The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-30
TRRRANCE POWDERLY
HAS NO RESPECT FOR TIE HAN
OR MEN
Who Plaunt the Accused Red Flag
and Advocate the Aid OF the
Dirk and the Ballet.

NEW YORK, December 29.-Ihe III
feeling between the socialists and Mr.
Powderly dates back several years
On several occasions he has expressf d
his disspproval OF their Doctrines and
methods, and a secret communication
which he wrote to q knight Of Labor
in this city some time ego was given
out yesterday for the first time. In
his letter be denouncts socialism and
anarchy in plain and vigorous terms
The following extracts express the
vieWa he held at the time: You have
men in New York who would NOV
heaven and earth 10 restore the old
customs and make the order again IN
oath bound organization. 1 know
them. You have men in New York
who have oo-operated with men in
Philadelphia to break up the order by
going to a Catholic prelate OF eminence
and telling him that our old oath l.
still in force; that the word of honor
Is but blind 10 make catsIaEB OF
the Catholic members, and that the
General Master Workman is party
to the Infamous Transaction. Tue
cuiss OF the Knights Of Labor hos
come from the pIomptnet5 with
which acknowledged Leaders of the
socialietic element have put them
selves forward at meetings, and, while
speaking, plainly hinted at the musket
and Calling gun as the remedy for
labor's grievance. Many OF the men
who advocate these principles OF so
cialism do not understand them. They
set forth the idea and convey the i'm
preston that the only weapons by
which labor can hope to secure the de.
sired reforms are the knife and
bludgeon. Men may entertain ouch
IDEAS as they please, but they should
not seek under the cloak OF the
Knights Of Labor 70 pIomulgete tuch
IoctIires and make the order RESPONSE
bic for them. / claim tbs rig1t 10
differ az to the means best calculated
| 10 bring about reform, aud am wiling
to respeCt The opinions Of others; but
until the knights Of Labor adopt the
shotgun as their chief weapon viii
vigorously objeci to allowing socialistic
advocates to step to the front at meet
ings got up in the interests Of labor,
They mus. not be permitted to advo-
cate blood aud fire, and yet proclaim
themselves to be the mouthpiee q
the labor cause. The conduct and
LANGUAGE of these men have caused
the clergymen to regard US with an
eye OF suspicion. and it will require
strenuous eff irts on our part TO re-
move the erroneous impression con-
ceruirs us, II is my firm and honest
belief That aR vast as is this 09pnUy'
as broad and exclusive as ia its terri
tory, there ia not room enough with
In It's bounds for the exercise OF a
tingle rife. i have no respect tjr the
man or men who will hAunt that &c,
cursed red flgg and advocate the aid OF
the dirk aud bullet for 3B4 days in the
wear and on The 385th day deliberately
walk IN to the polls and vote for the
continuance of the system which they
denounced, am sorry that the or
der ever found q foothold in New
York, for no good hiss ever come LON
large cities which are proiiilc OF
whisky and crims. There are many
good Knights In your city Now
York;. II i require any deter
mined aCtloa give me the man
who reads and thinks ins;esd OF the
man who drinks. There are more ol
the latter in a large city than the
former. However, the knights o.
Labor will live, their principles Will
spread and eventually triumph. Ban
on the ciea ures who Btaud up a.
champions of labor in the presence ,oi
unthiubirg men and advocate the
knifs and bullet. BAIL on the men
who a ,unt the red flag. They sre to.
vile to respect aud too cowardlyto, up
hold the American flag, sanctded By
the blood of patriots. They disgrace Il
every time they 20 to the polls and
vote for monopoly and usury, They
are not TO be trusted.