The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-11-21
nesrlv every other state din the mountain dis.

nearly every other state ain the mountain ois-
ericts of the west. &
The spontaneous influx OF gold and resump-
| ton of manufacturing since the result OF the
election was known proves exclusively that
the gold barons and the corporations locked
UP the money and closed the factories OF the
country to secure the victory over the people
by arbitrary force.
The demands OF The people for the n%eceSsi-
ties OF life we're no greater than before, and
except the millions laid out by the money
power TO corrupt the voters. the people had no
mere money with which to buy the necessaries
Of life after election than they had before it.
No honest cause can be given for the unlock
ing OF money and the revival Of industries after
the late election that did not exist before the
election occurred. Such revival Of trade and
industry can only be temporary at best,
and proves that the Industrial masses Of
this country are at the mercy OF az
OliEarchy OF wealth. and q combine of gold
gamblers, who can lock up the money of tho
country. close our industries and starve the
people ut will.
The knights of Labor is the only labor or
zanization commanding the Encessary machine
to hold up a great reform movement during
the interim between political campaigns.
Therefore l appeal to the delegates here as
sembled to place 4 demand for the free COIN
age OF silver at the present legal ratio in our
preamble, and bare our ports and clear our
decks for action against the plutocratic COM
bine arrayed on the side OF O single gold
standard.
1t is not alone because of the merit contained
In the question that 1 make this appeal, but
because Of the combines opposed to it, and the
opportunity that it will afford us to reach the
public with other questions vital to the inter-
ests and welfare OF the working people.
The year past, since the Washington session
OF the general assembly, has been one of low
wages and enforced idleness, in consequence
OF which all labor organizations have
suffered, and some OF them show II
marked decline in membership. Yo-r Ge2a-oI
officers have struggled ahainst many embar-
which the membership at large will
never know, and had not the grand principles
on which this order is founded and the indie
pendence and knowledge of its members made
it a prominent factor in a great struggle for
financial reform, we would not now command
the respect Of the reform forces o: this and
other countries. Let US dispel all factional
differences and invite all branches o.
honorable toll to join US IN a
general crusade against the p!u:1-
cratic classes who under the guiSe Of honest
money have combined to rob the working peo-
pie OF the fruits of their toll, of their homes
and OF their constitutional liberties.
As the chief officer Of this order during the
last three years, I have received every honor,
every assistance and every kind consideration
which a loyal and patriotic membership
could bestOw upon its ,chief executive,
and 1 beg 10 express my gratitude
for the generous support and kind treatment
everywhere received, and l pledge to y-,u, 10
my successor. and to the great cause of kiight-
hood my most loyal support and my best en-
deavors in the struggle to alleviate, through
the efforts of this order, the diStreSSeS 0f ops
pressed humanity.
Fratcrnally yours.