the cupidity of mercenary business interests, they have also learned the truth of the Brotherhood of Man.

While not lacking by one heart-beat the full measure of that love of country which we call "patriotism"; while bowing the head to his country's flag with a reverence not one whit less than was felt by those who came and went before him, the workingman of to-day has reached a plane from which he can see and appreciate the love of country and flag felt by his brother across the border or on the ocean's other side, and he protests against murdering murdering or being murdered by that by that brother. (Applause.)

Applause or laudation may bring the flush of foolish pride to the unthinking or forgetful "man behind the gun," but the enlightened, progressive man of labor carries a heart full of sympathy and compassion for the man in front of the gun.

When jingoism stalked from end to end of the British Isles, lashing itself into a fury as it bellowed for war in South Africa, but one considerable element raised its voice in opposition and appealed for other and less brutal ways of settling the existing troubles. That voice was the voice of Union Labor, speaking through chosen representatives. Though the plea fell upon deaf ears, and one of the least justifiable and most mercenary of wars was cruelly carried to the bitter end, all Great Britain to-day sadly regrets that the Government turned its back upon the spokesman of Union Labor, who counselled Peace and prophetically foretold the disappointment which would follow such a war as was proposed by the jingoes and their mercenary allies.

In conclusion I repeat that Labor-Organized Labor-is on the side of Peace.

Because of the inherent selfishness of mankind-which has not yet learned wisdom, and because of our industrial system and the conditions contingent thereto, trades unionism is still a militant movement; but it is constantly striving to bring about the substitution of the Court of Reason for the murderous contest of force in the settlement of differences between opposing interests.

That arrogant defiance of Peace, that virulent microbe of strife, "Nothing to arbitrate," had not its birth in the Trade Union, and rarely does it find a friend there. We advocate

arbitration as a substitute for open conflict between ourselves and our employers and, adapting a thought recently expressed by Andrew Carnegie, we believe that what is good for use at home is good for use abroad.

Therefore, I confidently say that the Trades Unions of the United States-and, I believe, the Trades Unions of all countries -are pledged to the accomplishment of the principles enunciated by the Hague Conference and will do everything within their power to assist in that good work.

No one more than the Trade Unionist hopes for the early fulfilment of this prophecy of that great son of France, Victor Hugo, who said: "In the twentieth century wars will cease, and men the world over will be brothers." (Great applause.)

MR. BUCHANAN:

I am sure the audience will agree when I say that the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, which is absent in the person of three or four of its members who were expected to be here, has been fully and ably represented upon the platform to-night. (Applause.)

Now, my friends, while you do the fighting in times of war, the other sex bears probably the heavier burden and carries in its breast the aching heart; therefore, no meetings in the interests of Peace would be complete if the voice of woman were not heard. It therefore affords me great pleasure now to introduce as the next speaker a woman who has been one of the workers in the cause of labor for a quarter of a century, and who represents upon this platform to-night the Women's Trade Union League of New York, Miss O'Reilly. (Applause.)

The Cry of Humanity

MISS LEONORA O'REILLY

FRIENDS, FELLOW WORKINGMEN AND FELLOW WORKINGWOMEN: I feel very much like saying, after having listened to the speeches which have already been made, Peace! we are going to have Peace, even if we fight for it. (Applause and laughter.)

One of our American writers has said that at every moment some one country more than any other represents the sentiment of the future of mankind. What a glorious thing if from this

Republic of ours, we could send forth such a message for the future of mankind. Peace we must have, no matter how we come by it.

Thus far, so far as I know, the world has seen only two forms of civilization: the military and the industrial; and the industrial form of civilization is only just beginning to appear.

In looking up a definition of war to bring before this audience, I found in one of our encyclopaedias this definition: "The History of War is the history of the Human Race." Now friends, I want you to think of that-the history of war is the history of the human race-then, don't you think we had better begin and rewrite the history of the human race? (Applause.) And who could better write that history than working men and working women? (Applause.) We certainly have helped to carry on the industrial fight. Who, then, could better write the true story?

One fact not generally known about the labor movement is that, when we get inside the great industrial army, we really forget whether the soldier is man or woman. We simply want to be part of the great world's work. And I want, so much, to have you understand what that definition meant to me, a worker and I hope to have it mean as much to you, working men and working women. Think of it! Must it be so? Is it true that the history of the human race is war? War means destruction. Ah, no! Isn't it that we have only had the microbe of conquest in our heads and hearts? We have not really learned what brotherhood and sisterhood means. We have not really learned the lesson of the labor movement, that we are brother and sister all the world over. (Applause.)

Glad indeed am I to be so honored as to be asked to come and speak my word for organized women at this Peace Meeting. The gentleman has said truly that while the men are fighting in the field, the women must carry on all the other work. Women have work enough in times of Peace, but try to think, try to imagine what a woman's part is when the men go to be shot down in battle. (Applause.) Not only do they carry on all the industries that men carry on in times of Peace, but then they must also do the work as mothers and wives. Just think of that. Surely, no matter how weak the voice of woman, it must be

heard in this Peace Congress; and especially the voice of the woman or organized labor must be heard, for, if the future of our land is to be a peaceful and an industrial one, it must be brought about by the intelligence of the organized workers. Good boy! (Great applause and laughter, in which latter the speaker joined.)

A VOICE:

MISS O'REILLY:

I take off my hat to the brother in the back of the room because he has acknowledged that there is no such thing as sex in the labor movement. (Great applause and cries of "good!")

You ask what is the attitude of the labor movement towards war? Have we got to ask ourselves that question? Don't we all know it in our hearts? Don't we all carry it in the very marrow of our being? Wasn't it the workingmen's international movement fifty years ago that said, "You will never establish Peace until you abolish all your standing armies"? Now, I am not advocating the abolition of one standing army as against another, but I do not believe that you can have Peace while you are preparing for war. Peace will not be attained to-day, but we must look to that future which we intend to reach. Therefore, I maintain, the works of the world belong to the great constructive force of the world and cannot for their life's sake have anything to do with war or the destructive side. (Applause.) If we mean Peace, we must go about it honestly and honorably. (Applause.) So I believe with those workingmen of fifty years ago, if we really mean Peace, then we must advocate those measures which will do away with war. You cannot train men to be soldiers and then ask them to be anything else. You cannot ask them not to make use (applause) of the training which you have spent your substance to give them.

Now I am reminded of the story of the Irishman, who was supposed to believe in predestination. A neighbor saw him going out with a gun on his shoulder and said: "Why, Pat, I thought you believed in predestination?" "So I do, but perhaps the other fellow's time has come." (Laughter.) Now while we have our armies and navies trained, you will notice it is always the thought that the other fellow's time may have come. You can't preach brotherhood in that way. (Applause.) However, whatever we may think on that score, we do want Peace. The

majority of our people want Peace, and I think we want to send a message to The Hague which will make them understand, not only that the people here, but people all over the world want Peace. (Applause.) In reading over the messages and the thoughts of all the splendid minds to-day which are concentrating themselves on the thought of Peace, and what best we can do to attain the blessings of peace, it came upon me like a horror that over nineteen hundred years ago we had the Nazarene, the Man who has always been called "The Prince of Peace," and yet in our midst to-day one of the followers of that Gospel, one of the followers of that Prince of Peace, asserts that there can be no such thing as Peace, and thanks God for a standing army which keeps watch over the turbulent and seditious of our city. I only mention this to ask what it is that makes so many of us get so twisted in our mentality, if not in our morality, for surely if ever a being lived who wanted Peace, it was the Nazarene, the gentle Carpenter. (Applause.) And we find to-day one of His followers at the International Peace Conference thanking God for the standing armies.

A VOICE: Never was His follower.

MISS O'REILLY:

Never was His follower? Perhaps not. I think a great many people who think they are His followers, let themselves out once in a while and then we know them for what they are. (Applause.)

But surely the solidarity of the human race will never be accomplished until the workers of the world unite for its accomplishment. (Applause. A voice, "Bravo!")

I should have said that the feeling which came into my heart when I read that minister's utterances is the old, old thought which makes me say once again: Workers of the World, you must teach this Peace doctrine yourselves, if you want it taught. You organized workers know that the A B C of the labor movement teaches that the solidarity of the human race will never be accomplished until the workers of the world unite for its accomplishment, namely, by agitation, organization and education. Those are our three methods of Peace. (Great applause.) And if we but do that work, we have very little time. for the work of destruction. You know we are many, and we need a great deal of education to get us to see things straight