The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-12-17
BONDS ARE ROBBERY.
so DECLARES M'BRIDE AND THE
PEOPLE SAY "AMEN."

SPSakSs
NEW YORK, Dec. II -In his annual
addre before the American Fedora
tlon OF Labor President Mcbride said:
1.-The greatest crime of the nineteenth
century, and the most remarkable ever
perpetrated upon our people, was that
committed by the present national ad-
administration in adding to the bonded
Indebtedness Of our country during a
time of peace. The attempt to main,
tain a gold reserve of 800, 0O0, 900 by a
contract such as was made with the
Belmont Morgan syndicate was far
cial, to say the least, but a farce only
in 80 far SIS it was intended to blind the
people into the fact that thew were be
ing robbed, deliberately ard unmerci
fully, in the interests Of eastern bank
ers and bOndhOlC ers, whose only desire
has been and now is the perpetu8tion
OF e system of bonded Indebtedness as
part of the government"
The Cuban situation also came in for
a word, concerning which he said:
"rhe Cuban revolt is in itself deserv
ing Of a consideration and recognition
at our hands, but when we remember
that the Spanish dynasty has alway S
evidenced hostility to Republican gov
ernments, even in the case of this cOun-
try, we should be all the more determ
ined to insist upon fair treatment, and
l trust ere this convention %adjourns,
you will have adopted resolutions petit
tioning Congress to at least recognize
Cubaus as belligerents."
In conclusion, President Mcbride
added:
The constitutions of the national and
the many State governments stand to-
day as a monument to the past great
ness and g~randness of our country.
These constitutions were made and
adopted for the purpose 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 ameli0rated by legisla-
ton in keeping with the progress of
u people, it might be we'll to turn
u attention to the cutting away of
these constitutional barriers which in
validate legislation enacted in the PEG
pies interests"
The chairman then introduced John
SwintOn. who spoke in part, as follows:
The Federation of Labor is O. power
in the United States. It is made I'D of
men who make all things, and are the
natural owners thereof. The largest
thing in organized labor is the act and
fact of organization. It has grown
from nothing, being in it's early days
kicked and sneered at. By hard work
it has won the right of existence, and
you mus5 maintain it under penalty of
death. Fifty years ago there was little
need of organization, for there was
work for all. The times, however,
have changed. Another thing is the
right to strike against wrong. It used
to be more lawful 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.
eff there we're no labor organizations
wages would be half, hours half as long
again, and capital would rule.
How Ia you meet the questions Of
the changed times9 How can you come
at the law? If you pass resolutions it
will ram them down your threats.
There are many other questions, such
as the big monopolies. They will have
to be met by such a body as this"
Father Ducey was then introduced,
and said:
Il am here because the Pope wants
me to be, if some Of you do not. IN 1891
an encyclical was issued by the Pope in
regard to labor, and it is my duty as a
minister to be present where such mat
ters arise. What Mr.. Swinton has said
is perfectly true"
Father Ducey quoted a great deal of
Scripture and said that no murderer
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, and
drew as a comparison the oppression Of
the laborer who is often killed by want,
not being able to secure employment,
There are many" said he, continu-
ing, that live in luxury and pile up
fortunes with the blood money of the
poor. There is enough here for all and
it should be 50 far allowed that no man
need appeal for aims. God intended
the wOrkipgman should have proper
food It remains for the ministers to
teach the requirements of mankind"
Father Ducey said that the disrup-
tion of the Knights of Labor was caused
issued by Cardinal Gibbons. 1t was to
cause a feeling between the Catholics
and Protestants, and succeeded.
MASS MEETING AT COOPER UNION.
A mass meeting was held at Cooper
Union last night, under the auspices OF
the American Federation of Labor
Samuel Gompers acted as chairman of
the meeting. Mr.. Gompers made a
brief address, in which he said that the
objects of the convention of the Ameri
can'Federation of Labor were to bring
ABOUT unity of action between the
trades unions of the country, and to
decide what might be best to advance
the interest Of the tOilers of the coun-
try.
Addresses were also made by Presi
dent Mcbride, James 3, Lannon, James
O'Connell, Henry Weissman, Mrs Eva
Mcdonald Valesh, James Mswdsley, Of