Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-04-13


last night to hear NJ. SylHis at the
Court House. The meeting was called :
to order and Sergeant White chosen
Chairman, and Mr.. Einhardt Secretary.
Sergeant White made some. INTRODUCES
tory remarks, after which be Introduced
Mr.. Sylvis, who at once proceeded to
address the laboring men on the great
labor question. Mr.. Sylvis is a plain
man and has evidently given the subject
much thought and reflection. t
aoHe stsEtsd ssutpbRsa5ing that it was
important to the cause OF, the Iaboring
men, that whfiethey wereguarding their
own interests they should dc no wrong
themselves. He believed that the Trades
Union would accomplish much good,
but it was alike capable of doing great
, harm, and in many cases much harm /,
had grown-out of the institution. The
great object of the Moulders' Union, to
which he belonged, was, as far as ia
4prac&cablep toT3 hanuduize labor with
capital, and be feIt1sure that could be
done in aquiet way, without resorting
ltoropen FevolutionaEy measures.
He took issue with political econo-
mists, in as much as they had asserted
that harmony existed between capital
and labor. 1t was not the CASE The
profit made off the labor of every me-
chanic was too great, hence the unequal
sdistribution Of tbs wealth. of the eoun-
Itryl Capital could be harmonized with
labor if the laborera would cooperate
with each other. He submitted the plan
of cooperation as adopted at RockdaIe,
and other places, as the true method Of
correcting the evil. The plan was for
mechanics to put their capital together,
and establish workshops and foundries
Of their own, ard thus cause labor to be
broug ht into direct competition with
capital. This he commended, would not
make scarcity of single article, nor
increase its price, but would have q d.
rect tendency to secure to mechanics,
= aihoser the countrys fair conn ensation
! for their labor, and the ultimate distris
button of the wealth of the country
> more fairly.
He cited number of co operation
associations that had been formed, bJ
mechanics throwing their means togeth
err, and by making common fund; hat
: buiIded- up trade and become a ricl
|, company. BE opposed strikes in al
departments of trade, and said that wa
the last means that should be resortet
(. to, as it never could accomplish wha
the laborers really desired.
. he did not wish to raise crusad'
:. against capitalists, but he claimed tn
: right, as all mechanics had, of fai
!: compensation for labor, and the grea
!. movement that was on foot now he wa
q sure would accomplish the end, if me
y chanics would be true to themselves.
:. He discussed at length the laws o
!. supply and demand, and devoted cor
= siderable time 40 lmonopolies, &c. Fl
- 10 a candid thinker, and is evidentl
correct In the theory of correcting tn
evil complained of;ssas ss -afse
= Owing to the fact that be did nc
commence speaking till late, We wer
: unable to hear all he had to say; bat, a
= far as we did hear him, we think hi
!. theory the correct one. The operation
: of the Union Furniture Company,
!. this city, furnishes proof Of the correc
i ness of his opinions, and the feasibilit
: of such associations He discussed tn
= subject with candor and deliberatior
. - and though not speaker, he evince
clearly that he had given the subieC
much thought and reflection, and tbs
he reasoned from cause to effect. W
81 regret that we could not remain to hea
Z. his concluding remarks, and that "
:. have not the space to give q more faitl
!, fEl compile of his speech. The questio
- we consider one of great importance, {
M much 50 that each mechanic ought,
ha our Judgment, to give it his most care
full consideration; and, as Mr.. Sylv
suggested, be sure that the right couri
a ia adopted, and that they themselves d
Ia no wrong.