The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-01
RADICAL SPEECHES.
Remarks of Sovereign, Debs, Webster
and Other Leaders.

and other Leaders.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 31-The delegates were
eager for work. and the afternoon session
was set in motion promptly at o'clock.
After considerable talk, in which Mr.. Will
liams, a st. Louis delegate, endeavored to
have the coming convention held in st.
Louis, and three or four attempts to change
the date of the conference, it was decided
that the matter should remain as intro
duced in the platform, and the labor con-
gress will be held in Chicago on Monday,
Sept. o. The third plank in the platform
was amended by the use of the word prop
err" before use of the ballot" and the res
olution now reads as follows:
Resolved That we consider the proper
use of the ballot as the best and safest
means for the amelioration of the hard
ships under which the laboring class suf-
fers.''
Mr.. Clemens, of Kansas, moved that the
last two resolutions in the platform be
considered simultaneously. He favored their
adoption.
Mr.. Webster of st. Louis, wanted to
know If these ''milk-and-water resolutions
disposed of the important matter of gov
eminent by injunction. If this is So"
Mr.. Webster continued, ANY judge could
say through an injunction, Get off the
earth. You have no rights here L then
reply to the courts, You he" Mr.. Web
ster went on at great length, and gave
his Views on the injunction matter. He
wanted Congress to investigate this matter.
why" said Mr. Sovereign, this conven-
ton has rejected a proposition looking to
this very end. Even if Congress did give us
the rights we want the courts of the coun-
try would still have the power of injunc-
ton, and they could then throttle us. The
convention should inform the world that
if 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 ideas. 1T is time
said Mr.. Sovereign, fervently, ito bring the
miners and courts face to face in this mat
ter and force an issue. Fill up the jails
with violators of injunctions, and when the
men who started this movement are incar-
cerated thousands of others Will be found TO
take their places. (Cheers.l The laboring
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 injunctions stand Calling 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 we
will have our liberty from this time on!'
shouted Mr. Sovereign.
WILD CHEERS FOR DEBS.
The convention broke into wild cheering,
which developed in a minute into spon-
taneous call for Mr.. Debs, the avowed head
OF the Social Democracy of this country,
who had not uttered word since the con-
vention opened, but who had not missed
minute of it's proceedings. 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 cheering and
handclapping. He said.
Il believe the gravity of the industrial
situation in this country Is we'll under
stood. 1t is quite evident the delegates to
this convention are cognizant OF the fact
that civil liberty is dead in America | have
said. and say again. for the last time /
have appealed to the courts for justice, and