The Wilmingtonian., 1886-02-20
The Kniants,,.sr ,abor.

The assemblage Of large concourse of the
wage earners of this community, and the
purpose for which they met, Saturday night
last at the Institute Building is most sign-
ficant incident.
1t would be ridiculous fatuty, If not i'm
beclity to refuse recognition of its import
ance.
The theories enunciated by the chief speak
or, Richard Trevellck, will strike in thun-
der tones upon tie ear of him who has kept
himself informed upon current affairs Of the
world. But, to the student of history,
who devotes careful reflection to the subtle
under-inauences, those potent conditions,
stronger than politics or religion, that spread
silently, and covertly leaven the concrete of
human society, it will reveal itself as the
truest evidence of far permeating and Or
ganized upheaval of settled conditions.
1t is claimed that elsewhere, among other
communities, that the theories aud require
ments of this organization, called the Knights
of Labor, already hold sway.
1t must be admitted, having once conced-
ed the possibility OF thorough organization
that there is nothing that can withstand its
possibility of holding supreme sway wherev-
or this organization may choose to spread
itself
Just NOW the best that can be done is to
give an attentive ear to what the people
common term "the people" interca caangea bly
for the phrase ''Knights of Labor. 1t is a
fact that they are identical. 1t will not be
long before they form and represent ninety
per cent of the population of the land
Such teachings as these of the Knights OF
Labor never fell, as seed, upon such fruitful
soil as that of this republic. There is at this
moment in our land, just that coincidence
of the necessary modcum Of intelligence,
and, unfortunate it is to add, just that in.
cremeut of injustice, harshness, and avari-
ciousness among the great mass of capita
lststs aud manufacturers, to point and give
argument to the evolution Of this movement.
1t is the outcome OF causes long sown, and
furrowed, and ploughed in, and in, by the
creditor class. Harshness has driven an in
teligent people to open its eyes, and, seeing
and understanding conditions as they exist
they cry out "let us have Justice" 1t will
be well for those to whom the cry is direct
ed if they heed it. The next cry that will
come louder to their ears, if this simple re.
quest be not considered, will be the stern
peremptory one of ademand." And the
second cry cannot be evaded.
The Knights of Labor claim as the great
inalienable prerogative of the people, the
right to peacefully assemble in convention
fog the discussion of any snhjoot that may
be Of interest to them and that no power
legislature or congress on the face of the
earth can lawfully infringeN on that right.
The Knights Of Labor ask fIom those who
have become enriched, and live in extreme
luxury, through the hard toll and sweat oI
the people Of the land, that they make somC
slight concession, some small share of the
gains, in order that they, the working peo
pie, may exist free from the pangs of hunger
that their families may be decently clothed
that desttution be driven from the door of tn,
industrious ard sober mechanic. They ash
for legislative euactments against the prac
tice of child labor, and that all under fifteen
years ol age be afforded full! opportunity fol
a good common school education. They asl
for repressive enactment against the public
or private sale of convict labor, unless at th,
same rates as that of the free white mechan
ic, laborer, or tradesmen. They ask that
equal services being rendered, women get
ting equal pay with the other sex. They
ask for euactments that will cause corpora.
tions and capitalists, who by the cOnnivanc,
of government officials or through whatever
cause, have stolen public lands, be compelled
to disgorge, and that the public domain be
kept for individual occupancy by the people
Tney demand that the election of senator
be by direct vote of the populace.
These are not unfair requests. These mel
who make them are not unjust in their de
mands. They are not also without consider
alton for the rights of others. They are op
posed to strikes and all kinds of mob vic
lence, and will not encourage strikes unless
under the most extreme compusion AL
questions of difference between employer
ami the employed are left to committees o
arbitration and to an umpire.
The responsibilities of apprentices to thei
employers are enjoined and rigidly iusiste
ON. No known drunkard or rumseller !
allowed to join the Knights of Labor. Ther
is no such thing allowed as distinction il
creed or race, neither Catholic or Protestant
Irish or German, French or English, Ameri
can or foreigner-they are all men, wit
equal rights fully recognized, huma
brotherhood.
The rights of women fo.nl a strong an
prominent plank in the platform Of tn
Knights OF Labor.
Heretofore the weakoE sex has been pal
only 40 per cent Of mems wages for wor
done by them of equal grade and value Al
this must be changed, and when woman ca
perform work equally well with male labo
il is demanded that she receive sinila
wages.
The Power of the People.
most remarkable instance of p)pula
A.. = 81 . !. tt