Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1922-01-20
DEVELOPING
TRADE UNION
CHARACTER
CBy LEON WORTHALL)

Union character is real manly char
acter-the finest and noblest that can
be developed in manhood and woman
hood.
We realize that union character
can never be attained all at once, but
only as the result Of, may We say,
trials and education. Trials? That
human understanding Of the joys and
aspirations Of our co-yoke bearers,
the tOilers. Human understanding Of
their aches and pains and to share
with them and help to alleviate their
sufferings.
Outlines, sacrifices must be made
and suffering endured with every
nerve strained, and as that period IS
gone through, real union character Is
registered.
To promote the right trade union
character requires faith-faith in the
organization and faith in all that
which it stands for. A small child
once prayed: ooh, God, | asked you
last night to make me a better boy,
and here today you let me get mad at
Johnny. Do try harder, dear God,
and I'll try too" That prayer
breathed the spirit of Christian for
titude. Our trade unions answer no
prayers, but upon the amount of in
terest taken for its proper conduct
and well-being, depends how much
good it is going TO do for you, and
by that, you gain that union foftitude.
A good trade unionist knows no
Encouragement. We must not get
discouraged, nor discourage others,
but we must be optimistically encour-
aging. Strength is gathered by cour-
age.
The battle for existence is con-
tinuous one. No battle is lost in a
single skirmish and no citadel is won
by a discharge of few rounds of
ammunition. Our industrial struggle
is much the same. What labor has
gained up to date, il has gained
through years of battles fought by
the trade unionists. Many have been
won, and sometimes we have met with
everses, but such reverses have only
acted as a stimulant for the staging
of a stronger Comeback"
That trade unionism Is sometimes
recognized and appreciated by our de-
pendents more than it is by ourselves
is illustrated by a school boy who was
asked by his teacher If he knew what
union" meant. The lad replied, at
means that when my pa was non
union, we ate bread and molasses and
ma wore calico, but since pa joined
the union, we get bread and butter
add jam and ma wears occasional
silks"
Unionism is a principle. What is z
principle? 1t is impersonal belong
ing to one as much as another, but
mostly to the one who is loyal TO it.
The principles of trade unionism
are a sort of creed; TO live higher
life in all things pertaining to human
welfare, marching irresistibly to the
invincible goal--Human Brotherhood.
Unionism is the shield of our homes.
1t protects our dear ones and our
selves from greed, avarice, exploita
ton, and all kindred miseries. True,
times for the present are rather bad
but we must not be discouraged. BE
still, my soul, It's but for season."
Let us endure and sacrifice for
short period and see justice done.
These are times when we must strive
to devlop that character so essential
to Garry on" Organized labor is
concerned not only in wages adequate
to meet life's comforts, but it Is also
concerned in securing social justice in
the highest sense for the Development
of all that which is best for us and
ours.
All of which promotes trade union
character.