Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-09-01

Declares That "Our So-Called Liberty Is
Not Freedom"

NOT Freedom"
St. Louis, Sept. 1.-The conference of
labor leaders promulgated a platform
yesterday and agreed that if the coal
strike was not settled by Sept. 20. that
day week convention should be held
at Chicago to take further action. The
resolutions are preceded by a long pre-
amble the pith Of which is pronounce
ment against government by iniunc-
ton" and a declaration that the courts,
under the injunction, are running the
country. regardless Of the rights OF its
citizens. The courts are called judicial
despots, charged with resorting to the
most shameless defiance of decency."
Then the resolutions follow:
I'VE have met to counsel together and
have come to the following conclusions
that,
Whereas, The present strike of coal
miners has again demonstrated the fact
that our so-called liberty is not freedom,
but is a stupendeus sham, under which
millions are degenerating, while hum
dreds Of thousands Of men, women and
children are starving in novels ard on
the public highways;
whereas. This condition has become
permanent for large and ever-increas-
Ing number Of our population as long as
we permit a comparatively small class
or IegaIiZed exploiters to monopoliZe the
means of production and distribution for
their private benefit-a fact again obyi-
Gus in the case of the miners;
Whereas, Appeals to congress and to
the courts for relief are fruitless since
the legislative, as we'll as the executives
judicial power are under the control of
the capitaiistic class, so that it has come
to pass in this free country that, while
cattle and swine have a right to the
public highway, Americans, so-called
freemen, have not;
Whereas, Our capitalistic class, as is
again shown in the present strike, is
armed, and has not only policemen, mar
shals, sheriffs and deputies, but also a
regular army and militia, in order to en-
force government by injunction, SUD-
pressing lawful assemblage. free speech,
and the right to the public highway.
while on the other hand. the laboring
men OF the country are unarmed and
defenseless. contrary to the words and
spirit OF the constitution Of the United
States. Therefore, be i.
Resolved, That we hereby set apart
Friday, the third day of September, 1897.
as a Good Friday for the cause of
suffering labor in America and contri-
butte 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 the 10th day Of Septem-
Der. 1897. and announcement made TO
that effect by the president Of the Unit
ed Mine Workers, general convention
hn hall
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 mixers and Ia-
Dor in general.
Resolved. That We consider the use
of the ballot as the best and safest
means for the anlelioration OF the hard
ships under which the laboring class
suffers.
Resolved, That the public ownership
Of railroads and telegraphs is one of
the most necessary reforms for our body
polite.
Resolved, That We most emphatical-
~ protest against government by in
| junction. which plays havoc with even
such political liberty as workmen have
saved from the steady encroachment of
capitalism, and be il finally
Resolved. That no nation in which
the people are totally disarmed can long
| remain free nation. and therefore. we
urge upon all liberty-loving citizens to
remember and obey article OF the con-
stitution of the United States, which
reads as follows: The right of the
people TO keep and bear arms shall not
be infr;rSed'"
strikers Attack Men Going to Work.
Washington. Ind Sept. lone hundred