The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-06-03
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Workings Of This Hystsrious
ORGANIZATION.
Form OF the Obligation Taken By
the llomboro.

Post Dispatch.
The following letter comes from an
unknown source. While the hand.
writing is coarse and tremulous. the
letter is very correctly written. Not
q word misspeIled. not a mark Of
punctuation Is out of place. 1t Is
commentary enough upon itself:
SIR :-Your statements referring ia
. coming strike are not only nonseo'
steal, but very foolish. We are
opposed to strikes and riots just q
much as you are. Do you think that
IN organization row numbering over
two million able-bodied men can moi
resort to something better than q
petty strike?
When We commence in selfdefense
| it will be no small revolution. 1t will
be to us hats ofF-no matter where the
heads 20 to. Be not deceived. u.
S. Grant and all his robber cohorts
can not save you. or prevent our
saving this Republic. Do not deceive
yourself or others. We are now
ready at a moments notice. Do not
provoke or call down vengeance, for
We are long suffering.
FRoM A WELLrKNowN MAN.
This letter is written on the hack Of
the following remarkable obligation,
which is printed in the ordinary shape
OF . certificate:
OBLIGATION.
!, -. horn -. profession -. age
-. residence --. married -. Of my
own free Will and srcnra. in presence Of Almighty
God. and this assembly OF honored workinemen.
do hereby and hereon most soiemniy promise
and swear.
That / viii a,wsys hail. ever conceal. and never
reveal any or all Of the secret workings. signs or
PASS words Of this Order. nos known ~ the
Labor Emancipation Institution" To any person
or persons outside Of said institution.
That shall. to the hest Of nv ahilitv and IN
every way within my power. aid and ASSIST In
carrying out the principles. AIMS and object. Of
said institution. honestly and faithfully. and tn
nv sacred honor. ever 10 remain true IN the
honest cause OF the industrial or WORKING
classes
monied- power aristo-rsis. moncpoiist ccfpcr
stion.. bsoAted bondholders. or any other such.
who may propose Ia crush or tyrsnnise over the
fahorInC Classes VINO honestly Work Tor Their
living but that I shall ever stand by and defend
the ~orkinsman's rights against all opposition.
even at the risk Of my own life.
also pledge myself to fully conform to. and
help to carry out the Constitution. Rules. Reg
usiions and Bylaws Of this Lsbor Emancipation
Institution, 50 Gar rs laws within the hounds 81
nv power, and within th~ limits of the lave ard
Consttu,i Of these United States, my religion
and family interests not To h interferred with.
That I shall never. knowingly, deceive befrsv
or inur- a brother IN good standing "a this
instruction. but shall always defend the same
against ,,is enemies. and will keep his s~rr-,-
inviolable n my own when gwen TO me s,srh.
Outs iders shall alsays n treated such long
ss remain = inemt.rr OF -sii Institution.
TO all Of which I do most solemuly and sin
cerely promise and swear. without the least
equvoca:ion. mental reservation. or sclf-evasion
Of mind IA whatever; binding myself under
no less penalty than Co suffer any punishment
the brotherhood 81 -aid institution may deem
proper TO inhict. 80 help me God, and keep me
steadfast in the due performance of the same.
ls,sned.l
You sol-mniy promise that you will faithfully
keep the above obligations, 20 the hest OF your
ability,
Subscribed 90 this day Of = Isl, NJ
-. county Of. State Of - before me.
fSEAI ---