Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-29

ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION or LABOR.
The National Federation OF Labor Unions have
issued an address from this city to workingmen
throughout the country. The address states that
ga resort TO strikes by oppressed workmen, In
detail, can only result in temporary alienation
OF their wrongs at best; while In nearly every
instance defeat and humiliation OF the striking
iaborer are inevitable. Ii is asserted that recent
strike OF trade union In St Louis cost our poor
brethren engaged in IL over $4,000 in loss OF
wages, while their employers were only damaged
to the amount OF $4,000 this result being reached
without estimating the enhanced value OF their
stock OF labor products on hand when the strike
commenced, which would actually make the strike
source OF pecunary profit 10 the employers
1.-THE recent uprising OF distressed laoorers, In
which $50, 900 workmen In the northern and west
ern states went upon strike for just compensa-
ton. has had the glorious effect, however, TO
awaken public attention 10 the causes underlying
this social CONFUSION, and the Senate OF the United
States paused In its deliberations about stocks
and bonds, taxation OF Industry to support finan-
cfal corporations and arstocratic institutions, aud
on the motion of an eminent statesman instructed
standing committee OF that body TO Investigate
the existing relations between capital and labor.
and 10 report plan 70 be formulated law OF the
land whereby the interests or both capital and labor
may be enhanced by improvement OF the con-
ditjon OF the workmen Capital Is
thoroughly organized, and viii be represented In
Congress, and before the august body appointed TO
report on the matter, by well-drfled phalanx or
rctainers. Labor is also better organized than
ever before known. but We are as yet acting In de-
tail, Independent OF another unity! should be
our watchword now, and in this momentous contest
we should present a solid front-a Stone-waH or
earneStneSS-before the bar OF the Senate, and ask
for ongdeferred justice at the hands OF the peo-
pies representatives. We, therefore del
egates OF our respective trades TO the National
Federation OF Labor here at the capital or the
ton, conceive IL to be our bounden duty I'm the POI
stiOn we occupy in reference 70 the avowed prin-
cpes OF all trade-unfons, TO invite conven-
ton Of delegates, one from each Congress
sional district, 10 assemble at Washington
city on the 18th OF November, 1882,
and select from their number directory OF seven
men to represent the labortng men OF the United
States In this important contest as soon as Con-
greSS reaSSembles in December. 1t must
be remembered, brothers, that should the report
OF the committee, and the ultimate action OF Con-
greSS thereon fail TO do reasonable justice TO the
laborer, the seven men selected by your delegation
OF SentinelS to represent our cause before Con-
gress can invoke through their recognized organ
ing from the center to the circumference of this
vast continent, that viii not be put down by the
bludge0ns OF hired policemen nor the mercenary
power OF bayoneted military. Let us keep In mind
the adage:
sWho would be free,
Themselves must strike the blow!'
little healthful exercise In drilling at regular
meetings would prepare the whole body to meet
any emergency and indicate Enthusiastically that
labor is now I'm earnest"
This address is signed by the following. who are
officers OF the federation Alex. NJ. kenaday,
president; Peter owens, lst YP.; VIM, StickellS,
2d N.P.; Samuel Z. B0yce, RS; Julian l.. Wright,
C.S.; Daniel S 0'Brien, T.; John W. Howard S. at
A.; Gabriel Eimonston, j. p. Hamilton, J. L.
Welsh, G. w. Heisley, b. G. Mcdonald, advisory
committee.