Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-01-16
Labor's Testimonial to Gompers
Sunday Evg. at Plymouth Church

ally in a mission church in Chi
cago they found Christian lead
er who would go. Preachers
didn't have the vision and moral
courage to fight for the protec-
ton Of childhood While labor
strove to make the Jericho road
safe, we Christians walked by on
the other side To protect child
the proceeds of industry, to pro-
vide opportunities of education,
recreation, and cultural develop
ment, to make life happier and
richer for all, is the central pur-
pose of religion, as We'll as of the
labor movement.
"Mr. Gompers was not a
churchman. Though born Jew,
it is said that the never worship
ped in a single temple, syna-
gogue, or church. This passion
ate friend of the friehdless, this
high-minded champion of human
ity worshipped in the Great
Church of Good Works. If that
man is blessed whose thoughts
and works are for the benefit of
others, then Samuel Gompers
career is a fitting example Of
what constitutes righteous
life"
Thomas J. Donnelly, secretary
treasurer Of the Ohio State Fedora
tion of Labor, who was introduced by
President Cochran, spoke of the life
work and many sacrifices of the peer
less Labor Leader so recently remov-
ed from the position he had occu-
pied for nearly half century and
with whom he had been associated for
many years.
Samuel Gompers was not
alone a leader of men," said Mr..
Donnelly. "He was leader of
thoughts and events as well. All
! America, all nations, owe a deep
debt Of gratitude to the man
whose memory we have come to
commemorate, for by his great
character, his noble soul, his con-
structive leadership, all have
profited.
"I think it is no extravagant
statement when l say that no
greater man has been given to
America during the last half cen
tu1y than our late lamented lead
/ er, Samuel Gompers-a humani-
! tartan; a man who promoted by
word and deed the brotherhood of
man; man whose passion was
for the elevation of the masses of
the people Of our country; who
served faithfully in the common
cause, who was consumed with
/ the desire to make life better and
brighter for the working men and
women not only of America, but
throughout the world SO we
mourn for him; we cherish fondly
within our memory the thoughts
of pleasant associations, of COM
radeship, of work and of service"
Mr. Donnelly said that during his
whole life Sam Gompers has been en-
gagged in a hundred great battles, al
ways fighting for the benefit and ad-
vancement of Labor's cause, but that
two great battles stood out with spe-
cial prominence from history's page.
They were the determined and sue
cessful stand against Labor being
rated as commodity" by those who
would relegate it to the level of chat
tel slavery once existing in the United
States or the peonage system of Mex
leo. Another great victory was won
when Sam Gompers, John Mitchell
and Frank Morrison defied the court
in the stand they took in the Buck
Stove and Range Co., of st. Louis,
fight, defying court injunctions and
being declared guilty and sentenced
to Imprisonment for alleged con-
tempt of court, right finally triumph
ed and they were vindicated.
Mr.. Donnelly is a fluent and force
full speaker, and his able address was
listened to with the closest attention.
Among those from a distance at
tending the services were Joseph A.
Bauer, secretary of the Central Trades
and Labor Council, and others, from
GAINESVILLE, and o. B. Smith, his father
and son, M. Underwood, John Decker,
D. c. Stover and family, f. H. Men
eff and wife, Mrs. Charles Somers,
and representative of the Federation
Corporation, of Columbus.
Mr.. Close, the popular young pas
tor of Plymouth church, is giving the
real live present day issues special
attention, and next Sunday evening
will speak on the proposed child lab
or amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution which will shortly come be-
fore the Ohio legislature for adoption
or rejection. This important subject
will be impartially presented and the
general public is invited to attend the
services.
Some folks are SO wrapped up in