The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-10-30
BOYCOTTING.
To the Editor Of The Ne,os /:

dered printed:
| To all uhon 10 may concern:
NOTICE: At regular meeting of this As
| sembly it has been resolved that q vigorous
boycott be instituted against the Chinese and
against any and all persons who give them
the people of this district through the me.
dunn OF The Wdlkerville Ne,os, said paper
having been recognized as the official paper
OF Walkerville, the location Of this Assem-
bly,. $*s
Rec. Sec. VAUDEVILLE Assembly No. $3.50.
tsEAL.l -Waikeruiue Neus.
To whom Il may concern At the last regu.
lar meeting of Pioneer Assembly, Knights OF
Labor, No. 1880, the following was unani-
mously adopted ~ ~
Resolued, That we vigorously boycott all
persons who persist In retaining Chinese In
way contribute to their support.
HBHtts rovn T ak IT, Ah'' 'h''
Against the above In matter, manner, let.
ter and spirit, we, as an American citizen,
enter solemn protest.
The term, "Boycott," originated In Ire
land, where q person of that name was
agent for land owner whose methods were
offensive 10 the tenants. They asked the
land owner TO dismiss Boycott, and be de-
clined to do so. The tenants and their
friends then organized and refused to bar
vest Boycott's crops, and harvesters under
the protection Of troops had to be procured
from abroad. The name Boycotters was
adopted for league that would not only not
work for the Boycotted person, but would
have no dealings or intercourse with one
who did-would neither buy from nor sell
to nor recognize him socially. II has even
extended beyond death and sent bodies to
the grave without follower. 1t Is absolute,
unrelenting ostracism.
There are conditions existing In Ireland
that do not exist In America. But we doubt
II ever there was q case where Boycotting
was justifable even in Ireland, and we feel
1t is in every case totally unjustifable In
America. This is 'the land of the free" IN
fact as we'll as in name. The theory of Boy
cotting has, 80 far as we have yet noticed,
extended only to Boycotting Chinese and
those who employ Chinese labor, although
It may have been applied to Hungarians In
the East. Leaving the relations Of the Chi
namen to the matter out of the question, we
find a certain organization Of men, known
as Knights Of Labor, saying TO an American
citizen: "You shall not employ any one of
certain race of people, people who are
here under the solemnity Of treaty obliga-
tions and Iaw), or we will visit on you the
penalties of an organized force, ostracise
you socially and In business, injure you TO
our utmost within the limitations of statu-
tory law through our powerful society, that
is obligated to stand together as one man."
This is q dangerous encroacbment on the
personal and individual rights of the Ameri-
can citizen. It is, as We have before said,
unrepublican, undemocratic, un-American.
1t Is breach In the walls Of personal rights
that, If permitted, will open the way to their
citadel and their entire overthrow and when
personal rights within the law and the Con-
are wrested from the individual
man, there Is nothing left in q Republican
form of government that is worth retaining.
We have heard knights of Labor say that
they do not believe any organization should
notify citizen to dismiss q Chinese employe
until they can assure him Of as good service
at not increased wages by person of some
other nationality. This Is step In the right
direction, but we hold that no organization
In these United States has the right TO ques-
lion or determine these matters at all IS
relates TO any one outside of an organizs-
lion which he has voluntarily entered. With
other than these it Is simply matter be-
.ween the individual employer and employee,
and to interfere with their rights by Boycott
ing is welding one Of the worst powers Of
cation.
In Montana, so far. this has only been ap.
,lied to Chinese and their employers; but II
IN organization can arbitrarily, Of Its own
notion, determine and Boycott against one
nationality, why may 1t not against any
therp II the right to do this In one case
3 admitted, why shall It not be in others or
n all-the mightier and stronger element
till crowding out the weaker2 We know
nd admit the arguments against tho Chi
ese. We have been In Montana longer
han nine in every ten of the knights of
labor, and know the temper and spirit Of
bis people. They do not want Chinese
abor, nor the presence Of Chinese, and when
bat which 10 better can be obtained, there
, no need Of any mandate or ukase to &C.
ept 1t; but to them an edict issued from .
ecret society, without name to verify It or
of who constitutes the society, is
bhorrent, arouses indignation, and invites
When the meeting of knights of Labor
'as called in Butte, they pledged them
elves, IL we recolleci right, that no violence
hould be done TO Chinese. That, we pre-
lme, meant physical injury or destruction
T property. But now come the Knights
nd propose to do that TO American citizens
hich we consider infinitely worse !
bridge their personal and individual rights
, citizens. We believe this thing Is all |
rong, without q single excuse or pallia-
on. We have examined The declaration
principles by the Knights Of Labor, and
! general believe them excellent, while
hers are detachable questions, bnt no. Q
here do we find therein any authority for '
oycotting, and on the other hand believe It Z
! direct violation Of the principles Of the q
rder. II Is stated this Boycotting Of Chi
csc only applies TO the Pacific coast depart.
ent; but we would like to ask the Knights
DIV sectional authority can be given or
ken to do things In violence Of general
institution. II the constitution and prin-
pies of the order do contemplate and ap-
-ove 10, we regard 1t n dangerous and
opposed TO the principles and institutions
the United States, and It should be elimi.
Ated therefrom. An American citizen has :
gifts which are entitled TO respect; and II
} respects himself loves bis country and .
} Institutions, and wishes TO see them
aintained unimpsired, he may have for
time to endure Boycotting; but he should \
1t let the aggression pass without protest /
I'd declaration. In knowledge Of the I
rength Of the order In Montana and OF ths '
jury we may invoke thereby, we deem IL +
DUTY, an6 hereby assert our belief, that :
oycotting 10 wholly wrong, and that unless p
ceases Il will lead TO the destruction Of
q liberties of the Republic. II should