The Mena weekly star., 1896-12-16
A. F. OF l..
Annual Conve ntion of the Organization
 Called to Order at Cincinnati
A PLEA FOR CONFUCIANISM.
Wong Chin Too DeHounces Christianity-C. ". Benie and Judge Keys, of Tahle- quah, l. r., at Washington to
 Repres ont the Indians.

CINCINNATI Dec. l5-The 10th nn- nual convention of the American Fed eration of Labor was called to order here nt ten o'clock this morning by President Samuel Gompers, with about l50 delegates present Martin Fox. president of the Ironmoders' union of North America. had been se- lected to deliver the address of welcome, but owing to the death of his mother he was not present and his address was read by E I. Denny. President Gompers, in responding, referred 10 the attacks on the organization because 1t was mere lv federation and not more com pact union. He showed how the full- est scope was given 10 individual opin- ions and rights in the federation and thus the affiliation of q fferent labor organizations was possi- bie in one general federa- tion. He appealed for continued eff forts for tue cultivation of public opin. ion as will as favorable legislation and for the most earnest cooperation of all la bor organizations. After the ap~ pontment of the committees on cre- dentials and officers of the convention a recess was taken to the afternoon to await the report on credentials.
 A Plea for Confucianism.
 CHICAGO Dec. 15. 5.-Wong Chin Foo, who is credited with bcing tine leader of party which is gaining ground in China, and which has for it's object the esta blishment of republic in the land of Confucius, delivered Il lecture last night at Kimball hall upon "the Phi. losophy of Confucius" In part he said:
 You have TOW studic1 the Bible for 20 ccntu- ries and have tried to force tho Christian re- ligion down the ihroats of the so-called hest then nations, even Ut the point of thc bayonet. Yet your own people are no better than the people of other religions. than they were in the beginning tonfucius teaches that we should take are of the present life anu not go to em ven h. fore we have done our full work here He tracbes that the future life will take care Of itse if we do our whole duty to our fellow men here.
 On the subject of police protection, Wong Chia Foo said that there were cities in China continuing 250, 900 in- hnbitants, in which there was not n police man. .In Chicago" he said '.there are thousands of them and yet a man is not sale here in lroad dav- light" Wong Chin Foo concluded the lecture by stating that the keynote of the philosophy of Confucius was: 'Dn unio others as you would have others do unto you."
 Indians Not Ready for Statehood.
 WARRINGTON, Dec. ls.- c. w. Benje and Judge James Nj. Keys. of Tahle- quah, I. T., have come to Washington as representatives of the Indians on matters affecting tribal welfare before congress Mir. Bcnje said to-day:
 shink that eventually the a-e civilized tribes will be ready for statehood, but that time has not yet arrived large per cent of the Indians are as yet too imperfectIy ad- vanced in civilization to understand the duties of citizenship and these need protection for while longer against the more intelligent crafty and selfish men who. if the present sys- tenn of tribal government should be aboi- ished. would prey upon the ignorant and easily deluded red men l nm snnguine, how ever that the Dawes commission and the various tribes can settle on plan that will be just and satisfactory to all concerned, The commission has at last gained the good will and confidence of the tribes and the work so far done has been in the interests Of the real owners of the country.