The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-07-21
CHICAGO, SATURDAY, JULY 81, 1866
THE EIGHT HOUR ADDRESS.


~.
Passing from general principles to more
particular review of The requirements az
laid down by the committee, we are some
what surprised to end that no pledge is de-
manded, that cur nominees shall vote for
the ensctien Of law by which Eight Hours
shall constitute a legal days work. 1t is
true, it may be implied; but why insist that
other issues shall be subscribed to, while no
such pledge is exaeted on the vital question
of the campaign. 1t pay be said that it is
presumed none but members of leagues
would be nominated : but, unfortunately
We have no such assurance, and it thus be-
comes presumption al best. But 10 the re-
quiremeIts direct, the first Of which de-
mands that the candidate shall avow his
Loyalty to the Government OF the United
States.
Without designing to impugn the motives
of the gentlemen who penned it, ", cannot
regsd such a requirement, other THAI n
the light VI an insult 10 the intelligence
and patriotism of the working classes.
Thank God, the mechanics of Illinois need
give no further evidence Of loyalty to CON
stitution or country than the history Of
the rebellion affords. From the first volley
At Sumter to the browning glories Of Rich
mond their yalor and patriotism has been
tested on every field; and it is poor com
pliment either to their prin ciple or honesty
10 admit that traitor, under any eircum-
stances would receive q nomination at their
hands; because traitor could only be NOM
mated by a traitorous convention. More
especially are we surprised at the introduce
ton Of this test, since similar resolution
was unanimously voted down at the conyen-
ton recently held in this city, in order that
its deliberations should be dives,ed of
everything of political or charlatan char
acter.
1t is a well known fact, that in our large
cities especially, majority of the working
classes have heretofore acted with the
4" Democratic party" and been its too
willing slaves. Their cooperation is es-
sential to success without il nothing can
be accomplished; and hat they are willing
to cut themselves alooe has been practically
demonstrated. But while this is true it is
also true that the ruling passion is strong
in death; that may still banker after the
flesh pots of Egypt, and once give such
demagogical sheets as the Chicago Times an
opportunity TO play upon their credulity, or
arouse their suspicious, and what will be
the consequences We think no one need
be told. 1t is this danger against which We
have more particularly to guard, as avoid
ing the very appearance of evil. Let us
illustrate our point. In the last municipal
election held in this city, an honest hard
listed mechanic, who had heretofore acted
with the Republican party, was nominated
as the Eight Hour candidate in tn banner
ward Of Democracy. Many doubted the
wisdom Of the movement, but subsequent
events vindi Gated it. Men who never voted
ought but party ticket, eheerfully voted
for the Eight Hour nominee, without an
&c ifs or % but" believing in the integrity
of his motives. Now, suppose test Of
+" loyalty" had been introduced as quail
fcation, either for voters or nominee, how
many Of these 800 Democrats of the 7th
ward would have voted the Eight Hour
ticket? No matter how many protests to
the contrary, it would have been regarded
as breach of faith and a mere party
movement, and the Democratic ticket wonld
have been triumphant by an overwhelming
majority.
But there is still another and more import
ant reason why we oppose the introduction OF
such test The Eight Hour principle, to
prove effective, must assume a national
importance must be agitated and demand
cd simultaneously from Maine to Texas !;
and it is with view to effect this result that
fhe Baltimore Convention has been called.
At that convention We hope to see spre-
sentatiyes from every section of our COM
mon country, meeting in kindly intercourse;
the New England radical and the Carolin-
ian fre-eater working hand in hand and
now that the strife which has deluged the
land with the blood Of the bravest and the
best has happily terminated, we should op-
pose to the bitter end the introduction of
anu subject or test calculated to destroy the
harmony or objects of that convention.
An identity 81 interest has called it together,
and the future Of labor has too deep an in
terest in the success of its deliberations
10 allow such suicidal policy to control
them. As IT is, II will doubtless require a
more than ordinary amount of caution and
forbearance to prevent an ebnlition Of
sectional jealousy, and 1t would be the
hight of folly, nay criminelity to purPoseiy
introduce such bone of contention. For
ourselves we should as soon support dele
gate from Mississippi as from Massachu-
sets for any Office, provided his Loyalty TO
the Eight Hour cause was unimpeaehable,
and such we believe and trnst will be the
predominating sentiments. Unlessa cathc-
lie, magnaminous spirit is manifested, and
all attempts to introduce issues foreign to
i. ~, R-ua--.l dn-~ Aha y avn