The Washington herald., 1909-10-13
FIGHT NOT OYER,
GOMPERS DECLARES
Tightening of His Sentence
Would Not Alter Case.
SAYS FREE SPEECH INVOLVED
Cheered by Thousands, and Landed
from the ROStrum, Returned Leader
pIeteIy indicated the End In Not
Yet-Members of Bench Praised.

An audience of about $500 persons
listened to President Gompers' address in
Convention Hall last night
II was just o'clock when the head of
the American Federation Of Labor was
escorted 10 the platform. His entry was
greeted with "a spontaneous outbreak OF
cheering and handclspping, which be-
came ar ovation as the returned leader
advanced 70 his place in the middle OF
the speakers platform.
He who had already been observed OF
all observers in a magnificent spectacu-
lar pageant, and who was shortly to be
proclaimed as the fearless fighter, the
generous victor, the noblest Roman OF
them all. stood quietly before his adj
mirers, now and then smiling or bowling
in recognition Of appreciation of the well
come accorded him.
Mr.. Gompers was the last speaker. All
who addressed the assembIage before him
were eloquent in their expressions OF ap-
probation. admiration, and affection for
the leader. and every word Of praise had
In it the ring OF sincerity and earnest
AA'sNs 4NNA NAALH Nll AlAG AAAUAAEn NIUD
10 the level OF fattery or fulsome eompll-
ment. A master had returned 70 his
own people, and they had assembled 10
tell him in simple terms Of the Joy which
was theirs now that he is again among
them.
Hung on His Words.
Wien Mr.. Gompers did speak 81 was
with equal earnestness. His hearers hung
upon his words. eager for the periods
which would tell them and the world the
emotions with which he awaits the court 5
mandate lie had already been assured
and treasured that the heart and soul
OF organized labor would be with him.
even to the end; and it is broadly limited
that the courts decision may be promul-
gated to-day
When he did refer 10 what he said he
knew was in the minds OF many. he OBJ
served calmly that he had thought the
decision would be made last week. but
that II had been delayed. as he under
stood. through bereavement IN the fam
ily Of one OF the members Of the court.
His preliminary remark that he had the
greatest respect for the integrity Of the
judiciary. no matt IT what the decision
might be brought out applause
But being men," he added, they are
human. and Just as likely 70 err as any
one else"
When. without hesltancy. he declared
tnat not only did he think Justice Wright
erred. but that he was preiudiced against
the men concerned. His utterance was in
terrupted with the loudest applause.
Then followed a deliberate statement
that the speaker did not wish to be a
hero. near-hero. or 10 be defiant. but
that II the Court OF Appeals should in
taking cognizance Of the whole case. i'm
pose a lighter sentence. the real case
would not be altered at all
Free speech Involved.
Either we have free speech or we
haven't" said Mr.. Gompers. THE i'm
position OF a fine OF cent or an i'm
prisonment OF one hour for the utterance
by a man Of the truth that Is IN him. IS
a denial Of free speech and Of a free
press"
Then he declared that II the Court Of
Appeals sustalns the decision OF Justice
Wright in any degree. the fight must stiu
go on.
The audience which listened 10 Mr.
Gompers was much smaller than II would
have been had not a Observation-Disclosures
prevailed. As the parade approached
Convention Hall a vast concourse lined
the streets in that vicinity giving rise 70
the impression that the hall was already
hiled. When the doors were thrown open
10 the public many who would have been
glad OF an opportunity to hear the speak
ing thought there was not room for them
and turned away. Many of those who
participated I'm the parade went 10 the
various labor halls. where entertainment
had been provided for them. Shortly be-
fore Q o'clock a herald was sent into the
streets 10 reassure the crowd that there
was still room. but only a few were
reached by that means.
Arrives Mt the Hall.
II was about $50 o'clock when the van
guard of the parade reached the hall,
and half an hour later Mr.. Gompers was
escorted TO the platform which had been
erected in the middle of the east half
so that the audience faced the speakers
on three sides.
John B. Colpoys. president OF the Cen
trail Labor Union, presided Seated in
the front row on the platform were Presi-
dent Gompers. Mrs. Gompers. their
daughter. Miss Sadie Gompers; a niece
OF Mr.. Gompers Mrs Morrison, James
McHugh. international secretary OF the
stonecutters; f. L. Tucker, chairman OF
the national executive board OF machin-
lists: Frank Morrison, secretary Of Amer
ham. president of Order of Railway TeIe-
graphers; Sam Gompers, ir.. Thomas