The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1892-11-11
PLAIN WORDS AND BOLD.
Spoken by T. v. Powderly Regarding
Military and Standing Armies.

military and Standing Armies.
No man can view the surface Of
the Industrial world to-day without
admitting that there is cause for deep
concern. No man can think over the
present situation as it presents itself
TO the student without arriving at
The conclusion that it will require
the greatest Skill the highest quality
OF craftsmanship and the utmost for
oearance OIL the partof the great mass
OF the people to ward off what now
seems inevitable. l do not quite
agree with the assertion made in my
hearing to-day: The struggles Of
force between capital and labor
has begun the revolution is upon
US and civil war must come. " That
the struggle Of force has begun is
true; but it began on the day that in
divl1ual employers Of labor went down
before the syndicate and trust We
have been going through the revolu-
ton for many years. but the civil war
that was spoken of has not yet been
lnauguratcd. 1t will not be inaugur-
ated until those who would profit by
it feel satisfied beyond doubt that
everything is prepared. It will not
be entered upon until the pangs OF
hunger gnaw their way through more
men and women than now want for
bread. l have listened to many a
bloody tale of what will be done when
the war begins but a little plain talk
even though it may be unpopular
can do no harm.
When the time comes for the tyrant
to declare war it will be apparent to
all that this land will be overrun with
tramps. ct estimated that we have
over two millions OF them in the. United
States to-day These men, with
every sense of manhood dead within
them. with every feeling of love for
humanity as cold as though they were
monopolists. with every vestige of
self-respect obliterated. will stand
ready to take up arms in defense Of
monopoly and crush others to the
depths of poverty and degradation
that they will then occupy.
A man serves number of years at a
given trade or calling. but a new in
ventlon. or innovation in workshop
discipline throws him out of employ
ment None but those who have
passed through such an ordeal can
ever tell OF the heart sickness that
comes over man when at every door
he hears the words: I'VE are all
full here; cannot make room for you;
we are laying men off," l can vivid :
ly recall the sensation that came over
me one day when turned away from
the door Of a machine shop after hear
ing that answer to my inquiry. 1t
came to my ears almostlike a sentence
of death knew it meant hunger. pow
erty and possibly rags; for I had
no money. Once the crown of man
| hood is shattered and rags usurp the
place OF decent raiment the pathway
back to independence and respecta-
bility is narrow. steep and hard to
climb. Many hands are turned
against the unfortunate. and but few
will be outstretched to save the tram o
who goes away from the door with
hunger satisfied for the time being
possibly. but the rags forever before
his eyes. The instincts of refinement
give way to those of the brute when
man is driven from society to the
haunts OF the Outcast and the tramp.
The tendency of the times is in the
direction OF the tramp and outcast.
Modern inventions which should work
bene6cially for all are taken possess
ton of by the few. The one absorb
ing thought is-'get rich. no matter
how; but get rich and quickly" No
spark OF tenderness no feeling Of com.
passion for the unfortunate. no
thought or care for the many who
live in toll and trouble ever animates
the money getter. That all absorb
ing. all devouring passion is driving
men mad. and In their madness they
care as little for human ties and life
as they do for the earth they walk on.
Is it true that we are all children of
God? Is it true that we are all
brothers and sisters created by wise
and merciful God who wills all things
for the best? If men become skepti-
cal in these days Of legal pillage and
refined robbery. who can blame them
for it?
What was once done by the robber
knights and barons with the battle
axe and broadsword, on tented plain
and on mountain top. in the open air
beneath the moon and stars is now
done with stocks and margins. in
richly furnished rooms, by the aid of
gas light or electricity. If feeling
of compassion for humanity prompted
men in their struggles there would be
no need for such letters as this If
just lutte kindness had softened the
hearts OF men such stories as were
told Of Homestead and C1ur d Alene
would never have been written.
The people cannot rebel to-day.
the bonds are too strong. and with
their own hands have tied the knot.
Look back at Homestead and CHur
d Alene. look at Buffalo during the
railroad strike, and see if lesson is
not being taught to men who work
for bread The Pinkertons will never
again be the potent factor that they
were up to that day. But what is
the reason that they will not be called
on in the future? Because capital
stands behind our governors and
judges; because a well armed. well
disc plined and thoroughly organized
force can be called out the very
moment men ask or better wages
and treatment in future. Did We not
hear governor say at Homestead:
II h oyo RI v,,nrtroro Tho state -