Today is Labor Day. On
Those first parades were really protest rallies for the adoption of the 8-hour day, rather than the, often tame civic events they have involved into. Participants had to give up a day's pay in order to march. The New York CLU even levied a fine on non-participants!". ( source )
The part that interested us - the parade was actually organised by a then secret organisation - The Knights of Labor, also known as Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor . They had elaborate rituals , like other fraternal organisations . New Knights agreed to commit themselves to improve the conditions of all working people.
At the initiation ceremony, new knights took the following sacred oath:
"In the beginning, God ordained that man should labor, not as a curse, but as a blessing; not as a punishment, but as means of development, physically, mentally, morally, and has set thereunto his seal of approval in the rich increase and reward. By labor is brought forward the kindly fruits of the earth in rich abundance for our sustenance and comfort; by labor (not exhaustive) is promoted health of the body and strength of mind, labor garners the priceless stores of wisdom and knowledge. It is the “Philosopher’s Stone,” everything it touches turns to wealth. “Labor is noble and holy.” To glorify God in its exercise, to defend it from degradation, to divest it of the evils to body, mind, and estate, which ignorance and greed have imposed; to rescue the toiler from the grasp of the selfish is a work worthy of the noblest and best of our race.
You have been selected from among your associates for that exalted purpose. Are you willing to accept the responsibility, and, trusting in the support of pledged true Knights, labor, with what ability you possess, for the triumph of these principles among men? "
The Kinghts of Labor ceased to be a force by the 1890's.
A hundred years on, shall we revive this mystic order?? Shall we go to the mattresses?
( via Consumerist, historymatters )
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