The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-10-14

RICHMOND Va Oct 1.-The tapping or
General Master Workman T. V. Powderly's
gayel at 1915 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 small
plain pine platform at the further end OF the
spacious room 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 as many
others not of the order as could find seats
The large room looked like an immense ban
eueting hail. 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 We're Autograph portraits OF Master
Workman Powderly and General Secretary
Turner, that hung on either side of the roo IN,
and 4 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
gavel re-echoed footprints We're heard APP
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 his name permitted him to
do 80, 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, and who tramples upon your prlvl-
leges as American citizens? Organized capital.
do hear? Against what is war declared? Will
1t be war to the knife and the knife to the
hilt? will there be peaceful issue to the con-
f1ict? Which, i'll 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 COM
promise of all conflicting opinions. Compro-
mise then gave 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 1njuri-
GUS to the line marked out by the FOUNDERS OF
the republic?" 1 divide capitalists into two
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 it 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-
L. chp To ch dor
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 peo-
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 sufferings of mankind.
THE GENERAL MASTERS RESPONSE
The large audience listened with close at
tention. 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 men,
associates refused to take up their quarters
in the hotel in which he was refused admis-
sion on On equal footing, assembled the plat
form and introduced Mr. Powderly. When
Mr. Powderly stepped forward he was re-
ceiyed 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
~. 80 D;11,, NJ
Powderly, continuing, said:
The men who owe allegiance to the Knights of
Labor are engaged in a conflict. but it is war of
truth against error. 1t is not, as many honestly
believe and many more dishonesty assert a war
of labor against capital. 1t is war in which the
manhood of the American laborer Is fighting for
recognition. In this war 1t must be determined
which shall rule, monopoly or the American peo-
pie; gold or manhood Our battles are not
fought for the purpose of determining whether
an individual shall rule a state or Rn empire but
to decide whether 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 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 or conscientiously thrust
aside the grave responsibilities and duties
of our American citizenship. Popular disregard
of political duty and tolerated continued politi-
cal corruption will weaken our government and
destroy our liberties, for the worm can eat it's
way through the oak which storm tempest
could not bend, and political dishonesty will
strike where the lightning could never reach.
II the land was worthy that brave men should
die for it. it is at least worthy that unselfish,
though just men should live and work in a
grand devotion to the ideas OF real, a true
democracy. We come here not alone to settle
the question OF 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 work
which to the thoughtful observer means
MORE THAN CHILD's PLAY.
more than regulation Of trade matters, and the
work will not end to-day nor will the youngest
the evils we complain Of is a difficult and an
gerous undertaking. The need of strong hearts
and active brains was never so great at the
present time The lash was stricken from the
hand Of the slave owner Of twenty five years
ago, and 1t must be takeu from the hand Of the
new slave owner as well. The monopolist of to-
the past. Monopoly takes the land from the
people In million acre plats: it sends its agents
abroad and brings hordes of uneducated. des-
perate men to this country; 1t scatters ignorance
throughout the land. and it alone is re-
sponsible for every manifestation of an
archy that our country has witnessed. All
men may not be willing to admit that this
statement is true. but when monopoly dies no
more anarchists will be born unto this country,
for anarchy is the legitimate child Of monopoly.
While 1 condemn and denounce the deeds Of
violence committed in the name of labor during
the present year, am proud to say the Knights
of Labor are not In any way responsible for such
conduct he Is the Jru, Knight OF Labor VINO
with one hand clutches anarchy by the throat
and by the other strangles monopoly. The man
who still believes in the Little red school house
on the hill" should take holiday and visit the
mine. the factory the coal brake and the mill
There, doing the work Of men. will he find the
future citizens Of the republic, breathing an
atmosphere Of
DUST, IGNORANCE AND VICE.
The history of our country is not taught within
those walls. The struggle for independence
and the causes leading to that struggle are not
spoken Of there; the name of Washington is un-
known, and the words that rang out trumpet
tongued from the lips Of Patrick Henry are
never mentioned. Our oountry-her history,
her laws and her institutions are unknown to
these poor children. How, then, can the child
Of foreigner learn to appreciate the freedom
that they have never been told about much less
experienced? Questions Of wages or hours of
labor. shop discipline OF some other matter may
cause q rupture here and there between the work
man and his employer. but they can be
readily settled IL mutual federation and COM
mon sense are brought into the controversy,
and once settled, they should be allowed to
rest. Continued reminders of past troubles
often create new ones. To those who have fallen
into such habits I would recommend the advice
you so appropriately gave to a critic not long
since, stop fighting when the war is over" I
trust that In the providence Of God we may be
enabled to enact such legislation while here as
will helm to strike to the earth the last yesti0e