The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-02

By every standard by which humanity
Judges it's fellow creatures, Mother Jones,
who sleeps after her century of service to the
downtrodden, must be accorded the place OF
the greatest woman this nation as yet has
given to the world.
High purpose, dauntless courage, unset
fshness, steadfastness to principle, bravery
in the face of danger-these were the char
acteristics of this most remarkable of women
Her title Of Mother" was no empty
phrase The starved miners of West Virginia
and Colorado, the railway workers who
fought for justice, the textile workers who
asked more bread, knew that no other word
described her protective affection for them.
Wherever men and women tried to raise
the standards of living and of labor, Mother
Jones was there, to lead, to advise, to en-
courage and to battle
She went hungry that babes in strike
camps might be fed and clothed. No hard
ship ever checked her enthusiasm. Every
hour of her life was given to the men and
women who work for wages.
Most of all she fought her battles for the
= CnllQTen O1 WOIhcIS anu AlCL SVAiNNADc0AONA
ever turned back to the hope that there
would come the day when there would be no
undernourished, uneducated, badly clothed
young, but that their days would be filled
with laughter and happiness.
Mother Jones had the distinction of haV-
ing been a military prisoner seven times and
never being arrested for as much as viola
ton of city ordinance.
At no time was she ever given hearing
by these military authorities, who jailed her
under the pretext of martial law.
In the miners union, she was more pow
erful than the elected officials. The rank and
file gave her their full trust.
She was possessed of an eloquence that
not only could sway and inspire, but was so
convincing that those who listened were per-
shaded.
She could, on occasion, use profanity, but
from her lips the words became almost
PRAYER. She spoke the language of those with
whom she worked and labored. In different
circles, her language was chaste.
Her influence upon the trend of events in
this country was great. Today it is impos-
sibIe to measure it. But many of the vic
tories Of labor that raised standards Of liv-
ing would have been defeats had it not been
for the inspiration, the advice and the activ-
ty of this most remarkable woman.
To her, the need of human beings was
call for aid, and she gave unstintingly of her
strength.
In the seventy years of active life she
took part in many crusades. She was an
sboitionst speaker before the Civil war, but
labor demanded most of her attention. She
was one Of the organizers of the Knights of
Labor. She participated in every great strike
in the days of labor organizations.
What is not known is that she was a very
important factor in the overthrow of Diaz of
Mexico and the success of Madero. 1t was
her following among the smelter men in that
country which turned the tide in Madero's
favor.
No other woman, and indeed no man,
has such a record of achievement and so
unblemished a record of complete and un-
selfish service to a cause That took vision
imagination and courage.
& 1t is something to be called mother by
millions who utter the word with affection
and respect. 1t is more to deserve that trib-
3 ute. But if any one ever deserved affection
and devotion, it was this greatest of all cru
saders