The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-04-02

To ORGANIZED LABOR AND FARM
ERS' ASSOCIATIONS, GREETING:
The "Protest Conference of the
representatives of the workers of
our country assembled in Washing
ton, ID. c., on March is, 1908, will
probably go down in history as the
greatest gathering ever held to
solemnly voice the protest of the
people against the denial OF the
rights Of the workers by the judi
ciary. This conference will be
memorable also for the declaration
and action looking toward the up
holding and defending Of the rights
of all our people.
There were gathered in this con-
ference the responsible executive
officers of lis national and inter
national trade unions; assembled
with them in hearty agreement
were representative OF the Farmers
American Society of Equity and
also officers of railway brother.
hood. No more representative
and responsible gathering of the
men of labor, we believe, was ever
brought together in the effort to
voice the just protest and laudable
aspirations of the workers of our
country.
The deliberations of our confer
ence, which occupied two full days,
were preceded by a two days
session of the Executive Council
of the American Federation of
Labor. The proceedings were
marked by the utmost harmony.
There was indeed the intensity Of
feeling which so grave a situation
must evoke, there was also an un-
bounded enthusiasm, grim earn
estneSs of purpose, and a firm de-
termination that the work initiated
by this conference should not cease
until the wrongs from which the
workers suffer shall be righted and
their liberties which have been
imperilled shall be restored and
forever safeguardcd.
Our consideration of the circum-
stances which made this conference
imperative was characterized by
the utmost freedom of expression.
1t was felt that in the consensus of
opinion and feeling brought forth
by the Representatives of so many
trades and callings from all sections
of the country there could not fail
to be much that would be helpful
III guiding cur deliberations and of
service to our fellow workers. 1t
IS our hope that every worker and
every friend of the workers will re
allze and feel as we do the serious
ness of the crisis which we now
face and that all will be animated
10y the earnestneSS, the loyalty,
and enthusiasm which was 50 mark
ed among the Representatives as
sembled.
While the Supreme Court or
other institutions may be able to
Temporarily retard and seriously
embarrasS the growth and action
OF our movements we boldly assert
that no power on earth can destroy
successfully outlaw, or disrupt the
trade union movement.
Meetings had been held in va,
rlous parts of the country and re-
solutions adopted and forwarded
10 American Federation of Labor
headquarters urging prompt and
vigorous action. The suggestion
submitted were various in detail,
hut all characterized by the eares'
desire that labor should take steps
at once to exercise its fullest activ
itieS In every possible direction IL
order that relief may be obtained
from the present intolerable stu
alton.
In this conference we, your re
preSentatives, realized the Seriou:
esponsibility resting upon us, no
only to voice adequately the feel
Ing OF outraged indignation on th'
part of the workers at the deprl
walton OF their rights and libertie
involved in the law as interpreted
by recent court decision, but th
even more important task of init
atlng and aiding in carrying towar'
a successful fulfiliment the con
structye and active work whicl
snail deliver the workers from th
present impending danger and in
sure them the restoration of thel
nights and liberties and secure en-
joyment in the future of the in