Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-04-01
A Manly Address.

General Master Workman Powderly has is
sued a secret circular to the noble order Of the
Knights of Labor of America, which has just
been made public. Mr.. Powderly instructs the
secretary OF each assembly to call full meet
ing and read before 1t the sentiments which
follow. The address opens with an order to
cease initiating new members until the rela-
tons of capital and labor shall become less
strained than at the present time, and con-
tinues:
"To attempt TO win concessions or gains
with our present raw, undisciplinod member
ship, would be Ike hurting an unorganized
mob against wel-drlled regular army. II is
not fair to the older assemblies to bring In
new members, pick up their quarrels as soon
as organized, and have them expect pecuniary
aid from those who helped build the order up
for a noble purpose"
After dwelling at some length upon the ad-
visibility of taking In new members at present
the address continues:
and miss the opportunity Of present success
in the struggle against capital by running into
useless strikes. To the cardinal principles Of
the order we must add neutrality-suspicious..
You have had patience for years, and had not
the Knights OF Labor appeared upon the scene
you would still be waiting. Your scales of
prices must stand as they are for the present,
If you cannot raise them by any other process
than strike. You must submit TO injustice
at the hands OF the employer in patience for a
Nullt DUO Wei NOuI lilDt. TlUu Oub
how much you are entitled to, and then the
tribunal OF arbitration will settle TIE rest.n
MIR. Powderly then cautions the assemblies
against receiving into their ranks employers,
and warns the Knights of Labor that the
politician Is planning night and day now to
catch the Knights of Labor for the advantages
OF himself and party, and adds that to use
the name of the order In political contest is
criminal and must not occur again. Referring
to the eight-hoar movement the circular says:
Assemblies of the Knights Of Labor must
not strike for the eight-hour system on May
under the impression that they are obeying
orders from headquarters, for such an order
was not and will not be given. Out OF the
G0,0C0,C0J OF people in the United States and
Canada our order has possibly 100000. Can
We mould the sentiments of the millions in
favor OF the short hour plan before May /. 1t
Is nonsense to think OF it
After speaking or the qualities which the
officers of A. assemblies should possess, and
expecting the Knights to elect honest men Of
even temperament, MIR owderly continues:
"While write dispatch is handed me In
which read these words: ''Thcy discharged
our brother and we struck, for you know our
motto is AN injury to one is the concern OF all,
BUT 1T is NOT WISE TO INJURE ALL FOR THE
SAKE OF ONE. 1T WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR BET
TER TO CONTINUE AT work and properly In
vestigated the matter, bringing II before every
known tribunal, than to have struck"
Speaking Of the relations between the church
and the Knight, of Labor, Mr.. Powderly says
81 warn our members against hasty, ill-con-
sidered action. The church will not interfere
with us so long as We maintain the law. IL
the law is wrong II is our duty to change II.
| am ashamed to meet with clergymen and
others 10 tell them that our order is composed
Of law-abiding, intelligent. en-, while the next
dispatch brings the news,f some petty boy
colt or strike"
In conclusion the Master Workman says;
II write this circular 10 lay before the order
the exact condition O. things. | am neither
physically nor mentally capable OF performing
the work require ed OF Inc. am willing to do
my part, but not to be asked 10 maintain a
false position before the world any longer.
One of two things must take place either the
local and district assemblies Of the order must
obey its laws, or must be permitted To resign
from vocation which obliles me to play one
Part before the public and another TO our
members / say to The world that the Knights
of Labor do not approve OF or encourage
strikes, and IN one day dispatches come to me
from Troy. New York, Manchester, New
tpringfeld, o., and Montreal announcing
strikes. II Is impossible for human or human
nature 10 stand the strain any longer. / must
have the assistance of the order or my most
earnest Efforts will fail. Will l havei IL 90
strikes must be avoided, boycotts must be
avoided. Those who boast must be checked
by their assemblies. NO move must be made
until the court OF last resort has been appealed
| to. Threats of violence must not be made
Politicians must be pushed up or driven out
Obedience 10 the laws Of Knigbthood must
have preference over those OF any other order
IL these things are done the next five years
will witness the complete emanclT alton Of
mankind from the curse OF monopoly. In our
members we require secrecy, obedience, assist
ance, patience and courage. 1fwith these aids
you strengthen my hands. 1 will continue in
the work. IL you do not desire to assist rue In
| this way then select a man better qualified to
obey your will, and will retire In his favor.