The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-10-15
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

the tenth annual convention Of the Knights
of Labor In the arInory of the First Virginia
regiment He stood alone upon q small
plain pine platform at the further end of the
spacious coom and looked out upon the
faces OF thousand delegates assembled
from every part of the country. The session
was to be an open one. and in addition to
the large body of delegates were asmany
others not of the order as could find seats.
The large room looked like an immense ban
quoting hall, with tables formed OF plain
pine boards near the length of the
room in rows On either side of
these tables were seated the delegates The
only things that even limited at Il decorative
purpose were lithograph portraits of Master
Workman Powderly aud General Secretary
, Turner, that hung on either side Of the room,
and large gilt frame enclosing photo
graphs of members of the Joel Parker asso-
citation that hung behind the little platform.
While the sound of the master workmans
gayel re-echoed footprints were heard up-
proaching the entrance doors A moment
later Gov. Fitz Hugh Lee entered AS he
walked up the central aisle leading to the
platform he was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers, which redoubied us he stood on the
platform bowling in response to the greeting.
Workman Mullen, of the Richmond district,
had presented Gov Lee to Mr.. Powderly, the
latter then stepped forward and introduced
him to the members
GOV LEE ADDRESS
When the applause that again broke forth
ut the mention of his name permitted him to
do SO. Gov. Lee spoke, saying among other
things:
We are told that the organization you repre-
sent is formed to elevate and protect the rights
of the working class. Who are interfering with
leges as American citizens? Organized capital
do hear? Against what is war declared2 Will
1t be war 10 the knife, and the knife to the
hllt? OF will there be peaceful issue to the
fict? Which, in your opinion, is necessary to
promote the interests of both? The helm of the
ship OF this republic was constructed by 1ren of
and the constitution was only framed hy com
promise OF all conflicting opinions. Compro-
mise then gave us our constitution. and COM
promise will solve The difficult problem of the
hour which YOU nave assembled here to grapplc
with. The battle. we are told, is one of labor
against capital. But what class OF capital is
this opposing you and whose course il injuri-
ous to the line marked out by the founders of
the rcl,ublicg" / divide capitalists into two
kinds and .Xal. VII go with you p and give the
side against Que OF these classes Make
war against Incorporated rascality and we will
help yUu to fight ii down. Combat great mon
eyed corporations that seek to contro, your
legislatures, federal and state, by bribery and
corruption, in order that they may ge; votes in
the federal halls of legislation to perfect and
fasten upon the whole country legislation for
their benefit and not for the benefit of the peo-
Pile at large we will march shoulder to shoulder
with you in that: draw the fangs from the
money kings who seek to take possession of the
great telegraph lines OF the country and seek to
defect them from their legitimate purpose by
controlling them to defeat the will of free leo-
pie in an attempt to defraud the whole country
of their constitutional right to elect rulers, and
we will order to your support horse, foot and
dragons in that Organize against capitalists
who furnish money to carry elections and then
claim as their reward the selection Of the men
upon whose shoulders shall be thrown the pur-
pie robe of the Judiciary, and we are with you in
that But all capital. my friends is not used in
that way, nor for such vicious purposes Let Us
make no war upon those who use their good
fortunes to alleviate the suferings OF mankind
THE GENERAL MASTERS RESPONSE
The large audience listened with close at
tention, and frequent applause marked theil
approval of the principal points made
When the governor had taken his seat on the
platform. Frank j. Farrell, the colored mem
ber of the delegation of District 40, whose
associates refused to take up their quarters
in the hotel in which he was refused admis
sion on an equal footing, assembled the plat
form and introduced Mr.. Powderly. Wher
Mr.. Powderly stepped forward he was re
ceived with loud applause. The genera
master workman expressed his qualification
Mt the welcome which had been given the
knights by the people of Virginia and more
especially the people of Richmond Mr.
Powderly continuing, said:
The men who owe allegiance to the Knights o
labor are engaged in conflict, but it is war o
truth against error. 1t is not, many llonesti,
believe and many more dishonesty assert. wa
OF labor against capital. 1t is war in which thu
manhood of the American laborer is fighting fo
In, No mn 81 lp rJDlI lInI
which shall rule, monopoly or the American peo
pie; gold or manhood Our battles are no
fought for the purpose OF deteSmin1nI whethe
aa, individual shall rule state cn empire, bu
to dccideMhether people, who are entitled tt
life liberty and happiness, shall live IN the full
enjoyment of their rights and liberties as be
feal, as he turns away from the city of Rich
mand after our work here Is done, tha
aside the grave responsibilities and duties
of our American citizenship. Popular disregard
OF political duty and tolerated continued polit1
cai,corruption will weaken our government ant
destroy our liberties. for the worFn can eat III
way through the oak which storm or tempes
could not bend, and political dishonesty vii
strp1ie where the lightning could Aerer reach
If the land was worthy that brave men shoult
die for 1t, it is at least worthy that unseltsh
though Just, men should live ana work in
grand devotion to the ideas of real, u tru
democracy. We come here not alone to settl
the question Of dispute in regard to wages o
hours Of labor; .we come here partly 30 study ant
learn some lessons of the head and heart il
practical citizenship We are engaged in n worl
which TO the thoughtful observer iGeass
MORE THAN CHILD's PLAY,
more shan regulation of trade matters, and th
work win not end to-day, nor will the younees
among us live to see it complete. To remedy
the evils we complain of is difficult and Ian
geroue,nndertaking. The need of strong hearts
and active brains WAS never so great as at tn,
present time. The lash was stricken from tn,
hand of the slave owner OF twenty-five years
ago, atidtit must be takeu from the hand Of thu
new siave, owner we'll. The monopolist of to
day is more dangerous than the Stare owner o
the past. Monopoly takes the land from the
people in million acre plats; 1t sends Its agent.
abroad and brings hordes Of unednoated. des
perate Eoen to this country; it scatters Ignorance
throughout the land and l. alone is re
sponsib1a for every manifestation of an
archy that our country has witnessed. Al
men may not be willing to admit that this
statement lis itrue. but when monopoly dies nj
more anarohiste will horn unto this country
for anarchy is the legitimate child of nsbnopoly
While i oando,nn aud denonnce the deeds o
violence committed in the name OF labor during
the present year, am proud to say the Knight.
OF Labor are not in any WAY responsible for suoi
conduct. He is the tril Knight of Labar VIII,
with one hand clutches anarchy by TIE throa
aud by the other strangles monopoly. The mar
who still believes in the Little red school hous
son the hill' should take aho]iday and visit tn!
mine, the factory, the coal brake and the effill
There, doing tf.e work of men Will he find TIL
future ctizens Of the republic, breathing Il
atmosphere OF
DUST, Gs;NoR&NoE ARs VICE.
'Thei story OF o*r country is net taught within
those walls The struggle for independence
and the causes leading to that strlggle are Eo
spoken of there; tse name of Washington is uz+
known, and the words that rang out trnmpe
tongued from the lips & Patrick Henry ar
never mentioned. Our oountry---aer history
her laws and her institutions are unknown t.
these poor children. How. then, csE the chile
OF a foreigner learn TO appreciate Tho freedom
cLat they have never been told about much less
eaperIenoed2 Questions Of wages or hours o
labor, shop discipline or son,e other mater may
caaae a rupttse here and there between tive work
readily settlee il mutual liberation and com.
mon aaase are brought Into the controversy
and onse settled, they should be allowed tc
rest Continued reminders OF past troSEles
\ o,ten create new ones: To those who have fallen