The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-16
sovEREIGN's SENSATION.

The sensational letter of Sovereign,
Chief of the Knights of Labor, pub
lished in another column, is to be taken
at its full value and not discounted one
W hit. The sum ana substance Of il is,
that while Sovereign says he will not
aid any revolutionary movement and
deprecates anything looking that way.
and while he fears one, he viii, if u rev
olution comes, be found with the revo-
lutionists
This is upon the assumption that this
country is upon the eve of a domestic
upheava involving the people in civil
war. which he says Private Dalzell
holds in recent letter is to be averted
only by the prosecution of a foreign
war. Sovereign recites the distress
among the workers unemployed, their
growing hatred of aggregated wealth,
quotes the allegation Of inability of the
wage-earners and poor Of the country
to get redress for their wrongs at the
baIlotbox, and the general unrest
growing out Of discomfort with finan-
ciaI and other policies of the Nation.
Mr.. Sovereign fears a revolution, and
fears such expression as that Of Dalzell
viii hasten it; he fears that single
spark may at any moment ignite a
train that will lead instantly to an ex-
plosion of wrath and the taking up of
arms gainst present conditions. That
there is a good deal of unrest is GER
tainly true; that there is not employ
ment for all who ought to work is true:
that there are those in the land who
openly and by secret organization are
doing their best to foment domestic
strife and plunge the country into a
civil war is also true.
We are dealing, therefore, with con-
fessed conditions and not especially
with causes. However, it is relevant TO
say that not all the complaint Of the
supposed revolutionists is grOundless.
There has been an arrogance of wealth
that has angered uselessly and foolish
". and that has excited the envy of the
unscrupulous and the cupidity of those
who thrive upon the passions in strife,
and to whom war is a harvest. There
has been and is, both reasonably and
unreasonably. serious discomfort with
the cornering OF products. the gambling
in staples the power Of the trusts and
the greed of unscrupulous money
changers; and upon these causes, with
others, the agitators Of whom Sever
lists is that there is not such reason for
ton.
Added TO these elements Of disturb
ance are the radical socialists and the
anarchists. who fisd the social system
not TO their liking, and preach that
there is necessity for a complete up
turning and a new beginning. These
people fan such Goals as those Mr.. Sow
creign is blowing with his doubts and
fears. Hence we say the wise will not
ignore the letter OF the chief of tbs
knights of Labor, nor will they give II
more Importance than it deserves.
The mistake made by Sovereign and
those to whom he refers as revolutions
lists is that there is not such reason 70,
dist urbance and revolution as Il
claimed. one cause of unrest and dis
tress is the constant incoming Of aliens
TO swell the already over-crowdel
ranks of labor; another is the preach
ing of the doctrine OF fdleness. and tbs
hatred OF property by those who max,
it their mission in life 10 contest tn,
right of all government and to de
nounce all restraint; the absolute re
fusaI Of a large class TO work wher
work is offered; the real distress of {
large number who find cause for revol
against existing conditions in the neet
for food. shelter and clothing. unde
stress of which logic and reason ar
put to one side and the shortest ant
swiftest road 10 relief suggests itself
possession b. force of arms.
But assuming that there is a Yer,
large element of our people unaappil.