Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-05
AT RICHMOND.
The Tenth Annual Convention Of the
Knights Of Labor Opens with a
Large Attendance,
Gov. Fiizhugh Lee OF Virginia We'll
comes the knights 20 the Historic City
in the Name Of the state.
Grand Master workman Powderly Replies
in a Glowing speech Reviewing the
Purposes OF the Organization.
rnn OPENING SESSION


RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 4--Tne tapping
OF Master Workman Powderly's gavel a,
1915 this morning gave the signal for
the opening Of the first session Of the
tenth annual convention OF the Knights
Of Labor, in the armory Of the First VIr-
ginia regiment in this city. The session
was to be an open one, and In addition to
the large body OF delegates there were as
many Others not OF the order as could
| lind seats and shared what little standing
room there was with It's members. The
sound of the master workman's gavel still
re-echoed when Gen. Fltzhugh Lee, gov
ernor of Virginia, entered, and Mr.. Pow
derby introduced him 70 the members
When the applause that broke forth st
the mention of his name permitted him
to do so the governor said;
We are told, gentlemen, that the or.
ganizalion you represent Is formed TO
elevate and protect the rights Of the
working class. Why, who are interior.
ing with your rlghts2 Who tramples upon
your privileges as American citizens2 Or
ganized capital, do hear? Against that
is war declared. Will it be war to the
knife and the knife to the hilt, or will
there be a peaceful issue to the conflict
Which Is necessary in your opinion to
promote the interests of both7 The helm
of the ship OF this republic was construct
ed by men Of different,
APPARENTLY IRREcoNCILABLE,
views, and constitution was only framed
by the compromise Of all cor fllcting
opinions. Compromise then gives us our
constitution and compromise win solve
the difficult problems of the hour which
you have assembled here to grapple with
The battle, we are told is one of labor
against capital; but what class of capital
lists are depressing your Whose cause
is Injurious TO the lines marked out by
the founders Of the republic7 Divide
capitalists into two kinds, and we will go
with you and give the command, "for-
ward" and fight by your side against one
| of those classes, Make war against incorpo-
rated rascality and we will help you to
ride 1t down. Combat great moneyed
corporations that seek TO control legisla-
lures, federal and state, by bribery and
corruption in order that they may get
votes in the federal halls of legislatures,
and perfect and fasten upon the whole
country legislation for their benefit and
not for tfs benefit OF the people at large.
We Will march shoulder TO shoulder with
you In that. Organize against capitalists
who furnish money to carry elections,
and then claim as their reward the right
to select men upon whose shoulders shall
be thrown the purple
ROBE OF THE JUDICIARY,
and we are with you on that But all
capital, my friends, is not used In this
way; not for such vicious purposes Let
us make no war upon those who use their
good fortunes to alleviate suffering man
kind, whose eulogies are written in the
hearts Of thousands on account OF their
generous donations and noble deeds, and
whose money is employed to whiten the
ocean with sails; to cause whaTves to be
laden with commerce. Employers, as
has been well said, have no right TO lock
out whole shops full Of men to
briug q few unwilling ones TO terms; nor
have they, in my opinion, the right to en-
gage with other employers to FIX the rate
OF pay or compel all TO remain Idle.
The large audience listened with close
attention, and frequent applause approved
the principal points made.
When the governor had taken his seat
on the platform, Frank j. Farrell, the
colored member of the delegation from
district No. 40 whose associates refuse to
take up quarters IN the hotel In which he
was refused admission on an equal foot
ing, assembled the platform and, taking a
stand beside the presiding officers table,
said
His excellency, the governor Of Viz
ginia, and gentlemen OF the convention:
1t Is with much pleasure and gratltica-
tion that introduce to you Mr.. Il. ".
Powderly Of Pennsylvania, who will re-
ply to the address of welcome OF Gov.
Lee Of this state, which IS one of the
oldest states IN the arena Of political in
duence of our country.
When Mr.. Powderly stepped forward
he was received with loud applause.
THE GENERAL. MASTERS SPEECH.
The general master workman ex-
pressed qualification at the welcome
which had been given the Knights by the
people Of Virginia, and more especially
by the people of Richmond. Mr.. Pow
derby, continuing, said The men who
owe allegiance TO the Knights Of Labor
are engaged In a conflict, but It is one OF
truth against error. 1t is not, as
many honestly believe, and many
more dishonesty assert, war
OF labor against capital. II is q war in
which the manhood Of the American la
borer Is lighting for recognition 10 this
war II must be determined which shall
Iulet uouOPOly OT tu6 huoilSau pSOpict
gold or manhood. Our battles are not
fought for the purpose OF determining
whether the individual shall rule the state
or empire, but to decide whether the peo-
pie who are entitled TO life, liberty and |
happiness shall live In the full
enjoyment Of their rights add liberties
as becomes citizens OF the republic. No
member must feel as he turus away from |
the city OF Richmond after our work here
Is done, that he can safely pr conscien-
llOusly thrust aside the grove RESPONSE
biities and duties OF gur American |
citizenship. popular disregard OF po-
litical duty and the tolerated continuance
Of political corruption viii weaken our
government and destroy our liberties,
for as the worm cse eat Its way
pest could not bend, POLITICAL dishonesty
will afrfka vuhpra tsghfnfug cOuId never