The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1909-11-26
Doesn't Want the Brand Of
Liberty Handed Out by
the Judges OF His Country
Recently.
Right Of Boycott Strongly
Upheld by the American
Federation Of Labor in
Convention at Toronto.

! IOkON ~, Canada, NOV. I,.-( (hecrS
rang through Massey hall, when, in an
impassioned address, before the conyen-
ton of the American Federation of La
bor, John Mitchell, second vice prcsi-
dent OF the federation, under sentence
of nine months imprisonment for con
tempt of court proclaimed hi, defiance
to the courts and declared his mtcn-
tion as long as he was ut liberty to de-
clare for the rights guaranteed by the
constitution of his country. No more
dramatic moment has ever occurred in
any convention in this city. In pre-
oenting the report Of the Committee on
the Bovcott, Mr. James Lynch had con
cludcd by reading Il conclusion OF the
right oi Workmen to use the boycott.
1t was fiery conclusion and pro
claimed by MIR. Lynch in Il vigorous
manner. Its conclusion was the signal
for prolonged applause. When the feel
mgS of the convention We're Thus aroused
MFR. Mitchell made his emphatic state
ment of his attitude to the decision of
the United States courts. When he sat
down men got up out of their seats and
cheered Others sat pounding upon their
desks. and il was only by the repeated
raining of the chairman'S gavel that
the meeting was brought to order.
The following is Mr. Mitchelrs ad-
dress:
| take advantage of this occasion to
record. as positively as can, my com
rlete concurrence in the declarations OF
the committee. | recognize that. at this
time. every statement made by the rep
rcsentatives at this convention, and par
ticularlv by those who on next Monday
must present themselves in court at
Washington, is being scrutinized with
the greatest care. | want the delegates
to this convention, | want the people
of the United States to know that, so
f,r as am concerned. shall not speak
defiantlv. but, let the consequences be
what il will. shall not surrender any
light guaranteed to me by the eonstltu-
tion of our country, | am not sure how
much mental and physical suffering VIII
he necessary to make me submit, Dut II
know myself, and | think | do, no
amount Of physical pain or mental SUI
fering will persuade me that have not
the right to spend my money where !
nlease. the right to speak and PRINT
whatever | choose, being responsible UNI
lo,. the law for the abuse of that right
speaking generally of the boycott 1t
may he. if uoperly and advisedly used
one of the most humane ana beneiiclal
,yoonons in the hands of organized Ia
hor Used illadvisedly. it may prove
detriment to MS, but whether II De
horefit or n deteriment, each man Tor
s.;,,soIf must determine where he is 60
mo TO DeStOW ms I"ti""SN'
most emphatically that any merchant OF
any manufacturer has property IN
terest in my patronage 1t is mne 10
,;ve and to bestow OF withhold mt SUITS
my own pleasure, and any attempt
,hrouoh the subtleties OF the law TO
+ate from me the absolute right To 40
what | please with my own money
any attempt to take from the people the
,;os,t 70 do what they please with their
avn money must be resisted at any
cost and opposed to the very limit
"Now. Mr.. Chairman, this is the ilrst
time during this convention that ! have
hal ANYTHING to say about the proceed
mos in court at Washington. ! have
information that cognizanee has been
taken there OF uttsanees by men on the
floor Of the convention, and want TO
90 clearly on record so that no man