The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-23

against a power far more dangerous than
that which laid down its arms at Yorktown
100 years ago. Their fight was against one
whom, in an after dinner speech not long
ago, said: 'There are fifty men in this coun-
try who have it in their power to control
the currency of the United States, control
her commerce, and at days notice stop
every wheel in the whole territory Of the
United States"
The struggle is far more dangerous than
it was during the American revolution.
Then our fathers fought for liberty; now we
are fighting to mainta n it. Then the en-
envy was three Thousand miles away. To-
day he is entrenched in our dominion. He
has his fingers around Our legislature. He
legislation in the interests of the masses.
He presumes to dictate to the executive of
the nation. He attempts to strangle and
corrupt the judiciary, and he does all these
by no shadow of divine right. but by the
power Ct I'm money. wrpng from the be-. bend isa
mortgages of farmers of the land; wrung
from the business interests of America;
wrung from the very hearts OF the best and
noblest of the nations poor.
1t is against such power as this that cares
for no right t ut it's own that we struggle.
fact that our order has been struggling with
questions which concern tho control OF
trusts corporations and syndicates by the
government of the people. The allies of
the forces of the Knights of Labor and the
Farmers alliance are marching ON to
Washington to secure legislation favorable
| to the VIII le people. They are going there
| to secure the repeal of certain unjust laws
which stand in the way of progress, and
which antagonize justice. It is in the hope
| of turning our attention away from these
matters that this warfare is made ON the
part of these allied forces. 1t is to weaken
where We can do them the worst harm and
the country the greatest amount of good
that these annOyances are visited upon us.
The orderly and lawabiding conduct of the
men on strike has won the admiration of
the public, and yet the best of feelings in
the community has been destroyed by the
introduction of an armed force under the
command of Robert Pinkerton, man who
holds no commission from state or
nation to recruit or arm men for military
duty. Had the interests of the state of
New York required it there are many
borders who faced death a quarter of q
century ago. It was not necessary to call
upon them, and yet a hirelinR mob of the
! worst characters in the land have been
quartered upon the people of New York to
terrorize her citizens, to provoke them to
anger and wrath, to shoot down those who
asked for the right to be heard in their own
behalf.
w. Walter Webb applauds the action of
Pinkerton in shooting and says they did
right. w. Walter Webb never did one
| stroke of work to secure the wealth he now
abuses. 1t came to him by inheritance and
he does not fully appreciate it, and regards
it as something to be used for himself alone.
The elder Vanderbilt was a workman and
knew something about the feelings of the
man who tolls. 1t was during his DAYS that
the record of the New York Central for
generous treatment of workmen was made
and not under the present management.
In conclusion, Powderly says: The
Knights of Labor hold themselves in read
mess now. and will continue to hold them
selves ready, to yield to the will of the PEG
pie in this matter. The company. ON tn
other hand, holds itself above and superio
to public opinion. ] would here ask tn
men still in tho employ of the New Yor
Central and Hudson River railroad whethe
, it be not to their interest to stand by an
support those men Who are striking to win
, dictate the common right to organize. Tn
, general executive board will conduct thi
contest with all of their ability within la,
and without violence. To do this we re
quire funds and that at once. Public spiI
, tied citizens who believe in fair play ar
: asked to contribute to liberty fund in ali
, Of the striking employees of the New Yor
, Central and Hudson railway. Send al
I contributions to John w. Hayes, Sl& Mort
Broad street. Philadelphia, Pa;
ri G. n. w. X. Of i.