The Washington critic., 1886-04-16
POWDERLY,S ORDER.


He Appeals TO All knights OF Labor
TO Assist the Strikers.
Grand Master Workman Powdcrly
of the knights of Labor has addressed
the following circular in regard to the
present labor troubles of the South
west to members of the order:
Noble Order Of the Knights Of LaJr Of
To THE ORDER WHEREVER FoUYD, GREET
ING: You have all read of the great strike
on the Gould lines OF railway in the South
west; its history is being written day by
day; II makes but little difference now
whether the men of the Southwest acted
wisely or not. Let us pass that part of
the affair over, for it, too, has passed into
history.
The General Executive Board of the Or
der attempted to settle the trouble and re-
store harmony Agreements were made
with them by Jay Could esq, but when
the board reached st. Louis Mr.. Hoxie
would not treat with them; not that alone
but he positively refused to employ Knights
OF Labor, whether they had been active In
the strike or not. 1t now becomes the part
OF every man and woman In the order to
take up the fight OF the men of the South
west and assist them to the full extent
of their means. They have been idle
for nearly two months. They have
had most trying ordeal TO go through and
are In need Of funds. 1t requires no elo-
quence or rhetoric to plead the cause OF
these suffering people. They require aid,
and 1t becomes our duty to extend that aid
as quickly as possible for us to do so. Send
every dollar you can spare to the general
secretary-treasurer, who will at once for
ward 1t to the men at st. Louis for distribu-
tion. Remember, the men out there do not
ask for charity; they do not ask at all 1t
is your executive board that makes the ap-
peal in their behalf. lie who gives quickly
gives doubly. Act at once. Another APP
peal may be sent to you, and we ask Of you
to prepare for II now. We must be Judged by
our actions in this matter. DO not pass reso-
lutions condemning capital, for we are not
fighting capital. Do not aDtagonize the con-
test we have before u.s. Let us make friend
OF every man who has suffered through mon
opoIy. This battle against the man who rep
resents monopoly must be fought out man
fully. Watch his actions everywhere. Keep
an eye on the doings Of Congress. Urge the
committee that has been appointed to do its
duty fearlessly, strengthen their hands, give
them every aid. In conclusion, let us
again ask that you send, at once, every
dollar you can at present raise, to uphold
the men who are now out along the lines OF
the Southwest system Of Gould railways. Do
not delay, and at the same time make ready
to bring the whole power Of the order to
bear upon the man who wrecks railroads,
homes, fortunes and lives in his greed for
gold. Let us determine to have 1t go into
history that the men Of 1886 struck as grand
o blow for liberty as the men OF 1776. The
men OF 1776 broke the power OF monarchy,
aud dethroned the king. The power which
they wrested from the hands of king was
not 80 great as that which is now held by
one man, who, through the corrupt use Of
money, has brought manufacturer and
workmen to ruin. The power Of the king
has passed away; the power of wealth is
passing away, and 1t must now be deter
mined whether man shall rule or whether
illegitimate wealth shall rule.
(Signed) T. V. PowDERIY,
General Master Workman.