The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-20
KNIGHTS OF LABOR
Opening of the Tenth Annual
Convention in Richmond.
Addresses Of GoVerner Lee and Mas
ter Workman PoWderly.

The tenth annual convention of the
Knights of Labor of the United States
opened at Richmond, Va, on the 18th, with a
large attendance. When Master Workman
Powderly opened the convention, in the ar
mory of the First Virginia Regiment, he
looked upon the faces of thousand delegates
from every part of the country, representa-
tiveS of million men and women. White
and black faces, the faces of men and women,
met his view. Governor Lee appeared q
moment later, and was received with applause
The Governor made speech of welcome. He
was always glad to welcome strangers and
was pleased that such numbers of them have
now the opportunity Of ascertaining for
themselves that Virginia is marching on in
new era Of prosperity. he reminded his
hearers that the impulse of the Revolution
was given from Virginia's colonial capital
The future glory and greatness of the coun-
peace and goodwill shall alwaysabide in our
midst" OF the more immediate past Gov.
Lee said:
"The Constitution under which we live has
now borne the test of war; Troublesome and
unad ;usted questions were submitted to the
sword and by the sword they have been de-
cided. We, of the South, placed different
Interpretation upon the terms of that instru-
rnent from that held by the North, but bow
in submission to the settlement thus de-
creed; and now, having with all other
sections a common flag, a common coun-
try, common Government and a common
destiny. are as much interested in the pros
pective grandeur OF these United States as
they. The wisdom of the founders of the
Bepublic is vindicated to-day by the verdict
of the nations of Europe, where the power
of the privileged classes is being gradually
transferred to the hands of the people.
But what class of capitalists are oppre's-
ing you and whose course is injurious to the
lines marked out by the founders of the Re-
public? / divide capitalist; 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
hso t, rasss pds Z do%n sna coma S
great moneyed corporations that seek to con-
troll 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 people at large. We will march
shoulder to shoulder with you in that Draw
take possession of the great telegraph lines
of the country and defect them from their
legitimate purpose by controlling them to
defeat the will of afree people in an attempt
to defraud the whole country of their consti-
tutional right to elect rulers, and we will or
der to your support "horse, foot and dra-
goons" in that. Organize against capitalists
who furni:h money to carry elections and
then claim as their reward the selection of
the men upon whose shoulder shall be thrown
the purple robe Of the judiciary, and We are
with you in that. You will feel the touch OF
our elbows, too, in assisting to keep down
any men or set Of men who seek to depart
from the "lines marked out" by our fore
fathers. and set up in this country strong
central government to control the people.
when the fathers formed government to be
controlled by tue people"
Before Governor Lee took his seat, Edward
j. Farrell colored), of District ~, New York,
stepped upon the platform and introduced
rell, twill reply to the address of welcome
by Governor Lee. OF this State, one
Of the noblest in tho arena of our
political government" He referred to Mr.
Powderly as one OF the greatest men of thu
Nation, who recognized the Importance of
this gathering of the toiling masses He
hailed the approach Of a time when there
would be no distinction in creed,
color and nationality, proclaiming that
the principles CT the Order of Knights
of Labor stood higher than political
as brothers and eluals. He said that Vir-
ginia had been one of the greatest States in
the past and hoped that she would be that
again and would make no distinction on ac-
count of race or color.
Mr. Powdcrly began his address by thank
ing Governor Lea IN behalf of the delegates
for his kim words of welcome. After an al
lusion to the last war, he continued:
"The men who owe allegiance to the Knights
of Labor are engaged in a conflict, but It is
in a war of truth against error. 1t is not, as
many honestly believe, and many more dis
honestly assert, war of labor against cap
ital It is a war in which the manhood Of
the American laborer is fighting for recoy-
milton. In this war it must be determined
which shall rule, monopoly or the Amer
lean people, god or manhood. Our
battles are not fought for the .pur.
pose of determining whether an individual
eide whether people who are entitled to
life, liberty and happiness shall live in the
full endowment Of their rights and liberties
as becomes citizens of Republic
"To rescue the toiler from the grasp OF the
selfish is work worthy Of the noblest AMI
best of our race. 1t IS tt the accomplish-
meut of that grand object that every Knight
of Labor should lend his every
energy. Lack Of success or en-.
couragement must not dishearten, de-
fection in friends, or fancied friends, must
not turn him aside from his purpose,
love of ease must not prevent him from
working. The ISLANDERS Of the jealous, the
hatred Of the envious, the opposition of the
enemy, must not bs allowed to deter for
moment the progress Of the work which he
has pledged his knightly word to continue
until success shall crown his efforts, or death
end his labors on earth.
ITO remedy the evils we complain Of is
difficult and dangerous undertaking. The
need Of strong hearts and active brains was
never so great as at the present time. Toe
slavery that died twenty-five years ago was
terrible, bat, bal as it was, it never devel-
oped a millionaire, while this new slavery
which now reaches out with far stronger
hand than the old, has developed hundreds
of them. The lash in the hands Of the
old-time slave-owner could strike but
ole back at a time, and but one
Of Gods poor, suffering children felt
the stroke The lash of 6 I'D in the hands OF
the now slave-owner falls not upon one slave
alone, but upon the backs Of millions, and
among thu writhing, tortured victims, side
by side with the poor and the ignorant, are
to be found the welltodo and the edu-
Gated The power Of the new slave-owner
does not end when tho ordinary day Ia
bo.er bends beneath his rule. 1t rea"hes