The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1867-12-28


To "a. Editor Of ID. wO.xEssx .s's ADvocArs.
There are three kinds OF labor-agricultu-
raj, mechanical, and that which is simply
intellectual. The problem is TO unite these
forces, for in their union is victory.
OF these the most useful is agricultural
labor, and Il Is, aud always has been, the
most degraded. Even now, half our mechan-
icS will not touch the ia run laborer with q
stick.
The consequence OF this antipathy between
the two largest hodies Of labor has been that
capital has, through and by such insane divi-
sion, marshaled their forces against each
other, and ruled both with q rod of iron.
Such is the only means by which money here
can ever Cypress man, for capital, IN this
Republic ut least, is, in itself, both socially
and politically weak, and CT only MAINTAIN
its power by its superior cunning and adroit-
ness.
The onlJ way in which We can hope to
form real union between agricultural and
mechanical laborers Is. 10 elevate the charac-
ter Of the former to the position held by the
latter The way to accomplish this IS, in the
6rst place to
FREE THE LAND.
This has been proposed by the Baltimore
Labor Congress, thus: The tools to him
who has the skill and ability to use them,
and the land to those who have the will and
the heart to cultivate It." This was endorsed
BY the late Chicago Labor Congress, in the
following resolution, which was adopted,
and which " deserving Of place in the Con-
stAution Of the United States. -.-.
Resclssd, That the sol, like air, water.
and light, 10 the free gift Of beuefcent God
to man, and we hold that traffick in any OF
these elements IN sacrilegious, and In direct
eontravention Of the designs Of the Creator. p
This resolution has the true ring, and
means work 1t 10 the genuine foundation
stone On which Labor's temple must be
built, a most assuredy II will be.
But before the agricultural laborer can
hope TO be entirely freed from his thraldom,
he mnst be freed from another oppression,
and il win BE- iound necessary 10 abolish
1.-THE DEPUTY SYSTEM"
Alexander Pops, 10 his famous poem Of
the "Coming Of the Messiah" enunciates
the following amongst the other blessings Of
the nillsniam.
xhsk ths hand thas sswsd, shan reap enc nsd'
When that 10 established on the farm, the
same principle will obtsin ip the mine, the
factory apd the workshop, and all Who toll
win receive the just returns Of their labors:
which assursdly they do mot at present.
Brother workingmen, you have now an
opportunity Of establishing this sound doc
trine, and embodying IL Is - governmental
maxim- Four hundred thousand toilers an
On the land q the southern States, whose
votes en- ~ depended upon, appeal to you
% entreat yoa to purchase your rice, your
cotton, your sugsr, and your tobacco, at the
lAbos-0ost prics, By sotablishing the rights
q The toilw 70 the l1ld, whilst he la6ors
iAithf1lly thGsupon. IN you wish 10 drive
he 1eGro north 10 large numbers to compete
with y0u, BY delltSring him ovsr TO the op-
presseof, you win refuse his request and de-
fsr fbr tims ths triumph Of justice. II,
% IT, contrary, by Jour votes at the next
PrsGidsutial slsotion, ron establish the shove
pgincipk, Y win not b long before twill