The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-10-15
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

Efforts Both Of Them
RICHMOND. Va, Oct 4-The tapping OF
General Master Workman I. '. PowderIy'e
yavel at 1918 o'clock this morning gave the
signal for the opening OF the first session OF
the tenth annual convention OF the knights
of Labor in the armory Of the First Virginia
regiment He stood alone upon a small
plain pine platform at the further end OF the
spacious room and looked out upon the
faces of a thousand delegates assembled
from every part Of the country. The session
was GO be an open one, and in addition to
the large body of delegates were as many
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 a decorative
purpose were Autograph portraits OF Master
Workman PowderlY and General Secretary
Turner, that hung on either side OF the room,
and a 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 workman's
gaveI re-echoed footprints were heard ap-
preaching 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 redoubled as he stood on the
platform bowling in response TO the greeting.
When the applause had subsidized and Master
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. LEES ADDRESS.
When the applause that again broke forth
at the mention of ME naue 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
your rights, aud who tramples upon your privi-
leges as American citiZens? Organized capital,
do 1 hear? Against what Is war declared? Will
it be war TO the knife, and the knife to the
hiltg" or will there be a peaceful issue to the con- !
fict? Which, in your opinion, Is necessary to
promote the interests Of both? The helm of the
ship of this republic was constructed by men of
different and apparently irrecOncilable views,
and the constitution was only framed by a 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 have assembled here to grapple
with. The battle. we are told, is one Of labor
against capital. But what class Of capital is
this opposing you. and whose course is injuri-
Gus TO the line marked out by the founders Of
kinds, and will 60 with You and give the
command, Forward and fight by your
side against one Of these classes. Make
war against incorporated rascality and we will
help you to fight il down. Combat great mon |
eyed corporations that seek TO control your
legislatures, federal and state, by bribery and
CORRUPTION, In order that they may get 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-
pie at large, we will march shoulder to shoulder
with You in that: draw the tangs 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 a free peo-
pie In an attempt to defraud the whole country |
d their constitutional right TO elect rulers, and
We VIII 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- |
Ea 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 sufferings of mankind.
THE GENERAL MASTERS RESPONSE
The large audience listened With close at |
t~ention. and frequent applause marked their
approval of the principal points made.
When the governor had taken his seat on the
platform, Frank j. Farrell, the colored MEM
Der of the delegation of District 40, whose
associates refused to tak 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. When
Mr.. Powderly stepped forward he was re-
ceived with loud applause. The general
master workman expressed his qualification
at 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 of
Labor are engaged In Q conflict. but 1t ii a war of
truth against error. 1t Is not, as many honestly
OF labor against capital. 1t is q war in which the
manhood Of the American laborer Is fighting for
recognition. In this war ts must be determined
which shall rule, monopoly or the American peo-
fought for the purpose OF determining whether
an individual shall rule a state or an empire, but
60 decide whether a people. who are entitled to
life, liberty and happiness, shall live in the full
enjoyment OF their rights and liberties as be-
comes citizens OF a republic. No member must
feel, as he turns away from the city Of Rich
mond after our work here is done, that
he can safely ar conscientiously thrust
aside the grave responsibilities and duties
Of our American citizenship. Popular disregard
OF political duty and tolerated continued poiiti-
cal corruption will weaken our government and
destroy our liberties, for the worm can eat its
way through the oak which storm or tempest
could not bend, and political dishonesty will
Gtrike where the Lightning coald never reach.
II the land was worthy that brave men should
die for IL. 1t is at least worthy that unselfsh,
though just. men should live and work in q
grand devotion to the ideas OF q real. q true
democracy. We come here not alone to settle
The question OF q dispute In regard to wages or
hours OF labor; we come here partly TO study and
learn some lessons Of the head and heart In
practical citizenship. We are ENGAGED in q work
which to the thoughtful observer means
MORE THAN cHIID's PLAY.
more than regulation Of trade matters, and the
work willnot end to-day. nor will the youngest
among. us live 10 sec II complete. TO remedy
the evils we complain Of is q difficult and dan