The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-05
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR
WELCOMED TO RICHMOND by
GOV. LEE IN A
Brilliant Speech Reply by 6rand
Master Workman Pow
derly.

RICHMOND, V A., OCtouSt' T. L " thp-
ping Of MFster Workman I. V.
Powderly's gavel at 10:15 o'clock this
morning gave the signal for the open
ing If the first session OF the tenth
annual convention OF the Knights OF
Labor. in The armory of the First
Virginia Regiment in this city. He
stood alone upon smsll, plain pine
platform at the further end of the
spacious room and looked out upon
the faces of thousand delegates as
ssmbled from every part OF this
county, representatives, OF million
men aud women. White and black
iacas, the faces of men and women
bound toy ther by a common object,
met his view. The session was to be
an open one, and in addition TO the
large body of delegates were rs many
others not of the order 80 could tiud
seats or share what little standing
room there was with lite members,
The large room looked like an i'm
menso bHnqueIing hall, with tables
formed Il plain pine boards near the
length OF the room, in row. as close
together as the pCs.ibi ity Of
moving between them would per-
init. On either side of thesa
tables were seated the delegates
Neiller flag nor etrsamers broke the
severe simplicity Of the white brick
walls and the urbIokan white pant
OF the srcbed ceiling. The ony thing
that even hint d at decorative pur-
pose were Autograph portraits OF
N stsr Workman Powderly and Gen.
eral Secretary Turner, that hung on
either side Of the room, and a large
gilt frame enclosing photographs OF
members Of the Joel Parker Associa'
ton that hug behind tue little plat
form. The latter is the property OF
tho regiment in who quarters the
convention met, and was simply per-
mitted TO remain. While the sound
OF the Master Workman's gavel still
re-echoNd, footsteps were heard
approaching the entrance doors. A
moment later Gen. Fitzhu0h Lee, the
Governor OF Virgin a, entered. As he
walked up the central aisle, leading to
the platform, escorted by Will
liam ii. Mullen, the Master Work
man of the Richmond District, and
Tom 0'Reilly, OF the Telegraph
ers' Assembly, of New York City, he
was greeted with enthusiastic cheer
ing, which redoubled as he stood on
the platform bowling In response to this
greeting. When the applause bad
subsidized and Mr.. Mul en- had pre-
scented Gov. Lee to Mr. Powderly, the
latter stepped forward and introduced
him 10 the members, announcing thai
Gov. Lse was TO deliver TO them an
address of welcome and through them
tn those they represented throughout
the entire country.
When the applause that again broke
forth a. the IN lntion Of his name per-
mtted him to do 80, the Governor de
liverGd
THE FOLLOWING SPEECH OF wELCj ME:
0le Of Virginia's greatest statesmen
hes said; at is proper you should |
understand what deem the essential |
principles of government" What |
were the principles OF government laid |
down by this wise man? equal and |
exact justice to all men OF Whatever
Recommendations, or political"
Fly from the flutteriDg folds OF your
flag that sentence and the ground on
which you march will always be
strong and firm. We are told, gentle.
men, tue organization you represent is
formed TO elevate and protect the
rights Of the working classes. Why,
who are interfering with your rights,
and who tIamples upon your privileges
a. American cihzsna2 0rgan'zsd
capital, do / hesr2 Against that 8
war declared; will it BE- war to tho
knife, aud the knife to the hilt? Or
will there be a peaceful issue to
the c0rllict2 Which, in your
opinion, is necessary to promota the
interests of both2 rhe helm of thu
ship OF this Republic was con-
siruCed by men of different
and apparently irreconoiIsble
views, aud the cons tuition
was only framed by compromise of
all conf citing opinions Compromise
tl5n gives us our constitution. and
COMPROMISE will solve The difficult
problem OF the hour which you have
assembled here to Prapp,e with, The
battle, we are told, is Que Of labor
agains, capital. But what class Of
capitalists are depressing you, and
whose course ia injurious to The liues
marked out by the founders of the
republic? | divide cap ,lis's toto
TWO kinds, and will go with you and
give the command forward, aud will
fight ty your ide against one OF these
classes. Make war against inc1rpo-
yatsd rascGity, and we will help YOU
10 ride it dow6. Combat great monyed
l. 20 A., Il
Lepislstu es, Federal aud State, by
bIiaery and corruption, in ordr that
they may get vot.s in the Federal
halls OF legislation to perfect and
lasten upon the whole couptry leeisla-
ZION for their benefit, and not for the
benefit OF the people at large.
Wa will march shoulder to
shoulder with you in that Draw the
tGngs from the money kings who seek
to take possession Of The great tele.
graph lines OF the country and de oct
them lrom their legitimate purposes
by controlling them TO defeat the will
m lres pe1ple in an attempt to de-
fraud the who country OF their CON
st,tutioual rights to elect lulers, and
we will rally 10 your suppor', horse,
loot and dag0on, in that. Organize
agaiuBf capital SITS who furnish money
- cary elections and then claim as
their ward the llert' on of the men
upon whose ehouldersshall 10 thrown
the purple r5be Of the judiciary, and
rvs ave with you in thar. Blu, ali cap
lta', my trends, is not used in this
way, nor Tor suCh vicious purposes
Let IA make no war upon those who
use the good flrtune u al'eyilta the
eufeings of mankind and whose
eulogie ave written in the hearts OF
thouwud on account ol their gcner-
ONs donations ald noble deeds,
and W o3e money is employed
a. wait-n tbs ocean with sails
and cause tina wnarves to be
Iaisn with commerce Employers
70 has Jn well ssil, have no light to
lock cut 4 whole shop iull Il bends to
bricg lew unwilling ones t, terms;
Uor have they. in my opinion, the