The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-30
~, From the Revolutica
H. Monetary SYstam

Last ek We alluded to the power Of tbt
bankers and usurers, and showed how they
VIII endeavor to retain it. We propose nov
70 notice some of the means at the command
OF the friends OF right and Justice. and tbe
manner OF using them, To the discontinue N
these their oppressors.
before going into this conflict OF right and
Justlce against wrong and oppression. there
are lessons to be learned, virtues to be prac-
tlceo, and duties to be performed. We must
learn tnat oil great social and political r..
forms, 70 De permanent, must begin in The
lowest stratum Of society and work upward.
ana that expressions originate IL The upper
ana woIk downward. The greatest Of re-
iorms must begin with and end with the peo.
pie. Ihst intelligence and virtue III the
sovereignty are necessary to q wise admins
uat'on oi justice under any form of govern
ment, and that II il not Of 80 much import
ance whether democrat or republican ad-
ministration control the government. as that
1t be wisely and justly administered That,
as each citizen il an integral part of the gov
eminent, he has important duties to perform
duties too sacred tv be neglected o. entrusted
TO any one-and which be should IA neatly
seek 70 know, and faithfully perform. He
should, therefore think for himself aud act
on bis own convictions Of right and duty.
lie must divest himself of all preconceivej
opinions on questions Of financial and other
government policies, when convinced that
they are erroneous, accept truth and reject
error, regardless Of .heir source; eschewing
all party prejudice, he must act with his ieI-
low cltlzens Tor the common welfare. He
who Is unwilling to DO these things cannot be
good citizen Of free government, for this
y tDe only way the general good can be pro-
noted and a Successful effort made against
the common enemies Of labor IN every de-
partment Of Industry. The interest Of em-
ployer and employe are mutual No lasting
good can result TO either from tie compul-
sorry measures OF strikes, 50 often resorted
TO. Ihe permanent interest of both can only
be secured by the overthrow of the present
falsely constituted money power. Having
learned these lessons and determined to per-
form our whole duty, We are ready 70 20 to
work with certainty Of success.
The first thing u be done is to petition
Congress, demanding the repe al Of The shoddy
banking system, mlscalled National, and the
adoption Of q just and true monetary system,
that will give 10 labor its Just reward. II
the representatives Of the people have any
doubts as to which system the soldiers and
weaith-Producing classes prefer, ask them to
submit the.question to the decision Of the
people at the ballot box this they cannot
refuse, 4 they mean 70 represent the people
at all. But above all, we should not fail to
demand OF Congress justice for the soldiers
and their families, widows and orphans.
we should positively refuse all bank notes,
no matter what system they are issued under,
and insist upon the legal tender Treasury
notes (Greenb-sks), in payment for services
and supplies furnished the government. Pro-
test against The issue or sale Of government
bonds bearing greater interest than three per
cent. per annum, or payable il anything but
lawful money of the United States.
Second Form your Town, County and
State organizations SO that intelligent and
united effort may be made throughout the
whole nation. you cannot find among the
puohc journals any that will advocate your
rights, discard the whole of them and estab-
lish others that will. Do not fear a little
cost IN ta.s matter. Remember that by sup
POI ting the newspapers ID the interest and
employ oi bankers aud usurers, you are pay
ING Tor your own oppression aud degrade
ti0n.
LhtTd. be careful to sus tain those in office
who sIand BY and support your rights, and
to select only good and true men for legisla-
tive, executive, Judicial, and other posirIons
OF official trust, discarding all mere proles-
sional politicians and demagogues Wnen a
man appeals 70 you as democrats, republi-
cans, lrishmen, Germans, or any other party
name or nationality, set him down as de-
magogue seeking his own interest regardless
OF your rights. Ysu may safely accept this
as an infallIble rule, for good men know none
OF these distinctions. They only know you
as American citizens.
F0urfh- Make tlIs greatest Of all reforms
paramount to all other issues, saving alone
the preservation Of the government. Stand
on no platform in which these are not the
main planks placed side by side, nor support
for office any men who arc not heartily in
favor Of both.
Go to work with faith and constancy ID
the performance Of your duties, and soon the
ranks OF the enemies Of justice will waver
and give way before the power Of right, anG
the victory will be won-the rights and dig.
nifty Of labor asserted-a victory more grand
more sublime, more benehcent ia its results,
than was ever won on the battlefield. "Let
the social position of the labOrer to which hs
is entitled by the ordination Of God, ia the
laws of nature, be ascertained and rec0gniz
ed, and poverty and crime, and most other
political and social evils, will give place L
competency, virtue and happiness"