The Connecticut labor news., 1924-12-06
Success Brings Dangers.

But the very success of our organ ization has brought additional and seri ous dangers. Office in the labor move ment now offers opportunity for some thing in addition to service-it offers opportunity for the self-seeker who sees an instrumenta1ity for personal advancement both in the economic and in the political field. There are serious problems confronting us. Wisdom and conviction are necessary to wise decis- ions.
 Men and women of our American trade union movement, 1 feel that I have earned the right to>talk plainly to you As the only delegate to that first Pittsburgh convention who has stayed with the problems of our move ment through to the present hour, as one who with clean hands and with singleness of purpose has tried to serve the labor movement honorably and in a spirit of conseeration to the cause of humanity, 1 want to urge devotion to the fundamentals of human liberty the principles of voluntarism. No last ing gain hasf ever come from compul- sion. Ii we seek to force, we but tear apart that which united is invincible There IS no way whereby our labor movement may be assured sustained progress i'll determining its policies and its plans other than sincere democratic
 I f-f-1 | lis reached. This may seem a cumbrous, slow method to the impatient but the impatient are more concerned for im mediate triumph than for the educa- tion of constructive development.
 Voluntarism Is Sure Foundation.
 Our movement has found these vol untary principles the secure foundation upon which the workers of all Amer tary cooperation has ignored lines of political division separating the United States and Canada because economi- cally we are unit Because we re- fused to be bound by arbitrary restric tion or expedients we have fostered cohesive forces which give play to the finer and more constructive faculties of the people of both countries. We are eager to join in an international labor movement based upon the same principles of vo1untarism. We are will ing to co-operate if we can be assured a basis that will enable us to main tair sary for our own virility and continued progress.
 Understanding, patience, high-1nind ed service, the compelling power of voluntarism have in America made what was but rope of sand, united, purposeful, integrated organization po7 tent for human welfare, material and spiritual I have been with this move ment since the Beginning, for have been given the privilege of service that has been accorded but few. Nor would that privilege have continued open to me had not service to the cause been any guiding purpose
 Events of recent months made me keenly aware that the time IS not far distant when I must lay down my trust for others to carry forward. When one comes to. close grips with the eternal things, there comes a new sense of relative values and the less worthy things lose significance. As 1 review the events of my sixty years of con tacts with the labor movement and as 1 survey the problems of today aHd study the opportunities of the future, want to say to you men and women of the American labor movement, do not reject the cornerstone upon which Labors structure has been builded- but base your all upon voluntary prin ciples and illurnine your every problem by consecrated devotion to that high est of all purposes-human well-being in the fullest, widest, deepest sense.
 We have tried and proved these principles in economic, political, social and international relations. They have been tried and not found wanting Where we have tried other ways we have failed.
 A very striking1y illustration is en- phasized by circumstances connected with the present location of our con vention. For years force and selfish interests dominated relations across this international border, but the labor movement brought to an acute and difficult situation the spirit of patience and the desire of service and a trans formation has been wrought which gives us courage and conviction for wider application of the same princi-