Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-12-07
WHOLE NUMBER 1921.
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
THE ORGANIZATION PASSES ITS
FIRST QUARTER.

The Anniversary of the 25th UIt-
| How IL Was Formed-InterestinR
Address Delivered by Grand Mas.
ter Workman Sovereign.
1t was on the 25th of November
1869, which happened to be the day
appointed by President Grant for the
national thanksgiving, that seven gar
ment cutters met at the humble home
OF Uriah S. Stephens, member of
that craft, in Philadelphia, and by for.
NAL resolution brought into existence
what was at one time the greatest
labor organization that the new world
has ever seen. All OF the seven have
gone to their last reward, but their
memories are still revered by those
who now compose the organization.
Some time since the general ex. Gu
tive board. called upon all the local
and district assemblies to appropriate
ly observe the day. But when it was
discovered that the anniversary this
year fell upon the Sabbath, the origi-
nal order was recalled and the order
was requested to hold its celebrations
either Saturday or Monday, as might
be most convenient.
In an address from Grand Master
Sovereign and the executive board.
which was read at every meeting
throughout the length and breadth of
the land, the chiefs of the organiza-
ton say:
when the civil war was over and
men OF the new world (America) be-
gan to settle back into the peaceful
occupations of wealth.producing, they
found that new class of people had
been brought into existence in the
United States, class of wealth owners,
composed largely OF men who had
stayed at home during the four years
OF internal strife and grown rich on
government contracts and government
necessity. Abraham Lincoln recog-
nized the danger to the Republic from
this class equally as quick as Salmon
P. Chase or Thaddeus Stevens. 1t was
class OF wealthy secreters and wealth
accumulators.
Soon also the workers of the
country began to realize the existence
OF this class and also the danger to
their liberties and prosperity that
lurked in its birth and growth. Out
OF this realization grew the spirit that
made the 25th of November, 1869,
an epoch-making day in history
OF civilization. On that day, nearly
twenty-five years ago now, was born a
new hope to the republic-a new hope
to the working people of the world.
For on that day Urish Stephens and his
conferres organized the greatest edu-
cational instrument ever given to the
common people-the Knights OF La
Dor.
"What need to rehearse the tre-
mendous work of that great organiza.
ton. From it's humble origin with the
small number of seven men, it grew to
millions of members, and untold in.
fluence for the good to the workers OF
the world. 1t blazed \ pathway in
the woods of ignorance aud taught
the lesson of organization and educA-
tion to the laborers as we'll as to the
millionaires. 1t has aroused pub
lie thought, quickened the public
conscience, and defended the public
interest when the spathetic interfer-
ence benumbed the world and was
leading us on to the barren rocks Of
class rule and artistocracy.
"For twenty-five years the knights
of Labor as an organization has fought
the battles of the lowly and taught
them to think and asser. their indie.
pendence.
at is to-day twenty years since
the first organized local assembly saw
the light of day. Though they may
have been mistaken, both by leaders
and rank and file since then, yet the
Fatherhood of the God and the
Brotherhood of Man have been the
inspiring of all it acts for quarter OF q
century, and the battle cry of The
Interest of One the Concern of an
has penetrated every nook and corner
OF the civilized world, teaching that
broad christianity which will eventu-
ally dominate civilization and develop
in man, the most perfect being posi-
BILE in natural life.
"All hail the twenty fifth anniver-
sary of the Knights of Labor, the
greatest organization on EARTH"