The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-02-08
LooK AZ EnME.

$500 - 4
pickpocksts Of London escaped detection Cor
yesrs BY joining in the throng. and raising
the cry o. +" Stop taiefp' From the frantic
exertions 4 the party papers, In attempting
to divert the attention Of tho American me-
chanic from the alarming condition Of af-
fairs In his midst, BY recital Of the misery
existing in Europe, II seems ~ il the example
referred 30 had not been thrown way. Tney
are very careful to Gull sysry item and par
ade every fact bearing On this question from
the periodicals Of the Old World, while they
have little or nothing to say about the des-
titntion and pauperism to be found ct their
own doors. While they eloqusntly descaut
on the crowded soup kitchens and over
tenanted warehouses Of London and Liver
pool, they conceal the fact that New York
has larger idle population in proportion TO
its numbers than any city in Great Britain
and that in more than one New England
town corn-meal furnishes the staple food
for the people.
In the interesting and eloquent letter ,of
our Maine correspondent published last week,
are some facts, which ought to oriason the
face and arouse the indignation Of every
American citizen. Referring to the factories
Of Lewiston be says:
As you stand and gaze with wonder at TIC
splendid factories rs they rise their tall Chin
neys along the river side, you intuitively say to
yourself. can il be possible that with all this
wealth raised by the Cperatives-children SIX on
EIGHr YEARS or Aax-can it be possible, you say,
that wealth Is not yet satiated, and should still
continue working them ELEVEN. aye TwKLvK
| and in some cases THIRTEEN HOURS PER DAT, still
work the children of such tender years still to
raise more edihces and heap greater wealth
| out of the blood and bones Of these lite child
| The following statement tells its own tale:
| was very much struck while standing look.
| ing at the mills the hour of dinner arrived
| first saw a band Of BOYS and girls come bound
ing out Of school, and how joyous they were
sliding and laughing along the street, making
the air ring again with merry laughter. Then
| the factory bell rang, and q host of children
merged from there but Oh. how different: with
their blood-shot eyes. (as almost all children in
factories arc subject to) their sunken cheeks and
wasted FORMS 50 tninly clad. watched with
interest to see the play begin, and hear their
merry laughter; but waited in vain, with silent
tongue and downcast looks, they wended their
way home TO q dinner perhaps, Qor am told
many that many are scarcely able 70 provide
one } every principle Of the joyous germs Of
| chill ihood and boyhood crushed out &C them BY
| the terrible system carried on by the JverseeFs
in our manufactures here. had right before
me two phases of the life Of our youth one was
happy and joyous-she other respondent and
detected. / asked myself what is the cause Of
it; but was soon able TO answer il for myself
tits long hours that is the great cause Of all the
| trouble-the one are kept at school studying
from 10 O'Clock, which is thought quite long
enough to tar young ehild's brain. The other
are kept often for thirteen long hours.
Think of these facts philanthropistS. and
ask yourself if charity should not commences
at home, and whether you cannot find IN Our
manufacturing cities ss much to engage your
sympathies and earnest efforts, as in the
cotton fields Of Alabama or Georgia.
Think Of these facts American mothers
and by the love you bear your little ones
resolve that this foul wrong, cying TO God fol
Vengeance, shall be swept as with the bosom
Of destruction.
Think of these facts ye clerical canters
and 10 accordance with the command of tn.
Master you profess TO serve, raise your voices
and use your influence to break up ouch ar
iniquitous system.
Think of these facts American mechanics
and blush that the Eight hour question war
ever brosched, while children sir and seUeq
years OF age, were compelled to labor like
galley slaves for thirteen UsGry hours, and
no protest has been heard 10 their behalf.
Think Of these facts American citizens,
irrespective Of creed, sect or nationality,
and resolve that every influence within your
power will be exerted to destroy q system Of
slavery more debasing, more iniquitous, more
Calling than ever existed south Of Mason and
Dixon's line. and which is yearly turning
out food of prosetasia2 Ehics Il. ,lkss.less IS 4;
sbgulgh our social fabric IN q common ruin.