speeches
To remember the loneliness, the fear and the insecurity of men who once had to walk alone in huge factories, beside huge machines—to realize that labor unions have meant new dignity and pride to millions of our countrymen—human companionship on the job, and music in the home—to be able to see what larger pay checks mean, not to a man as an employee, but as a husband and as a father—to know these things is to understand what American labor means.
--Adlai Stevenson
Because of their peaceful nature, speeches were popular with those who wanted to convince others of their beliefs. Those that possessed eloquence and a way with crowds gave speeches far and wide, resulting in swayed opinions and increased resistance. Many famous speeches of the era included Eugene Debs speech to the Brotherhood Convention, Adlai Stevenson's 1952 speech, and John F. Kennedy's special Labor Day message.
At the Brotherhood's annual convention, Eugene Debs, twenty-two at the time, gave a well-known, popular speech. It was 1877 and occurred right after the great railroad strike, America's first national strike. Debs' speech wasn't exactly the most peaceful or lawful speech given. In fact, it praised the railroad strike; encouraged more strikes and other behavior against the law in order to gain more rights in the way of labor. Debs speech was a step forward in his own career and inspiring others to step forward to earn equal labor rights.
On September 22 in 1952, Adlai Stevenson gave a speech on the union's success and how the labor unions affected the population's lives. He spoke of the dignity and pride that Americans now possessed. He spoke of the fruitful lives that Americans now lived. He spoke of the hope from the rewards of the labor union that Americans now possessed. His words painted a glorious picture of America, how the people overcame struggles by joining together in the ultimate test of unity. Stevenson's words were a foundation of hope that allowed the U.S. people to dream and learn that anything is possible.
Another well remembered speech is president John F. Kennedy's Labor Day message. Given on August 10, 1960, Kennedy also addressed the success so far of the labor union. He announced that the U.S. had the best working conditions world-wide, and congratulated Americans on their persistence in the long, difficult fight for better circumstances and higher wages. Kennedy's speech was exactly what the people needed to hear; they had the president on their side and all their hard work, suffering and perseverance were finally paying off.
At the Brotherhood's annual convention, Eugene Debs, twenty-two at the time, gave a well-known, popular speech. It was 1877 and occurred right after the great railroad strike, America's first national strike. Debs' speech wasn't exactly the most peaceful or lawful speech given. In fact, it praised the railroad strike; encouraged more strikes and other behavior against the law in order to gain more rights in the way of labor. Debs speech was a step forward in his own career and inspiring others to step forward to earn equal labor rights.
On September 22 in 1952, Adlai Stevenson gave a speech on the union's success and how the labor unions affected the population's lives. He spoke of the dignity and pride that Americans now possessed. He spoke of the fruitful lives that Americans now lived. He spoke of the hope from the rewards of the labor union that Americans now possessed. His words painted a glorious picture of America, how the people overcame struggles by joining together in the ultimate test of unity. Stevenson's words were a foundation of hope that allowed the U.S. people to dream and learn that anything is possible.
Another well remembered speech is president John F. Kennedy's Labor Day message. Given on August 10, 1960, Kennedy also addressed the success so far of the labor union. He announced that the U.S. had the best working conditions world-wide, and congratulated Americans on their persistence in the long, difficult fight for better circumstances and higher wages. Kennedy's speech was exactly what the people needed to hear; they had the president on their side and all their hard work, suffering and perseverance were finally paying off.