The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-18
THE CONVENTIONS.

Daring the past week It has been our
privilege to attend two partisan conventions
the first meeting Of Republican farm
ers and mechanics, at Decatur, the other,
the meeting Of the Illinois State Democratic
Convention. Although participating in
neither as a delegate, we were gratifed -
end more than grati6sd, at the spirit which
animated both deliberativs bodies, showing,
as it did, that the claims Of the laboring
classes are beginning to be felt and rsesg-
nized by each political faction. ID was in
spring indeed, land to NJ conveyed bright
augury for the future,) to hear many Of the
their wish and intention to cultivate kind
ly intercourse with the mechanics; that a.
an identity Of interest was recognized,
unity Of action should be secured; that
the reign of the political leeches which had
so long controlled the rOlicy Of the parties,
had well nigh ceased, and that the claims
Of honest labor, which had been 90 long ig-
nored, were about to become the paramount
issues Of the hour, while in that contest the
farmers Of the west would occupy no equivo-
cal position.
The resolution, passed without dissent
ing voice, eOndemning the system at present
pursued at our state penitentiar, shows
that the professed sympathy is genuine; ana
also, that the grievance is one which appeals
to the sense Of honor Of every upright man.
Take IL altoge saer, the meeting cannot fail to
be productive of the happiest results. Many
of the speeches contained the ring Of the
true metal, and surprised us alike by the
boldness OF their sentiments and the sound
ness Of their logic, proving that they CANE
from men who have given the question at
issue calm and careful consideration. Al
\ though, as stated, the convention was held
under partisan auspices, it derived its i'm
portance from the fact that it was but one Of
the many signs Of the tires, developing in
oil quarters, tnat the peeps, irrespective OF
4 party, are moving in the right direction
and that the new era, Of which We have
I utdEu - Is hDOObbJ udhus
\ At the Democratic convention, a similar
spirit was manifested. Whether from honest
motives or policy, it is not for us to say. but
the following resolutions, which we heartily
endorse, were urged and carried 10 behalf Of
the producing classes Of the country:
RESOLVED, That the present debt vas contract
ed in paper issued BY the federal government,
and which declared to be lawful money by
lie legislative authority Of the country, ana
Z which, while accepted by the government for
the larger part Of the asse = ments and paid out
10 the soldiers and other defenders shoula be,
as ey its terms i Il, rect Vable in SUBTRACTION
7 by the holders Of the pledge Of the faith of the
( government in all cases except wherein dit
/ ferent standard Of value has been stipulated
I for.
RESOLVED, That the vast balk Of the indebt-
edness Of the country, known as 2Us, are
lawfully payableiu legsltender notes OF the
government, and should be so pe:a, IS the said
obligations are within the power Of the govern.
ment 10 relieve and discharge; and that where
7 OF the faith Of the governme at 10 pledged to
pay 10 gold, We sill SO fulfill, and beyond this
we will not 20.
RESOLVED, That the present system Of nation a
banks can and should be Immediately abolished
and the notes I the said Institutions redeemed,
and their places supplied by non-interest bear
ing notes Of the government, thus saving to the
people twenty millions Of dollars annually.
RESOLVED, That all the wealth of the eoun,
try, whether invested in government securities
or otherwise, should sustain its full and faiI
share Of t4Iati0n.
From the manner in which the resolution
on convict labor was received, there is No
doubt bot that the Convention is in entire
sympathy with its spirit, and that the fail.
ure Of the committee to report the same
arose from the fact that tie platform adopt.
ed was presented few moments after the
resolution was referred. To every friend Of
the labor movement, therefore, we say be Of
good cheer. The signs Of the times als in.
deed auspiciouI. The People are awaking
tc sense Of their duties, are ranging them
selves under the banner Of the National La.
Dor party, and in few short years at farthest,
the principles for which we are now contend.
ing-thc principles Of Liberty, Justice, ana
Equality, will triumph over all opposition
and the workipgmen Of America, united and
disenthralled, will occupy that position
which God in bis providence, intended they
ehould