The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-23
NEW ENCLAND'S ARMY
FOrty-Five Coxeyites Leave BOs-
ton Under the Yellow Flag.
Ridiculous Outcome of Big Meeting
at Which AgitatOr Swift Read
Letter to the President.
COXEYTALKSTOA REPORTER
His COmmOnWeal to Move on To-
ward Washington To-Day.
Kelly's Industrials Start on Their
March Through Iowa and Are We'll
coined Like COnquering Heroes.

BOSTON, April 22.-Seldom has Boston
common been the scene of such a vast con-
centrated gathering as that assembled there
this afternoon TO witness the departure Of
the Boston delegation Of unemployed for
Washington, where they hope to join Cox
eys army and assist in the appeal to Con-
gress for Justice" By the time Morrison
1. Swift stepped on to the improvised plat
form there were 25,OOO persons present, and
soon after the meeting got into working
order fully $1,000 were gathered around the
band stand. The crowd was a good-natured.
hustlng one, and did not seem to be at all
impressed with the occasion or to be in
sympathy with the movement, but had come
simply to have and make fun. Morrison 1.
Swift the leader of the movement, was the
chairman, and delivered a Characteristic
speech, denouncing the wealthy, the monop-
olists and everybody in general that did not
sympathize with the socialistic platform.
During the meeting Mr.. Swift submitted
the following letter, to be sent to President
Cleveland, which was adopted by yes
that could easily have been heard a mile
away:
AT first thought it may seem to the ma
tional authorities that the simplest way Of
dealing with those pennileSS unemployed
persons who are pressing their way across
the country to the capital would be to
employ some form of strict and stern re-
preston This is the opinion Of the Army
and Navy Register, which calls upon you
to gather in the regular army to protect
yourself, the Congress and the national
buildings against your less fortunate fellow
citizens. The custom is an old one of re-
sorting to a liberal use Of bullets 10 check
the rising desire of starving persons for
food and work No republic can follow this
custom long and live. We are sending a
81 tf,p, 20 hn Il xreI
thousands in New England in these days Of
calamity. We should be very sorry to
have our deputatiOn thrown into prison or
slain by the official edict while exercising
their constitutional liberty TO petition. The
truth Is, before tranquility is restored there
will have been a readjustment of the con-
that the case is grave When have Amer
lean citizens starved in this manner before?
Is there not wealth enough? Let US not be
children in this matter any longer. Wealth
must be better distributed. This is no time
to prate about senatorial dignity. 1t is the
time for those who make laws to listen to
the commands of those who make the law
makers. You can endeavOr 10 have the
people provided with proper food while I'm
Washington We who remain at home will
await your action attentively."
At this point there was a conference be-
tween the leaders while one Of them was
speaking. and as a result those who have
enrolled themselves in the delegation were
told to slip away quietly and meet at Rox-
bury crossing, where Major General Fitz-
gerald would meet them, and would then
march to Dedham, where they intend to
stop tonight The immense crowd did not
know what had been decided upon, and
made a break for fremont street, where
they expected the men to pass. They waited
in vain. however, as an hour after the
order was given forty-five men, headed by
their leader, Fitzgerald and carrying the
yellow flag, were marching toward Jamaica
Plains
The army arrived in Dedham tonight at
$50 O'Clock, hut somewhere en- route the
band which started with IL deserted. The
men were warmly welcomed by a number of
enthusiasts, who had provided a supper for
the travellers. A camp was soon pitched
and the men turned in. A hot breakfast is
promised them in the morning before the
start for Providence. Thus far the Boston
contingent have been in clover