The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-10-05
X. OF L.
Opening of the Great Convention at
Richmond, Va.
An Address of Welcome by Governor
Lee.
Eloquent Reply by Grand Master
Workman PoWderIy.

RICHMOND, Oct. 4.-The tapping OF Master
Workman T. V. Powderly's gavel at 10.1t
o'clock this morning gave the signal for the
opening of the first session of the tenth an
nual convention of the Knights of Labor IN
the armory of the First Virginia Regiment
in Richmond. A thousand delegates assem-.
bled from every part of the country. repre-
senting millions of men and women. The
session was to be an open one, and in addl-
ti0n to large body of delegates there were
as many others, not of the order, as could
find seats or standing room.
While the sound of the Master Workman
gayel still lie echoed footsteps were heard
approaching the entrance doors. A moment
later Gen. Lee, the Governor of Virginia,
entered. The Governor was greeted with
enthusiastic cheers, which redoubled as he
stood on the platform bowling in response to
this greeting. When the applause had sub
Lee to Mr.. Powderly, the latter stepped for
ward and introduced him to the members
announcing that Gov. Lee was to deliver
to them an address of welcome, and through
them to those they represented throughout
the entire country. When the applause that
name permitted him to do so Gov Lee said;
Speech of Gov. Lee.
Fellow Citizens, L am here today in re-
sponSe to an invitation from the committee
of the Knights of Labor of Richmond for
and greeting citizens from other States, who
come within the gates of this Common
wealth to confer with portion of her people
"a conference which we earnestly hope will
be productive of the greatest benefit to all
concerned. We are always glad to welcome
strangers within our walls, glad to extend to
them the hospitality for which Virginia's
capital has been so widely known in the
past; glad that an opportunity is afforded
for them to meet our citizens face to face
L =. sf,,1 a.k &4oAA
genial climate. We are pleased that such
numbers Cf them have now the opportunity
of ascertaining for themselves that this old
State is marching on in new era OF pros
perity in which she will creditably maintain
her position in the worlds race of progress
and civilization.
Gov. Lee then went on to recapitulate the
part Virginia had taken in the formation of
the Union, reviewed the work of the Knights
of Labor and the work they were doing
toward securing peace and prosperity for
our republic. On the subject of war against
capital he said he was ready to make war
against incorporated rascality and help to
ride it down. All capital was not of this
class, and no war should be made upon that
which was used to alleviate the sufferings of
mankind, The relation Of the employer to
the employed was graphically portrayed,
and the address closed as follows:
''Do not let us increase our troubles in this
world; we already have enough. Sorrows
cloud has tipped our mountain tops, deSola-
tiOn has swept over our plains and valleys.
the earth itself in portions of our fair land
has been shaken, and amid the ruins of
cities and in the shadow Of human terror we
are taught our insignificance, and how weak
and helpless we are and how small our hold
on human life. 1t behooves us then to be
charitable toward each other, to be willing
to compromise differences in the line of the
motto which | recommend to float from
your flagstaff, Equal and exact justice to all
men of whatever persuasion, religious or
POLITICAL And, now, gentlemen, permit
me to express the hope that your stay in our
city may be pleasant and that you will carry
back agreeable recollectionS of your visit.
The ship of the republic was launched oyer
century ago in the presence of world.
May it be the duty of us all to. see that her
sails are filed with friendly breeze and are
not spread to catch the breath of passion,
and that she is manned by united and con-
ride over the stormy pillows rolling in the
path of her destiny until she is at last an
chored in safe constitutional harbor, over
which will forever shine the great orb of
peace in all the splendor Of an unclouded
majesty"
When the Governor had taken his seat on
the platform Frank j. Farrell a colOred mem
Der of the delegation of District Assembly
48 whose associates refused to take up their
quarters in hotel in which he was refused
admission ON an equal feeting, ascended the
platform and taking his stand besides the
presiding officers table, introduced Mr..
Powderly to the audience.