The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-13

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THE KNIGHTS Of LABOR BY
JUDGE GUSTAVE COOK.
From the Galveston News.
Houston, May 7.-Powderly, who is an
overrated and hypocritical fraud, comes
to the front with an indignant denial of
responsibility for himself and his follow
ers, of the direct, immediate and necces-
sary consequences of his and their lawless
and outrageous precept and examples.
In my opinion he is liar, because he is
coward. He and lis Irons, Blacks, Col
dens, Vasmers and other coadiutors are
the instigatOrs, movers and expectant ben
efciaries of all the communistic devil
ment. When men organize to starve and
orSure people into a compliance with
their onesided demands, they are common
enemies of mankind and deserve to be
treated as such. Processing to intend
compulsion only against Jay Gould, they
directly and Immediately apply the instru
ments of torture to the whole consuming
and producing classes in order that may
enforce advantageous alliances however
unwilling, with both. The merits and de-
merits of their controversy with Mr.. Gould
are not debatable. No people or govern
ment can afford to treat with incendiar-
les, assasins and plunderers while they
hold in their hands the blazing torch, the
dynamite bomb and the fruits of their
rot cries. Sur nder, unconditional ard
complete, should be first demanded, and
after this will be time to discuss their
claims. Until they do surrender let such
foice as will compel it, be brought down
upon them and let the contest be sharp
and decisive. The Knights of Labor can
not shirk the consequences they and
theirs have brought about. Who began
this devilish instruction? Who fired the
hearts of the communists and socialists of
Chicago! Who inaugurated this seizing
of property with violent hands? Who
drew first blood of innocent men who had
gone ont peacefully but industriously to
labor for the honest support of their wives
and children? Who forbade the furnish
ing of food, clothing or even employment
to men and women who were lawfully and
peacefully pursuing laudable vocations?
Is the slow death by starvation less wick
ed, cruel and devilish than the quick DIES
truction of brave men and officers by dy-
Mantle? Who wonld stand fairest before
the law when answering the charge of
murder with express malice? Not drop
of blood has been shed, not groan has
b9en wrung, not pang has been suffered
in all this miserable business for which !
the Knights of Labor are not directly and |
Immediately responsible. Who drew the |
spikes from the rails and precipitated in
nocent people to death in Texas? Point
to single instance where these delectable
Knights have ever organized to enforce
the law, They made pompous proffers of
their services to protect property and aid
the officers, but whom have they ever ar
rested, or when have they ever forbidden
the evil deed being constantly done in
their interests and behalf? If Knights of
Labor have not done these devilish deeds,
then who has! Where is the offender
brought to justice for these crimes who is
not Knight? Why is 1t that every
crime done is directly in the interest and
direction of the accomplishment of their
purposes? 1t is too thin. The Knights
of Labor are responsible, and their coward
ly disavowal of the responsibility is a ira
vestie upon the title they have flched
from honor and chivalry. They have
stolen the livery of heaven to serve the
devil in.
Texas connot afford to tolerate this
wave in the sea of progress and civiliza-
ton which is deluging our state from
foreign states and nations. The
spirit of true primitive democracy revolt.
at this cooperative league union social
ism, which overwhlems individuality and
sinks personal freedom into the der ths of
oblivion. Let every true democrat stand
to his faith and thrust out these insid- |
ious enemies of free government. Thew
and their doctrines are not welcome in |
Texas, and the next democratic state con-
vention should declare the true faith. It.
is time that halt should be called in this
march toward anarchy and revolution.
Heretofore the democratic party has been
party of individual liberty and personal
freedom, but of late years gradually and
by almost, impreceptable degrees it is
drifting away. Society cannot be pre-
served without government, and the una
dulterated principles of primitive democ
racy furnish the only safe method for adj
ministering it.
(rTrCT Gy-t, Tpn,-