The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-15

had done so do not know, nor do / question
your motives felt it to be my duty to let the
public see the letter, which contained nothing of
a personal nature whatever. There are people
who might be uncharitable enough to say that
your intention was to give the impression that
there was something between you and me which
would not bear the light of public scrutiny.
have had no such dealings with any man since
am willing to allow the fullest light possible to
shine upon my every transaction. have moth
ing to conceal
'You can settle this strike. It's longer con-
tinuance rests with You, and you alone. Every
act of violence, every drop of blood that may be
shed from this time forth, must be laid at your
door. The Knights Of Labor were not founded
to promote shield wrong doing, and today
the order of the Knights of Labor stands be-
tween your property and ruin. We willing
to absolve the men along your railways from
their allegiance to our order. We leave that to
themselves. We will not allow any claims
which the order may have on them to stand be-
tween them and their restoration to their former
positions. The order of the Knights of Labor
asks no man to remain member if it is not to
his interest to do so. You may deal with them
citizens if you will. We will surrender our
right to claim these men as Knights if they
wish, but we will not surrender our rights to see
this affair thoroughly investigated.
'sYou have said that the order Of the Knights
OF Labor was conspiracy, secret menace.
am willing as the chief officer, to lay every
thing connected with our order bare to the
world if you will, on the other hand, lay open to
the public the means and methods whereby you
have piled up the wealth which you control, and
allow the tribunal of public opinion to pass in
judgment on the two and say which is the con-
spiracy Do you accept the challenged You
have instructed your legal adviser to proceed
against every man connected with the knights
of Labor for the damages sustained since the
strike began. Two weeks ago said DO not do
this. To-day say, begin at once; lay CLAIMS
for damages In every court within whose juris-
diction Knight exists; proceed at once against
every State where you can recover damages do
so if the law will sustain you in it. Let the
majesty of the law be vindicated; it is just and
right that it should be so. We are willing to
face you before the law. and we will fight you
with no other weapon. For every violation of
the law of State or Nation we will enter suit
against you, and in this crusade against
you do not understand that We mean
to persecute. On the contrary, we
wish to see the law indicated. AS
you have at all times obeyed the law in your
dealings, ir the methods by which you have &C
quired your immense fortune, then it is time
that the many offensss with which you are
charged should be refuted. If you have re-
mained silent under many damaging charge of
injuring the State. we will be your avengers. If
you have been wronged, We will letit be known
TO the world through the medium Of the courts
OF justice. And let me say right here that no
money will buy verdict at the hands of these
courts. There are people who say this struggle
ia the beginning of the war between capital and
labor. That statement is false. This certainly
means war. but 1t is war between legitimate
capital, honest enterprise and honest labor on
the one hand, and illegitimate wealth on the
other hand. This ia war in which We court the
fullest investigation of our acts. Do you dare to
do the same2 This war means no further strike,
no shedding OF blood; 1t is war in which every
business man, every commercial man, every
professional man, every workingman. will
be invited to enlist. 1t will not be war upon
the innocent, and the battlefield upon which it
will be fought out will be before the courts of
law and that which makes law, public opinion.
There will be no mobs in. this supreme hour to
silence any mans opinion. No converts will be
made by physical force. That flag which floats
over hovel or mansion at the bidding of mob
disgraces both victor and victim, and under such
a flag as that we will not wage the battle but
this battle of the people against monopoly may
as we'll be fought out now as ten years from now.
and what field so eminently proper in which to
fight it out as before the courts. Let us know
whether laws were made to be obeyed or not.
and If they were not So framed, then the people
must make laws that will be obeyed. No man,
whether he be rich or whether he be the poorest
OF the poor, shall in the future shirk the respon
sibility of his acts and shield himself behind the
courts. 1t was to see that the laws were obeyed
that the order of the Knights Of Labor was
formed, and if the day has come to make the
trial, SO let it be-
spirit of anger or revenge. For you, personally,
have no dislike. believe that if allowed to
follow your own impulses in this matter, you
would have had the strike ended e'er this. Those
who advise you do not mingle with the peoples
they do not care for the people. You have been
warned that your life is in danger Pay no at
tention to such talk no man who has the in
terests of his country at heart would harm hair
of your head; but the system which reaches out
all sides, gathering in the millions of dollars,
fCff fho 1ary aho
of trade AID commerce, must die, and the men
whose money is invested in the enterprises which
stock gambling has throtted must make COM
mon cause with those who have been denied the
cessities of life for hon ne and family. When Isay
to you that we will meet you in the courts DO
not speak rashly or ill-advisedly. l have
taken counsel from the best legal minds
of the United States. We are prepared to face
you before the courts and now await your action
in the matter. This is no threat play no
game of bluff or chance. speak for 500, 600 or
ganized men, who are ready to pay out the last
farthing in order that justice may prevail. You
have 1t in your power to make friends of these
men by acting the part of the man, by taking
this matter into your own hands. Will you do
so and end this strife, in the interest of human
ity and our common country? 1t is your duty
to brush aside every obstacle, assert your au
thorlty, and take this matter in your own hands,
settle every grievance, restore every man to his
place except those who have been engaged in the
destruction of property, or who have broken the
law. Will you do this? You can then make
rules and agreements with your men which will
forever preclude the possibility Of another such
disastrous conflict as this one has proved itself
to be.
II remain, very truly yours,
''T. V. PowDERLY, G.. NJ. W. K. of L."
Mr. GOuld's Response.
NEW YORK, April Ito the foregoing letter
Mr.. Gould responded as follows: