The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-08-16
WILLLABOR ADVANCE
THE PROPOSAL FOR A COMPACT AND
ALL EMBRACING UNION.


In 1885, when the Knights of Labor
was the most powerful organization, nu-
merically and disciplinary, labor ever
had in this country, there was strong
sentiment current among the members
favoring an amalgamation of all labor
organizations in the United States and
Canada. Nearly one-half of the knights
were men who had received their earlier
training in trades unions, and a large per
centage of the active, earnest members
OF the order were then also connected
with unions. In the general assembly of
1886, which met at Richmond, fully one
fourth Of the delegates were trades union
lists, and at least threescore of these were
recognized as among the most active
champions and organizers of labor, both
as Knights and unionists, in the country.
For more than a year the question most
prominently discussed by organized la
Dor had been the amalgamation, in some
practical form, of the different organiza-
tions-i. e., the Knights of Labor and the
trades unions. At Richmond, with its
more than 600 delegates, composed of
some of the ablest and most earnest la
Dor champions, it was for time hoped
that tho first decisive step toward the
greatly desired union of forces would DO
taken. But it was at this convention
that knockout blow was dealt squarely
between the eyes of the advocates of
amalgamation, and warfare which had
consisted before Of only slight skirmishes
began in dead earnest and has since
been savagely carried on to the great
detriment of labor.
The blow struck at Richmond was
planned and directed by less than doz-
en- men of whom it is charity to say they
were Influenced by the belief that only
by "heroic methods" could the labor
movement be brought into one large
camp. These men had come to think
that the working people were incapable
of self direction; that they even could
not be led, but must be driven. Their
successes in dominating their district
and local assemblies had not only made
them of that opinion, but they thought
that they were especially qualified as di-
rectors and masters of the whole move
ment. While I admit that they might
have been honest in their egotistical and
arrogant convictions, they were any,
thing but upright in their efforts to bring
the general assembly to an adoption of
their programme, which included war
of conquest and determination upon
trades unions. Their methods were those
of assassins, and no man who acknowl-
edged allegiance to trades union or
who advocated the recognition of two
sides to the proposed amalgamation es-
capped the knife. They won, and the re-
suits are matters of history. I have no
disposition to recite in detail the strug-
giles of that general assembly or to dwell
upon what followed it. There are doz-
ems of men who can do it as we'll as I,
but probably they, like myself, do not
see where any benefit would come to the
cause by the recital at this time
have not named those whom con-
slider responsible for the terrible mistake
from doing so for two reasons. The first
is that no good would result to the move
ment by such publication. The second
is that I would be misunderstood and
charged with holding animosities against
men with whom have been in the past
associated. Such misconstruction
would be very unjust to me, for I can
honestly say that I bear no man in the
labor movement i'll will today, and I will
gladly cooperate with any one for the
advantage of organized labor upon any
feasible plan. This much, which is
largely personal and may be miscon-
strued, is due to myself because of some
things in the past and some things which
it is my intention to say further on. I
will say, however, that the men who
were primarily at fault in the Richmond
blunder have reaped their whirlwind
and have been slain by it. They are all
today practically out of the labor move
ment, and their names are rarely heard
or seen. Others who were misled by
them have stood up to the rack and
borne the burdens laid upon the order
by its fool friends.
4n0 AO106Ou6 10 p1oAA4HAudIy W WudC
I want to say upon a subject which has
been up for discussion among laborites
and in the newspapers for the past sew
eral weeks. I refer to Mr.. Powderly's
suggestion regarding new labor organ
ization. His proposal is revival Of the
idea held by the men who were foored
at Richmond, with the improvements
which seven years of additional expe-
rience have suggested and to some ex-
tent with details which were then stran-
gled in infancy. The recent organiza-
ton Of the American Railway union and
the PRONUNCIATION Of its principles and
programme have to large extent pre-
pared labor in industries outside Of rail-
reading for the consideration Of Mr..
Powderly's proposal. Thinking men in
the movement have long been satisfied
that labor organization must go for
ward, must broaden it's scope, if it hopes
ever to do more than protect in con-
tinual state Of siege the small minority
of workers within it's fold. The indie
nendent comnarativelv isolated r1nion M.