The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-20
DEBS At COOPER UNION.
Says the World Is Getting Better and PIu-
tocrats VIII Not Always Hale.

Eugene V. Debs OF the American Railway
Cnion who led the strikers In their fight with
the railroads in the West last spring, spoke last
night at Cooper Union before a large audience.
On the stage were about 90 women. Edward
King presided and Debs was introduced by
Robert Buchanan. He WAS received with en-
thusiasm. He spoke for two hours. and held his
hearers TO the last. In part he said:
"Laboring men are not liked because they re-
sort to strikes. l, myself, am opposed to strikes
generally but when IL is q choice between deg
relation and strike, l am in favor OF a strike.
Lexington and Concord and Yorktown were
continuous strikes against tyranny and the
oppression OF liberty. IL The Sun and
the Tribune had been published In those
days they would have denounced Washington
as a demagogue and an agitator. IL we must
have war, let us have IL now, 50 that our chill
dren may have peace. There Is not labor or
ganizatlon in existence that was not born of the
oppression OF the capitalists Look At the
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers and see
what u has accomplished for its members
What IL true Of that organization is true of
every labor Organi2atiOn.'
OF the recent strike he said:
The men came 70 the conclusion, after all
Overtures for arbitration had been refused 10y
the company, that IL was just well to strike
and starve as tor work and starve, 50 they struck.
The delegates TO whom was intrusted the task
OF presenting the grievances OF the men, called
on the Pullman officials twice, but no attention
tration. but they were told that there was
nothing 20 arbitTate. Many persons have been
strike Nothing could be further from the the
truth. The strike was ordered by the unani-
nous vote. OF 400 DELEGATES Of the American
Railway Union, and IL was prompted by as holy
motives as ever actuated movement In this
world.
was won by the American Railway Union. The
railroads were paralyZed. something had to be
done by the general managers. About this time
ths turbulent element began 20 assert itself.
Between 5000 and 1000 deputies were sworn
were the worst rowdies and thugs ever gathered
"ifho American Railway Union is opposed to
violence in every form and believes In law and
order. We said We must win with order or not
at all. The day after began the destruction ~
Federal troops were sent 10 the scene, and In
functions were issued. striEes are Of the nature
of war. In this contest the leaders OF the labor
forces were dragged from the scene OF action
and the men became demoTaliZed. The rail-
roads, backed By subsidized press, triumphed.
eral courts one Of the greatest triumphs OF labor
would have followed the Pullman strike 1
preserve law and order. hut why is the miii,
iaTy always called 20 aid capital? Is capital
always right and labor always wrongl The
judicial system OF this country Is adjusted SO as
to catch minnows and let whales 20 through.
Now, the Interstate Commerce law Is per-
After all. think hopeful view should he
taken OF the situation, Inc American people
newspapers they read between the lines. Soon
they will begin 10 act. They will not supplicats
their rights, but they will lakr them. "a Voice:
How ~ Not Ia violence bat IN an orderly man.
prophet and King and ConseTyatOT OF Govern
ment. Labor creates all. The midnight Is passing
and relief and rest are close A. hand. No mat
ter how gloomy the immed late future may
SEEM the world Is growing better every day.
W. are headed Ia the right direction. Piutoc-
rary will not always control the destiny OF the
American republic. Labor has not been true 10
itself We hear that labor has b@sn vanquishrd.
IsbnF always defeats itself There are too
much enyy aud jealousy IN The ranks - labor"
Dehs CLOSED he sIlesch I'll, sllh = Nihdieation II
he held = reception on the stage. Hundreds 81
people from the Audlence crowded ~ aAd shook
hands With him