The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-11-24
A MANLY SPEECH
John Mitchell Says Dramatically Tia. Be
Endorses Boyeou.
AROUSES ENTHUSIASM

: Ee RighSuIIy Declares That &c
Concern Has q Property Right %
BIS Patronage, and Charges Tim.
Washington is Watching Proceed.
ings OF the Convention
Endorsing a report OF the CON-
mittee oa boycott, John Mitchell.
: one Of the three officers OF the
American Federation Of Labor. who
are under sentence for contempt o.
court. made dramatic speech to the
convention OF that organization now
in session az Toronto. at Tednes-
days session. He declared tha. as
far as he was concerned. regardless
OF consequences he intended, while
at liberty 70 declare FOR the rights
guaranteed him BY the organic laws
o: his country.
The report which drew forth
sdtchel!'s speech. and which was
adopted by the convention among
other things declared:
We gay that when our cause Is
just and every other remedy has
been employed without result, boy
cott; we say that whom the employer
has determined to exploit not only
adult male labor. bet our women and
children. and our resources and our
appeal to his cai.ness. and his con-
science will no. sway him. boycott:
We say tha: when labor has been
oppressed. browbeatea and tryanuiz-
ed. boycott: We say that when social
and political conditions become 50
bad that ordinary remedial meas
u-es are fruitless, boycott. and Gnal-
iy We say. We have right TO Soy
cott and We propose to exercise that
right. IN the application Of this
right Of boycott. to Dara2hrase the
president (Gompers). We propose to
strive OF and On"
The convention broke into loud
cheering for Mitchell as he eonclud
ed, and there were cries for Nor
cision." The secretary did not re-
spond. President GompeTs wss ao-
sent.
Mr. Mitchell said he realized that
every statement made by those on
the convention floor. especially By
those who on next Monday viii have
to deliver themselves 70 the courts.
is being closely sc.ut!uized.
81 want the people OF the United
States to know ny position" no
said. "i shall rot speak dstaatlJ;
but be the consequences what they
will. I shall not surrender any right
guaranteed 70 me by the constitu-
ton OF our country. I an not sure
how much mental and phys!ca! suf-
'ec!ng vii! be necessary to make me
submit. but Il know myself. not
any anoEnt OF suffering will per-
suade me that have not the right
to spend my money where ] please
81 that I have not the fight TO write
md speak as please. being res2on-
sible under the law for my acts.
Whether the boycott De oene-
at or detr!nene each man mus;
,ec!de where he will bestow bis
patronage. I maintain that my pat
ronage IS my own and no merchant
mas 2 property .isht to Il
Il understand that coga!zance Is
being taken at Washington Of the
ut,erances Of men on the hoor OF
this convention. and / want clearly
o state M position. ! propose IN
The future. as have IN the past.
TO exercise the rights secured to
ne By the fathers Of my country:
md l propose, II am sent - Jail.
10 deca!re again when I come out
that shall not for myself purchase
any product Of the Bucks S-oye &
Range CO.
IT repea. that go Ear as an con-
cerned. and let the consequence be
what they will. Intend while a:
liberty to declare 70 rthe rights
guaranteed to ne by the organic laws
Of my country. an proud OF BE-
ing an American"
NJ. Mitchell said he had grown
up as an American With stepmoss-
e- so poor that she could not by
bread. and related how he had erept
out OF bed at night to get his faith
er's soldier Goa. TO keep him warm.
But want to see the word
American stand for all the sentiment
that is symbolized By the fag OF our
country" he continued. Il want
real liberty. don't believe In the
liberty enunciated By some OF our
courts that men and women should
have the right TO work themselves
20 death. I don't believe in the to-
erty enuncia:ed by Judge Tuthall
Of Chicago. who declared unconset-
tu,ional the 1o-aour law FOR women.
and BY ,ha, act compelled them to
work i hours day.
Mr. Mitchell said he believed the
!! present proceedings would bring
hone 20 the people the necessity
OF working in concert. Is the time
! going to come on our continent when
the badge Of .aithfulness to labor
! must be The brand Of imprisonment
| he said il conclusion. Surely
bope rot. ! hope that tho govern
nect may be 80 conducted that 40
eits.e, may sesi that 40 has not
been given justice and al equal tight