Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-05-13
l.. v. IoNDEhLhJ
General Master Workman.
MIR. PoWDBRLY INTERVIEWED.
He Severely Condemns the Disgrace
full Chicago Riots.

SCRANTON, Pa, May General Master
Workman Powderly was called upon this
evening for the purpose of ascertaining
his views in regard to the reign of terror
in Chicago, and, in reply to the question
as to what he thought of the situation
there, he said;
At u time like this, there Is u tendency
among some well meaning, but poorly
posted people to blame all workingmen for
the sayings and doings of desperate few,
who are never so happy as when they are
riding the crest wave Of the tempest Of pas
sion. A distinction should be drawn, how
ever, between the followers of the red flag
and those who owe allegiance to no banner
but the stars and stripes; between the
anarchists who preach ruin and the true
representatives of labor who believe In
lawful methods for achieving desirable re-
| forms.
Then there is no afllliation between the
knights Of Labor and the anarchists ?
| Most emphatically no. The scenes of
/ bloodshed and disorder which have taken
| place In Chicago are disgraceful, uncalled
for, and deserving of the severest condem-
/ nation and punishment. The men who
| m arch under any flag but the stars and
/ ripes are not American workingmen,
either native or naturalized. Honest labor
| Is not represented In the ranks OF those who
blood and destruction. have no sympathy
with the men who have iDstigated such
deeds as have been perpetrated In Chicago.
1t is the duty of every organization of work
ingmen In the United States to condemn the
outrages committed In tho name of labor.
believe the man who comes to this country,
and who refuses to become citizen of the
United States after having sufficient time
and opportunity to do SO has no more right
to be hero than the alien land grabber who
takes possession OF the acres Of the west.
The workingmen of America have more
powerful weapon than the bullet In tho
ballot, and II they use their lawful rights as
citizens judicially they will have no occa-
sion to resort to desperation.
Are the mon whose names are given as
the leaders Of this movement In Chicago
Knights of Labor2
No; and II Knights of Labor have taken
pnrt In these murderous proceedings they
shonld be promptly expelled from the
order. Our organization intends no antag-
onism to necessary capital, nor have we
any conflict with legitimate enterprise, and
when we have occasion to take Issue with
illegitimate enterprise, we will do so under
! the law, which protects rich and poor alike
1t is the duty of knights OF Labor to sup
: port laws made to hnrmonize the interests
! of labor and capital.
Can you speak with any authority MS ia
the attitude of the trades unions toward
q those disgraceful dolngs In Chicago2
! can. There Is not q trades union In
Z America that will countenance wrong doing
or uphold the men who have been engaged
a In such scenes of bloodshed and destruc
< ton OF property as those reported from
: Chicago. The aim of the trades unions Il
to protect and elevate labor, and not to dc
\ grade and destroy 1t as the anarchists have
! attempted to do.
Q Mr.. Powderly spoke with feeling, ant
: was deeply indignant when discussing The
g scenes of the past few days in Chicago.