The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-10-08
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

of Labor convened in Richmond on
and was attended by an inn
mense congregation of representative
members from every State in the Union.
Mr.. Powderly, general master workman,
addressed the assembly in mastery
and striking speech, reviewing the years
work, and declaring that il was the most
eventful and trying one in the existence
of the order. lie said:
If we are guided by the experience of
the past, and act accordingly, We can
place the order on II footing 10 safe and
sure that no assault from its enemies
can injure il. If We are not guided by
that experience-if we fail To read Alright
the signs of the times-we will fail Ia
properly represent those who sent us
here. He cited that in one year more
than four Thousand new assemblies had
been organized. He said quite u few
had entered the order and at once
plunged INTO rash strikes, contrary 10 the
policy of the order. He spoke of the
Southwestern railway strike at great
length. lie SAID he did not approve that
strike, but il was only when threat was
made To stop every wheel i'm the United
lie did that i'm defence of the order and
the country That the Southwestern
strikers had suffered great wrongs was
true, and il was his firm belief that the
railway companies, with IL full knowl-
edge of what these grievances were, pre-
| cipitated the fight themselves mt II time
Ia make il appear Ia the world that the
| strike was for an insignificant cause.
| The cight-hour strike was not successful
because neither the workmen nor the
employers were ready for il. A reduc-
ton of hours of labor was necessity,
and sooner or later must he had but the
Knights must not forget that i'm many
places the ten-hour plan has not yet
been adopted. The speaker said that
the proposed reduction of working hours
caused II million dollars worth of work
la be left undone because of the uncer-
tainty in regard Ia taking contracts
Never was it more clearly demonstrated
that ''an injury Ia one was the concern
of all" than i'm the movement he men
toned The move was in the right dir
ection, but the time ami circumstances
were not suitable. A plan should b,
adopted, such as was suggested ut Cleve
handwriting which, by cooperation %
the workingmen's organizations an,
manufacturers associations, could he pu
into practice without Al strike or unset
! thing business. lie declared that befor,
the short hour system would be of an,
benefit the relations which the workman
bore to the labor saving machine mus
undergo Il radical change. The machin,
must become the slave of man instea,
of keeping man subordinate To the mn
: chine. A plan of cooperation through
, which the workman may control TIT
machine mast supersede the presen
system. Referring To child labor he sal,
. il should he the duty of every ASSEMBLE
, To see that all children should atten,
q school. Opposition To child labor WI
To insure that he should acquire IN e,i
ucation To equip him for the dutie
z which would fall upon him as Il ma
and citizen. Mr.. Powderly asked tina
: u special committee on education be al
pointed lo prepare AMI recommend
/ plan for the better education of Amer
!, can youth. lie closed 10y treating of TIA
;. relations between the Knights an
:, trades unions and recommended &C
:. operation. He declared that he ha
. been unable To reply to the truth of tn
n letters addressed To- him. lie said Ia
4 had RETAINED frem replying To criticisI
:, and while he had been accused of Il lac
of nerve for so large II movement, still
:, million men and women OF nerve an
Is common sense had sustained him
= CARRYING the banner of order. He sai
L they would act according to lfis wish
=, they selected another To fill his place
= and he asked them to vote, withol
"a sentiment, for the best man in the
IS Judgment Ia guide the order.
"a Mr.. Powderiy in response to the r.
, marks of Gov. Lee, expressed his graf
~ iication at the welcome which had bee
81 given the Knights by the people
: Virginia, and more especially the pc,
=. pie of Richmond. Continuing, he SAID
=. 'sThe men who give allegiance To Il
90 order of Knights of Labor are engag,
s. in conflict, but il is Il war of truth.
-, is not, as many honestly believe al
~ many more dishonesty assert, II war
4 labor against capital. 1t is war
-, which the manhood of the Americi
!. laborer is fighting for recognition.
~ this war il must be determined whia
-. :. shall rulc-mOnOpOly or the Americ.
=. pcople-gold, or manhood. Our battl
al are not fought for the purpose ofdeterl
~ ming whether an Individual shall rule
~ State or an empire, but to decide whet
/ er the people, who are eutitled to III
m liberty and happiness, shall live IN Il
- full enjoyment of their rights and llbe
if ties as becomes citizens OF tins Repu
ts lie"
~. Mr.. Powderly also said: The monop
list of to-day is more dangerous than Il
slave-owner of the past. MonOpo
AT takes the land from the people in m
es lion acre tracts. 1t sends its ageI
- abroad and brings hordes ofuneducate
!, desperate men to this country. 1t il
:" ports ignorance and scatters it broaca
e. throughout the land. 1t, and it alon
of is responsible for every manifestation
~ anarchy that our country has witnesse
All men may not be willing to adm
that this statement is true, but win
monopoly dies no more anarchists W
he born unto tins country, for anarc
is the legitimate child of monopo
" While | condemn and denounce {
h, deeds of violence committed in {
nj name of labor during the present yeal
:, am proud to say that the Knights
ID Labor as an organization is not in a
e. way responsible for such conduct.