The sun., 1886-10-14
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.


General Master Workman T. V. Powderly's
gavel at 1915 o'clock 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 Virginia
regiment He stood alone upon small
plain pine platform at the further end Of the
spacious room and looked out upon the
faces Of q thousand delegates assembled
from every part Of the country. The session
was to be an open one, and in addition to
the large body of delegates were as many
others not Of the order as could find seats
The large room looked like an immense ban
sueting hall, with tables formed of plain
pine boards near the length of the
room in rows On either side of
these tables were seated the delegates. The
only things that even limited at decorative
purpose were lithograph portraits of Master
Workman Powderly and General Secretary
Turner, that hung on either side Of the room
and large gilt frame enclosing photo
graphs Of members of the Joel Parker asso-
ciation that hung behind the little platform.
While the sound of the master workman's
gavel re-echoed footprints were heard ap-
preaching the entrance doors A moment
later Gov Fitz Hugh Lee entered As he
walked up the central aisle leading to the
platform he was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers, which redoubled as he stood on the
platform bowling in response to the greeting
When the applause had subsidized and Master
Workman Mullen, of the Richmond district,
had presented Gov Lee to Mr.. Powderly, the
latter then stepped forward and introduced
him to the members
GOV. LEES ADDRESS. IA =.
Whon tho oppIauco that aUQin brOly0 forth
at the mention of his name permitted him to
do so, Gov. Lee spoke. saying among other
things: Is ~
We are told that the organization you repre-
sent is formed to elevate and protect the rights
of the working class. Who are interfering with
your rights, and who tramples upon your privi-
do hear? Against what Is war declared? Will
it be war to the knife, and the knife to the
hilt? or will there be peaceful issue to the con-
dict? Which, in your opinion, Is necessary to
promote the interests OF both? The helm of the
ship of this republic was constructed by men of
different and apparently irreconcilable views.
and the constitution was only framed by COM
promise of all conflicting opinions. Compro-
mise then gave us our constitution. and COM
promise will solve the difficult problem 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 is
this opposing YOU and whose I course n is in1urie
the republic?" divide capitalists into two
kinds. and will 60, with you and give the
d t5ese n by
war against incorporated rascality and we will
help you to fight it down. Combat great mon
eyed corporations that seek to control your
legislatures, federal and state. by bribery and
corruption, in order that they may get votes in
the federal halls Of legislation to perfect and
fasten upon the whole country legislation for
their benefit and not for the benefit of the peo-
pie at large, we will march shoulder to shoulder
with you in that; draw the fangs from the
money kings who seek to take possession Of the
great telegraph lines of the country and seek to
defect them from their legitimate purpose by
controlling them to defeat the will of free peo-
pie in an attempt to defraud the whole country
Of their constitutional right to elect rulers. and
we will order to your support horse, foot and
dragons" In that. Organize against capitalists
who furnish money to carry elections and then
claim as their reward the selection of the men
upon whose shoulders shall be thrown the pur-
pie robe of the judiciary, and we are with you in
that But all capital. my friends. is not used In
that way, nor for such vicious purposes. Let us
make no war upon those who use their good
fortunes to alleviate the sufferings Of mankind.
THE GENERAL MASTERS RESPONSE
The large audience listened with close at
tention. and frequent applause marked their
approval of the principal points made.
When the governor had taken his seat on the
platform, Frank J. Farrell, the colored men,
ber Of the delegation of District 49. whose
associates refused to take up their quarters
In the hotel in which he was refused admis-
sion on ON equal footing, assembled the plat
form and introduced Mr. Powderly. When
Mr. Powderly stepped forward he was re-
ceiEed with loud applause. The general
master workman expressed his qualification
at the welcome which had been given the
Knights by the people of Virginia and more
especially the people of Richmond. Mr..
Powderly, continuing. said:
The men who owe allegiance to the Knights of
Labor are engaged in q conflict but 1t is war OF
believe and many more dishonesty assert a war
Of labor against capital It is war in which the
manhood of the American laborer Is fighting for
recognition. In this war 1t must be determined
which shall rule, monopoly or the American peo-
pie; gold or manhood. Our battles are not
fought for the purpose of detexmining whether
to decide whether people, who are entitled to
life. liberty and happiness, shall live in the full
enjoyment of their rights and liberties as be-
feel, as he turns away from the city of Rich
mond after our work here is done, that
he can safely or conscieqtiously thrust
of our American citizenship. Popular disregard
of political duty and tolerated continued politi-
cal corruption will weaken our government and
destroy our liberties, for the worm can eat its
way through the oak which storm or tempest
could not bend, and political dishonesty will
strike where the lightning could never reach.
die for it. it is at least worthy that unselfish,
though just. men should live and work in a
grand devotion to the ideas OF . real, q true
democracy. We come here not alone to settle
the question of q dispute in regard to wages or
hours of labor; we come here partly to study and
learn some lessons OF the head and heart in
which to the thoughtful observer means
. MORE THAN CHILD's PLAY.
more than regulation of trade matters and the
work will not end to-day, nor will the youngest
among us live to see il complese @ II To remedy
gerous undertaking. The need Of strong hearts
and active brains was never so great as at the
Of ave o
ago, and It must be takeu from the hand Of the
new slave owner as we'll The monopolist OF to-
the past. Monopoly takes the land from the
people in million acre pats: it sends its agents
abroad and brings hordes Of uneducated. des-
perste men to this country; 1t scatters ignorance
sponsible for every manifestation Of an
Archy that our country has witnessed. All
men may not be willing to admit that this
more anarchists will be born unto this country,
for anarchy IL the legitimate child Of monopoly.
While l condemn and denounce the deeds Of
violence committed in the name Of labor during
the present year, am proud to say the Knights
Of Labor are not In any way responsible for such
conduct. He is the tru, knight Of Labor who
with one hand clutches anarchy bx tho throat
and by the other strangles monopoly The man
who still believes in the Little red school house
on the hill" should take q holiday and visit the
mine, the factory, the coal brake and the mill
There, doing the work Of men, will he find the
future citizens OF the republic. breathing an
atmosphere OF
DUST, IGNORANCE AND VICE.
The history Of our country is not taught within
those walls. The struggle for independence
and the causes leading to that struggle are not
spoken Of there; the name Of Washington is un-
tonaued from the Inns 81 PstrjcE Henry ~