The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-17

family and friends. Suppose they should both be
killed by the fall, the wife and children of one is
provided for by the Government, whilst the wife
and iatherless orphans of the other must become
the inmates Of poor house. Should this be
permitted. to exist much longer in Republican
Government? would have no objection to pro-
vide for the wife and children of all who arc
killed or wounded in defending the liberties of
their country but beyond this would not 90.
Workingmen, think on these subjec,s-justice
TO ourselves and our families, require that we
should make united effort to improve our cond,
ZION. Look at tie course of men who are now i'm
the halls of Legislation by our votes Read the
speeches that have lately been made in Congress
on the Navy bill. They tell you we want no
more ships; that the expenses Of Government
must be reduced and yet all their reduction goes
only so far to cut off approximations 10 that
branch which gives employment to the laboriny
classes. what has been the case at our Navy
Yard, for the last few years? We have been
employed scarcely SIX months in the twelve. and
yet We are told that our country is in flourish
Ing condition. The money that is expended in
building and repairing ships is not lost the Guy
eminent receives fair equivalent. and we who
labor are enabled to sustain ourselves. our wives
and children. Inducements have been held out
nyour Government for US tn locate at the Navv
fsrd--wc were told that our services would he
required, and that we should be compe nsated for
our labor. How have these promises been ken, 2
Let those of us who are idle and unemployed
speak out. But can these evils, of which we
complain, be remedied, and have we the power
to correct these abuses? | answer, the evils can
be remedied. and we have the power. Union
among ourselves is all that is required
In every Congressional District in this Union
the Workingmen are largely in the ascendant.
No man can go To Congress without our suffraues.
Here there is way made open to reach all ADVISES.
we must, like all other classes, study our own
interest, and the interest of those we hold mast
dear. Let us demand of our Government equal
and exact justice. 1t is true, that all Working
men are not employed by Government. but that
Is matter OF ma consequence; our interest is the
same-it matters not by whom we are employed.
We gain our living by the sweat of our brow
1t then, our lawmakers say we have sufficient
number of vessels to protect our commerce. let
us say 10 them, well, if such is the case. Won
have no use for such number of officers as Won
keep employed. Reduce your number one half,
and you Will then have sufficient for all your
purposes, So long as you cannot afford to appro
pirate million and half to the gradual increase
and repair of our Navy, so long we say, we will
be unwilling for you to appropriate two millions
and half TO support in Office men hose ser
vices can he dispensed with. Let US also require
that all officers should be confined to their res
pective duties; that they shall not hold civil and
mIltary~appointments at the same time. Let
us also require repeal of the present Pension
Laws.
l write this merely to call the attention of nv
fellow Workingmen to few important facts
Our interest demands that we shall be united. and
1t we are true TO our ourselves, we can accom-
plsh our end. We ask for nothing but what is
right Fellow Workingmen, let US form Socie-
ties in every city, town and village in this I'm
ion. Let us pledge ourselves to sustain no man
for any office who will not respect and maintain
our rights. We have the power in our hands
and IT is for us to say whether we will be free
men or slaves.
ANOTHER WORKINGMAN.
II