"The recent alarming development and aggression of aggregated wealth, which, unless checked, will inevitably lead to the pauperization and hopeless degradation of the toiling
masses, render it imperative, if we desire to enjoy the blessings of life, that a check should be
placed upon its power ... and a system adopted which will secure to the laborer the fruits of
his toil..."-Preamble to the Knights' Constitution, 1878
This text was taken from the constitution of an organization led by
Samuel Gompers.
Karl Marx.
Terence V. Powderly.
Cornelius Vanderbilt.