The Indianapolis journal., 1886-04-15

saries, and made no attempt to influence the
court of public opinion. The indictment they
brought in that court was not sustained. 1t
could not be. And now, at this late day, the
amended bill Of complaint is submitted to the
people
The great lesson in all this wretched bust
ness is that the Knights should be very care
full to have grounds of action that will be
sufficient to satisfy the people, for the public
are not going to submit to such inconveni
ence as they have been subjected to by reason
of this strike unless the very best reasons can
be given therefor There will not be wanting
those who will spiritedly champion the cause
of the knights, be it what it may. There are
men intent on their own advancement who
will not hesitate to indorse anything that the
strikers may undertake, the purpose being to
win their suffrages in some form. There are
demagogues Of the press, Of the pulpit and of
the platform. They will not hesitate to use
every endeavor to popularize themselves with
the workingmen, and are very often the
moving cause of labor troubles that would
have no existence but for their encourage
ment. But the supreme court of the world
is not easily deceived. 1t is necessary to ap
peal to it only on the very best grounds, lest
the cause fail Florid rhetoric will not do,
nor will sophistry long deceive it. The whole
truth is sure to come out. If the Knights of
Labor care to succeed, they must not only con-
vince themselves but must satisfy the world
as we'll. In short, there is as much reason
why they should be right as anybody else
should be before receiving the confidence and
support of the public, without which support
no organization or cause can succeed. As it
is, the Knights have done very much to harm
themselves and to delay the good that may
come through their organization if properly
and honestly managed. Workingmen all
over the country have seen them go into a
movement that was radically wrong in all its
features. They have seen the Knights 60
into industrial rebellion on insufficient
grounds, and have seen that thousands of dol
lars have been wasted in the vain attempt to
accomplish the impossible and the unwise.
They have seen disposition manifested to
defy the laws and to interfere with the rights
of American freemen. Seeing these unreason-
able things, they have become prejudiced
against the organization, and many of them
have undoubtedly come TO the conclusion
that it will not pay to become member Of it.
This is unfortunate for the Knights, for, if
conducted in the spirit in which it was con-
ceived, the organization cannot help accom-
plishing what was expected of it.
Knights of Labor cannot afford to undertake
or indorse anything that is wrong or contempt
bic. They are sometimes guilty of just such
action, and are afording an illustration at this
time in the city of New York, where they are
boycotting woman. This woman, the owner
of modest bakery, incurred their displeasure
because she refused to discharge her workmen
because they were not members of the Bakers
Union. Instead Of trying to reason her into
their view of the matter, they set about to
compel her to think as they did, and estab
lished boycott against her for the purpose of
starving her into subjection. She does not
hesitate to declare that she intends to hold out
and to enjoy her rights even though she is
compelled to close her shop and go out Of
business. Nor is she unmindful of the opin
ion of the public but states her case in very
convincing way. She declares that she pays
'sunion" wages and does not work her men any
longer hours than are required in bakeries
under the control of the Union, while her bakers
stand by her, declaring they do not wish to
enter the Union. This, however, did not
satisfy the knights, and they ordered
boycott, unless she discharged her men and
supplied their places with some of their
number. This, we submit, is contemplate
| on its face. and unworthy men of self-respect
Just such acts help bring the organization
into disrepute and to delay the day of its
ultimate success. All unmanly acts should be
| carefully avoided, not only that self-respect
be maintained, but that good impression be
made on the world at large.
POWDERLY AND GOULD.
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