Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-02

ciety are against labor and if labor ex-
poets to emancipate itself, labor itself
must do it,
Mr.. Debs then told the convention
that much restitution existed among
the miners of the once proud State Of
Indiana, and stated that one thousand
underground workers and their fami-
lies were starving. He read the report
Of the commission appointed by Gov
ernor Mount to examine into the condi-
ton of the miners of Indiana, and then
took up the thread of his argument.
y ''The time has not quite come to in
cite the populace," said Mr.. Debs,
shaking his fist vehemently. Il serve
notice on the plotocratic element OF
this country that we are on the eve of
another meeting in Chicago which will
be attended by all branches of labor.
That convention will take up these
same questions and will institute agi-
tation and keep it going until the pub
lie conscience and public heart are
aroused. There will come such an up
rising as the world has never seen.
81 did not come to this convention
to exploit Social Democracy Or any
other movement. There is something
greater in this movement than any one
element can imagine-the emancipa-
ton of labor. There is no division
here. Each man is entitled to his own
opinion and his right to express it, each
man to his duty as becomes that man.
I am side by side with you. l am a
trades unionist and a socialist. (Tree-
mendous cheering.) Whenever the
trades unionists of this country decide
to do battle with our enemy they can
count upon us to come to the front
and take our places side by side with
them and fight with them.
"Never in my life have I been more
hopeful than now. I am not gifted
with great visionary powers, but l can
see the beginning Of the end. (Cheers.)
This meeting is an inspiration. 1t will
lead to great results. This movement
has attained tremendous impetus and
will go ahead with a rush When the
people are ready, and that day is not
far off my friends, there will be a spon-
taneous uprising, the supreme courts
will be abolished, Congress dispersed
and the sacred rights of American citi-
zens and american freedmen will be
enthroned. (Great applause.)
81 plead guilty to the charge of be-
ing radical | only wish you would al
low me to be more radical still. Sup
port us, gentlemen of the convention,
and I promise you we will support the
attempt to abolish government by In
junction and the judges who issue
them.
ION bearing arms, I hope in the
march of common intelligence we will
reach a port where we will be able to
settle these questions without appeal
ing to the sword or bullet.
II cannot tell. Certain it is there
are thousands of our fellow citizens
suffering, and certain it is that this
cannot last. The time will come to
incite the populace. When this time
comes you can depend on me. (Cheers.)
will not stand in the rear and ask
you to go ahead. I will be in the front
to say to you come on ((Renewed
cheering)
II shrink from that bloodshed," and
Mr.. Debs paused impressively, "but if
this is necessary to preserve liberty
and our rights-in that event I will
shed the last drop of blood that courses
through my veins. Outbreak of cheer
ing).
"The people are ripe for a great
change. All they lack is direction and
leadership. Let this conference sup
ply it. Let this conference set the
pace"
In conclusion Mr. Debs said: ''My
friends, assert yourselves; enforce your
cause. Let every man who can be as
good as his word stand erect"
Nearly every delegate in the conven-
ton rose to his feet and cheered the
speaker.
AS Mr.. Debs finished the delegates
rose to their feet. jumped in the air,
threw their hats in the air and crowded
forward to greet the speaker. Chair
man Pomeroy pounded vigorously for
order. but it was fully five minutes be-
fore the convention recovered from the
spell which Mr.. Debs' speech had cast
about them.