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Show LABOR DAY. The demonstration which labor will make next week in all parts of the land will no doubt voice the intelligent demands of the workingmen. Such at least should be the case wherever men are free to express themselves, and it is to be hoped that nowhere in this country will any employee use coer-eijn, coer-eijn, either directly or indirectly to prevent the free expression of opinion, for it is only when men are free from undue influence that Labor Day can have a meaning for them. Of course there will be no such thing as unanimity of opinion for in different differ-ent parts of the country diverse opinion opin-ion will naturally tie found in direct bearing on existing conditions. For instance there is little doubt but that next week in those centers where labor is plenty, and factories are running run-ning at full time, and perhaps overtime, over-time, men will take a stand in favor of what they believe has brought about the condition which, rightly or wrongly they believe is attributable to certain policies and it is well that these men should express themselves as freely as they see fit and demonstrate in jubilation jubi-lation of what is to them, desirable. On the other hand it is equally certain that, un parts of the country where the trust has closed the factory for the reason of "economy of operations," and many men have been thrown out of employment tere will be demonstrations demon-strations quite at variance with those of the more fortunate workmen. It is meet that this should be so. A picture pic-ture of conditions and a rehearsal of causes, as the laborer may see them will in the end be good. Wherever there is causes of congratulations con-gratulations . and felicitations as well as causes for grievance and discontent workmen should use the occasion which Labor Day affords to intelligently, calmly and temporarily debate those things which are to their own best interest. in-terest. After all Labor Day is not to be considered con-sidered only as a day of rest, amusement amuse-ment and enjoyment, which in the end results in loss of time and money, but it should be considered as a day set apart for the contemplation and con- ! sideration of ways or means to better the future unless such an element as this enters into the day. Of what avail can it be to the laborer? Above all the man who toils for a living should avoid the demagogue who comes to him in the guise of a friend, but who is in reality his worst enemy. This demagogue dema-gogue is found in the ranks of the employers, and is not confined to one political party. He is a pest wherever he may be found and should be shunned. shun-ned. To the workingmen of this western country The Intermountain Catholic offers its felicitations and trusts that-the that-the future of this country, no matter what the result of the pending canvass can-vass contains for them, hope and promise prom-ise of better things. In the evolution of industrial conditions condi-tions there should be a larger wage and fewer hours of that the evolution of the individual may keep pace with material things. Men's souls and men's bodies are the chiefest concern of alf who are not steeped in dense materialism and grossness of spirit. And, as a people, unle.s we turn our thoughts to the elevation of the men who toils, by enlarging en-larging his opportunities for self improvement, im-provement, Ave build our school houses in vain for his offspring. Labor Day therefore should be an occasion on which men should formulate formu-late their demands for adjustment of conditions which they would have more conformable to justice and reason. rea-son. It should be a day for intellectual recreation and not for material pleas- ' ures. When Labor Day takes on this phase then the day of hope shall have dawned for him who earns his bread by the sweat of his face. May the good God soon hasten it. |