(_Jergens passes into the mill-yard_) VOICE. (_From the crowd_) Well? ANOTHER VOICE. What do you say, Sam? JIM KING. Williams has had his say. And you see where we are. ROME MASTERS. Hear Wes! JIM KING. Wes! SEVERAL. Sam! SAM WILLIAMS. I don't know, comrades, as I ought to say, Seeing as I don't gain or lose in this. For I'm of them that have no place in there. But if you want my---- CRIES. Yes, go on! Go on! 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 shore 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.