The Americans Part 35

SAM WILLIAMS.

Well, comrades, it's the Union first with me.

That props the rest. You take that prop away And everything comes down. We've climbed a bit Since we first organized. And what we've won, What is it that keeps it won? The Union, comrades, Is just another name for all of us.

JERGENS.

(_Appearing at the gate_)

Another thing. If you don't come to work We'll want those shacks up there. Remember that.

(_Goes out_)

SAM WILLIAMS.

And we need something bigger than we are, Don't we, if they do with their mills and lands?

You heard Aug. Jergens what he said just now When Chris here called to him, 'But you unite.'

You heard him say, 'That's none of your affair.'

Then how's it their affair if we unite?

Logs you can't handle, but you saw them up, Then you can handle them. It's the same with us; They want to handle us to suit themselves.

Comrades, I don't see if you go in there How you'll not have to come out here again; Unless you mean to bear whatever comes.

You'll hear no big voice, 'Then we'll all go out,'

That's kept their hands from off you many a time.

Or is it their mercy that you're counting on?

Poor hold you've got there. One window yonder Of Egerton's big house would put the guards About the saws. But you hear what he says.

And it's our lives he's talking of.

A WOMAN.

(_To another who begins to cry_)

Never mind.

SAM WILLIAMS.

What is it that gives him power to talk that way?

Why is it he can do that,

(_Lifts his hand_)

and trains come in With soldiers? We can't do it. And they're two And we're four hundred.

JIM KING.

That don't get us bread.

SAM WILLIAMS.

Is it because they own the mills and lands?

It's only when they own us that they're strong.

Comrades, you've come now where the ways divide.

There's bigger gates than these stand open here If you'll just stick together. 'Tain't to-day I'm thinking of. There's a green sh.o.r.e somewhere If you'll just turn your faces from that gate.

But if you're going to give your Union up When they say if you don't we'll close these gates, You'll have no peace. They'll hold it over you To force you down. Comrades, the day will come When you'll regret it if you go in there, Giving your Union up. But that's with you.

CHRIS KNUDSON.

Sam's right. We can't be slaves, men.

KING AND MASTERS.

Wes! Hear Wes!

CHRIS KNUDSON.

Let's march on out to Egerton's big house And call the Governor out and lay our case Before him.

CRIES.

Right! That's right!

A VOICE.

First let's go home And get the women folk and all march out.

MIKE HAWLEY.

You talk like fools. Ain't Braddock, too, a slave?

He's 'bout as big to Egerton as your thumb.

WES DICEY.

It seems to me like, boys, we're in a boat.

We've pulled together hard as any men Tryin' to make the sh.o.r.e off there. But here She's leakin' and our biscuits have give out.

The question now is, hadn't we better make For this sh.o.r.e here? It ain't the one we want; But here there's bread and water. But they say-- And this it is that seems to rub Sam most-- 'Scuttle your boat or you don't land here.' Well, Scuttle her, then I say.

(_Hisses from the crowd_)

Now you hold on.

I love the Union much as any man.

And I've stood by her, too, through thick and thin.

Ain't I stood by her, boys?

JIM KING.

Wes is our friend.

WES DICEY.

And will again. Then what do I mean? Just this: It's a queer sh.o.r.e ain't got a cove or two Where you can hide her. I don't mean to say That Sam ain't done his best to captain us; He has. But here she is, she's goin' down, So I say land. For bread tastes mighty good, And air this time o' year won't keep you warm If you're turned out. Later, we get our strength, We'll patch her up and make for that green sh.o.r.e Sam talks of. But just now it's this or this.