The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-09-04

tember. 1897. and announcement made 10
that effect by the president OF the United
Mine Workers. general convention be held
az Chicago. on Monday. September "a.
by the representatives or all unions. Sec
lions. branches, lodges and kindred or
ganlzatiOns OF laboring men and friends OF
their cause. for the purpose OF Considering
further measures In the interests OF the
striking miners and labor IN general
Resolved. No. S.-That we consider the
use OF the ballot as the best and safest
means for the amelioration OF the hard
ships under which the laboring class suf-
fers.
Resolved. No 4-That the public own
ership or railroads and telographs Is one
OF the most necessary reforms for our
body polite.
Resolved, No 5-That we most emphat-
ically protest against government by In
junction, which plays havoc with even
such political liberties as workingmen
have saved from the steady cneroachments
OF capitalism, and be Il finally
Resolved, No. 6.-That no nation In
which the people are totally disarmed can
long remain free nation. and therefore.
we urge upon all libcrty-loving citizens to
remember and obey article TWO OF the
constitution OF the United States, which
reads as follows;
The right OF the people 10 keep and
bear arms shall not be infrlnged.'
After many amendments had been
presented and voted down the conven-
ton adjourned without taking action
on the platform until two o'clock.
Debs Loudly Cheered.
Shortly after the conference had as
sembled for the afternoon session, there
was spontaneous call for Eugene
Debs. and the famous Indianian rose
from his seat and came slowly 10 the
platform. When the cheering ceased
Mr.. Debs began a speech, which was in
terrupted at the end Of nearly every
sentence by cheering and hand-clap-
ping. He said:
civil Liberty Dead.
II believe the gravity OF the Industrial
situation In this country Is well under
stood. IL is quite evident the delegates
to the convention are cognizant OF the fact
that civil liberty IS dead IN America.
have said, and say again. for the last
time, have appealed 20 the courts for jus
tlce, and shall appeal 20 them no more.
The A. II. u. expended $4,000 10 have the
question OF civil rights tested IN the SUI
preme court OF the United States. only
to be told that we have no rights that cap
ital was bound 10 respect Shall we appeal
to the supreme court again2 No. We
appeal TO this convention and 10 the coun-
people In every walk OF life 20 beat back
the courts and reenthrone the rights OF
the American people. Labor day Is near.
What shall we doP ] predict. my friends,
that we VIII see the extraordinary spec
tacle OF enslaved labor rafting It's chains
cheapest com modity on Gods earth. and
yet there are those who would have Il nt
n lower price. Only the other day tho
united voice OF labor was raised against
the appointment OF Mr.. Powderly TO a
federal position, and / notice that he was
promptly put into the place. Mingled
cheers and hissesl From Justice OF tho
peace 20 Justice OF the supreme court OF
the United states all the judicial powers
OF the United States are directed against
labor All the organized sources OF society
are against labor. and n labor expects 20
emancipate Itself labor Itself must do IT,"
Predicts nm Uprising.
Mr.. Debs continued. vehemently: The
time has not quite come 20 incite the popu-
lace. / serve notice on the plutocratic
element OF this country that we are on
the eve OF another meeting ia Chicago
which Will be attended by all branches or
labor That convention will take up these
same questions and VIII institute agita-
ton and keep II going until the public
conscience and public heart are aroused.
Then viii come such an uprising as the
world has never seen. Never In my life
have / been more hopeful than now. I am
not gifted with great visionary powers,
but / can see the beginning OF the end.
(Cheers) This meeting Is an inspiration.
IL VIII lead TO great results. This move-
ment has attained tremendous impetus
and will go ahead with rush. when the
people are ready, and that day Is not far
of, my friends, there will be a spontaneous
uprising; the supreme courts viii be abol-
ished. congress dispersed and the sacred
rights OF American citizens and American
freedmen VIII be euthroned. Great APP
plause) j plead guilty 10 the charge or
being radical l only wish you would
allow me 70 be more radical still Sup
port Us. gentlemen OF the convention, and
l promise you we viii support the at
tempt 10 abolish government by injunc-
tion and the judges who issue them.
willing 10 shed His Blood.
II hope In the march or common intell-
gencc we Will reach point where we will
be able 70 settle these questions without
appealing 20 the sword or bullet / can
not tell. Certain Il IS there are thousands
OF our fellow citizens suffering, and GER
tain II Is this cannot last, The time viii
como 10 inclte the populace. When this
time comes you can depend on me l viii
not stand ia the rear and ask you TO go
ahead / will be IN front and say TO you:
and Mr.. Debs paused impressively. hut
~ this ~ necessary TO preserve liberty and
our rights-in that event ! VIII shed the
last drop Of blood that courses through my
veins.
Wild EntbusiHsm.
As Mr.. Debs finished the delegates rose
20 their feet. Jumped IN the air. threw
their hats In the air and crowded forward
70 greet the speaker. Chairman Pomeroy
pounded vigorously for order, but IL was
fully ave minutes before the convention
recovered from the spell which Mr.. Debs'
oratory had cast about them.