The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-20

rouse recognized throughout the civilized
world as one OF the safe, conservative rep
resentatiyes of organized labor: recognized
as man who not only knew how TO fight
for his principles. but who could also APP
preciate the fact that his duty TO the whole
people. threatened as they were by coal
famine, with all its attendant evils
paramount even to the grievances and
rights of those whom he directly repre-
sented
II am now and always have been a be-
lever in the equal right of labor with that
of any other class to organize for its own
protecuon-a right which has been recog-
niZed by thinking men for years but when
John Mitchell. in conference with the Pres
ident of the United States, in conference
with the presidents of the coal-carrying
and coal-producing rairoads-like the true
American that he is-spoke on behalf of the
men who had placed their interests COM
pletely within his hands: when John Mitch
ell agreed to waive every other question;
agreed to waive all questions of wages or
of hours of labor; questions which repre-
scented all that was selfish in the strike
controversy, so far as the miners were con-
cerned--in order that a settlement might be
made and the sufferings of the people re-
leved, his one condition being that the or
ganization which he represented should re-
ceive recognition. then with an electric
thrill all the people of the country came
TO understand that over and above wages
and hours of labor there was a principle
involved for which these miners and their
representatives were contending.
81 do not approve of lawleSSneSS or V1O-
lent methods on the part of strikers that
their ends may be accomplished. The law
must be observed. and the man engaged
in such controversy must understand that
his rights cease where another mans rights
begin; that while the right to use moral
suasion and other lawful means TO induce
his fellow-man to join with him In his
efforts to achieve victory for organized
labor always abideS with the one, that
there still exists another mans right TO
sell his labor in any market to him salts
factory, and in such sale he is entitled TO
the protection Of the law. This is John
Mitchells platform. and if j read Alright
his parting speech to the strike commission
delivered Saturday in Philadelphia. But talk
is cheap. says the nOnbeliever in trades
unions. Let review his actions. AT all
times, and under all conditions in the dark
hours of the strike; with the cries and
walls of suffering women and children ring
ing in his ears; with the red flood of human
passions running riot in the hearts OF men
not familiar with the genius of American
institutions, stood this quiet modest man
of the plain people, urging, yea, command
ing that peaceful methods alone should OBJ
tain.
81 congratulate the people of America-I
doubly congratulate the members of organ
lied labor throughout this country-that
during the turbulence and strife, suffering
and privation which characterized this an
thracite strike. not one act of violence can
be found to have received the approval and
sanction of this man who has rendered
such signal service to the American work
ingman.
AS MEMBER Oh OIBdfllZtu ldDOIs dS a
citizen of Indianapolis and as the official
representative of the Hoosier capital, i eX
tend to John Mitchell most cordial well
come"
Samuel Gompers, president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, who was on the
programme to speak, was unable to be
present and was represented by Frank
Duffy. secretary general of the Brotherhood
of Carpenters and Joiners. who talked for
several minutes. Duffy said he felt honored
in being asked to speak at Mitchell re-
ception and was honored when he was al
lowed TO march in procession in his honor.
He made a speech which was heartily
joyed by his auditors and was frequently
applauded. His illusions TO the capitalists
of the country were especially well received
and when he said that u. Pierpont Morgan
had to take an excursion to Washington
and get down on his knees to President
Roosevelt and John MITCHELL" he was
cheered.
THE HONORED GUEST.
After Duffy had concluded his remarks
Chairman Feltman introduced the guest of
the evening, John Mitchell. The applause
which greeted Mr.. Mitchell when he arose
to speak was lasting and vociferous. When
it had subsidized Mr.. Mitchell said:
"Mr Chairman. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Citizens of indianapolis, Fellow-members
of the Lodge of Elks and Fellow-members
of the Laboring Organizations of this city:
L should be devoid of all human feeling did
/ not appreciate this magnificent welcome
back to the city of Indianapolis-the head
quarters of the United Mine Workers of
America. l am not vain enough, however,
TO believe that this is personal tribute to
me. If / believed that this splendid gath
ering was for me rather than TO pay tribute
to that great army of men, women and
children who suffered during the anthra-
cite coal strike / should protest against il.
I'm all great movements in the world the
calcium light shows more brilliantly on
one figure than on others. 1t happened
that l was the one in this. The credit if
credit there is, belongs to the women and
children who suffered hunger and priva-
ton for five months or more that this cele-
bration might be made possible.
"It is expected by the American people
that anyone who wins distinction should
be an orator. 1 make no pretentions TO be
one If we live in this earth not on it, we
can only be men. L do not know whether
my ideas are in accord with all trades
unionists. Before being trades unionist
i am an American. L believe that my first
duty is to my country and that / owe my
first allegiance to the laws of my country
1 would lead the trades unionists of my
organization with those convictions.
THE idea that trades union success de-
ponds on the use of force and violence and
strikes seem TO me to be wrong. My expert
ence with strikes has been that those who
believe in violence are the worst enemies of
trades unionism. 1 do not believe that the
success of strikes depends on the applica-
ton or force.
ut is. of course, extremely difficult or
rather delicate for to speak of those
questions before the arbitration commits
sion. 1t would be like man speaking of
his own case while it is still in court. /
have an abiding faith in the wisdom of the
board appointed to decide our differences
with the operators and shall bow in
humble submission to its decision. The
sentiment of the people OF the United
States is known and 1 can hardly believe
that all the people in country are
wrong. 1t seems to me rather that ii was
a strike of the railway presidents against
the American people. L believe that if they
had known the real sentiment of the people
they would hardly have taken such an ar
bitrary and arrogant position. In our
country at least there is no corporation
strong enough to withstand properly
aroused public sentiment. The opposition
of all the people cannot be withstood by
the country itself. | believe we are abun-
dainty able to settle all our questions and
settle them right.
ALLUDES TO d. NJ. PARRY.
'I understand that one of your leading
citizens predicted that there might be
crowd at this reception, but that there
might be no property owners in it, | al