The Labor enquirer., 1886-12-25
THE BLACK CLOUD.

ring to the loss of the Chicago packe g
strike, and putting the blame where it
belonged-at Mr.. Powderly's door. Not
an exchange, out of the two hundred
papers in this country claiming to be
published in the interest of Labor, has
said word against the statements con-
tanned in that article, aud only two or
three have had the nerve to agree with
them. Silence must give consent and
cowardice keeps them still. This Is the
same labor press" that had not the
courage to say a word on behalf OF the
Chicago Anarchists until the labor or
panizations of the country showed, BY
the adoption of resolutions, where they
stood. And vet the toads and mud hens
who occupy editorial chairs on the
"labor press" claim to be educators of
the workingmen." They haven't half
the courage of the capitaIistic press,
which does sometimes express an opin-
ion without waiting to be forced " Its
patrons.
But didn't begin this article to waste
space; have something more to say
about the recent acts Of the general Off
GERS of the Knights of Labor. In an
other part of this issue will be found
letter, bearing on the Chicago outrage,
by George A. Schilling, one of the best
known men of the labor movement, and
q delegate to the recent session of the
General Assembly. l have had this
letter for two weeks, but have held it,
awaiting developments. The time for
its publication has arrived.
know there are some who will con-
demn me, and in their bin dness as sign
every reason but the right one for this
action of mine; but care not for the
opinion of the narrow minded the addle-
pated hero worshippers. ! purpose al
ways telling the truth and speaking
right out when l am positive that
wrong has been or is being done, and
care not whether the wrong doer be
capitalist, a politician or one who trains
in the ranks of organized labor The
same people who think should not
Criticise Mr. Powderly, flooded me with
congratulations when held P. NJ. Ar
thur and his corruption and cowardice
up to public gaze. What is sauce for the
goose is sauce for the gsnder, and the
writer or speaker whD dares not criti-
else the acts of high-salaried chief Of a
labor organization simply because he is
chief-and when he is always posing
himself and "his" order in the public
prints, is a coward unworthy the conf
dence of honest men. AS for me
would prefer that the hsnl of every la
boTer in the world should be turned
against me than that l should lack the
courage to speak nv convictions when l
know that the good of my fellow-man
is at stake.
l violate no obligations iu thus speak
ing publicly when every secret" circu-
lar Of the order has been given to the
public press, information of vital import
ance to the order sent through the
hands of the enemy-as was the order
to the Chicago strikers-and when the
General Master Workman himself, upon
his own responsibility, spreads the con-
stitution and secrets of the order before
Archbishop Gibbons. of "the church."
1t is true l am not clothed with any Off
cial authority, outside of my own little
circle, but there is not man in Chris
tendon mot even the G. NJ. W. himself
who has any more rights than | have
and dare assert mine.
The destruction of $4,000 men in the
Southwestern strike, the death blow
dealt the eight t-hour movement of Nav
first, and score of othor like affairs,
might haye been only mistakes; but the
order by which $4,000 men in Chicago
were sacrificed, was the result of cool
calculation and connivsnce with an
element which has no right To be heard
IN an organization OF morally free men.
Here is the evidence taken from the
Chicago Tribune.
The Rev. P. NJ Flanagan of St, An
ne's Roman Catholic church in the
stock-yards district Is not only a good
priest, but a level-headed and clear.
sighted man Of the world. That tele-
gram he sent to Master Workman Pow
derly, printed Yesterday, after Martin
Irons Butler and the other political
demagogues of the Town of Lake pre-
cipltated the strike at Packingtown to
serve their own selfish ends, is a model
oil sound reasoning, good sense and terse
English. He wrote:
The packers are fully determined that
under no circumstances can they afford, here
N Chlcago, 10 work on the eight-hour- -a-day |
basis. At the same time they are resolved
to carry on their business. They are i'm
porting, and will continue to import for. |
eign workmen, and unless this disbursement
be Immediately settled this immense army
of workmen, some of whom have labored
nore HIul years, many OF Wn0m have their |
homes and families here, will find them
selves replaced by Others and never to be
taken back
This is what may be called a nutshell
argument. His appeal to Powderly was
equally forcible. He said:
In your whole life do not think YOU will |
ever again have an opportunity of doing such |
a service to 50 vast number as in this in
stance believeit is your duty to do what |
you can in the interest of peace and human
ity, anu ! am confident you will regard it in
the same light. ltis for this reason, and this
alone, that speak this word. l clearly