of the common product along with the rest. There are already half the tenants of the houses in that town positively refusing to pay their rents, which they have not the means to pay even if they desired to do so; and they are readily joining in the grand campaign. We wish our comrades every success. If the other industrial centres imitate their example we will soon accomplish the Social Revolution.”
“What do you think of that?” said Harry, showing the paragraph to Fred.
“I think it disgraceful,” replied Fred.
“I don't,” said Harry, “I think it foolish.”
It was now time to commence, and the chairman called the meeting to order. He said he was glad to see the hall so packed; it showed respect to a worthy veteran (applause), and also showed they appreciated an earnest attempt to end the present social injustice (renewed applause). He had to announce that, at the request of the lecturer, a new departure would be made in the conduct of the meeting: instead of the usual debate at the close, members of the audience would be invited to interject pertinent questions throughout the discourse, so as to clear up the subject and create a thorough understanding of the lecturer's methods. Before introducing the lecturer, he would ask the whole audience to join in singing the “Anthem of Labor.”
THE ANTHEM OF LABOR.
In the good old days when the Roman power
Held sway o'er the human race,
And the working millions like oxen toiled
In sorrow and disgrace,
The wise men of that day did say
Man should toil thus for ever;
But Slavery's day has since passed away
To return amongst us never.
Chorus.—For Labor shall be free; yes, Labor shall be free;
In spite of Mammon's cruel theft—
In spite of Law's decree—
We'll yet make Labor free—we'll yet make Labor free,
O'er all the world we'll brothers be,
And Labor shall be free!
But, alas, from the ashes of slavery rose
The lords in their Feudal might,
Reducing to serfdom the laboring throngs,
And seizing the land as their right.
But the Feudal barons and their castles strong
Are relics of the past;
And the worker's no longer sold with his land—
He strives to be free at last.
Chorus—For Labor, etc.
But alas for the day that saw Capital reign
With Labor prostrate at its feet;
The indolent few overburdened with wealth,
While labor has nothing to eat.
The worker is ‘free’? yes, free to starve,
