People's voice., 1895-05-02
A BOSTON APPEAL.
BAYONETs AND GATLING GUNS ARE
THE MEANS OF PLUTOCRATIC
LAW AND ORDER.
But What Il TO he Done TO Change
These Conditions.


The Central Labor Union, at its last
regular meeting. appointed a special COM
mittee TO draft a suitable manifesto, de-
fining the aims and objects OF the trade
union movement. and TO protest against
the menacing opposition to organized la
Dor now being encouraged in certain quar-
tiers.
This committee assembled in the Cen
trail Labor Union rooms, IS Eliot street,
and adopted the following address. with
the proposition that II be given 10 the
press:
ITO the People of Massachusetts,:
THE organized forces of labor OF Bos-
ton and vicinity look with alarm upon
the continued encroachments on their
rights and privileges as citizens Of Mas
sachusetts, and of the United States
From the day Of the founding Of the col
eny, to this year OF grace, the plain peo-
pie have been the source OF the true great
ness Of the republic. The power resting
in them as sovereign citizens has been
used to sustain and promote free institu-
tions; by their intelligent energy they
have increased material wealth beyond
compare. They have fostered education
and the arts. They have caused the will
derness 10 blossom as the rose; they have
populated the territories and founded new
States.
Under their hands the fields have yield
ed their fruits and the mines Of precious
metals and of no less precious ores have
given up their treasure TO the use Of man.
In war they have proven their prowess.
In peace they have established their ca
pacity for self-government. The curse OF
chattel slavery was not introduced to sat
isfy their greed. The War Of the Rebel
lion was not of their creation. The finan-
cial panics that have swept thousands
from comfort into penury were not the
result of their cornering the money Of
the realm or Of their legislative foolish
ness. The periods Of industrial stagna-
tion and paralysis that have driven the
workers from their homes to the novels
or TO the nations tenements pauperizing
sovereignty and robbng childhood OF the
comforts and opportunities that foster
true manhood and womanhood, were not
caused by their Incidence or extravaganza
Their sin has been the sin Of too much
indifference TO their own interests. Too
much dependence upon the patriotism and
wisdom of those Of larger opportunities.
They have not corrupted the courts Of
justice or bought legislators like cattle
in the open market They have not cor
nered the food supply Of the people Slow
ly the truth has dawned upon them that
they are class. the slaves Of an unjust,
unwise and unamerican system OF indus
try. of vicious land laws and Of financial
jugglery. Their heritage of political lib
erty has been bartered away by party
bosses Their heritage of an empire Of
homesteads and farms has been given
over to those great monstrosities of the
nineteenth century, the baron of the rail-
road and the mine, and the prince of in
dustrial aggregation. In the place of the
plantation has grown up the slum; the
slave driver of the field is replaced by
the boss of the shop. Aroused TO the dan
gers that threaten the republic. the work.
ing people have organized their forces to
hold the hand of the destroying power Of
vain and unpatriotic plutocracy. The
working people demand industrial liberty.
Justice in the distribution of the wealth
they create. as well as justice in the courts
Of law. To withstand this movement OF
the people the minions Of plutocratic
power have appealed from argument and
arbitration to the bayonet and gatling
gun. Processes OF law long established in
the interests of an equitable adjustment
Of civil cases have been wrested from
their established intent and purpose to
rob the citizen Of his right TO a trial by a
jury of his peers
ARMED men under private control, the
hireling Hesslans OF capitalism, have in
vaded communities and murdered men,
women and children. Free and independ-
ent States. capable and willing TO protect
life and property have been invaded by
United States troops, even against the
protests Of Mayors Of cities and Cover
nOIS Ol OldltS. Uf idl plpptiAg VI
the plutocracy is held to be superior to
the property of the citizen, in the product
of his labor and in his right to withhold
his labor from the market. The Congress
of the United States and the administra-
ton. hopelessly divided on all else, are
united in the defense Of those who have
continuously violated law with impunity
and robbed the Treasury Of millions Of
the peoples money. The appropriations
for the army and navy, for forts and
battleships, have been lavish, while moth
ing has been appropriated TO protect the
people from the decentralization Of unem-
ployment
"The militia, once the training school
of the people in military tactics, is fast
becoming the standing army Of class.
Armories, reproductions of the terrific
oos.ias Of faudal times arise on every