LABOR DAY
The words "parade" and "procession" are associated in the minds of most American children with long lines of soldiers, and the small boy will play for hours putting his tin soldiers in rank and file, or marching with his comrades, with pans for drums.
In these later days, when the spirit of the Peace Congress is in the air, it is well that the children should become interested in struggles and battles of a different and higher order and in the parades in which long lines of honorable workers take part.
In this country all self-respecting people are workers in one way or another, and though in the course of progress of coöperative movements and combinations, among many kinds of workers, there may have been much of injustice, such movements have also been accompanied by self-sacrifice, courage and generosity of a high order. In time the good will far out-weigh the evil. As Labor Day approaches, the children, especially if the father expects to take part, will be readily interested in the day and what it should mean—the solving of the great problem of the twentieth century. Meanwhile let the children feel the beauty of Walt Whitman's lines:
"Ah little recks the laborer
How near his work is holding him to God,
The loving Laborer through space and time."
The Labor Day parade is a revival, or survival in modern guise, of the mediæval processions of the Guilds. Such a procession is charmingly represented in Wagner's delightful opera, "Die Meistersinger," wherein, on a festival day, we see the bakers enter, bearing the insignia of their trade, enormous pretzels and other cakes. The cobblers march in with gigantic boots and slippers suspended from tall poles; the butchers carry hams and festoons of sausages, etc. The child may imitate such a parade in his play.
In talking with the child, emphasize the obligation to do good, true work and to take pride in such. Let fidelity and trustworthiness be his watchwords.
Parade (Poles or broom handles, wrapping paper or newspaper, scissors, tacks, rakes, spades, etc., flags and banners)
Let the children cut from the paper large outlines of shoes, boots, hams, saws, try-squares, clocks, watches, enormous pens, knives, forks, etc., and fasten with pins or tacks to the poles. Then march to the tune of some stirring air.
Some may be able to secure small garden rakes, spades and toy brooms to carry. The American flag and banners should also be carried.
Toy-Processions (Trade catalogues, toothpicks, paper dolls, etc.)
Cut out paper dolls and let each one carry a tiny toothpick upon which has been pasted a picture cut from some catalogue. These catalogues will furnish pictures of shoes, carriages, saws, hammers, watches, furniture, etc. Be sure that little American flags are also carried. Dolls may be glued to spools for standards.
Place Cards for Dinner
1. (Bristol board, scissors, paints, brush)
Make place cards of Bristol board, which may be cut into shape of shoes, watches, etc., and painted accordingly. The name of guest may be placed on reverse side. Or, on plain white card, paint a picture emblematic of a trade and write upon it also some quotation from a writer of democratic spirit.
2. (Tiny cast-iron rakes, spades and hatchets—1 cent each.)
As a souvenir, give each guest a tiny cast-iron spade, rake and hatchet tied together with cord. Or, for a joke, these may be placed by each plate instead of knife, fork and spoon.
3. (Pen and ink or pencil, white card.)
Draw on a plain, white card a picture of an ant, bee or beaver as emblematic of labor. Use for place cards.
4. (Frances S. Osgood's poem, "Labor," white cards, pen and ink.)
On each card write one stanza of this beautiful poem, and after the close of the meal let each guest in turn read the lines on his card. It would be well for every child to commit this poem to memory. It is long, but sings itself easily into the mind. The word-pictures it calls up are exquisite and the learning of it, little by little, would not be an unhappy task.