The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-04-21

CHICAGO. SATURDAY. APRIL 81, 1859
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specially dislike. They cannot so we'll con.
ceal the cost Of production, and Of course are
less able to make large profit. The same
thing Is ,ruc with contractors and builders
ThcS always choose to obtain the doing oil
their work by the day, by which arrange.
ment they are able TO realize much larger
profit than in case of specific contract In.
deed, z piecework would be the actual re
suit, this bill ought 70 pass 1t is the
fairest for all sides the laboring man re-
ceives pay for what he actually does, and the
employer is not obliged to suffer for any
mans idleness. Bet il is worthy of notice,
that men engaged on piece-work almost in
yariably adopt fer themselves the eight-hour
rule. They do not continue at work after
they experience those peculiar symptoms
which indicate tagging Of the strength.
My agricultural friends on the floor of this
House, am very sorry to observe, manifest
serious opposition TO this bill. To obviate
this difficulty so as not to prejudice the sue
cess of this measure, have accepted the
amendment Of the gentlemen from Cayalga,
Mr.. John l.. Parker, that the provisions OF
this bill shall not in any matter effect or
apply to agricultural labor.
There is further debt Of gratitude due to
our mechanics ano workingmen which few
persons appear to have taken into account.
When, in 1861, the torch of civil war was
kinded by armed rebels from the fire then
ignited in the southern heat, myriads of our
woTkingmcn in az cur large cities and vii
lagos, half nlilion in all, aye and more than
that, fastened to the field in defence of the
national integrity. Mercenary consIdera-
tons did not then prevail there had been
no bounties offered, anil NOBODY had occasion
or disposition to look up substitute. These
were the men VINO preserved the Capitol,
who occupied tents under Mcclellan all
through the winter Of 1862, who gave their
lives freely, and poured out their blood like
water by the Chickahominy, on James river,
and in the disastrous summer campaign of
the army OF Virginia. Almost all the men
who first went to the Geld Of battle, who were
first TO enlist for the defence Of their coun-
try, were mechanics and 6ctory operatives.
Particularly was this the case from the
States Of New Englah and New York, while
the West sent farmers and pioneers Of the
prairies. We all remember that the first
blood was shed in Baltimore, when a rebel
mob assailed murderously the 9th Massachu-
sets regiment The blood Of mechanics and
workingmen was there shed on the pave
ment Of Baltimore, and baptized the city into
the name Of freedom.
Proud was the spectacle, few days after
ward, when the Massachusetts, Sth, on its
way to Washington made its entrance into
Annapolis. For days the National Capitol
had been shut out from communication with
the loyal states, and Governor Hicks had
objected to the passage Of soldiers through
Maryland The true-hearted Abraham Lin
coin had declared in reply that they cannot 60
over or under, and therefore must pass
through, for the government must and should
be maintained The colonel Of the Massa-
chusetts eth had reached the capital Of
Maryland. The hands Of rebel sympathizers
had been at work. The naval school was
closed. Traitors had torn up the railroad
tracks, and dismantled the locomotives, TO
prevent true and loyal men from going to
the defence of the rational metropolis. The
regiment Of mechanics and artisans from
Massachusetts, was by no means to be SO de-
tanned. The colonel surveyed the scene.
Calling man wearing Governor Andrew
uniform from the ranks, he asked him, "Can
you put that locomotive together" The
man replied, "Yes, sir, think can, made
It," He Immediately summoned several
others from the companies, and they speedily
had the iron horse ready for the journey to
Washington. The track was relaid, and In
brief time the citizen soldiers Of the noble
old Bay State were at the capital, paying
their respects to the President. Such men
under proper officers, would be invincible.
To them the nation as indebted for its exist
ence. Who would will hold from them the
loon of gratitude for their generosity and
patriotism
OF such are the men who ask of you to
shorten their hours Of labor, that then days
may be Enlightened To them the country
is indebted for its greatness, its wealth, its
integrity.
Give US this Law, and speedily a new race
Of vigorous men, sound in mind because
sound in body, will spring up almost like
the army of Deucalon Another draft will
disclose no such weakness Of thesbodv poll
tic, as three unsound men out Of every four
Our workingmen will be Happier, better, and
more temperate, better lifted to discharge
their obligations as citizens. They viii live
to see their children grow to maturity
around their own heartstones. The wealth,
the prospective energy Of the country will
be doubled, for every man viii labor sixty
years instead Of thirty.
The future poet will not have occasion to
sing d us as the bard sang of England:
IN fares the land to Fastening Ills a prey,
Where wealth accommodates. but decay"
Yes, Mr., Chairman, man is the creator Of
wealth. 1t is our interest as well as our
duty, as legislators and statesmen, to do
what lies in our power to make him strong,
vigorous and powerful.
Two hundred years ago this State and
country, where now are mills and factories,
hotels and churches, banks and colleges, ana
senate houses, and hourIshiDg common
wealths, consisted of wilderness, tenanted
by the panther and the bear. Capital did
not make the change. Men with firm pur-
pose and stalwart hands did the work.
Genial institutions did not difuse civilization
over this vast domain of ours, The Briton
the Hugenot, the Northman, Englishman
and Hollander, fabricated institutions for
themselves, with which their children have
been enabled to become great. They did not
prosper merely because of fertile soil, rich
mines, and commoiio-s harbors by the
ocean for the New Highlander, reared on
sterile rocks, under an inclement SIX, is
richer and more powerful than his brother
Americans in more favored districts. These
men have created the prosperity, and sur
rounded themselves with the institutions.
Much of this greatness, this moral and ma
tional strength, is due to their religious faith.
One day in seven they have rested from