The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16
ST. MAKY's, May 3, 1865

81. MAhi D nay D 1905.
70 the Editor Of the WosEIsGHAN's ApvocArH
As something must be done soon, I write,
knowing the sentiments of the workingmen
Of the West. have no fears u being sue
cessfully contradicted, when say they are
thoroughly Disguised with both the present
political parties or the country, fur TIE faith
less disregard Of solemn pledges often made
but never performed, the unwarantable viola
lions Of the most sacred obligations, and the
utter abandonment Of the ancient landmarks
Of our government, BY the shameless usurp-
atoms OF political power, and that IL they
1.-THE wOrkingmen Of this country had any
confidence In any channel through which
they might make known their wants. thew
would organize workingmen's party i'm
mediately, and speak to public servants III
the language Of cOmmand-language that
becomes "the People, from WHOM, ATT rirhtful
powers OF government arc derived They
would say, as basis to teach Lawmakers,
that "the unbiased decisions or the supreme
court Of the United States shall Be fnal, as
to the constitutionahty Of all congressional
and state legislation" They would say,
that 'as public debt is destructive Of the hb-
critics of the people, Chat shall be held par
amount to all law the national debt SAIL
be paid by the assessment upon the present
property Of the country, and not be shifted
from those who owe the debt " TIE ruturs
earnings Of Labor, that owes no part Of it,
They would say, that Gas the landlord and
tenant system Of Europe that u % rapidly
and fearfully being fixed upon this country.
Is sure to destroy the liberties 81 the people.
change our form Of government, By creating
an aristOcracy, and disfranchise the masses.
that congress shall radically change our mis-
chief-making, luminous land system declare
all our vacant lands public property, Ana
subject to the Homestead law, DIV back the
purchase money to all who have entered and
obtained titles to the wild lands OF this
country, and discontinue forever tbe
sale Of land, or giving away land, except 10
actual settlers" They would say that Nthe
people shall have immediate control or All
pubic servants, who owe obedience Ia their
employers at all times, and as many cues
tons arise during tae terms Of Office for
which persons are elected, that are not dis-
cussed or decided by the popular votes At
elections, we hold all public servants as
subject 70 instructions BY their constituents.
and that In all cases where any public SER
Vant tries to become the peoples master. bv
refusing to obay the instructions of his
constituents, when fairly and lawfully pre-
sented to the incumbent, be shall forfeit his
office, and the people may proceed to elect
another, who shall in all cases supercede the
person refusing to obey, or comply with
such Instructions
Now, sir, with these great and funiament-
al principles Of popular right, to which All
workingmen will subscribe, adopted in q
convention Of workingmen that should be
held the coming summer, we cannot only
carry the presidential election by an over
whelming majority Of honest votes, next
fall, bu. we will save ourselves and fellow
workiogmcn, all over our "Great Republic"
| from the ealamties Of another sensel ~
civil war, the criminal waste Of miIli-1. WI,
public money, the national scandal Of a. --vr
impeachment farce, and stay the already
uncomfortable taxation that party faction
bond-holders bsve fixed, or NAV fix, upon
us workingmen, and also forever close the
door 10 land speculation (the greatest curse
TO man) that Is consuming more than half
the earnings Of Labor, which must ALWAYS
lh contnued) keep the masses poor, By
building up aristocratic, overgrown fortunes
Tor few, who despise workingmen for per
hitting what they O.. 80 easily prevent.
Respectfully,
WIN. H DOpuE.