The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-02
MR.. PowDERLY,s CIRCULAR.

ST. LOUIS. No. March 26.-Gsnersl
Master Workman Powderly has issued
a secret circular TO the "NOble Order OF
the Knights of Labor of America,
which has Just been made public. MI
Powderlv instructs the the secretary OF
each assembly to call full meeting ana
read before them the sentiments Whlch
follow. The address opens with an or
der TO the assembly to cease INITIATING
new members until the relations OF cap.
ital and labor shall become less strained
than at the present time, and continues
'sTo attempt to win concessions OF
gains with our present raw, undlscl-
I pIined membership would be like hurI-
ing an unorgauized mob agalTst wei
drilled regular army. II Is not IalT 10
the older assemblies to bring IN ne"
members. pick up their quarreis as soon
Z as organized, and have them expect Pc
Z cuniaTy aid from those who helped 20
/ build the order up for noble purpose. i.
Continuing, he deprecates strikes ana
/ advises arbitration He also warns the
/ order against politicians, who. he says,
! are scheming to use il for selfish ends,
/ and adds that to use the name OF the
/ order in q political contest is cTlmlhai
/ and must not occur again.
/ Refer ing to the eight hour move
ment. the circular says "A ssem0iles
of the Knights OF Labor must not strike
for the eight-hour system on May /, uu-
der the impression that they are obeylng
! orders from headquarters, for such an
| order was not and will not be given.
Speaking of the relations between
/ the church and the Knights OF Labor,
( Mr.. Powderly says 81 warn our mem
! bers against hasty, ill-c0nsideTed ac-
. ton. The church will not interfere
/ with US so long as we maintain the law.
If the law is wrong it is our duty fC
| change it. l am ashamed to meet with
! clergymen and others, to tell them that
our order is composed OF law-aoldine
ard intelligent men, while the next dis
patch brings the news Of some petty
boycott or strike"
| In conclusion, the Master Workman
saws: I write this circular to lay be-
fore the order the exact condition OF
things. I am neither mentally nOl
physically capable Of performing the
work required OF me. l am willing tC
do nv part, but not to be asked tC
maintain a false position before thu
world any longer. One OF two thing
must take place-eitheT the local anC
direct assemblies of the order must ODE,
its laws, or l must be permitted to re
, sign from a vocation which Obliges m
to play one part before the public ant
another before our members. l say Z
, the world that the Knights OF Labor d
not approve of or encourage strikes, am
in one day dispatches reporting strike
come to me from Troy, n. Y; Man
chester, N H; Chicago, III; Cincin
natl, O.; Lynchburg, Va; Springfield
: o.. and Montreal. It is impossible 70
: human nature to stand tbe strain an
longer. 1t must have the assistance @
the order or my most earnest effort
will fail. viii havs it ? IF so, strike
= must be avoided boycotts must b
- avoided.
/ "ThOse who boast must he checke
r by the assemblies. No move must b
made until the court of last resort ha
! been appealed to. Threats Of viOlene
must not be made. Politicians must b
3 hushed up or driven out. Obedience I
f the laws Of Knighthood must hav
preference over those Of any other OF
der If these things are done. th
, next five years will witness the cOmplet
{ emancipation of mankind from th
t curse OF monopoly. In our members W
q require secrecy, obedience, patience an
courage If with these aids 20
strengthen my hands, l will continue i
= the work. If you do not desire to a
. sist me in this way, then select a ma
n better qualified to obey your will, and
will retire in his favor