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Story
October 19, 1865
Virginia Free Press
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
The Eight Hour Movement gains momentum in major cities, with a recent Washington meeting representing mechanical trades. Advocates argue for eight hours each for work, sleep, and recreation to fulfill duties to family, country, and self, criticizing ten-hour toil as detrimental to health, education, and citizenship.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The Eight Hour Movement.
This movement is acquiring a wonderful impetus in the prominent cities, and may be considered as accomplished. At a late meeting in Washington all mechanical trades were represented, and a very cogent address promulgated. They declare that "at last have been inaugurated the preliminary steps towards the accomplishment of that great birthright of man—eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep, and eight hours for social and moral recreation—the text of the philosopher, the theme of the philanthropist, and the hope of the lowly laborer since civilization began to lift the heavy burden of abuse through which prejudice struggled vainly to impede the march of melioration."
"Under our present system of labor, the workingman's time is so completely absorbed that but little of his attention can be devoted to his family. That holy institution, the Sabbath, is the only time permitted him to instruct his children, warm their affections, and participate in their pleasures.
Duty to country under our beneficent form of government—which devolves on every citizen above twenty-one years of age great and peculiar responsibilities—requires an intelligence incompatible with ten hours of toil.
Duty to family, in the present state of society, requires attentions and amenities which are precluded by ten hours absence from home.
Duty to self requires man to protect himself from physical ills, preserve his health, and prolong and enjoy life, by all the means in his power, without injury to his fellowman.
Can you drudge through the heat of summer, exhausting the physical and depressing the mental powers, qualify yourselves to render to that country who entrusts to you her welfare and perpetuity a fair return of intelligent judgment?
No, you cannot! There is no relish for the dry figures of trade, the research of science, nor historical chronicles.
We do not claim this time for idleness. We claim that we require it to look after our individual interests and happiness. We do not wish for luxury and indolence; but we are ambitious to turn our time and talents to greater account in the productive industry, in the social relation, and in the political system of the country of which we are citizens; in a word, our aim is to make ourselves better friends, better citizens, and better Christians."
This movement is acquiring a wonderful impetus in the prominent cities, and may be considered as accomplished. At a late meeting in Washington all mechanical trades were represented, and a very cogent address promulgated. They declare that "at last have been inaugurated the preliminary steps towards the accomplishment of that great birthright of man—eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep, and eight hours for social and moral recreation—the text of the philosopher, the theme of the philanthropist, and the hope of the lowly laborer since civilization began to lift the heavy burden of abuse through which prejudice struggled vainly to impede the march of melioration."
"Under our present system of labor, the workingman's time is so completely absorbed that but little of his attention can be devoted to his family. That holy institution, the Sabbath, is the only time permitted him to instruct his children, warm their affections, and participate in their pleasures.
Duty to country under our beneficent form of government—which devolves on every citizen above twenty-one years of age great and peculiar responsibilities—requires an intelligence incompatible with ten hours of toil.
Duty to family, in the present state of society, requires attentions and amenities which are precluded by ten hours absence from home.
Duty to self requires man to protect himself from physical ills, preserve his health, and prolong and enjoy life, by all the means in his power, without injury to his fellowman.
Can you drudge through the heat of summer, exhausting the physical and depressing the mental powers, qualify yourselves to render to that country who entrusts to you her welfare and perpetuity a fair return of intelligent judgment?
No, you cannot! There is no relish for the dry figures of trade, the research of science, nor historical chronicles.
We do not claim this time for idleness. We claim that we require it to look after our individual interests and happiness. We do not wish for luxury and indolence; but we are ambitious to turn our time and talents to greater account in the productive industry, in the social relation, and in the political system of the country of which we are citizens; in a word, our aim is to make ourselves better friends, better citizens, and better Christians."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Family
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Eight Hour Movement
Labor Reform
Workers Rights
Family Duties
Citizenship
Where did it happen?
Prominent Cities, Washington
Story Details
Location
Prominent Cities, Washington
Event Date
Late Meeting
Story Details
Advocates at a Washington meeting promote the Eight Hour Movement, declaring it a birthright for balanced life, arguing ten-hour work prevents fulfilling duties to family, country, and self, and seeking time for personal improvement without idleness.