The Labor enquirer., 1885-05-16
Nearly 5000 Friends of the D.
&R. G. Men Gather at the
Mammoth Rink.
A Turnout That Plainly Shows
Where the Sympathies of
the People Are.
Speeches BY "0utsiderso Who See the
Threats Made Against American -
~ Freedom and Liberty.

were gathered at Belmonts Mammoth
rink between 1000 and 5000 citizens,
who had come together fotsthe purpose
of showing their sympathy for the Rio
Grande strikers, and their disapproyal
of the methods employed by the receiver
of the roads to subordinate free Ameri-
can citizens. Several thousands more
marched to the rink, but oy previous
understanding they did not enter, as it
was desired that those who were not
members of the Knights, of Labor should
be given the opportunity 20 participate
in the meeting. :,
The report which follow, is cond ensed
from the four column account given in
this mornings Tribune-Ropublican, and
therefore it cannot be sait that is COL
ored by one who is identified. with the
strikers:
The workmen who assembled in the
Mammoth rink yesterday afternoon were
as fine BODY of men as ever met in the
city. Some of the1a were accompanied
by their wives and daag lters. A large
number of them mGt at the city hall and
proceeded in body to the rink. The
Hope assembly, composed of ladies, was
present. The stand was ornamented
with handsome bouquets, the gift Of the
ladies.
The men were good-aatured. Their
faces wore an expression of determine
ton. If anyone entered that rink res
terday with the expectation of seeing a
rough, uncouth-lo looking body of men,
they were mistaken. The most ofthem
were we'll dressed, and their conduct and
department was worthy of praise. They
were quiet and orderly, the only noise
made being that Of hearty applause or
a cheer at the remarks of the. speakers.
Judge Belford was heartily cheered
when he took his seat upon the plat
form, as we're also Messfs. Driscoll ;yBuch-
anan, Nesham, Coats, Carroll, Latey,
Phelps and other prominent men of the
order. AS there was large number OF
ladies present, request was made that
the men quit smoking, and the request
was obeyed. A little pleasantly was also
INDUCED in on one, occasion when some
one cried out "a detective" Numerous
cries of "put him Out" were heard, fol-
lowed by good-natured laugh all around.
Among the ladies' present was Mrs.
Griffith, wife of the Salida striker who
was sentenced last week to six months
Imprisonment. She and her little child
occupied seats with the Hope" assem-
bly. After the meeting had closed many
of the ladies spoke to her, and although
she tried to smile and take the matter
bravely, yet tn . tears would occasionally
come. when she thought of Dicks" six
months sentence vet to be served.
The song, "Storm the Fort, 9e knights
of Labor" was sung at the meeting, both
at the beginning and the close. 1t al
WAYS Hdk6uS ollGiIuolaoih'
Mr.. Isham White, corporation attor-
ney, was unanimously elected chairman
and when he came lDon the platform
was heartily cheered. He said that the
common people of this country should
have the right of free and honest ex-
preston of their opinions. 1t was SOL
emn fact that all property interests were
but the representation of crystalIzed
labor. Thanking those present for the
compliment receivel by his election as
chairman, he asked the pleasure of the
assemblage. =,
"Storm the Fort, YeKnights of Labor,
was then sung with hearty good will
Mr.. White then introduced Judge Bel
ford, who was greeted with loud ap-
plause.
Judge BelfDrd said that it had been
his misfortune, or fortune, during the
past quarter Of century, to address au'
diences of his fellow-citizens in all parts
of the country. They had assembled on
Sunday, and the corporate robbers might
for that reason object to meeting of this
kind on that day. Laughter and cheers
Sunday was the inspired day that gave
light to the world. They had hardly
met before thesclouds of the storm van
ished and the sun appeared. 1t is Gus
tomary with preachers and priests
when delivering a sermon or lecture
n nrsfaee il with text. The text from
which you will be addressed to-day will
he found in the seventeenth chapter O.
Henry Ward Beecher. { Laughter
Judge Belford then handed book te
Mr.. Davis, who read some extracts IRON
a lecture delivered by Henry Ware
Beecher. who said that our eyes coule
not be shus to the fact that the consoil
dation ami concentration of wealth ane
the inauen ence Of railroad corporatlon'
have nrocured acts in congress whlef
have added largely to their wealth 10
the despera struggle between then
and the people. One OF our danger
has developed cut of the prodigious aceu
mutation of consolidated wealth. VIVA
power call withstand them. Legisia
lures have been bought and sold, ant
men now think no more about 1t. thai