A PROMINENT AMERICAN LABOR LEADER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3129, 7 August 1922, Page 8

A PROMINENT AMERICAN LABOR LEADER.

The labor upheaval in America with its loss in life threatens to be the most serious of the many labor wars that have distracted the land of Big Business and the Omnipotent Dollar. The history of most strikes in the States emphasises the truculence and uncompromising attitude of the master class’. Matters are further complicated by the conglomerate mass that go to make up the Labor army —men whose conceptions of civic rights and duties are as varied as their nationalities, tongues) and creeds. The cables last week mentions ono man who is figuring prominently in the present industrial war, as ho has done in many during the past couple of decades. Eugene Debs is 67 years of age, of French parentage, both his parents being natives of Alsace. A Chicago report stated that Debs appealed for solidarity among the railway workers in the fight. “Now that the war is over, Kamerism is dead, and Democracy and liberty on top,’’ he said, “the same crowd to whom you rallied in a frenzy of enthusiasm is lined up against you in battle array, ready to shoot you down like dogs.” Dobs stood for the Presidency several times as a Socialist. An enemy of militarism, he suffered for his opposition to conscription in 1918, by a term of imprisonment. While in prison he refused any special treatment, saying that he did not wish to bo raised above his fellow prisoners. It is said by those who know him that Eugene Debs will hesitate at no sacrifice to serve his class, and that by nature ho is tender, sweet and sentimental. His tribute to childhood —a. subject that touches the well-springs of feeling and makes the whole world kin —would seem to confirm this claim. “What sweet emotions the recollections of childhood inspire!” he exclaims, “and how priceless its treasured memories in our advancing and declining years! Laughing eyes and curly hair, little brown hands and bare feet, innocent and care-free, trusting and loving, tender and pure, what an elevating and satisfying influence these little gods have upon our maturcr years. Childhood! What a holy theme ! Flowers they are, with souls in them, and if on this earth man has a sacred charge, a holy obligation, it is to these tender buds and blossoms of humanity.” This panegyric to childhood, replete as it is with tender pathos, will find a responsive echo in the breasts of all, no matter whether Capital or Labor claims them, for childhood levels all in one common attitude of adoration.