The Labor enquirer., 1886-09-18
He Stands in the Modern
Capua and Beseeehes
His Comrades
To Strike Off the Chains With
Which Capital Has
Bound Them.
Let YOur Battle Cry be Liberty,
Equality, Fraternity-The Social
Revolution is Upon You.
ARRANGED BY CATO.

| LOU call me your leader, and you may
we'll bestow that title upon one who,
for many years has met and defed the
enemies of labor in debate, in their coun-
ellis and twice at the barricades. If there
be one among you who can say that ever
in public fight or private controversy
my actions did belle my tongue let him
stand forth and say it. If there be any
in all your number who think they have
a better right to lead, let them present
themselves. -... ....s -. .es-"'.'
Ny friends, have not always been
what you see me now, hater of the
rich, a savage leader burning for revenge.
NV ancestors, as far back as 1 can trace
them, have been Americans, proud,
brave and honorable. Nv father settled
when I was boy in the far west, and
there my childhood's happiest hours
were spent. Ny early life ran quiet as
the brooks by which 1 sported, and
when at noon gathered the sheep be-
meath the shade and played upon my
flute there was a friend, the son of a
neighbor, to Join me in the pastime. We
were constant companions bY day and
often partook together our simple meal.
One evening, after the sheep were folded
and we were seated upon the porch of
our little prairie home, my grandfather,
an old man, was telling of Lexington
and Bunker Hill, and how, when the
British army had forced the great con-
1ict upon US, the farmers and citizens
had rushed to the front with their old
1inJlocks, ready to fight and die for the
sacred cause of liberty and independ-
enCe. l did not then know what war
was, but my cheeks burned, knew not
why, and I clasped the knees of that
venerable man, until my mother, part
ing the hair from off my throbbing tenn
ples kissed me and bade me go to rest,
and think no more of those old tales and
savage wars.
The very next day the land thieves,
backed by the armed minions of the law.
visited our house and ordered us to
leave. Nv father refused to 60. They
attempted to force him to do their bid
ding. My mother, interposing, was
baselY insulted by an officer, who was
Immediately shot dead by my father.
The police, now thoroughly enraged,
rushed upon my poor father and slew
him. For three days, grandfather, as
sisted by my brave mother. stood their
ground behind barricaded doors, until,
weak from the many wounds he had re-
ceived in the terrible struggle, grand
father fell at his post. They fred the
house. l saw the bleeding bodies of my
beloved parents in the blazing ruins of
our once peaceful home, and the spot 30
bright and cheerful but few short days
ago was now left desolate. The other
day killed, IN self-defense, the COM
panion of my chiIdhood's happy hours.
He had enlisted in the militia, and was,
with his company, sent against US by the
colonel in command. He knew me,
smiled family, gasped and and died, the
same sweet smile upon his hps that l
had marked when, in adventurous boy
hood we had scaled the lofty mountain
sleeps to pluck the wild grapes to bear
them home in childish triumph.
Oh the experience of my early life
has Eeen a burning remembrance to me.
1t taught me 10 hate the fawning politi-
clan and the greedy landowner with a
bitter, undying hatred. 1t taught me to
look upon the government as base tool
in the hands of its master-capital-and
l shall yet have my revenge.
You stand here now like giants as you
are. The strength of BRASS is in your
toughened sineWs, but to- morrow some
willy politician will hold out his lily
white hand and remind you what good
fellows you are and how he has always
been your friend. and you will listen
eagerly to his promises of labor reform
and say this man is indeed our friend
we will vote to put him in Office.
Hark hear ye yon booming sound 2
'Tis the deadly cannon pouring its iron
hail into the breasts of our brothers and
our dear ones. 1t will be your turn next,
and an easy prey you will be to capitals
hired butchers with your broomsticks
and balls of mud. If YOU are slaves,
then stand here as you are, waiting to
be shot down, or like base towards turn
and fly. If you are. men follow me
seize what arms you can lay your hands
on strike down all who oppose you:
spare none that are arrayed against you.
This is rebellion, and If you are over
whelmed you will hang like dogs or be
shot down as were your comrades on
the field OF Satorv. Let your battle CRY
be Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. :; The
Social Revolution is upon you.
Is your manhood dead I? Is the spirit
of your forefathers frozen in your veins
that you do crouch and cover like be-
labored hound beneath his masters
lash ?
Oh comrades brothers in afaiction
and misery If we must fight, let it no
longer be among ourselves, but for our
rlghtsl Ifthere must be slaughter, let
it not be all on one side. If we must
die, let it be whilst battling 'gainst OPP
preston, with arms in our hands, and
with the proud conviction that we die