The Labor enquirer., 1886-07-24

flag" which has been dealt out by the
professional orator at this annual ma.
tional celebrtion.
No man loves the American flag more
than /. and no mans heart thrills more
than mine when itrfioats in the breeze
but I have a contempt, a bitter hatred
for the political traffic which is carried
on under it. This same flag which has
commanded respect from all countries
of the world, has been the shield under
which the most horrible of crimes have
been committed, crimes greater than
that when it was fred upon at Sumter
Men who fought for the flag at Gettys.
burg and who kissed it in victory dirty
and bullet-ridden at Appomatox have
since been hntchared in ita name at thf
dlctation of bond-holders and land
sharks. ffefsrto deeds like those Gem,
mttted yts Massel Slough, California
sassla. Washington FerriitoFy aznt Eas.
st.Lonis. The old flag floats from the
roofs of legislative halls, state and ma
tional. where for twenty years or more
the rights of the people, who have
fought in the trenches to maintain its
supremacy, have been bartered and sold
to tneir enemies, If you raise YOU,
voice against the traitors who have be.
trayed you, the cry is that you are strik-
ing at the government and the much
abused and misused flag is unfurled in
your face. b..
Now what 1 would have you unlearn
in this particular is, that all that is done
under and in the name of your flag is
sacred-all the flags in Christendom
cannot make a wrong deed right. II
you love your flag then resolve that il
shall no longer be used as a cloak to hide
the rascality of politicians and hirelings
of capitalism. If you care aught for
your government then declare to-day
that it shall be yours in fact as well as in
name and that the usurper and betray-
ers shall step down and out. or be pulled
down bv the wronged people,.
Another absurd idea which is held by
many of our people to-day is, that man
who was born in a foreign country is not
as good. is not entitled to the same re.
spect and rights as he of American birth.
1 care not how unpopular such a senti-
ment may be, or how it may raise the ire
of the narrow-minded. still say to you,
in the language of the Declaration of In
dependence, that "all men are born
equal" no matter in what country they
may have first seen the light. Do you
not see how ridiculous is the contrary
idea? Do you not sec that every man
who expresses an opinion opposite 10
this insults the memory of his ancestors
eyon if he can trace his genealagfs back
to the Mayfiower-and many of 1those
who hold this foolish prejudice idc not
have to 60 farther back than theirsrand-
parents to find their family tree rooted
in foreign soil. !"
My friends itis the tYrant of Europe,
the robber off America who are inter.
ested in putting you up with what they
call national pride and patriotism. The
spoilation Of the poor of the new and
the old world is carried on upon much
the same pls n; and tie struggle which
is upon you is not one of races, but it is
a class war the workers, who are poor,
upon the one hand, and the idlers, who
are rich, upoh p the other. And you are
fools and will be lost if you longer allow
your despoiler ers to array you one against
the other because you were not all born
in one land. The cause of the poor of
Ireland. England, Germany, France and
all other lands is yours as your cause is
theirs. The struggle of the Russian
Nihillst against autocracY and tyranny
Is your struggle, else you are not true tc
the precepts and principles of rs. Then
let us join hsn snds across the waters, so to
speak. let us wipe out boundary lines
and let this be our motto henceforth
"The world is my country; to do good
nv religion.7 This is the first step to
ward the organization which is neces
sary to success.
Knight discuss at length the religious
prejudice of the time which, thank God
is growing smaller and smaller), anc
there are other phases in the matter ol
prejudlces which are kept alive by oul
enemies to keep US apart, but you car
think for Yourselves upon them, and
will not take YOUR time now by going
over the underground.
But remember, the hour has com'
when we must draw closer to each other
There must be a union of the laborer
the mechanic, the farmer, the clerk, thu
small merchant, and the honest men o.
the professional classes. Our interest!
are identical; we must stand together
or fall apart. Remember the words o
one of the signers of the Declaration
"Now we must hang together; or W
will hang separately"
wiftaot now discuss any special Plar
of osganization-it will no. be expecte'
of-se;7but I wrh-repeat- geaara
sense we must combine intelIigentlv, il
we would save the liberties the last rem
nanfs of which are slipping from US, anc
[ say to you mot to be slave is to dar'
and do"