Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-02
WHAT DEBS SAID.
The Famous Labor Leader and Social
Democracy Exponent Before the st.
Louis Labor Conference.

Below will be found the gist of a
speech delivered by Eugene V. Debs be-
fore the labor conference at st. Louis
on Tuesday,
# Mr.. Webster
at great length gave his views on the
injunction matter. He wanted Con-
gress to investigate this matter.
Why" said Mr.. Sovereign, even if
Congress did give us the rights we
want, the courts of the country would
still have the power of Injunction and
they could then throttle us. The con-
vention should inform the world that
II THIS matter is to be tested the miners
should break all injunctions.
Mr.. Sovereign said he was willing to
go to Jail in support of his idea. at is
tlme, said Mr.. Sovereign, ito bring
the miners and courts face to face in
this matter and force an issue. Fill
up the jail with violators of iniunctions
and when the men who started this
movement are incarcerated thousands
will be found to take their places.
(Cheers.) The laboring people can
vote for years, but nothing can be ac-
compllshed. Let us reorganize this
goVernement." shouted Mr.. SOVEREIGN.
Let us stand up and assert ourselves.
benlnd these lnjunctions stand gatlins
guns and winchesters, but we fear them
not. Let us hold up the flag and tear
down the courts. We stand on our
dignity and will have our liberty from
this time on shouted Mr.. Sovereign.
The convention broke into wild
cheering, which developed in a minute
into a spontaneous call for Mr.. Debs.
the famous labor leader and avowed
head Of the Social Democracy of the
country, who had not uttered word
since the convention opened, but who
had not missed a minute of the pro-
ceedings. He rose from his seat and
came slowly to the platform. When the
cheering ceased, Mr.. Debs began a
speech which was interrupted at the
end OF nearly every sentence by cheer
ing and hand clapping. He said:
believe the gravity Of the indus
trial situation in this country is well
understood. 1t is quite evident the de-
legates to this convention are cognizant
OF the fact that civil liberty is dead in
America. I have said and say again
for the last time. have appealed to the
courts for justice and shall appeal to
them no more. The American Rail-
way Union expended $4,000 to have
the question of civil rights tested in the
Supreme Court of the United States.
only to be told that we have no rights
that capital was bound to respect.
Shall we appeal to the Supreme Court
again? No. We appeal to this conven-
ton and to the country for an unrising
OF all the common people in every
walk Of Life to beat back the courts
and re-enthrone the rights Of the Amer
lean people. Labor day is near. What
shall we do? predict, my friends. that
We will see the extraordinary spectA-
Gle of ens,aved labor rafting its chains
and dancing to the music Labor Is
the cheapest commodity on Gods earth
and yet there are those who would
have it at lower price. Only the 9th
er day the united voice OF labor was
raised against the appointment of Mr..
Powderly to federal position. and
notice that he was promptly put into
the place. mingled cheers and hisses.)
From justice of peace to justice of
the. Supreme Court of the Unitd
States. all the judicial powers of til
United States are directed against i
Dor. All the organized forces Of x