The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1864-11-05
BACKBONE.
enemies

In times ike the present, when the efficiency
and principles Of labor organizations are put to
an experimental test; when theory gives way
to practice, and an unrelenting crusade against
the legitimate claims Of labor is waged by the
remorseless, Unsuitable nav Of capital; in short,
when every one must take position pro OF con:
when Indifference means treason. and neUtrali-
ty antagonism, the great fesidsratHm Of the hour
il BACK BONE. We hold that an inherent right,
living, fundamental, tangible principle, I'M
derlies the superstructure Of every properly
organized Union in the country-prinoiples
adapted to All emergencies, ana applicable
alike III adversely or success. Unless this is w,
their failure is merely question Of time, and no
one should regret thatsuch is the case 1t is only
in the furnace Of adversely that Union prinoi-
pies are tested, and though the ordeal may be,
nay, always i A trying one, no Union is thor
oughly estf olished until such a crisis has been
met and passed. We would not give fig for
the who always floats with the current,
but can never stem the stream OF the soldier
who is always on dress parade, but never at
tAc utdAA-ctihEEAt VIII tAt roc. III every So
ciety, upon the approach OF trial, men can be
found who viii advocate policy conservatism
or compromise. The substitution Of policy
for principle, or eErsdiency for right is always
a dan rerous experiment, and ought never. ez-
cept under extraordinary circumstances, to be
advocated or sustained When compromise
involves sacrifice Of cardinal principles, spura
IT, The man who advocates otherwise j. q
traitor to his own best interests. But while
labor organizations confer benefits they also
impose obligations, which cannot be ignored
without iupairing their usefulness or endan-
geriug their sery existence. Besides, this So
called conservatism, under such auspices, Sell
dom, If ever, accomplishes any definite results
The most exacting employer may respect the
headstrong, impractical radical, while he des-
pises the fawning, plant tool. Labor organi-
nations in the western hemisphere are but Of
recent growth, and we have no reason to ex-
pee, ought But the most determined OPP siti0n.
JuI success, therefore, depends, in a great meas
ure, on the quantity and quality Of backbone
developed in our Unions. Present failure en-
tails future disaster, and true conservatism and
prudence alike demand the adoption Of 4 firm
and consistent policy. The battle between Ia
Dor aptal l. yet to be fought and won that
stru. A may be dark and arduous one, but
if true to ourselves, success must crown our ef-
forts. Won now, it i won for all time defeat
ed, (andwe can only BE ~ BY the detection Of
our own members), our status, civil and poiiti-
cal = for all time, viz as hewers
of wooa anu drawers OF water to capital oil gar
chists What we have seen is but the twi-
light Of midnight darkness Oar manhood is
TO be tested in manner We have little idea Of
but from ii all the star Of success viii glimmer
through the gloom if we but prove true TO Union
principles, and show ourselves possessed Of the
indispensable requisite Q. BACK BONE