Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-05
IN ENTION.
One thousand Knights OF Labor Meet in
Convention at Richmond-Addresses
by Gov. Lee and Grand Master Work.
man T. v. PoWderly.
RICHMOND, Va Oct L

| RICHMOND, Va, Oct 4.
The tapping of Master Workman IT. ".
Powderlss gavel at Is this morning gave
the signal for the opening of the first session
OF the tenth annual convention of the Knights
OF Labor, in the armory of the first Virginia
OF this city. thousand delegates were as
semoled from every part of the country. rep.
resentatives of a million men and women.
Ihe session was an open one, and in addition
10 the large body of delegates there were as
many Others not of the order a. could find
seats, and sharing what little standing room
there was with its members
Gov. Lee of Virginia was greeted with en-.
thusiastic cheers which redoubled as he stood
on the platform bowling in response to the
greeting When the applause had subsidized
ana Mr.. Mullen had presented Gov. Lee to
Mr.. Fowderly, the latter introduced him to
the members, announcing that Gov. Lee was
to deliver to them the address, of welcome
and through the u 10 those they represented
throughout the entire country.
When the applause that again broke forth
at the mention of his name permitted him to
do so, Gov. Lee addressed the convention as
| follows:
Fellow citizens: l am here today in re-
sponse to an invitation from the committee
OF hnights OF Labor of Richmond, for the
fui Poso vi uuiilug WIFI tueu III meeting and
greeting the citizens from other states, who
come within the wide gates of this common
| wealth, to confer with a portion of her peo
pie, conference which We earnestly hone
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 Virgnia's capital has
| been so widely known in the past glad that
the opportunity is afforded for them to meet
our citizens face to face.
| We are pleased that such numbers of them
have now the opportunity of ascertaining for
themselves that this old State is marching on
IN the new era of prosperity in which she
Will creditaby maintain her position in the
worlds progress and civiliz alton"
Gov. Lee then went on to repeat 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 repub-
lie. On the subject of war against capital,
he said he was ready to make war against
incorporated rascality and help to ride il
down. All capital was not of this clas. and
no war should be made upon that which WAS
used to alleviate the sufferings OF mankind.
The relation of the employer to employed
was graphically portrayed and the address
| closed follows:
| 'Do not let US increase our troubles in
this world We already have enough. Sor-
rows cloud has tipped our mountain tops,
desolation has swept over our plains and val
leys, 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 insignifcsncs and how weak
and helpless we are and how small our hold on
ban, - t. l.
table towards each other, to be willing to
compromise difficulties aud difference. 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 "
When the Governor had taken his seat on
the platform, Frank J. Farrell (colored), a
member OF the delegation of d strict 49, " hose
associates refused to take up their quarters in
the hotel in which he was refused admission
on equal footing, ascended the platform and
taking his stand beside the presiding officer
table, introduced Powderly to the audience
AT the conclusion of Lees address Mr..
Powderly replied expressing gratitude for hi.
kindly words OF welcome and cordial recep-
tion. 1--WE come" he said, ''as peaceful
army. Our battles are not fought for the
purpose of whether an individual shall rule a
| ota'e VI al Efiplre, uut 10 utClue Wnetner
people who are entitled to life, liberty and
happiness shall live in the full enjoyment OF
| their rights and liberties, as becomes the cit
izens of republic. No member must feel
after his work i. done here, that he can safe
ly thrust aside the grave responsibilities and
duties of our American citizenship. If he is
true, he will not shrink, and though the strug.
gle will not end until his day on earth shall
pass, the true Knight must not despair OIL
grow weary while life lasts
To rescue the toiler from the grasp of the
selfish is h work worthy of the noblest ant
best of our race. 1t is to the Accomplishment
of that grand object that every Knight O
Labor should bend his every energy.
We are Knights of Labor because the mer
whose hands the power and wealth have
been placed have forgotten that this nation i.
a republic, because they have forgotten tha
the founders of the republic intended that il
should be maintained. upheld and governed
by and for the people of the republic.
We are Knights OF Labor because we be
lieve that the declaration of independents,
means something more than mere words anC
beautiful sentences
We are knights of Labor because we be
lieve that It was wrong for an alien king tC
oppress the people and rob them, it is ais,
wrong for any other man to oppress and rol
his fellow creatures.
We are Knights of Labor because we be
lieve to whom belongs the soil, it is his.
Questions of wages or hours of labor, shoI
discipline or some other matter may cause
rupture here and there between a workman
and his employer, but they can be readily
settled if mutual toleration and common
sense are brought into the controversy, and
once settled they should bo allowed to rest.
Continued reminders of past troubles otter
create new ones. To those who have fallen
into such habit would recommend the ad
vice you so appropriately gave to critics not
long since, Stop fighting when the war is
over."'
At the close of Powderlv's address the hal
was cleared of all save delegates and tive
weeks secret session began.