The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-09-03
TALKED REVOLUTION.
DebS' Hot Remarks Endorsed
by Labor Conference.
RESOLVED TO CARRY FIREARMS.
The Resolutions Adopted Advocated Such
Action by Labor People. Under a Pro
vision of the Constitution - Another
Conference to BE Held at Chicago.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 1.-The conference
OF labor leaders of the country was
productive of several sensational
speeches and many resolutions, yet no
decisive action was taken in the prlncl-
pal matter for which the gathering was
summOned-the adjustment of gov
ernment by injunction. The conven-
tiOn, which had been announced as the
last one of its kind to be held, while
adlOurnlng sine die, has merely post
poned action on the matters before 1t
three weeks, as Il call for u similar con-
ference, to be held in Chicago Monday
Sept. p. was issued.
True 1t Is, the convention ordered its
chairman, Mr.. Prescott OF the Interna-
tional Typographical union. to request
President Mckinley in the name OF
this convention to call a special session
of congress for the purpose of "detin-
ing the authority of judges i'll the mat
ter of inluncUiOns," but as the presl-
dent Will hardly receive the communi-
cation Ill time to convene congress In
three weeks, even should he consider
the matter favorably. the Chicago gath
erlng may take action which would
render this move void or to decide
action in another manner. Mr.. Debs
and Social Democracy dominated the
convention and the fnmous labor leader
of his characteristic speeches.
resolution, introduced by Mr..
Mahon OF Detroit, calling upon all
miners now at work to desert their
posts. and .erming them enemies OF
human liberty so long as they remained
on duty, was adopted.
The resolutions adopted say that the
Judiciary has usurped the power of
government; that 1t Is fruitless to ap-
peal to courts or congress, as both are
under the control of the capitalistic
class, so that il has come TO pass in
this free country" that while cattle
ard swine have right on the public
highways. Americans, sOcalled free
men. have not. Then the resolutions
say:
Whereas, Our capitalistIc class. as is
again shown in the present strike is
armed, and has not only policemen, mar
shals, sheriffJ and deputies, but also a
regular army and militia, in order TO en-
force government by injunction, suppress
ing lawful assemblage. free speech, and
the righe to the public highway. while on
the other hand, the laborina men OF the
country are unarmed and def useless con
trary To the words and spirit OF the con
stitution Of the United States. There
fore be it
DResolved, That we hereby set apart Fri
day, sept. 3, 1897, as Good Friday" for
the cause OF suffering labor in America
and con<Sibute the earnings OF that day t.
the SUPPORT of our struggling brothers.
the miners, and appeal To every union
man and every friend of labor throughout
the country to do likewise.
Resolved, if the strike Of the miners Is
not settled by Sept. 20, 1897, and announce
ment made To that effect by the president
of the United Mine Workers, n general
convention he held at Chicago on Mon
day, sept. q, 1897, by the Representatives
of all unions. sections, branches lodges
and kindred organizations of laboring
men and friends OF their cause, for the
purpose of considering further measures
In the interests of the striking miners and
labOriny men.
Resolved. That we consider the proper
use OF the ballot rs the best and safest
means for the ameliOratiOn of the hard
ships under which the labOring class suf
ferS.
Resolved, That the public ownership of
railroads and telegraphs is one OF the most
necessary reforms for our body polite
Resolved. That we most emphatically
protest against the government by injunc-
ton which plays havoc with even such DO
ntlcal liberty as wOrkingmen have saved
from the steady encroachment of capital
ism, and be II finally
Resolved-That no nation In which the
people are totally disarmed can long re-
main Il free nation, and therefore we urge
upon all liberty-loving citizens to remem-
Der and obey article 2 OF the constitution
OF the United States, which reads as fol-
lows: The right of the people to keen
and bear arms shall not be infrinaed."
Mr.. Webster of St. Louis favored ap
pealing to congress.
Sovereign said 1t would do no good.
as the courts would still throttle them
with injunctions. The miners should
break the inlunctions and fill up the
lails. The he said
The laoorinR people can vote for
Years, but nothing can be accomplished
Let us reorganize this government,
shouted Mr.. Sovereign. LET us stand
up and assert ourselves. Behind these
lnJunctlons stand gatling guns and
winchesters, but we fear them not.
Let Us hold up the flag and tear down
the courts.
I'VE stand on our dignity and will
have our liberty from this time on"
shouted Mr.. Sovereign
The convention broke into wild cheer.
ing, which -eveloped in a minute into
spontaneous call for Mr. Debs The
famous lab, r leader declared THAT civil
liberty Is dead in America. l have said.
and say again for the last time, have
appealed TO the courts for justice and
shall appeal to them no more
The A. r. u. expended s45. 900 to
have the question of civil rights tested
IN the supreme courts of the United
States only - be told that we have no
rights that -apital was bound TO respect
Shall we zeal 10 the supreme courts
again: Nc We appeal TO this con
vention anu 30 the country for an up-
rising of all the common people In
every walk of life to beat back the
courts and re-enthrone the rights of
the American people. Labor day is
near. What shall we do? | predict.
my friends, that we will see the ex-
traordinary spectacle of enslaved labor
rafting its chains and dancing to the
music. Labor is the cheapest COM
modify on Gods earth, and vet there
are those who would have il at a lower
price. only the other day the united
voice of labor was raised against the
appointment of Mr.. Powderly to a
federal position, and l notice that he
was promptly pnt into the place.