Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-15

the various trades that we are sure of
moral and financial aid. but we do not
ask that you disobey our leaders or
violate your own laws. Many lodges
have sent word: Say the word and we
will com out We appreciate that,
but in return say: BE true to your
organizations and to your own leaders.
I believe the time will come when. il it
be necessary. your leaders will help the
~AmaIgamated Association. in order. not
to preserve the A~malgamated Associa-
ton, but to preserve all organized labor
from the tyranny of the trust, and
when your leaders say: Come out
there will be such a coming out as will
make Wall street tremble. (Applause.)
q want to assure you-and | make
the statement confldentially-that the
labor leaders and students OF economic
questions realize to-day thai this course
was forced before the country by the
improper treatment by the trust of the
Amalgamated Association, and now 1t
eannot be settled without the consent of
the working men of the country. ZAP
p%lause.) The church is with us. / said
three years ago in an address in the
Opera House in Wheeling that labor
ought to be conservative and just. and
If it was conservative and just it would
be endorsed. The church, as a result,
is with us to-day, laying aside all creed
lines. and even overlapping he color
line. the church is helping forward the
cause of organized labor. Let the la
borer, and especially the members of
the Amalgamated Association. hold on
70 the aid they have received, and strive
to obtain more
What am about to say may not be
received favorably, but / cannot help
that. Right is right. There is a time
when mems blood will boil with in
dignation. and Eyes will fash, and
hands will be clinehed; but this Is not
a time for harsh words. II we win A
peaceful victory 1t will be the g~randest
achievement known in the annals OF
the world. | ask you to be careful, and
to give the other side no opportunity to
invoke the law. Be sober and careful
but be determined. They can't run
the mills without you; there are not
enough skilled workmen in the country
to do it. t~Applause.)
The say to you, 'Our mil
Hons are gathered together; but
don't you dare to initiate our
exampIev You have dared and
now stand firmly on the position
you have taken. 1t Is my Opin-
ion you will win. am con-
WINGED that If the men now out
of the mills stay out victory L.
sure and certain. tAppIause.) If
the mills are ever run. you Will
run them. and you may AS well
spend the warm summer months
as you are, and when you go
back to the mills you will have
won this fight.
The eyes of labor organizations all
over the country are turned in this
direction. They are looking at you
with wonder and awe, and l share
with them their bewilderment of
thought. l knew there would be df-
cisive action here; but l had no Flea
there would be such unanimity. Be
true, owe WIZ. Don't make 1t
necessary for me to hide this blue
ribbon. / want to put it where every
guest in my house can see it, and when
old age comes l want to handle-yes,
fonGle-it, this ribbon Of blue, and as
/ do think of the men Of to-day. Gap
plause).
Il understand colored men are wear
ing this ribbon to-day. | believe this
I was going to say strike, but the doc
tor says no,-this defensive movement,
has been a God-send to the Amalga-
mated Association. Those who know
me, know that every year when l go
to the convention somebody says:
'Shaffer made a mistake last year, and
we'll knock him out!' I've heard that
every year. Now, things have been
going so nicely this yea that / won
der what will happen next year. GA
voice-'Increase your salary" Laugh
teri When | was in Alabama |
found colored men working in the mills,
and at the mex convention suggested
in a tentative way, the idea Of colored
men in the Association. 1t was not
adopted. Now I'm going to advocate
it again, and if they want. to fight me
on that line they can do it. But
don't think they will fight. (Applause.)
Throw aside all political be-
lief. and throw aside creed and
color. Let us show them that
we are united. (Applause)
There are SO many features con-