The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-05-05

Nationality, Changes &c.
1t is surprising, yet not less true, that the
American people are fast losing their chief
characteristics-we had almost said { ,ir
Nationality.
From the time Of the first settlement Of
the country, the disposition and feelings Of
our forefathers experienced "A change
change as radical MS il was complete. Ali
their ideas had been trained in u school
which taught that monarchy, and even its
attendant consequence, tyranny, was the
most perfect form of government that could
be devised-a fact the more easily proved
apparently by the fate of the Roman and
other early Republics. So that the first
emigrants were composed chiefly of men the
most LOYAL to those forms Of Government
now so obnoxious to us. Ii is true there
were some exceptions to this class OF men
fleeing from persecution and seeking refuge
on our shores, who seemed TO be guided by
instinct or forewsrning Of what we were
to become under the dawn Of liberty! Yet
this class were comparatively few. The
create portion came here for purposes of
gain, AMI the large field presented for its
pursuit. but from the time of their land
ing, their eyes seemed opened, whether from
the vast expanse of q rich and glorious
country unfolding to their view, like the
panorama Of q series of pictures, those in
dications of wealth which, although unde-
veloped, put forth their proof in transparent
brightness, or the wild freedom Of the native
inhabitants, we cannot say; yet true it is,
the feelings of liberty grew stronger until it
eliminated in that great paper declaring
that "All men are created free and eqnai."
The ful6Iiment Of this idea formed one Of
the grandest achievements the world ever
knew-an idea whose realization astonished
the whole civilized world We need not
here refer to the heroic struggle and self
denial Of our people during the Revolution
they are too deeply imbeddcd in the hearts
Of the people to need repetition. Yet out of
all this came glorious fruits-our Constitu-
ton and the Acknowledgment of the in
herent right of man to live unqucstioned by
aught but good and just laws We had
passed through fire, and we came cut puri-
fed; for certain it is that from that time
our standard Of morality became higher,
our ideas of justice clearer, and our whole
lives nobler and more worthy our manhood
than ever before. The result Of this was
our increasing in prosperity and happiness,
encouraging the down trodden Of all nations
to emigrate and take up their abode on our
welcome shores. Hence our power, hence
our greatness Men came to live with US,
trained as we had been in the hard school of
labor and adversity-men who were not
afraid Of toll and hardship, but who will
lingly put their shoulders to the wheel, and
BY their assistance we soon established .
system of government, with all its CONNER
eial, mechanical, and manufacturing inter-
ests, which astonishsd while IL awed the
world!
From all this we can deduct but one con-
clusion, that ours is a country made great
by the efforts, the sacrifices, and the toll of
THE woRKISGMAN.
The same hahls which repelled the tyranny
of Britain-the sane that drew our precious
Magma ChdTtG Of liberty and indicated its
truth-cut down our forest wildernesses.
and in their places built thriving cities,
towns, and villages. erected factories and
work shops, and established the dignity of
labor by making it the basis OF a couutry's
greatness. Yet a difficulty has now arisen
which it should be our purpose to combat
with all our strength. Some have acquired
greater degree of success than others,
become large owners, and arrogate to them
selves the right to control those whom ne
orooAty tinN. PA~SSu NJ sncfH POW0r--tdktug.
from the results Of their labor an undue
share of the profits. This, however, is
simply the exercise Of that power capital
furnishes, and TO which labor makes itself
subservient. This is precisely the present
state Of the English aristoeraey of labor
morally the worst and most tyrannical form
of society which could be imagined, and
one certainly opposed TO all our independent
notions of what constitutes equality. Such
until recently, has been our state Of society.
The eyes Of the mechanic are opened to q
sense Of his former dependent position, and
co operation is gradually clearing away the
mist which for years has been gathering
around the scene of his iabors and his do
nestle hearth.
From TINS period We msy date another
and nobler phase in our countsy's history
1t will be the history on . new order Of
things, and higher and more intellectual
class Of men---msn Of practical education,
without these theories which have hereto
fore kept the majority Of workingmen in 4
subordinate position National Trader