Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-03
ssGive a DOG a BAD Name, ,,

wOrkingman than the much-abused order
called the Knights OF Labor, and the best
evidence OF it is the TACT that working
men all over the country so fully appre-
ciate it that they are docking to It's stand
ard by thousands every day. In the next
place, 1t is non-secta and nOn- political,
hence it rejects politicians and cannot
be used or swayed by them. In
the third place, 1t is ac-
cused of and much abused for crimes
| it never committed nor had anything to
do with; therefore IT," when he again
undertakes to write them down had better
first more fully inform himself as to
whether he is right or not. No member
of thus organization, allow me to inform
him, is ashamed OF his connection " ith it,
because he knows what it is much better
than outside parties; because he hears
and studies its teachings, and knows
what is best for his interest. And if there
is one imputatiOn above another that
he reprehends it is to be called a
striker" because he is tau sht
at his Introduction into the
order to "avoid strikes, and the testi-
mony of Mr.. Powderly before the Con-
gressiOnal committee goes TO show that
the whole genius OF the institution is Op-
posed to anything of the kind. Yet. for
sOOth, because 1t Is labor organization
it is unlawful, it is opposed to so-called
"puhlic sentiment, il is step to wards
Capitalization, it is opposed to the spirit
of the age, it IL prejudtcial to good gov
eminent, it "g0es too far" These are
the feelings Of the monOpolist when
wOrkIngmen dare to organize.
but they have no rights that
moneyed men are bound to respect.
Americans, though they be, their Opin-
ions must be suDOrdnated TO the dlctum
OF those learned in higher branches of
education. He must toll and leave TO
others his thinking. He must not read
lest he become too wise. He must sink
into insignlticance until election times,
then he is a marvelously proper man
Such is the liberality of the age Ia which
we live.
thank your correspondent for the per-
mission ne gives, that we can work, or we
can stop working, if we please. 1t is
much more liberal than another institu-
ton in this city, where the employees are
asked every night If they are mem ers of
the knighls of Labor. | thank him, also,
for permission to join labor unions and
associations. AS Americans, we I'M
questlonably claim that we have the
same right to attach ourselves to any cr-
ganization we think most conducive to
our interest and welfare as your CORE
spOndent or any one else has.
Now for Mrs. Gray. Allow me to
whisper into the ear of 81" som ething
he does not seem to know. There are
manv other labor organizations besides
the Knights of Labor, and to charge upon
the Knights Of Labor the sins of all these
organizations is as unjust as 1t is indefen-
sible. Mrs. Gray was boycOtted, but not
by the Knights of Labor, and the tact that
her trade increased was more from pru =
lient curiosity to see Mrs. Gray than 10
punish the Bakers UuIon. who brought
her into prominence. New York IS "A great
city, and the people fond of eX-
element, and it takes but little to start
| 1t. Some years ago man stepped into
the street and pointed his finger upward .
One after another of the thousands pass
ing gathered around him to see what he
was looking at, so that in less than three
minutes the street was so crowded that
vehicles could not pass. SO with Mrs
/ Gray. Her w0rkmea had struck, the fact
| got into the newspapers, she was we'll adj
Yertised, aud that curious people went 20
| the indicated spot TO see the renowned
| Mrs. Gray, and they went in and made
| purchases to get good look at TINS no "
! famous lady.
Your correspondent, Mr.. Editor. is in.
| clined to be facetious. He calls the
| knights of Labor the "SIr Knights We
Z
bor'' is honor and title enough for us. But
what we do require is. that we shall have
! even handed justice and not be made the
scapegOats Of all other labor organiZa-
tions. So great is our success we expect
IN time to absorb them all, and when We
do we shall teach them lesson that 81
himself would be proud 10 learn.
Now, as to the strike on the Gould sys.
tenn. Here again your correspondent is
ut for honnuasa n faftad IN 70 ar
ticle in last sundays NEWS under tn e
head of 1.-The Western Strike" l call his
attention to that article because he, like
thousands of others, has been biased by
the One-sided statements published in the
newspapers OF the country that the men
had no cause Of complaint, when in fact
they had mutely submitted TO the most
fragrant wrongs. 1t was charged th at these
men struck on ace count Of the Il scharge
OF a man named Hall. WHAT had they to
do with Hali Hall was an employe Of a
roadway down in Texas. and would they
not De worse than fools TO leopard their
lIVeii hood FOR man with whom heir road
had no connecticut 1t was not for tn at
but for grievances which affected them
selves, and which are fully set out in th g
article 10 which / call his attention. They
were treated badly and they attempted TO
re aeI II by an unwise strike instead OF
luSAA AibhDAgb " AZ bAAi dbihn.
That is the weapon OF the Knights OF La
Dor ana a strike and boycott the last re-
sort.
| am particular about these things, be-
cause attempts are being zealously made
to mold "public sentiment" TO the preiu-
dice OF our noble institution. IL was ed
itOrially preached in a commendatOry ar
ticle in the Philadelphia Pubitc Ledger,
in which the paper took the ground that
while the knights were strong
they must not deceive themselves by
thinking they were stronger than public
sentiment" Since then many papers
have re-ec hOed the same sentiment. Now.
sir, l undertake TO say that nothing is
farther IRON the thoughts Of the head or
foot OF this institution than 10 imagine
that it is stronger than the law, Tor II
rightfully administered there Is none 50
high that IL cannot reach, none
80 low that IL cannot pro-
tect. none too 8 rOng 70 resist it's force,
none so weak that its shield cannot de-
fend him. nor Is IL at all Inimical 30 I'M
partial public sentiment. 10 loves peace
aud inyOkes IL. Hot-headed. cOnsiderate
men get into the best OF institutions and
are oftentimes productive Of much mis-
chief, but the church and all other good
associations must be ,hematized be-
cause such, unfortunately. have got INTO
them H. Is wrong, cruelly wrong, and
such verdicts come not from impartial
Judge and jury. We are willing TO be
/ iudwod hv Our mprifgs 10 afnnd or