The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-07-14

Political parties have been a curse to the
workingmen Of America. They have been
bowed down 50 long beneath this yoke that
they have almost lost the aspiration for
emancipation. 1t results from this slavery,
to which they have been so long subjected,
that it is so difficult to rouse them up to any
adequate sense Of the evil.
Here we see, say two moulders, or two
masons, or two any other kind Of mechanics,
both working in the same shop, both re-
ceiving the same wages, both having families
to support and educate, and raise respect
ably, both having precisely the same hopes
and the same interests, and vet wonderful
TO tell, one belongs to one party and one be-
longs to another What can be more alb
surds Would two iron manufacturers in
Pennsylvania take different sides when the
tariff was to be increased And capital,
whatever competition between capital and
capital, has it ever failed to join hand in
hand to strike down labor when it has at
tempted 10 raise its heade
Thus in Europe, on the same principle,
Austria and Prussia, and France, and Rus
STA, will, whenever they see proper, plunge
their people in war, with all its distress and
ruin. But then these wars are waged by
che nation against the other--like competi-
ton between capital-let the people Of
Europe, Of whatever tongue or country,
make an effort to free themselves from op-
presslon, and at once these hostile nations
become friends, and princes and aristocrats
everywhere make common cause to crush
them out.
Everybody knows how Europe combined
to strange the first French republic how
the Duke of Brunswick. at the head of the
allied armies crossed the Rhine with fire and
sword in one hand and letters in the other,
which were to be rivetted forever upon
Young Freedom.
This same antagonism is repeating itself
in America, under another form. The two
parties-and the parties are nothing more
or less than the leaders-will forget their
quarres and unite to escape a common dan
ger, when they find out that the laboring
people are beginning to see into the hocus
pocus Of the whole proceeding.
What are the facts ? They are simple
and can be comprehended by the most
stupid intellect
There are a number Of interests in the
country. Here is the commercial interest,
the manufacturing interest, the banking in
terest, the railroad interest &c. We class
them all under the broad term capital.
Some Of these interests are in opposition to
others and others are not. But each inter.
est has its own peculiar schemes which are
TO be carried out. Hence each one of them,
in order to effect its purpose, POUNDS new
newspaper organs, Dr. buys in old ones to
create public opinion In its advantage.
The money Of these monopolies is counted
by millions and they can afford to do it.
Politicians, members Of Legislatures, men,
bers Of Congress, and public officers gener-
ally are also approached by men representing
these interests, and the thing usually
works"
What part have the workingmen played
in this great political contest between inter-
ests Il would be ludicrous to contemplate
the truth were it not, alas too painful
They have been the ten pins, that these gen.
tlemen have been bowling at to see who
would pay for the beer. There Is . railroad
interest but not soorbiagmaR's interest.
What remains to be done Cut lose from
all parties, representing dead interest
which neither sees, or feels, or hears and
stand up for the God created and God-given
rights Of living, breathing, toiling and suf-
fering humanity. Mark the insidious APP
proaches Of that man, who whether in a
stump speech or in q newspaper, tells you
that you should 60 with this party or with
that other party. They may have done
much for railroad or bank, but what
have they ever done for you. Then put the
question to your own hearts and bosoms,
"sAould not zoe too be an INrkREsr p -
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