The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-05-01

scatters dust, and plainly shows how much lie
authors fear the charge (made BY their peer) Of
corruption In high places, and Of serious de-
raugement In the morals, politics and hnancss
OF the country, occasioned by the shoddy uaen
and class legislation Ct this progressive age.
The modern Anthony stated In the speech re-
ferred 70. THAT labor IL well rewarded that
capital finds Its most profitable investment IN
those enterprises which render the largest re :
turn 20 industry that the laboring man Is well
fed, well clothed and comfortably housed that
his children 10 70 school, and his family 90 TO
church. Sc.. but while be was presenting, TO
an American senate, this picture OF loveliEess,
this funny sketch, the faithful local OF the ma
tiobal Republican" was engaged in the produc-
ton of the following portrait:
"a young girl aged fifteen years. who gave her name
Annie Forrest arrested sbout o'clock, April
Sth By 0cer kenner, Of the sixth precinct fer entc-
stood before Justsce Harper and acknowledged her
shameful life. She vas dned Ave dollars by the mags.
trats, which amount she pa and was dismissed"
The noble Anthony has told US that he does
not share the doleful apprehensions OF hls col
league that labor is not oppressed; that the
laboring classes are not demoralized; and that
virtue does not hide her head in shame. But,
if he will walk the streets of Washington on any
night, or visit our places of amusement, Theatre,
CAnterburies, Metropolitan Halls, and other
Cleopatrsn exhibitions, as bis ancient n&mesake
did, without the galze OF greatness on, he can
see, by scores and hundreds, the wives, sisters
and daughters of the citizens Of the United
Sltes, engaged as badly as Annie Forrest Is.
What senator so blind that has not seen our
citizens, their brothers, and their sons, upon
the streets in rags, begging coppers with which
to buy their bread, while they And their lodg-
ngs in N SCRABBLE novels, or ia the station
houses. Who has not heard the cry Of "Shine
your boots" laughter from scores OF half
grown citizens, even within the shadow OF yon
der lofty dome +: But Anthony has told rs that
we are all well fed aud well clothed, and com
fortahiy housed That, money is not scarce,
and virtue quite abundant laughter and
Anthony il an honorable man. Applause |
Are scenes which make the brazen goddess
blush, unobserved bv senators Applause
l am not office holder nor an office seeker,
J mean No disrespect TO any one, but who in
this assembly that holds. or express 20 hold an
Office can mount this rostrum and boldly advo-
cate the cause OF labor without damage 70 bis
Office holding prospects. II therebe one let him
come up, that We may see and hear him. There
is not not one, my friends vet Anthony has
told Us tha. all ia quite serene. laughter.
And sure he is an honorable man. Applause !
Why should the workingmen, VINO produce
All the wealth Of the counGry-in which a few
men revel--be thus completely shorn of Office
holding advocates Why is your pay reduced,
your work increased, or additional hours de
handed By those whom you have elevated with
your votes, having first made them prominent
by your valor Why should the wOrkinsmen
who make the wealth, and make the president,
have such dangerous and unpopular cause that
SOBER and SANE senators ignore it? Ill tell you
Why. For the same reason that Pharaoh in
creased the tile Of bricks and withheld the issue
OF straw wheu Moses asked him to let the work
ngmen OF Egypt GO and for the self same rea
son that the late wealthy planters OF the south
refused TO let New England light shine on their
Eorkipgmen~ Applause Ii is not profitable
nor good for tyraDts TO give their serfs and
slaves time and opportunity for reflection. Lei
sure might breed discomfort and revolution and
give just proportion Of the products Of Labor
10 those who labor.
My friends, | have detained you already much
too long go on go on, and, although
hEpe not told much Of a story. yet must close,
and, ia Conclusion, let me say that the spirit OF
julius Cesar was not more dangerous to Brutus
cause 10 Rome, than the spirit Of the moderl
tmonieo) Caesar will be TO ours in America
Great cheering
The foregoing IS a tolerably faithful re-
port Of the proceedings Of q meeting which,
though apparently Insignificant, is, in the
opinion Of your correspondents, as the first
step, more important to the ove.-taxed mil
hons, than any recently held in This coun-
try. NC"EMAcUH.