The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-04-10
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March %, 1869

WASHINGTON, March %, 1869.
To the Editor Of the wosKNGxAss Advocate:
have been prevailed upon to voluHteer
my services, feeble as they are, ia promo.
ting the cause of the Industrious poOr-an
the wealth producing portion Of the PEG.
ple Of the United States.
| have been told that the ssWoRKINGM ANS
ADVOCATE" is the organ Of that important
class, and, ther efore, expect that my mite
as it may be contributed, from time to
time, will be received and transmittel
through the columns TO the readers Of that
journal.
SHALLOW informs me that he has underta-
ken TO place before the over-taxed classes,
herein mentioned statistical information
from which they will be able to see where
their money goes. In this, | will aid him
TO all the information within my reach, and
will, as far as possible, avoid infringing on
bis pre- emptiOn. All items of news are
promptly seized by the efficient agents oil
the assoc ated press, sent on the wings OF
lightning, and duly Published in the vari-
Gus editions of the numerous and powerful
daily journals in circulation throughout
christ endom--there is then nothing left for
me TO do as a weekly contributor, except
to indulge in occasional delineations, sug.
gestlons, comparisons and conclusions.
regret that my experience, ability and scope
are so limited.
But 70 my task-and first desire to call
attention to the speech Of Senator Sprague
Of Rhode Island. judging from bis manner
be was not only in earnest, but consequent
" overwhelmed with the importance IT THE
subject, which, TO some extent, involved The
con iitlon Of the country. The tenure o.
Office law being under discussion yesterday.
be obtained the door, and boldly charged
that he members Of the Senate and House
of representatives had last sight Of the ma
terial interest of the country, ard Sere con-
summing all the time IN unimportant matters
-deyising sch emes to contract patronage
and perpetuate power. Gripping, trammel.
ing and confusing the executive depart
ment 80 that the officers thereof are also
prevented from properly considering ques-
tions Of moment involving the prosperity,
happiness AID liberty Of the laboring
classes.
lie asked il there was a man Of any bnsi-
ness experience to be found, who would ua-
dertake the most ordinary enterprise under
similar restrictions to those plac.d upon the
president.
These are his words-I am quite sure
nay, am as certain as that | stand here
10 day-taat there Is not a hous hold, there
is not ma Iufactory, there is not farm,
there u not a workshop, there il nothing
that can be carried on with restrictions
placed upon the executive or principal that
will leave him, powerless to enforce hIs or
ders, or secure faithful and competent EN-
ployees
He pointed to the decline in our com
meree and the condition of the south, and
accused senators OF refusing to profit bY the
lessons Of the war He adverted to domes
tic society, the social condition and poltic-
al status Of the people OF the United States,
ana charged that it was, in great part, Ow
log To the character of recent legislation and
the example set by those who were IN pos
session Of accidental fortunes.
In other words 60 shoddy men and class
legislation. He complained that be could
not arouse senators 70 realize the condition
Of the country, that be could not make
them understand that all or nearly all Of
our industrial interests are already lost
that they were determined not TO under
stand why our immigration last year was
5J,oUV les than il was the year before, and
Why ouf commerce Is 10 d. cline. His con
trast between American and British states
manship vas most damaging to the former.
tie pertiRently inquired els there Justice
in this landl VINO that Is a poor man dare
take one that is rich before any court 10
this land IL there individual prote zion 2
Is there citizen protection in this land Of
liberty I" And be thrt is poor and cannot
answer these inquiries certainly stands
greatly in need of hight. The following, ia
Ken from the senator's speech shows plainly
what ne Is contemplating, and should great
iy encourage the laboriDg classes 10 Ameri-
Ca. To know that there is one senator and
he very rich, and manufacturer who IN
derstands our merits and or wants with
moral courage enough to repel the eharla-
tan professional place men, is cheering
indeed. Let every honest man come to his
support. He says
favored the election Of General Grant IN
opposition 10 the aspirations of one connected
with me by family ties ! did that because |
felt that Grant had not learned the practices Of
those who had had charge Of the Government.
that be would have capacity % see through the
intricac,t7 Of the things about him, and would
Judge more correctly OF the exact condition ia
which things were, unbiased, unprecedented, IN
Influenced. watched biz inaugural with anx~
iety. | listened TO every word that he uttered
watched his countenance responded TO the
words wherein be prJfessed himself to be the
champion of freedom aud liberty; that be
should be independent. aud fearless in the dis
charge Of his duties but 1 went away with a
sorrowing heart when / heard that clause in his
inaugural that he would protect the Govern
ment debt. | that the canker that had
possessed the body-poltics of the American ma
tion had got to him. went away disheartened
sorrowing, alarmed. Bat, sir, will not give up
the ship, even with that impression. hope he
will discover the error into which be has been
led by bad advisers, and will retract, retrograde
turn away as he would ftom a charnel house
NoREMACUH