The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-10
Address by President Mcbride, in
ministration for Issuing Bonds,
BY JOHN SWINTON
FATHER DUCEY INDORSES THE IT.
TERANCEs OF THE.AGITATOR.
Mass Meeting mt Night and Addresses
ers Of the WOrlxingmen's Cause.

NEW YORK, Dee. 9.-The fifteenth an
nual convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor began in Madison-square
Garden to-day. Delegates We're present
from all over the United States, Canada
and Great Britain. President Mcbride pre-
sided ard introduced j. W. Sullivan, OF
Typographical Union, No. 6, who delivered
the address OF welcome. The report Of the
president, secretary and treasurer were
read and referred TO the proper committees.
President Mcbride occupied the attention
OF the delegates for a half hour or more
with the reading of his annual address.
He said in part: "'rhe greatest crime OF
the nineteenth century and the most re-
markable ever perpetrated upon our peo-
pie was that committed by the present
national administration in adding TO the
bonded indebtedness of our country during
time Of peace. The attempt TO maintain
gold reserve Of sl00,o0O,0o0 by a contract
such as was made with the Belmont-AIor-
gan syndicate was farccal TO say the
least, hut a farce only in so far as il
was intended to blind the people to the
fact that they were being robbed, de-
liberately and numerically, in the inter-
ests of Eastern bankers and bondholders,
whose only desire has been and now is the
perpetuation of system of bonded indebt-
edness OF part OF the government The
Cuban situation also came in for a word,
concerning which he said: "The Cuban re-
volt is in itself deserving of a consdera-
tion and recognition at our hands. but
when we remember that the Spanish dynas-
ty has always evidenced hostility TO repub-
lican governments, even in the case of this
country, we should be all the moro de-
,,aI 70; i.nf~.
extended by the Congress of the United
States to the reyolutionists of Cuba. and
trust ere this convention adjourns you will
have adopted resolutions pctitioning Con-
gress to at least recognize Cubans bellig-
erents"
In conclusion. President Mcbride added
THE Constitution Of the national and many
of the State governments stands to-day as
a monument to the past greatness and
grandness of our country. These constitu-
tions were made and adopted for the pur-
pose of protecting men and methods now
dead. They are not suited for the changed
Industrial conditions and improved mental
status OF the present time, hence If the
modern environments of labor are to be
ameliorated by legislation in keeping with
ciai and Industrial lines, It might be well
to turn attention to the cutting away
Of these constitutional barriers which in
validate legislation enacted in the peoples
The chairman then introduced labor agi-
tator John Swinton, vino spoke, in part, as
power in the United States. 1t is made up OF
men who make all things and are the nat
ural owners thereof. l take much pleasure
in seeing the English represen tatives here.
l hope that this ASSOCIATION will send dele
gates to all parts of the earth as well as
have foreign delegates present at your con-
is IN 1aar fbn
English trade associations. The union has
done great things, having advanced the
Parliament. The largest thing in organized
labor is the act and effect of organization
1t has grown from nothing. being, in its
early days, kicked and sneered at. BY hard
work IL has won the right Of existence and
you must maintain il under penalty of
death. Fifty years ago there was little
for all. Times. however. have changed An
other thing is the right to strike against
wrong. 1t used TO be more unlawful to
strike than now. Since that infamous Judge
| Woods mounted the bench and the govern
ment sent the militia TO Chicago. there is
| a change II there were no labor organiza-
long again and capital would rule. How
| can you meet the question of the changed
| times? How can you combat the law? If
| you pass resolutions 1t will ram them down
| your throat There are many other ques-
| tions, such as the big monopOlies They Will
have to be met by such body as this"
said: II am here because the Pope wants
| me to be, If somc of you do not. In 1891
an encyclcal was issued by the Pope in re-
| gard to labor and 1t Is my duty as a min
| lister TO be present where such matters
| arise. What Mr.. Swinton has said is per-
| fectly true" Father Ducey quoted a great
| deal of Scripture and said that no mur-
| derer shall enter the Kingdom of heaven,
and drew as comparison the oppression
| of the laborer who is often killed by
| want, not being able TO secure employ
ment There are many" said he, continu-
! ing. that live in luxury and pile fortunes
| with the blood money of the poor. There Is
| enough here for all and it should be 80 far
! allowed that no man need appeal for aims.
| Cod intended the workingman should have
| proper food. 1t remains ror the ministers
| to teach the requirements of mankind"
| Father Ducey said that the disruption of
| the Knights of Labor was caused by the
| wrongful use Of a statement issued by
| Cardinal Gibbons Ii was 10 cause feel
| ing between the Catholics and Protestants,
and succeeded.
Adjournment was then taken until to-
| morrow morning