The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-09-05
THE NEW REPUBLIC.

GaraQOXlcal as tue statement may seem,
we have read Mr.. Resvis' pamphlet, bearing
indirectly on the reform movement, with in
terest, leasure, and regret. With inte' est
because t is evidently the production Of one
who has given his subject careful considera-
ton with pleasure because many of it's pre-
misses We cordially endorse with pain be-
cause lin our opinion) the conclusions are
totally unwarranted. Under the chapter of
s'THE LABOR QUEsTIoS," after stating that
one Of the greatest problems Of the age IL
show shall each individual human being,
by his own best use of himself, or herself,
provide most bread and rairlent to shelter
from hunger and storms,' be says
1.-THE recent gitation of the eight hour ques-
ton throughout the country Is ridiculous farce
played at the expense of the ignorance ami
blindness OF those who the actors.
"Let US look at this for a moment There
are two wide paths in life TO travel one is the
oath of industry, the other the path OF idleness.
The path of industry leads upward, the path OF
idleness leads downward, and ~hoeVer does not
travel one viii travel the other. There are de-
pots, stations, and Resting places on all roads.
These give pleasure 70 the traveller. Now, any
IuaA who undertakes TO travel on both roads at
the same time, soon becomes hayward"
Well, Just let US examine for a moment
the character Of this ridiculous farce Of
NnIen be talks 50 ghbly, and what arguments
he employs TO eorroborste his statements Is
it true, we ask, that the pain of industry al
ways leads upwards or the path IF idle
ness doWnwardsl On the contrary, do We
not frequently find that those who do moth
ing, VINO add nothing to the material or in
telectuaI wealth Of the world, are the men
who possess its riches, while those who toll
from. January to December, from early morn
till dewy eve are strangers to it's luxuries or
even its comforts. Let us look to the aris-
tocracy Of Europe for example. How stands
the case with themg NiDe-tenths lead lives
Of prohigacy and idleness, yet we find them
reveling on the fat Of the land, and the men
who create the wealth which they squander
working like galley slaves fc- mere sub
sistence. But that is in EuroI,; .hings are
altogether different in America, Jays Mr..
Reayls. Let US see. 60 witt Us reader to
the back lanes and alleys Of our cities, with
their crowded tenements .et us examine
the calling Of their occupants. The horny
hand and begrimeG face tell to- plainly that
honest Industry has done comparatively little
for them, as a life Of monotonous, unremit-
ting toll has afforded nothing but scanty
subsistence. Now let Us wend our steps 70
our broad avenues, with uAeir shady trees
and marble palaces. Who reside there
Our stock and gold gam 5lers, our board Of
trade robbers, our professional drones; In
fact anybody and every body but those who
should've creators Of our material wealth.
TO be sure, excep'ionsble cases may be
fouDd-but as a rule our assertion will hold
good. Now the question arises, why il this
Is it because wise and benefeent PROV.
dence has bestowed al the intellect, energy, ,,
and-wealth upon one class Of society aud de-
MED il to the other or is it because man
has found out many inventions; because the |
strong have tyranized over the weak, and
by class legislation and an unjust monetary |
rich from the poor, and the plan which robs
the producer of the fruits Of his labor, while !
by overtaxing bis physical en- ergies, he has
been deprived of the means and opportunity |
of understanding the causes which produce
these resul We leave our readers to form
their OWE conclusions. Again he says:
"Physiologists viii tell us that at best eight
hours for sleep is sufficient for the demand Of
any human organism; that in THE iS.ssn Of
time the whole sysUem can recuperate its lost
vitality. Now, suppose that Of the twenty four
hours, eight be devoted 70 slsep and eight 70
labor what viii the other eight be devosed TO
In nine cases out Of ten, 20 idleness and profit
gacy, for the time must be on one road or the
Dther. Bul gAin. mans physical strength win
Endure more than eight hours work, and the |
poor mans family demands more than eight ,
nazk pay, therefoFe it Is wrong 70 establish q !.
rTstem 3; 1Abor the workings Of which are posi-
Iivelv ininrao1s 70 society. That regulation Of
.hof 4 ~ best which gives fulH employment !
"A l,.ll cop, psl.safon any other system than
his Is wrong, and deserves the cendemnAtionI
i iatsllgsaf Psepiss s -