Debs: His Life, Writings and Speeches, with a Department of AppreciationsDebs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor)
History
Debs: His Life, Writings and Speeches, with a Department of Appreciations
Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor)
Socialism -- United States; Socialist Party (U.S.)
“Let me say that we do not accept the proposition. Efforts have been
made ever since this trouble started to divide the organization and make
trouble between the Union and the Brotherhoods. I understand such to be
the policy of this company. Now if the other organizations represent the
men, let them set your wheels turning. Our men will not go back to work.
My idea is that in raising the question of representation you have
sought to evade the issue. We presented the terms upon which we would go
to work. I am authorized to say that we will settle on these terms and
on no others. This grievance is a universal grievance and all the men
are united in this action. It will be to no avail to attempt to divide
us into factions. If wages are not restored you can no longer have the
service of the men. For the past week we have restrained the men from
leaving your employ. Now, understand me that I am too much a gentleman
to make a threat and I do not mean this as anything but a plain
statement of fact, but if there is no adjustment, those men will
withdraw from your service in a body. They are convinced that their
demand is a just one. If their request is not complied with,” continued
Mr. Debs in slow and measured tones, “they will, without regard to
consequences, continue this struggle on the lines already laid down and
fight it out with all the means at their command within the limits of
the law. We understand your position; you understand ours. We will not
withdraw from this conference. We shall be in the city several days and
shall be glad to receive any further communications from you.”
Mr. Hill was not slow in understanding and the world knows the facts
about this great victory, won with peaceful methods.
MR. DEBS’ RETURN HOME AFTER THE A. R. U. VICTORY MAY 3, 1894.
(_From the Terre Haute Express._)
Mid soul-stirring music and the joyous shouts from the lips of 4,000 of
his friends and neighbors, men, women and children, Eugene V. Debs,
President of the American Railway Union, was welcomed home last night,
care-worn and weary, from his 18 days’ struggle for victory in the Great
Northern strike:
Mr. Debs marched with the people, refusing to enter the carriage
provided, and in the park near the Terre Haute House he delivered the
following address:
“Gentlemen, my friends and neighbors: From the depths of my heart I
appreciate and thank you for this demonstration of your confidence and
respect. I had not the remotest idea that on my return to my native city
such a magnificent demonstration awaited me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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