The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16

defended by those aiken from i
shops or tho bsnck. n Z
THE 0nJNcrs OF a TRADES AS
ARMnlYs-I.
Az many Of our local unions sssm 70 he In
the dark 40 10 the benefits 20 be derived
from, or the objects sought TO be accom-
plishsd BY, Trades Assembly, we propose
in the present and subsequent numbers to
enlighten them little on these points,
though we are well aware that none are 90
blind as those Who Don't zee, and thas ignor-
ance % is often the cloak which apathy or
indispOsition uses 70 exteBuate the non
performance Of an imperative duty.
The constitution Of the Trades Assembly
Of this city, which is but . reflex Of the
principles embodied in tie constitutions Of
all other similar organizations throughout
the country, has been l.aeed at the disposal
Of every protective union iG the State, and
as those principles are ennnciated with such
clearness and simplicity, that be who reads
may run, and are Of such character ~ %
commend themselves to the support Of every
man who earns his living by honest labor,
We are more than surprised at the one-sided,
short-sighttd selfshness to which we have
Just referred.
Now, unpalAtahle as the statement may
seem, we insist that the Union which holds
itsslf aloof from such an organisation under
the plea that its particular interests can not
be advanced thereby, virtually occupies the
same position that q scAb does, who refuses
to belong to his trades union, because he can
always command union wages. The prin-
cipls involved is the same in both casss. A
Trades Assembly is simply an enlargement
of the "union" idea. II it is conceded, and
we tb,nk few Of our readers will dispute the
statement, that the united efforts OF 500 men
can accomplish more than the individual
efforts Of the same number, why should no.
the efforts Of 30 unions acting in concert
for the attainment Of common purpose, &C
complish more than If acung independent Of
each other
In case, however, the plea Of Ignorance,
in any instance, should be valid one, we
print below the platform upon which the or
ganization rests, With the promise that any
party taking exception to its objects, will
have an opportunity Of PRESENTING them
through its organ:
First--To unite the interests Of the different
Trades Unions in this vicinity, 50 that they may
form one brotherhood, for the defence Of the
rights, and the promotion of the interests Of the
laboring classes.
Second-To examine and discuss those state
laws and city ordinances which may be coDsid.
cred obaoxious 20 the welfare of the lsboring
classes TO bring them before the various
trades with the view of devising ways and means
TO abolish them in legal manner the commu-
nication of facts relating to the several trades
herein represented, in order that the members
in each Union may patronze those employers
only who pay Union prices.
Third-To use all means consistent with our
honor and integrity, to 30 correct the legislation
Of our state aud nation, that it will insure 10
the working classes their just rights and priv.
leges.
Fourth-To urge upon the national congress
the consideration Of such laws aud measures as
may be deemed necessary for the elevation and
well being OF the laboring classes.
Fifth-To use our utmost endearors TO i'm
press upon the various trades the necessity for
the organization of Protective Unions, with
their respective obligations. and to likewise
labor for the organization Of National Trades
Congress, to be composed Of delegates IRON the
General Unions.
Sixth-1o use every honorable means in our
power to adjust difficulties that may arise be-
twe cen employers and workman to labor assid-
uously for the Development of \ plan Of action
that may be mutually beneficial to both parties /;
to use our influence to discountensnce strikes,
except when they become absolutely necessary,
and to devise the best manner OF supporting
such trades rs may be driven to the necessity Of
resorting to such means to force u recognition
Of their rights.
If there are any labor organizations which
have no "rights to Defend" OF no ''interests
to PROMOTE" Of course, they are not en-
braced in the above invitation; yet we
should like to hear from any one Of them
which would object in the hour of adversely
when pushed to the wall Dy the arbitrary
demands of employers to receive the moral
and pecuniary support Of their fellow-work-
men; to xnow that their cause was espoused
b. the Assembly, and that the mechanics Of
Chicago were rallying as one man to their
support. We supposed it was a fact too
well known to require any demonstration,
that an injury inflicted on one profession is
eventually experienced by all, go that the
talk we so often hear sbous Independence is
the sheerest bOsh, and used only 10 hide a
craven heart.
In the next number we shall refer to the
second paragraph of the extract. In the
meantime we assure those disorganiEers VINO
are endeavoriug to create dissension and
jealousy, that they are plating a whip to
Lash themselves, and that If they succeed in
their nefarious purpose, they will be among
the fret to deplore the result.