Ten thousand times has the labor movement stumbled and fallen and bruised itself, and risen again; been seized by the throat and choked and clubbed into insensibility; enjoined by courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, shot down by regulars, traduced by the press, frowned upon by public opinion, deceived by politicians, threatened by priests, repudiated by renegades, preyed upon by grafters, infested by spies, deserted by cowards, betrayed by traitors, bled by leeches, and sold out by leaders, but notwithstanding all this, and all these, it is today the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission of emancipating the workers of the world from the thraldom of the ages is as certain of ultimate realization as is the setting of the sun.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Despite repeated setbacks and oppression, the labor movement remains powerful and destined to succeed.
- In plain terms
- The labor movement keeps rising after failures and will eventually win.
- What can you take from it?
- Persistence in collective action leads to eventual success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a movement resilient?
- How do setbacks strengthen organizations?
Another view
The certainty of ultimate success may not account for modern economic shifts.
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