The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-11-10


From the Country.
WHEATON, Nov. 9th, 1866.
70 the Editor Of the woRxIxexAs's ADVOCATE.
10 the last weeks ADvocArs an enquiry
into the character and effect Of fundamental
laws upon the rights Of labor was promised.
Every nation has certain Fundamental
laws, these are governing powers, and sub
sequent laws are enacted which are designed
e peiiect and carry out the objects included
IL these laws denominated fundamental.
A knowledge Of these laws, theoretically
and pFacti cally is essential.
Without this knowledge we are navigat
ing troubled waters, with NO Chart or COM
pass to guide US,
The central idea upon which the European
governments and laws are based, is that the
governing power is, by Div ine appointment,
conferred In Autocrat, Emperor or King
These are the sources and fountain Of all
justice in their realms. Legislation is the
exercise Of this attribute Of the sovereign
power, and is an act Of the greatest superior
ity which one human being can exercise
over another. The supremacy Of thu King
and Parliament IS the essence of every law,
an UNI uallified admission Of this power, and
an unconditional obedience is the paramount
duty Of the subject.
To this central idea, all their laws point,
as truly IS the needle to the pole. Hence are
unequal and partial laws, Kings, Princes and
mobiles are the head. Subordinate to these
are the commercial and manufacturing
classes and corporations Least and lowest
are the farmers, mechanics, artizans and day
laborers upon these rest the support Of the
whole
This system saps the fountain of Justice at
its source, its polluted stream is the specious.
refined, but selfish, odious, and corrupt
class, legislation thence emanating its
fruits,-are general decentralization Of all
classes, and the utter degradation and crime
Of the lower classes.
In this country, theoretically, the govern
ment is based upon the will Of the individual
man. Every man a sovereign, is the theor-
itical truth Of oar system. Legislation brands
it great he The Divine right Of Kings to
govern and avn the masses and the fruits OF
their toll, is the great legislative truth de-
clared by our system. To this end points
state and national legislation, elementary
works and grave judicial decisions Under
this ponderous load Of class legislation the
beautiful theory of inalienable rights lies en-
tc'ahed 80 deep that it knows no resurrec-
ton. These rights dwell only in the faneiful
dream Of the philosopher and poet, in I'M
meaning declarations of right, or ornamental
constitutional preambes.
Politicians talk hipplntly of these rights
and thereby swarms Of hungry officials
live and fatten. But the question is, who
enjoys such rights, or who exercises the
popular right for voting for President, Vice
4 President, Secretary, Senator, or Judge, or
other national legislature or judicial offices
higher than Congressman
The advance, over the European world,
then is--the executive here takes BY cleo
ton there by hereditary right. The
people indulge in ths-vsry innocent amuse-
menl Of voting for somebody who may elect
somebos1g President-that President may OF
may not represent o majority of the people
theoretically be represents not the people
but class Of the people he is the creation oil
i class called electors, and practically legislar
in class legislation, and judicial ana execn
tive protection Of these clsss-interests and
rights. The name, installation and term o.
Office is changed, excise, import and tinancia
laws are unchanged, and consequently nd
ministrative duties are similar to those o.
the European world.
Here as well as there, through this com
plicated machinery, the masses are doomed
a. we have heretofore shown, to perpetual
toll for the benefit of the ruling class. Blu
-heir nobility is titled and gartered, anC
oars lacks the sweet enchanting power O
q name, but this nameless and titleless no
biliiy have deeper and broader privileges Sc
cured TO them by law than any gartered and
titled nobility in Europe, and let working
men remember that the only possible chancs
for them to better their condition and Il
avoid the horrible pit into which the labol
classes Of Europe have fallen is by . repeal o.
these despicable European class Laws, and
the enactment Of those founded upon prin
cipIes of equality and justice. The stud,
ther sfore Of the principles which lie ut tn
base Of our fundamental laws is the first ad
vance step in the labor reform.
4 We are marching with giant tread in tn
pathway Of European dynasties. Silent,
bat steadily and surely the distinctive prin
ciples Of our government have within les
1 than hundred years, one after the other
disappeared, until at last we differ wit
Europe principally in the form and name
We Join hands with her in snacting an'
perpetuating oil those great fandsmenfs
Laws whereby the rights Of the indiyidus
( man are lest and destroyed. a
II In subsequent articles the outline Of tn
laws Of finance, as now understood an
Il precticed, viii be presentsd-its principle
and effect upon the rights Of the industra
} classes examined and illustrated. Some o
the beautiful pictures stored away in th
State and national archives will be brough
forth to public view, that the people ma.
I obtain more definite views Of that root {