Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-01


| ton In Chicago.
III. NJ. williams. OF ST. Louis. presented
n substitute for Mr.. Clayborne's motion,
providing for striking out the plank CALI
ing for the Chicago convention. and con-
yening a labor congress In st. Louis.
September 2eth. Without action, the
convention adjourned until 2 o'clock.
At the afternoon session the third
plank was amended by the use OF the
word protest before the use OF ballot.
Mr.. Debs then addressed the convention.
Mr.. Debs said:
MR.. DEBS'S ADDRESS.
81 believe the gravity OF the industrial
situation in this country IS well under
stood. 1t is quite evident that the dele
gates 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 Railway
Union expended si5,O00 to have the ques-
tion OF civil rights tested I'm the Supreme
courts OF the United, only TO be told
that we had no rights that capital was
bound TO respect. Shall We appeal 10 the
Supreme courts again? No. We appeal
TO this convention and to the country
for an uprising OF all the common people
In every walk OF life, TO beat back TIE
courts and re-enthrone the rights Of the
American people. Labor-Day is near.
What shall we do? 1 predict. my friends,
that we will see the extraordinary spec
tacle OF enslaved labor rattling its
chains and dancing TO the music. From
the Justice OF the Peace to the Justice OF
the Supreme Court of the United States.
all tho judicial powers Of the United
States are directed against labor. All the
organs are against us, all OF society Is
against labor, and II labor expects to
emancipate itself, labor Itself must do
It"
MINERS STARVING.
Mr. Debs then told the convention that
much destitution existed among the
miners in Indiana. and stated that 1000
miners and their families were starving.
He said the report by the committee ap-
pointed TO examine into the condition OF
the miners Of Indiana backed no his
argument
81 serve notice on the plutocratic ele-
nlent Of this country that We are on the
eve Of another meeting I'm Chicago, which
will be attended by all branches of labor
That convention will take up these same
questions and will institute agitation ana
keep Il going until the public conscience
and public heart are aroused. III VIII
come such an uprising as the world has
never seen. l did not come TO this con-
vention to exploit the Social Democracy
or any other movement. There Is some-
thing greater in this movement than any
one element can manage-the emancipa-
tion of labor. There is no division here
Each man is entitled to his own opinion
and his right TO express it-each man 10
his duty as becomes that man. ! am side
by side with you. ] am trades unionlst
and a Socialist Tremendous cheeringD
Whenever the trades unions OF this couh-
try decide to do battle with our common
enemy they can count upon us 10 come
TO the front and take our places SIDE py
side with them and fight with them.
Never in my life have been more nope
full than now am not gifted with great
visionary powers, but I can see the De-
ginning of the end. (Cheers)
'"rhis meeting Is an inspiration. IL
will lead to great results This move
ment 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 spon-
taneous uprising the Supreme Courts VIII
be abolished, Congress dispersed, and the
sacred rights of American citizens and
American free men will be enthroned.
Great applause.) I plead guilty to the
charge Of being radical. / only wish you
were all with me- to be more radical stiH.
Support us, gentlemen. and we VIII sup
port the attempt TO abolish government
by Injunction and the judges who issue
them.
APPEAL TO ARMS.
''I hope, in the march of common In
telligence. we will reach point where
we Will be able to settle these ques-
tions without appealing to the sword or
oil tai
there are thousands OF our fellow-citl-
zens suffering. and certain It Is this
cannot last. The time will come to in
cite the populace. When this time comes
You can depend on me- (Cheers). l Will
not stand I'm the rear and ask you TO go
ahead. / will be I'm front. and say 10
you come on. Renewed cheering).
81 shrink from that bloodshed,' said
Mr.. Debs impressvely, "but II 1t Is ne
cessary to preserve liberty and our
rights, In that event I will shed the last
drop OF blood that courses through my
veins.' Outbreak OF cheering) Pluto
cracy cannot buy me. They may send
me 70 Jail, may ostracize me, or may
hang me; but. in the language of the
Revolutionary heroes. | do not propose
10 part company with my self-respecr,
independence. and manhood. We no
longer have a republic; there Is not
vestige Of II left. The judiciary OF this
country has placed a paddock on my
lips forbidden me TO walk on public
highways, and destroyed all OF my
rights. l submit. because compelled to.
| am helpless. If the people are ready
10 take this cause TO heart, this ques-
tion will then be solved. The people
are ripe for a great change. All they
lack is direction and leadership. Let
this conference supply IT, Let this con-
vention set the pace. Announce TO the
world that 1t will temporarily adjourn
for three weeks, TO renew preparations.
Ask every man to pledge himself to be
there. Come, if you have to walk; no
man has right to plead poverty"
WEST VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Debs went over the conditions ex-
listing in Pennsylvania, and when he I'm
ished with that statement took up West
Virginia. West Virginia. he said had
more government to the square inch
than any State in the Union, and that
meant less liberty.
The less government. the more liberty
the only perfect government was no
government at all.
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. He went on:
1.-THE significance OF this movement por-
tends new and important Developments
along the line OF battle. look forward
TO the time when people will dethrone
the power that has enslaved them. The
movement is marching grandly forward
and plutocracy will soon understand
that slavery and despotism have no rights
to a place on American SOIL
A. ,fr v,ohe dniehed the delegates rose |