The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-06
The Eight Hour Question Be-
fore the Country.
SUCCESS OF THE WOaKINGMEN'S UNION.
immense Turnout Of Trade
Societies.
Professions, Music, Rockets, Cali
cium Lights,
&c. sc. &C.

mass meeting Of the workingmen and trades
societies Of New York hold last evening at Union
square for the purpose Of discussing the eight hours
labor question: and OF adopting resolutions expressive Of
determination to persevere in the agitation Of the
question till the object shall be attained. The organza
ton of the Trades Union has become perfect that
the brefes notice sufficient to call the thousands of
men composing together whenever the object they
desire to accomplish requires their muster in
public The workingmen's Union is recognized as
. most important element in the body polite
Of this city and State and though organized
simply for the purpose of advocating the policy of
ducng the period of daily labor to eight hours the in
fuence of such body Of men, directed as it.
is by high intelligence and pure PATRIOTISM will be felt
beyond the Of action originally laid down for their
guidance and for the accomplishment Of the primary
object OF the organization.
The turnout last evening by far the largest yet
convened in public assemblage and Union square during
the proceedings rendered impossible by the dense
throng that gathered round the stands, and by the
and unbroken line of professions which, with
bands of music and lanterns and transparencies,
kept marching past. The square lighted up with
calcium lights, and with numerous Chinese lanterns
but the brightness Of these paed before the glare from
rockets aud Roman candles, unsparn2y provided for the
occasion. large the ground, which
was well served, and the frequent discharges from
which shook the buildings around and sadly interrupted
from time to time the diff rent speakers.
There four stands provided for the OCCASION but
owing to the very culpabe carocssness of the parties
entrusted with their erection they altogether in
sufficient for purpose for which they intended
and early the proceedings two of them broke down.
much the CONSERVATION of the parties thereon, with
risk also to life and limb Fortunately the extent
OF the injuries confined bruises and scratches
hut this does not lessen the cupabilty of those who
erected them.
There large force Of police judicousy posted at
different points, and in the confusion that ensued from
the breaking down of the platforms they were to be
helping people to their feet and restoring order
when it ascertaned that seriously hurt
With this exception there need for their services
the proceedings passed Off In perfect order and har
znony The Metropoitans under the command Of
Sergeant Lowry, Of the Twenty ninth precinct
STAND NO. ONE
was erected nearly opposite the MAison poree. The
proceedings here opened by the presiding officer
Mr. John Reed, who addressed the assemblase before
aim follows:-
MR.. REEDS REMARKS.
GxyrIyxES-FRESDs LaBoR MovEMEST:-We
here tonight TO manifest our devotion 10 the prin
cipe OF shortening hours of labor Manhattan
island this evening vbate beneath the tread Of seventy
Thousand workinamen here or coming here. Your de-
vnonstrsou Is more eloquent itself than any words Of
mne you speak for yourselves in thunder tones not
Of the worEingmen Of America; although tho
agitation Of this question Is universal from Maine
truth when say that there have been no riots dis
orders in connection with this movement We feel and
know our responsibility as citizens and men, and bow 70
In regard 20 decorum and respect for peace, law
and order. iCheers) We are not unaware Of our
strength physically and politically neither are we gno-
OF how might be eiectually used but II is
glory and boast that have reached higher stand
ard We can anord to put this question upon the very
highest ground: tho intrigue OF the demagogue Is
beneath plan OF action--to IT, hope, viii never
descend We choose rather to appeal to the justice and
consideration of the citizens OF this great metropolis
60 whom have appealed In vain when
right and reasonable Cheers We
claim our Just share OF that glory and renown
which the world ever accords 70 New York city. We
Justly proud OF the enterprise, munifcence and
A. employed and with whom We work we are
proud OF its magnificent steamships which float on
every ocean and sea- monuments OF our ski and IN
lions, where the hungry fed, the naked clothed
the blind made to SEQ, the lame to walk the deal to
hear aud the dumb speak BY energy and fores ght,
combNed with patien, toll as workngmen, New
York city has risen TO be tho prido and envy OF the
her here aud We claim tho right to share IN tho i'm
munitics which prosperity confers. tApplause.)
invented Notwithstanding wealth. which we have assisted
10 pile and amass Notwithstanding the opulence and
enjoyment we the workers the source Of al still live
In cellars and garrets mostly all unable 10 own even a
paativeiy Speaking, unknown to US We look around
Nd beautiful buns but cottages Of
-, crcsts; there arc undulasing and picturesque
in our small but no d y pssdsnce ours DO s no
IN ,osr suhsa sion Of the valley or By murm urins
ncsuo IN uuo sce,s : whcreforef Because our time
STG0s Sa How WY y Sen our nay tho twclvewhcn
WI no. perns my 'd-forbd the enjoyment
and deny the Injury Chen, ,,J lbd ypur sentiment,
you hns ma SPEAK t noth,na 70 impair the pros
Ven saV Una. We woalo , or our country: II more
Prly ana positon on our y" toll and labor We're
sae,nSeS were neeaea would gladly Furnish II
H., or hi. No - -, =. uyinccd. We all know
that labor can be prosecuted q two prncples-hat o.
strcngth and awkwsrtness and hat OF skill ana ngenu
fy The Of the former pas, and gone We arc no'
VOW ia The age OF wheebarrows handcarts out 10
shas OF Locomotives and enga "a IL ioily
madneSs Il Ia suicide for man, en- 70 WORK MN
self or themselves death, while the 'orccs snu ens
ries OF nature lie sumoerne IN W. YIN " ~ s Sn