OCR Text |
Show I TODAY IN HISTORY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1910. Labor Day. The first Monday In September 1b observed ob-served through the United States aa Labor day. It Is a day set asldo as tho legal holiday of the worklngman. In 1SS2 tho Knights of Labor hold their general assembly In New York city during the month of September, and on the 5th of that month, twcnty-clght yoara ago. reviewed re-viewed a great parade organized by the Central Labor union of that city, rue next year a parade was held on tho una Monday hi September, and In 1884, on the resolution of George R. Lloyd, one of the KnlghtH of Labor. It was decided that, all future parades should be held on that day, and that tho day shall bo known as Labor day. Worklrigmcn'8 organizations all over the country then began an agitation to Induce tho stato legislature to dc-elaro dc-elaro the day a legal holiday, and on March 15, 1SS7, Colorado led tho way, to be quickly followed by New Jersey. Now York and Massachusetts, On September 5, 1774. the first continental contin-ental congress assembled. Thero wero iiiiy-uvu niuii uuiuuiuu limit ui colonics to meet in this general congrss, and when the body was called to order In Carpenters' hall, Philadelphia, forty-four forty-four of these delegates had responded Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, on that day was chosen the first president. The commissions com-missions of the delegates wore then read, and most of tho first day was consumed In approving theso credentials, In determining deter-mining how thoy should voto, and In appointing ap-pointing various committees. Thomas dishing, of Massachusetts, proponed to open the sessions with prayer, hut owing to the wide diversity of religious opinion It wna opposed by some of tho members. Samuel Adams thon arose, and said: "I am no bigot, and can hear a prayor from any man of piety and virtue who Is a friend to this country-" He therefore moved that the Rov. Mr. Ducho. an Episcopal clergyman, bo roquestod to read prayers the following morning. At the first session that prayers were offered by Rev. Mr. Duche. he also read the Thirty-fifth Psalm, which begins, "Plead Thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me. and fight Thou hand upon tho shield and buckler, and stand up to help me." John Adams said: "I never saw a greater ofTect upon an audience. It seemed as If Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning." Then tho Rev. Mr. Duche. "unexpectedly "unexpect-edly to anybody, struck out Into an extemporary ex-temporary prayer for America, for the congress, for Massachusetts, nnd especially espe-cially for Boston, which was so fervent that it filled tho bosom of every man present." On the first day Patrick Henry made one of his characteristic speeches. "Go'-ernment "Go'-ernment Is dissolved: fleets and armies nnd the present state of things show that government Is dissolved. Where are your landmarks, your boundaries? We are in a state of nature, sir, I will sub mit, iiuwuvim. 1 um ueicrmmeu 10 sun-mlt sun-mlt If I am overruled. I hope that future fu-ture ages will quote our proceedings with applause. It Is one of ihe great duties of tho democratic part of our constitution constitu-tion to keep itself pure. Tho distinction between Virginians. Pennsylvanlans, New Yorkers, and Now Englandora aro no more. I am not a Virginian, but an American " During Its first session congress sat with closed doors The members had taken an oath of secrecy, and the public waited with anxiety to hear the result of their deliberation. All eyes were turned towards Philadelphia during the convention. For three weeks little was known of their transactions, except that they voted contributions to their brethren nt Boston. After tho session was ended. Congress was entertained nt the City Tavern by the Assembly of Pennsylvania. On October 26. 177-1. congress adjourned, recommending that the second continental contin-ental concress be again convened at Philadelphia on May 10. 1775. Lord t nnthnm. on comparing their works with the masters of the world, said of them that 'for solidity or reasoning, force of sagacity and wisdom of conclusion under such a. complication .of circumstances, no nation or hody of men can stand In pref- Philadelphia."0 S C0nprcs3 September 5 Is the date nf the sur- )"Lldo,?,f M?,f? ,0 ,tnc Brlt,,!h dSOOl; of niti u,nf Copenhagen (lRn?) and th i ,..hnttr- bpfwcen tho "Enternrlso" & FA C1S,!- V tbe birthday of V.a"l'.nnl Rlchellou. French statesman .i.-.tr... ixjuisxiv. of France f 163s) : Roh- Thomas Eddy. American phllanthronlst nnd author H7SS); William Alexander Graham, secretary of the navv under Fillmore OKO-H: and John G. Carlisle hndCnr TVhC, 'rr' under Clove: 7) VndS TnChT?.nn,C,er,K ee September 1): nnci Jean Francois Regnard the French humorous poet (1710). |