The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-06-09
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JUNE 9, le6
FAITH IN THE RIGHT.

Workingmen, if there is one virtue more
than another in which you are deficient, il
is the virtue of perseverance. You are too
easily discouraged and led astray. YOU
have too mach faith in the judgment of 9th
ers ana too little in your own. 1t is thi'
defect, as much as any other agency, which
has given capital so completely the mastery
over you. 1t knows your failings, and hai
made the best use of that knowledge. II
has soWn the seeds of dissension and sus-
piciOn, and you have been the too willing
tools to propagate them. Instead Of listen
ing to the calm, still voice of reason, exer-
cising that judgment with which God in his
wisdom has endowed you, or meeting soph.
istry with argument, you have been dis
hesrtened by almost every difficulty, and in
too many instances succumbed to their
influences, when every obstacle would have
disappeared if met by the spirit which takes
no denial.
Now, in the labor organizations, as all
others, professional croakers may be found
men who ALWAYS see the darkest side OF
the picture-the thunder cloud-but never
the silver tinge; whose prophetic and mag
nifying powers are always called into requi-
siti0n when the manhood or backbone Of the
association is required who are always
ready to SOW the seeds of suspicion or dis
trust in every enterprise who invariably as
perse the motives of those who battle for
the right, under a plea Of expectancy, while
they were never known to inaugurate or
advance a. idea of reform. While it is not
surprising, therefore, that this class of men
should creep into your organizations, ii Is
passing strange they can exercise the bane-
ful influence they do. The first step in the
right direction, then, is to think for your
selves, and be guided by your oton judy
ment, despite the special pleadngs of any
malcontents. But while we speak so, we
are not insensible to the magnitude Of the
contest before you. The task is indeed a
herculean one, which requires, nay, demands,
the undivided energies Of the laboring
class, if victory is expected 10 perch upon
your banners. On the one hand We have
the army Of capital, powerful, organized
and united, entrenched and defended by
legislative enactments and the sympathy Of
public opinion on the other, the army Of
labor, ignorant ani undisciplined, opposed
by the Yrejudices ard conventionalities Of
society, bat with the weapons of Truth and
Justice, the triumph Of right is simply a
question Of time. Patience is doubtless re-
quired; inch BY inch and step by step the
approaches must be made; no coup de main
can avail; it is the constant dripping which
wears away the stone; it is the persistent
effort, no matter how slow, which will e7entu-
ally revolutionize the existing relations be-
tween capital and labor. Under these cir
cumstances il is almost certain Won will meet
reverses, but is ii the part of wise men to sit
with folded hands, because your success has
not been commensurate With your deserts
The dictator Of nations truthfully remarked
est battalions, and It may be added with
equal truth, that success only crowns the
efforts Of those who have striven 10 attain it.
But while it would be useless to close your
eyes to tie difficulties by which you are sur
rounded, none but the craven or traitor
would think of surrender. No better evi.
dence need be given that the systematic CO
operation Of labor aims blow at the mono
poly of capital than the alarm raised by
capital itself 1t knows land hence its fran.
tic efforts) if 1t can intimidate you, weaken
your counsels, appall your courage, or divide
your strength, that all is we'll This Opposi-
ton, we insist, instead Of disheartening
should encourage you to renewed action,
and renewed allegiance to the principles
which have called it forth.
To you, feilow-toiler and hopper, we have
also a WORD to sly. What-though the
shafts of envy and malice may often be
poised with q demons skill, nevtr falter or
prove recreant to your trust. Remember
the value of the prize for which you are con-
tending; that the darkest hour Of midnight
is just before the dawn Of day. What
though you are mahgned or nisTepresented
though opposition, covert and avowed, NEE,
you at every step; let them, We say, only
nerve you to more determined action and q
nobler resolve. Let your perseverance rise
with your difficulties. Prove yourself
equal to the emergency. Faith and energy
are required. Firm in the right, leave to
the future the Tindication Of the sincerity Of
your motives, and to your detractors the
satisfaction afforded by the possession of q
guilty conscience -
"DARE RtoHri DARs 10 sE TRUaf
All the worlds scOrnng can never harm yon
Stand by your Conscience, your honor, your faith
Stand like a , -ros aud battle Till deathl"
Remember also that present failure entails
future disaster; that the contest in which
vou are now embarked, is to decide for gen
erstions yet unborn, the status Of the Anne
rican mechanic. That It is the proper U.S.
and not the abuse of privileges that vii
ever work your redemption.
You mast be prepared 70 meet these re
suits. You must haze an andgiag faith--'