New-York daily tribune., 1865-11-25
r.. IN. w,rkiu men Of the Unfee e'"N''

pr,,o,y- -c,r,zEys: The time for reform mas
oome and von arc now appealed to TO improVeH' ~
,os, bos the nripcipe advocated by Comoe Macau's'
nib and other eminent philosophers and statesmen
haoouo an sbsorbng subject OF public thought ~.
-, ,a. hoen ,naucuraed the preliminary steps to"aiu
Tho eceomplshment OF that great prtnlIs" Vi '''"
p,ou7 HorRs FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS poh hLs'' NV
,,o,r yorps FOR SOCIAL AND NoRAJ RECREATION '-'ho
80, -, ,o Philosopher the theme OF the Phhan'nio
80, On, tho hone of the lowly laborer since CNla
,;o hoo,n 10 lit the heavy burden of abuse through
,rhlcb Prejudice struggled vainly to impede tho march
-, -noI;oration With you rests the issue VIII you
fail TO make il lappy
Fuly impressed with the importance OF the subject
and convinced of the practicabity and general utihy
of oppyng and establishing this great principle at tho
present time We would respectfully invite yonr aiten
,ion 10 the following resolutions adopted at meeting
Of the delegates Of twenty Mechanics Associations OF
the District OF Columbia in Convention assembled,
September 10, 1865:
"pheyeas Labor the foundation Of Government credit ~
well as productive Of the substantial wealth Of the country u
tbrorr becomes necessary the dgny OF that b
which confer. 90 many blessings and vofs the ID e
and those who speculate and become rcb on te YOU "a
oLcr. and lecq l. inst that those who he source
ronerv and success II our county should ssr their
rights In Ill things pertaining TO h'r material interests
fore ,y--,,.... IL.
,rs tina, EIGHT hour. should constitute days work and mat
this demanded by just nssrd to our physical ana meh
condition, ond by our obligations TO our ianiie. - .,
EeoireA That il be nded q 80 woTs n4mcn o
the District Of Columba that they 10 uron direct e tho''
In every suitable method TO secure the Object Of TINS 'ohe
Reso,rcd That is intention to suppor Tor political
positions those only who favor eight hour a. arg" cay
R,oIrcd That committee Of members Of ihi. Con
eutiop De appointed TO S't nJ r.oue'ts e taeu 70
organize and hold conventions throughout ne county A. W
eec, two dresates from each to Ns,ona i @ >,
held such time and place a. may pe o. 'ia'd jpn pl
ry Of sd drlegate through pondenc. nidIs',d 10
the Chsirman OF the Washington Delegates to tho Na'0h
Ind be it further re.oired. That his committee would
recommend the holding of mass meeting ia h' p'io W
Columbia such time and place As this meeting may deter
miHe.'
From the aboye Il will be seen that the workingnen
Of the District Of Columbia have completed their organ
aon for the purpoic OF aboshing the unjust and IN
necessary usage which requires the surrender OF al the
Laborers time TO physical toll We claim the night u
do th ard that 10 DO IL s consistent with natural ana
moral law and therefore necessary 70 the continued
prosperity OF society as well 10 individual bappnes
It's with pleasure that we have heard Of similai
organizations in other places that the German Soc
cites Of Cincinnati, the Plasterers' National Con'eh
ton at Pittsburgh. the Coachmakers Internationa
Union at Philadelphia, and Others IN various sections
have declared In favor Of the proposed reform II
them we say, God speed And with them We VII
weigh anchor in the good ship Of Social Progress and
breast the fury OF Mammons storm. until we reaeh tn'
goal Of our destiny, now 10 plainly set before Us.
But so far We believe no steps have been taken Il
organize the elements OF this widespread sentiment
into an effective power Until this j. done, al appeal
for concession must fail through the sophisry and eel
fshness of ayaTicious competition. On iae other hand
bv uniting and working together and y uniformity a.
TO time IN ali cony yuous cities and district Mt eiN
Tor opposition pil be- removed. ald, indeed tbos'
whose interests may appear at irst 10 be ipnrousl
affected, will on the contriry ind them most sub
served since the ultimate result vii be- 20 enhance al
real and personal property. And when the ai'rosis
two millions 81 workingmen extended hy The depend
ence Of Others TO seven OF eight million persons
.han be- fairly presented for public JUDGMENT ronso
will be heard opposition viii be- dsmsyed aud abtshed
and an enlightened pnblo win recognize and cheerful
accede the claims OF justice and humanity sgstan
o by truth.
G With the hope, therefore. of bringing aboat goo
understanding and uniformity Of action. and of gvin
efficacy TO our ef!orts-and with tie view also. taa
this grea; change may BE- cectualy and permaf ent
wrought throughout tie United States without OIL ci
ing society with csshing iutcfcssyou are cll'cd 1ro
By the fourth resolution TO Organize. unite aud 'P
c correspondence With u.s. preliminary 70 holdnsa \.
? tioual Convention 10 consider aud determine ihH iu
porant subject. a ls consideration for The reioty
= interests involved ge proper sppreciation
tho subject renders this necessary and prope
] and requires prompt and cordial response.
We feel assured Of the hearty cooperation ~ al WI
+ labor for daily stipend 90 joining hands with Us % -
: pei system 20 frieyous. and ir demanding remrr
p whereby the laborer-
rvosiirg over De bread
Before h. eafs the yrislal c1ffri
But .onened into fnefUy. nude hs fi'dec
OF oheciiu days and nights without .f.an,'
may enjoy The blessings Of Liberty. the blessings
Christianity. and the blessings OF Civilization. all
which are now spread before his lonrn guzc but ar
Withheld BY the dcspoiiug of ASarice sustained
arbitrary usage.
Bat, IN coming 10 tlis great tlsl We mnst not b
precpitate or careless Calm deiboriion and con-d
Grafton for all the interels involved shold character
ze our councils. Moderation hrmness Of purpose. a1
union Of feeling, viii not only secure the respect an'
approval Of ouI fclow-cilels who arc not directly l
tefosed, bat they are essential elements oi success
against the Vaccinations OF Lucrcs mcroonaIies
Tho right II he people To abolish any custom or lav
that impedes The pursuit aud enjoyment OF hipp.nc-
is The cornerstone OF our political system On thi
great principle ests the hight 10 place the question
this proposed reform before tue p,ople as poliict
measure. the adoption Of which W. believe. VII pro
mote every element Of national prosperity.
In doing this. We discain dcsrof0r ''c4.s lcgisa
tion. Weask exemption from our duties as ciilers
nor seek privileges above an other class Of society
But We do require protection from oppressive usBge
which in The absence Of law b. tacty sustained 40,
upheld by National aud State authorities. We clam
that state Legislature Gud Ciy CorpoIatons. as we
rs Congress all directly indirectly. employer.
and have tho right 10 ia the terms of their own cor