The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-11-12
of the world are welcomed to their

ranks
In pursuance Of the policy set forth
In our Washington assembly. we at
tended the convention OF the populist
party In ST. Louis and the democratic
party In Chicago and used our best
efforts TO secure unlficatiUn OF the
forces represented by those two par
ties In support Of the principles en-
bodied In the preamble OF the knights
of Labor. And IL should BE- cause
for rejoicing on the part OF every true
Knight oi Labor that the money plank.
the plank In opposition 70 government
bond issues. the income tax plank and
numerous other very important pfln-
clples which have been 50 long ana
strcnuously hattled for by Knights or
Labor against hopeless odds, have De-
come the commanding issues OF Amer
lean politics and have completely over
shadnwcd all the sham issues wnIch
have long been used by politicians ana
the money power To blind the pepples
eyes and distract their sttention from
these vital questions affecting the real
welfare of the wealth producers.
at last the time has come when the
lines Of hattie are fairly drawn be-
tween the laihorers ~ America on ue
one hand and their implacable enenNies
the money kings and their minlons-
on the other hand. Although COM
plete victory for the people was not
won In this election. yet immense gains
have been made SIX millions ~ Am
erican voters have arraycd themselves
permanently under the banner of pfin-
clples so long upheld by the knights
Of Labor. At least 100000 more WOULD
have done likewise hut for the fright
al sas.n roll "a
used IN this CAMPAIGN by the party Of
plutOcracy.
This general assembly should give
the most thorough consideration to the
question ~ how best to preserve poll
teal advantages already gained for
the masses and how we may perfect
the ofganization for victory In the Inn
mediate future. The millions Of wealth
producers are now aroused as they
never were aroused before In the his
tory of the nation. Let us seek with
all tire wisdom we can muster at this
general assembly to decide on suchga
policy as will show the people how 10
so use their political power that they
will become Irresistible In their de-
mand for the reform which their labor
requires.
"The lack OF organization among the
toilers is grave merace To the repuo-
lie, Not Z per cent. Of the WORKING
people OF the United states are organ
lied. IL H. imperative that something
must be done to orgauise them more
rapidly than they have been organized
In the past. We suggest that We must
make II clear to the laboring people
that II Is TO their interest In every
sense Of the word 10 become good
members OF the Knights ~ Labor, We
must make II clear 10 the employers
that It will. not be injurious 10 their
best interests II their employees are
permitted and encouraged to join our
orEa nization.
"plutocncy IA seeking an excuee to
greatly increase the standing army.
The petty violence connected With the
strikes and lockouts is their most
plausible excuse now. Let us not play
into their hands. We should teach the
laborlng people to cease TO he rebelli-
Gus slaves and to realize their real po-
sition. thot Of the head masters and
the rulers Of the republic. clothed with
ample power TO reconstruct all social
and Industrial conditions on whatever
lines they desire To this end let the
good work OF unifying the present
power OF the masses now so well be-
gun be carried on with renewed vigor,
and when another four years have
passed every branch OF the govern
ment OF the United States. local. mu-
nicipal. state and national will be In
the hands OF the wealth producers 10
use as they see fit We shall then no
longer be as we are now-largely at the
mercy of the money kings In the great
corporations.
James X. Sovereign.
Chairman.
Thomas p. Mcclure.
"Henry b. Marty.
"Charles A. French.
John w. Hayes.
Secretary General Executive Board. "