The Working Man (Lawton, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 2, 1910 Page: 1 of 6
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WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE.
The
Man
VOL. 1.
LAWTON. OKLA., THURSDAY, JUNE 2 . 1910.
NO. 5
GOMPERS OPPOSES RAIL- I in the i teiest tor statehood, as well,
ROAD AMENDMENT as in tlie f>'anllng and adoption of the ,
const'tution. In recognition of such!
Samuel Gompers, president of the assLance as I was able to render, the j
A merit an Federation of Labor, in a constitutional convention presented^
letter to the people of Oklahoma, ad-1 me with the pen with which that in-
dressed to J. Luther Langston, sec- ! struinent was signed, but far better
retary-treasurer of the Oklahoma than personal pride, is the fact that
SlLte Federation of Labor, believes1 the supreme law of your state, its
that the people of Oklahoma should constitution, is a tribute to the con-
preserve their constitution undefiled ception of justice and love of liberty
!rem its would-be despoilers. Mr.
Compers says:
"The invitation extended to me by
the Oklahoma State Federation and
which the constitution declares and
guarantee's.
"May I indulge in the earnest hope
that the men of farm and field and
t-evfraL other friends of the cause to honest business, will arouse and as-!
visit your city, was 'as you know tak- sert themselves, that the constitution,
tn under very serious consideration of Oklahoma shall be preserved un-
hy me, and I withheld a definite defiled from its would-be despoilers."
answer in the hope that I could go
to Oklahoma to aid in the effort to; ONLY A WORKING MAN.
maintain your magnificent state con-
stitution intact from hostile influ- ■
on< es.
(Contributed.)
HI 'Only a working man" ia a com-j
"No one pretends that the state mon expression used every day by j
constitution is a perfect document,' everyone. It carries with it nothing ;
and as time goes on circumstances in particular. Among the aristocracy j
ii.'.y arise by which changes in the' it implies infew«rt*y; it means a
interest of the people's welfare may man born to toll, and work, an
be necessary, but when the necessity 'slave for others; to be kept out of
arises the Constitution should be good society; to be despised and
amended by its friends rather than j shunned; to be looked upon wit
those who by subtle means would un- distrust; to be considered a machine
rlertake to drive a wedge into that to vote, but never to run for office
and hovels unfit for human beings
to occupy, forced to accept whatever
wages may be offered, denied his just
rights, what wonder that this "work-
ing man" has no higher aspirations
or ambitions! What wonder that he
feels he is despised and frownea up-
on by the very people he keeps in
luxury, ease and idleness! What
wonder he resents their overtures of
friendliness and their promises of
fair play! None whatever.
But somebody must work, and
therefore there will always be
"working men." In this age of pro-
gress, civilization, education and ad-
vancement these "working men" are
considered the highest types of
physical and intellectual manhood.
They are not to be despised and will
not be pushed aside. They are the
sinew and bone of the nation; they
are its mainstay and support and
should be its pride. A country with-
out "working men" is like a farm
without stock, a well without water,
a man without friends, a home with-
out children, and a heaven wfthout a
God.
great document of human rights. Bis
tory haR demonstrated that the oppo
! or be elected; in fact, to have no am-
bitions whatever to hold office of
„ent-. of freedom, liberty and justice any kind; always to work, work,
do not disclose their full purpose. WOrk long, tiresome, tedious hours
Their tactics are too insidiously and at small pay; to be content to have
under the guise of friendship urge | enough to eat and a place to sleep;
the practicability of a scheme and tQ be satisfied with his surroundings
then if successful, entrenched with j whether they be bright or gloomy,
their new found power, become de-
fiant and domineering.
and under no circumstances to find
fault, kick or go on strike. What
"The constitution of Oklahoma is a beautiful picture!
the greatest written instrument of This "working man," however, is
human freedom and justice existing the eon o-f another "working man
in any state of this or any other His race has been in servitude and
country, and it should have an op- bondage for ages, but, unlike the
portunlty of a longer period than it serf or 8iave of old, be is pernaitte
has had to demonstrate any defects t0 jearn to read and write. e s
which it nvay contain. compelled to learn that much, whet
"The magnificent development in"er he wants or not. This, however,
every field of human activity, agri- is about the extent of his education,
culture, industrial, commercial, fl- begins his hard life of toil when a
nancial, social and moral, of the peo- boy and keeps it up until he dies,
pie of Oklahoma since the adoption He jg ,a)ways a working man. e
of the constitution, demonstrates be- ha8 no bonds, stocks, investments or
yond question that theer is not now bank accounts; he owns no factories,
a serious obstacle to the further de- forge8, mines, mills, workshops or
velopment of all things contributing real estate; he has no horses, car-
lo their welfare. | riages or automobiles. His is a e
"I have a particular pride in Okla- of dnl] pare, working night and day
honia's people, her statehood, and her t<j (.reate wealth for others to spend
constitution. It was my pleasure to ^ bolsterous> riotous and licentious
be helpful in the fight which Gen.j Working early and late in
Weaver made for the lands to be , " family living in huts
thrown open to settlers and to fight supporting a family, living
111 fares the land, to hastening ills a
prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men
decay.
Princes and lords may flourish or
may fade,
A breach can make them as a breath
has made.
But a bold peasantry, their country's
pride,
When once destroyed can never be
supplied.
In the future please give tne
"working man" a little more consia-
eration. Without him this world
would be a dreary place, a barren
waste, a trackless desert.
He is worth something at least.
Give him his due.
"He is God's Nobleman.'
SUBSCRIBE FOR
"The Working Man"
102 B Ave.
and buy your Groceries of
MEIS BROTHERS
514 Third St.
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The Working Man (Lawton, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 2, 1910, newspaper, June 2, 1910; Lawton, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc123130/m1/1/: accessed April 17, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.