our own self-re-
spect and hand down to the gener-
ations yet to come the principles of
| freedom and the worthiness to bat
| tie for freedom than to dies and to
live an inglorious life"
| Proclaiming American labor to be
| in thorough accord with American
principles and ideals, Mr. Gompers
added:
| I'VE are in accord with our govern
| ment when we know that our govern
ment is following out a course of JUS
| tice and freedom and of human devel-
| opment as expressed by the princi-
| pies of democracy. When our admin
istration for the time being fails to
stand for the principles of democracy
| then we have no alternative but to
| assert that American justice must
| prevail against any temporary ad-
minis tration of the affairs of our
! country"
I'VE are tied to no administration.
We are free men and we propose to
exercise the freedom of our judg-
ment and our conduct and to criticise
or to express ourselves in dissent
| from the policies pursued.
I'VE have faith in our cause" Mr.
| Gompers further asserted. I'VE be-
lieve that we are right. Aye, we are
convinced that we are in the right
and the men and women of labor in
America understand and that the men
and women of freedom in the whole
world may unders tand that the at
! tempt to impose upon our people a
/ condition of affairs that is repug
nant to the concepts of right and of
| justice and of democracy. we, the men
and women of labor will stand true
to the highest principles of justice
and of right and of freedom"
Delegates attending the dinner at
the suggestion of Louis NJ. Morrones.
Mexican representative, pledged their
support to the United Mine Workers
of America in the present strike.