The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-29


and too little in your own. 1t is this defect,
as much as any other agency, which has
given capital SO completely the mastery over
you. 1t knows your failings, and has made
the best use Of that knowledge. 1t has
sown the seeds Of dissension and suspicion,
and you have been the too willing tools to
propagate them. Instead Of listening to
the calm, still voice Of reason, exercising
that judgment with which God in His wis.,
dom has endowed yol, or meeting sophistry
with argument, you have been disheartened
by almost every difficulty, and in too many
instances succumbed to their influences,
when every obstacle would have disap-
peared if met by the spirit which takes no
denial.
Now, IN the labor organisations, as in all
others, professional croakers may be found
men who always see the darkest side OF
the picture-the thunder clond-but never
the silver tinge; whose prophetic and mag
nifying powers are always called into re-
QUESTION when the manhood or backbone Of
the association is required who are always
ready to SOW the seeds Of suspicion or dis
trust in every enterprise; who invariably
asperse the motives Of those who battle for
the right, un Ter plea of expedieney, while
they we're never known to inaugurate or
advance an idea Of reform. While it Is not
surprising, therefore, that this class Of men
should creep into your organizations, 1t is
passing strange they can exercise the bane-
full influence they do. The first step in the
right direction, then, is to think for your
selves, and be guided by your own judg-
ment, despite the special pleadings Of any
malcontents. But while We speak so, we are
not insensible TO the magnitude Of the con-
test before yen. The task is indeed Her
culean one, which requires, nav demands,
the undivided energies of the lsboriDg class,
if victory is expected to perch upon your
banners. On the one hand We have the
army Of capital, powerful, organized and
united, entrenched and defended by legisla-
tive enactmonts and the sympathy Of public
opinion; on the other the army Of labor, ig-
norant and uDdisciplined, opposed by the
preiudices and conventioDAlities Of society,
but with the weapons Of Truth and Justice,
the triumph Of right is simply a custom Of
time. Patience is doubtless required (; inch
by inch and step by step the approaches
h. Ia "A wall
it is the constant dripping which wears away
the stone; it is the persistent effort, no
matter how slow, which will eventually rev.
olutionize the existing relations between
capital and labor. Under these circumstances
it is almost certain you viii meet reverses,
but is it the part of wise men to sit with
folded arms, because your success has not
been commensurate with your deserts
The dictator of nations truthfully remarked
that Providence generally favored the
strongest battalons, and it may be added,
with equal truth, that success only crowns
the efforts Of those who have striven 20 at
tam it.
But while it would be useless to close
your eyes to the difficulties by which you
are surrounded, none but the craven or trait
or would think Of surrender. No better ev-
idence need be given that the systematic CO.
operation Of labor aims blow at the mo-
nopoly of capital than the alarm raised BY
capital itself. 1t knows land hence it's fran
tic efforts) if it can intimidate you, weaken
your counsels, appal your courage or divide
your strength, that all Is well. This opposi-
sition, we insist, instead of disheartsning,
SD ould encourage you to renewed action and
renewed allegiance to the principles which
have called it forth.
Il you, -toiler and hopper, we have
also WORT to say. Although the shafts
Of envy and malice may often be poised
with demons skill. never falter or prove
recreant to your trust. Remember the value
Of the prize for which you are contending
that the darkest hour Of midnight, is Just
before the dawn Of day. What though you
are maligned or misrepresented though
opposition, covert or avowed, meet you at
every step? let them, we say, only nerve you
TO more determined action and a nobler re-
solve. Let your perseverance, rise with your
difficulties Prove yourself equal to the
Faith and energy are required.
Firm in the right, leave to the future the
vindication Of your motives, and to your
detractors the satisfaction afforded BY the
possession Ofaa guilty conscience.
DARE 10 ~ RIaBrl pAns 70 70 fsuHi
AL the worlds scorniuR cannot harm youi
Stand By your conscience, your honor, your faith;
stand like hero, and bark til dealhP
Remember, also that present failure en-
tails future disaster; that the contest in
which you are embarked, 10 to decide for
generations yet unborn, the statas Of the
mechanic. That il is the use and
rot the abuse Of privileges that will ever
york your REDEMPTION.
You must be prepared 20 meet these re-
'ults. You must have an undying faith
aith which brooks no Denial, which is dis
leartened by no oppcsition and swerved BY |
10 personal consideration-a faith in the
inal triumph of the right-and all viii be
veil, for
Worth, nOs wealth, mnst rsie nankind,
Thoughts are weapons stronger.
The proper impalss he's hen given,
Wan Little icngs-