St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-08
HL-ADVIsED TALK.

The address to the worklngmen of the
United States issued by the executive board
of the three assemblies of the Knights of
Labor embraced within the limits of the
Southwestern strike sounds more like the
pronunciamento of Paris commune than
an appeal from sensible, intelligent Ameri
can laborers. Instead of candid intelli-
gent statement of grievances as was eX-
pected from the striking employees OF the
GOULD system, they have issued wild ap-
peal to the worst passions OF human ma
ture. The address embodies some
lamentable truths, to be sure, but
Shey are presented in such fiery
and unreasonable language that the
address itself amounts to little less than
incendiarism. 1t is in all respects the
worst blow that has yet been struck at the
labor organizations, inasmuch as 1t. Will
divert sympathy from Their cause and Will
arouse a public Indignation against the men
who dare give expression to such incendiary
utterances. 1t is true that JAY GOULD is a
money monarch, and it may be true, as the
address states that he is a giant tiend
dancing over the grave of the labor organ
justification for the nihilistic spirit of this
remarkable document. If it had been
the emanatiOn of a single individual
or of some isolated soclalstic club
it would have excited no comment.
But coming as it does authoritatively from
a duly accredited branch of the Knights OF
Labor organization, compromising three OF
the largest and most effective assemblies OF
the order. there are reasons why public at
tention should be directed to it and the in
uuiry made, what does it all mean? The
answer will depend on the action of the
general executive committee of the Knights
of Labor order If the sentiment of that
address is not Immediately repudiated by
the leaders and the rank and file of the la
Dor organizations throughout the country
the impression will at once faSten itself
upon the public mind that it means the in
auguration of an era of violence. If such
he the meaning the American people
had as well understand the situation and at
once prepare to overthrow the conspiracy
against the public peace. If, however, the
address proves to be only the idle rawlings of
a few chagrined local leaders, as we are in
clined to think it is, we shall expect the
labor organizations throughout the country
to promptly and publicly set the seal of
condemnation upon the incendiary docu-
ment. 1t is barely possible that the address
was published by JAY GoULD's direction,
as he seems to have been manipulating both
ends of the string in that section all along.
The munitions strikers under the leader
ship of Irons have refused to heed
the wise counsels of PowDERLY and his as
socates, which fact has given rise to the
suspicion that IRONS is really more in the
service of GOULD than he is in sympathy
with the success of the labor organizations.
Whenever the workingmen employ per-
fectly lawful and peaceful methods in theiI
fight against the corporations they com
mand respect, even though they fail. BuI
whenever they bring the rifle into use, and
talk about laying railroad presidents dead
at their feet, they are laying the axe at the
root of their own organization. This is a
government of law and order, and is going
to continue so.