South Bend, September 2, 1968
Labor Day
Labor Day in America goes back to the year 1882. It was declared a national holiday by a resolution of Congress in 1894. Labor Day is always observed on the first Monday in September, whereby a long weekend is guaranteed. Instead of May 1, the day honoring labor is observed in America at the beginning of September. In election years, campaigns traditionally start on Labor Day. Thus, Hubert Humphrey, the Democratic presidential candidate, began his campaign today with a big parade in New York. George Meany, the President of AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization) stood by his side to demonstrate that the labor unions support the Democratic Party. The American Labor Day has for the most part remained free of Marxist slogans. It is more of a national holiday without stressing too much class differences.
This year’s summer has remained relatively quiet in regard to racial violence. The majority of whites and blacks are presently assuming an attitude of moderation in race relations. Both parts desire to solve the problem within the framework of the law and strive, though hesitatingly, to make integration work. For example, at the beginning of the school year, integration in the educational sector is presently carried out peacefully and without much resistance.
South Bend, Wednesday, September 11, 1968
Edmund Muskie in the Stepan Center
This evening, Senator Edmund Muskie, the Democratic candidate for Vice President, spoke in Stepan Center on the Notre Dame Campus. Although Muskie attracted only a small number of students, he was more effective than previously assumed he would be. He spoke from personal conviction about the ideals of American democracy. Himself second generation of Polish descent, he was well received by an audience from the strong Polish community of South Bend. He pleasantly abstained from party politics. As he decisively expressed his view that the War in Vietnam has to come to an end, he got roaring applause.