The Barber Colman Fighting Workers
Title
The Barber Colman Fighting Workers
Creator
Barber-Colman Company
Identifier
WWP25366
Date
1918 October 12
Description
Factory workers pledge to do all they can to defeat the Germans.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--United States
Patriotism
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25365
WWP25364
WWP25363
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
The Barber-Colman Fighting Workers.
(B. C. F. W.)
Because we know of the crimes of the Huns - crimes that would shame the devil himself, but of which the Huns boast:
Because we know of the ruined homes, depopulated towns and devastated valleys:
Because we know of the innocent women and children murdered in their sleep, nuns killed in the house of prayer and wounded struck dead on their hospital cots:
Because we know of neutral ships with their human cargo sunk without warning:
Because we have heard the pitiful cries of starved and beaten people made slaves, and the screams of wives and daughters carried away captives:
Because our brothers have been sent into hidden sewers and cesspools, into fever holes and pest camps, into dark and muddy trenches, into stinking craters and horrible waste worlds of blood and flame, into the hot wombs of ships, haunted by the threat of momentary destruction, into deep caves where choking poisons seep and men lie dead with the rats that companioned them:
Because we have seen trophies of cannon, machine guns, rifles, swords, helmets, knives, belts, caps,- for each of which our brothers have gloriously fought, bled and died:
Because our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for the brave men who are purchasing our life, liberty and happiness with their own life’s blood, and
Because our fighting brothers and the great government of the United States of America have asked us to keep the home fires burning in our factories and shops, and
Because noble and heroic lives are being sacrificed daily on account of inadequate and insufficient supplies and equipment, and
Because work is a weapon without which the War cannot be carried to a successful conclusion:
Therefore, let it be resolved, each and every one of us, reverently and solemnly pledge that we will cheerfully and loyally yield up every ounce of work required of us, until the last whine of “Kamerad” has been forever silenced, and imperialism wiped from off the face of the earth.
It shall be the duty and high privilege of each and every member of this organization to foster and uphold the loftiest principles of patriotism, increase the production of all supplies directly or indirectly essential to carrying on the War, and frown upon and brand as traitorous any and every influence, whether of greater or lesser consequence, that would in the slightest degree operate against the speediest possible successful termination of the War.
No man shall have a right to the title “Fighting Worker” who has not thoughtfully read the Preamble above set forth, or who has not solemnly vowed that he will live up to his privilege and high duty as an American citizen, 100% loyal, regardless of any and all other considerations, during the period of the War. No man being responsible to anyone but himself for the fulfillment of his pledge.
Signed and subscribed to:
Robt. H. Schwalb
H. R. Peterson
W. F. Allen
L. Linder
L. Schlehenk
Laura V. Allen
Charter Members.
Rockford, Illinois,
(B. C. F. W.)
Because we know of the crimes of the Huns - crimes that would shame the devil himself, but of which the Huns boast:
Because we know of the ruined homes, depopulated towns and devastated valleys:
Because we know of the innocent women and children murdered in their sleep, nuns killed in the house of prayer and wounded struck dead on their hospital cots:
Because we know of neutral ships with their human cargo sunk without warning:
Because we have heard the pitiful cries of starved and beaten people made slaves, and the screams of wives and daughters carried away captives:
Because our brothers have been sent into hidden sewers and cesspools, into fever holes and pest camps, into dark and muddy trenches, into stinking craters and horrible waste worlds of blood and flame, into the hot wombs of ships, haunted by the threat of momentary destruction, into deep caves where choking poisons seep and men lie dead with the rats that companioned them:
Because we have seen trophies of cannon, machine guns, rifles, swords, helmets, knives, belts, caps,- for each of which our brothers have gloriously fought, bled and died:
Because our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for the brave men who are purchasing our life, liberty and happiness with their own life’s blood, and
Because our fighting brothers and the great government of the United States of America have asked us to keep the home fires burning in our factories and shops, and
Because noble and heroic lives are being sacrificed daily on account of inadequate and insufficient supplies and equipment, and
Because work is a weapon without which the War cannot be carried to a successful conclusion:
Therefore, let it be resolved, each and every one of us, reverently and solemnly pledge that we will cheerfully and loyally yield up every ounce of work required of us, until the last whine of “Kamerad” has been forever silenced, and imperialism wiped from off the face of the earth.
It shall be the duty and high privilege of each and every member of this organization to foster and uphold the loftiest principles of patriotism, increase the production of all supplies directly or indirectly essential to carrying on the War, and frown upon and brand as traitorous any and every influence, whether of greater or lesser consequence, that would in the slightest degree operate against the speediest possible successful termination of the War.
No man shall have a right to the title “Fighting Worker” who has not thoughtfully read the Preamble above set forth, or who has not solemnly vowed that he will live up to his privilege and high duty as an American citizen, 100% loyal, regardless of any and all other considerations, during the period of the War. No man being responsible to anyone but himself for the fulfillment of his pledge.
Signed and subscribed to:
Robt. H. Schwalb
H. R. Peterson
W. F. Allen
L. Linder
L. Schlehenk
Laura V. Allen
Charter Members.
Rockford, Illinois,
Original Format
Proclamation
Files
Collection
Citation
Barber-Colman Company, “The Barber Colman Fighting Workers,” 1918 October 12, WWP25366, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.