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

Mr.. Mitchell was escorted to the stage en-
trance by an escort of aids and led to the
stage.
The appearance on the stage of President
Mitchell. shortly before o'clock, was the
signal for an outburst of applause from
the crowd. already assembled, which con-
tinued for several minutes, increasing in
volume until the strength of the individuals
was exhausted. and Mr.. Mitchell was per-
mitted TO be seated aheri bowing to the
friends who greeted him.
The programme for the reception included
music from a string orchestra, two vocal
lists and speeches from several men promi-
nent in indianapolis and i'm the labor move
ment, but the crowd was impatient to hear
Mitchell.
Seated in the front of the stage. attired
in a black frock coat, his face aglow with
pleasure and slight flush of embarrass-
ment coloring ii so that the strength of his
features were more clearly defined, Pres-
dent Mitchell impressed those who saw him
for the first time with his personality. His
expression of extreme satisfaction at the
applause received and the homage done
him was in no way tinged with the salts
fed smile of the man who has planned his
work to receive It.
When he spoke il was with deliberation-
his voice not too high to jar unpleasantly
on the ears of those who were near him,
but clear and loud enough to be heard as
easily In the gallery, In the extreme of
the hall. on the main floor. With an
earnestness of expression and a sincere
and convincing way of speaking, he
fore they had declared a strike. Humor
bubbled out of his address, with here and
there pathos and sentiment.
JOHN l.. FELTMAN'S WELCOME.
1t was after s o'clock when John l.. Felt
man, chairman of the reception COMMITTEES,
took his place as presiding officer of the
meeting and made the opening speech of
the evening. Mr.. Feltman said:
I'm assembling mere this evening as
people residing in community renowned
Tor Its hospitality and generous consider
alton. for the welfare of worthy guests,
we add to the good name and reputation of
the city and her people, by offering collect
lively the open hand of welcome to that
renowned champion of the peoples cause
John Mitchell, president of the United Mine
Workers of America. We extend also a
ciates of Mr.. Mitchell, whose grand ex-
emplification of the peoples rights and
especially those of the oppressed in the
mining colleries have endeared them to an
appreciative public. Whatever be the re-
suit of Investigations now pending the
cause of labor and the interests of the
by one whose moral and intellectual worth
to society far exceeds the combined eff
forts of the corporation diplomats, includ-
ing their boundless resources.
1.-The name of John Mitchell will be re-
corded upon the pages of immortal history
as the greatest living champion of the peo-
pies rights developed in the twentieth GEN.
tury. In the conflict through which Mr..
Mitchell and his associates have recently
been engaged are those enlisted against
their loyal constituents, men whose hearts
are so black with the stain of treachery
as 20 add darkness to the clouds that pass
above them. While the records and con-
scientious efforts of those representing the
cause of the oppressed have been such as
TO add briliancy and luster to the stars
above, when We review impartially the
thrilling experience of the past three
months, we witness practical demonstra-
tion of the power of concentrated wealth.
We see behind il the mighty hand that
sways the Nations course in the direction
of corporation throne, and fortunate are
the people who develop from among those
of the humbest walks of life a man equal
TO the occasion of throttling the destruct-
i've powers that profess a divine right to
set aside natural, moral and statutory law
TO wrest from their grasp exclusive bene-
fits which should be distributed among
the whole people. When the throne of the
Stuart kings was tottering they claimed
the right TO rule. that wrong was right,
and the throne fell. Caesar had his Brutus,
George the Third his Washington, and the
mightest of all powers the King of Kings
The American coal combination found its
equal in the power of John Mitchell. Ii has
been said and verified by the very people
in control of the large railway and coal
combinations that six men are in posses
sion of the power 10 close up every mill and
MANUFACTURING enterprise In the country
and to cause total cessation of railway
traffic. This dangerous aspect. which per-
petually confronts the people, is favorably
effected when among the people themselves
is found one man who, were he so disposed
could chain the wheels of commerce in a
single day and stop the current that moves
the trolley. while locomotives rust for want
of exercise due 10 the lack OF fuel In
deed. had the United Mine Workers con-
vention. In special session held in this audi
torium six months ago, acted from selfish
IN IN ha 1f<
welfare such a state OF affairs would have
existed. The representatives of the United
Mine Workers, true TO the cardinal prin-
ciples OF justice. with which the human
were equal TO the emergency. They fore
saw the effects of such radical cause
They were faithful TO their employers and
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