The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1867-12-28
The Banquet of abe Amalgafna.ed sOcI.
cay OF Engineers and MachInIsts.

The Banquet OF abe Amalgaina.ed SocI.
cay of Engineers and MachInIsts.
1 Pursuant to announcement, and according to
custom, the Chicago branch oftne Amalgamated
Society Of Engineers aud Machnsts held their
second annual banquet last Tuesday evening. at
/ st. Georges Hall, on Clark street.
| AT about half-past eight o Jlock Mr. J. Rems-
bottom was chosen president and toast master
for the evening, and Messrs. James Fulton and
I David Hanna vice presidents.
4 After the election Of officers, the company,
numbering over on hundred and 6fty, including
number o. ladies, tie wives and daughters Of
the members Of the association present. sat
down to one Of the best oyster suppers that
Wright, Of the Opera House, could produce,
When al lad partaken OF the bountffl re-
PAST, the tables were cleared aud preparations
made for social Interchange efs views and sen.
timents, to revive tie good old days Of yore and
remind each other Of The many happy days 90 mt
in "herrie f. gland
President Ramsbottom announced as the iirst
toast, "The Past and Present Rulers OF Eng
land ana America to be responded to by Mr..
Elcott, delegate to the Labor Congress from
Connecticut Mr. Ellicott spoke very pleasantly
Tor about half an hour, reeiting many facts to
prove that The condition Of the w6rkinemep eF
England to-day was far ahead Of that sxperiene
cd by them twenty years ago, and attributed the
change to the indomtable viii and perseverance,
Of the laooTing classes, guided b. men Of sound
moral character aud patriotic principles. IL
claimed that nos they were in free couulr;
governed by free people, composed largely OF
their former felow-workmen, they we're moi
only wiling but determined to support the laws
o. the land of their adoption, and mGint-in the
principle, as set forth in the Declaration OF In
dependence, that all men are equal Mr. Eli
ectt was frequently applauded
The president announced the first song would
be our national anthem, MY country, 'tis IL
Thee" and requested all to stand up, which was
readily complied with Tire hearty mau1er and
zest manifested by all was conclusive evidence
that they were in earnest.--
The second toast, announced BY Vice Presi
dent Fulton, was The Amalgrmated Society,"
responded 10 BY President Ran sbottOm Mr.
r. gave The origion Of the association, is pro
gres~ and strength, and claimed that it was the
oldest, strongest and best society Of working
men in existence. In proof of the attachment
that members had % the soc sty, after having
teer a member for two or three years, be dc
ed that they . ould sooner lose their right
~ sever thar connection with H.
among cthef tnings rs ----- -s,. "a .ldn
had expended over $2,5Oo,eoo during the last
sixteen years, in benefits, annuities, &c, among
is members. Mr. R. closed his remarks amid
hearty applause.
Mr.. Hayes was then called on ana sung, Win
6ne effect, ''The Red, White and Blues intro
ducing Ieneral GraLt's mana in manner that
elected rounds Of applause, all present joining
IN the chorus.
The third toast Of the president was "The La
Dor Press-its Power and Influences respond
ed to, in tile absence Of Mr.. A. G. Cameron by
Mr.. 7. 4. Massie, who spoke substantially as
follows:
Ma PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GESrLEMES,-I
will end 'avor 70 be as brief as possible in per
forming the task allotted 70 ne. But 50. ..
sib Mr. President, allow me, in behalf Of Mr.
Cameron, 70 oher ~ excuse for bis not being
here ibis evening Business oi IN unavoidable
natu compelled biz pres, nee elsewhere other
wise b. W AID hase been but too happy 10 lave
mes ~irn you aad offered has congratulation fer
the success Of Jour ssociSt up TO the pres, 4
time and ts pr spects for The future.
lie Labcs Peess Whit is itl Ii Is an Or
ga- Y, TIE working men that deyotes its exclu-
slve energg - the advancement of the labor
classes- II Y medium through which the
working men can exchange their sentiments and
learn OF those things which are beet adapted to
their wants. When paper raises the standard
Of the working men and has as its motto, "De-
voted exclusively to the interests of the produc-
ing classes, il arrays against 1t all the influence
and talent Of every other organ 10 greater Of
les5 extent, and assure YOU, Nj Pr sident, that
it Is nc easy task to successfully combat the wils
arguments of its oppor - p. refer you
to no later period th Al day, when the work
ing classes th-cnsh their respective labor or
CARNATIONS, believing, as they did, they were
supported in their just cause by honest (s) men.
men that could be relied upon as being sincere
in their professions, attempted 70 shorten the
hours Of labor that they might have a few more
hours to improve their intellect and become ca
psble Of taking part In the government Of ma
ton that is governed by the people. You very
well remember that at that time the organs Of
capital used every pretext to Willy those who
were outspoken in their convictions, calling
them rioters, incendiaries. &C., urging their i'm.
mediate arrest and imprisonment, as the best
method If wiping out those who dared assert
their manhood, and had the holiness to make
such assertion upon the sidewalks. In con-
sequence, many were arrested and placed in
jaii 70 await an examination, which. in n suy in
stances, proved farce, nothing Of an unlawful
character being proved againss them; while .
few were fined, more, perhspr, TO help pay the
expenses Of the court and give the capitalistS
organs something upon which thsy could write
another article in their next Issue. than that
those men were actually guilty Of any 81 BY
which the peace end dignity Of the c1l1aaon-
wealA was endangered. Now, ~. II needed
al the power OF the Labor Pres 20 epntsadiot
the base SANDERS Of those organA and place
the matter In is true light before the public.
While the capitalists bad MANY, the wnrkingmen
had but ONE organ that defended their position
and stood up maufhlly for the principles that
gave birth 70 the law that to-day Is dead-letter
on the statute book. The contest was unequal
The fox-like cunning Of the political hueksters
gained the supremacy cver the stra hit forward
honest designs Of tho laboriag clAssa. Bot not
I fog all time, Whe day is not far distant when
the workingmen, IN one united, solid phalanx,
will declare, through the ballot-box, that the
interest Of labor must ar shall be represented
i by . iabofing man The power and influence Of
the Labor Press win be devoted 20 this object
and H. ou would see It succeed, Ne. .Chairsnal
and gentlemen, lend 10 that support which J
deserves; otherwise 10 viii &c down, and you
| VIII be without Q champion u this broad land o